Types Of Speech Pathology Online Programs
Speech pathology graduate programs online may include masters, certificate and doctorate programs.
Within these categories, programs might be further specialized. For example, some programs might talk about what it means to work in a school setting, while others might hone in on certain types of disorders.
Is A Speech Therapist Like A Doctor
While speech-language pathologists are not considered doctors, they are highly educated and specialized healthcare professionals. SLPs often work closely with doctors, nurses, and other specialists and professionals. To become a speech-language pathologist one must have a masters degree in their field and a great deal of clinical and practical experience before being certified. Speech-language pathologists also work similarly to a doctor in that they perform necessary tests and evaluations to identify areas of concern, establish a diagnosis and then work collaboratively with other therapists and medical professionals to come up with a unique and customized treatment plan for each of their patients. Treatment can include exercises to strengthen muscles or practice correct placement or movement of the tongue jaw and lips.
Job Description Of A Speech Pathologist
The day-to-day duties of a speech-language pathologist may vary based on the work setting and area of specialization. However, some key responsibilities SLPs share are as follows:
- Conduct screenings to assess a clients speech and swallowing challenges.
- Evaluate and diagnose speech, language and communication disorders.
- Develop an appropriate treatment plan.
- Provide rehabilitation or communication strategies for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Train, communicate and educate family and caregivers of those with communication or swallowing disorders.
- Offer augmentative and alternative communication systems for clients who experience challenges with severe social expression or language comprehension disorders, such as those on the autism spectrum.
- Use an interdisciplinary approach to address a clients communication and swallowing needs.
- Complete administrative tasks, including the recording of a clients progress during and after treatment and the maintenance of client records.
There are a variety of work settings that a speech-language pathologist can choose from. SLPs can work in nursing and residential care facilities, offices of audiologists and physical therapists or have offices of their own.
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Differences Between Audiologists And Speech
Though there are some similarities between audiologists and speech-language pathologists, there isnt much overlap. Among the 198,000 professionals the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association represents, only 849 are certified to work as both audiologists and speech-language pathologists.
If youre interested in a career that helps those with communication struggles, you should spend some time investigating the responsibilities of an audiologist vs. speech-language pathologist to pursue the path best for you.
What Are Language Disorders
A language disorder refers to a problem understanding or putting words together to communicate ideas. Language disorders can be either receptive or expressive:
- Receptive disorders are problems with understanding or processing language.
- Expressive disorders are problems with putting words together, having a limited vocabulary, or being unable to use language in a socially appropriate way.
- Cognitive-communication disorders are problems with communication skills that involve memory, attention, perception, organization, regulation, and problem solving.
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Ot Vs Pt Vs Slp Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , all three rehab therapy professions have an excellent employment outlook.
Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 24 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Occupational therapy will continue to be an important part of treatment for people with various illnesses and disabilities, such as Alzheimers disease, cerebral palsy, autism, or the loss of a limb.
Employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 28 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is also much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for physical therapy will come from the aging baby boomers, who are not only staying active later in life, but are also more susceptible to age-related health conditions that may require physical therapy. In addition, physical therapists will be needed to treat people with mobility issues stemming from chronic conditions, such as diabetes or obesity.
Employment of SLPs is projected to grow 18 percent between 2016 to 2026, With baby boomers continuing to age, there will be increased need for SLPs to treat speech and language impairments caused by strokes and age-related brain injuries.
Speech Therapy Vs Occupational Therapy: How Do They Compare
Both Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy are successful therapeutic approaches to improve specific needs your child may have. Occupational therapy encompasses your childs whole-body needs, including motor function. This includes a focus on daily tasks, such as things your child will do in their everyday life and at school. In addition, Occupational Therapy focuses on motor skill development, such as things like using scissors or tying shoes.
In contrast, Speech Therapy focuses only on speech and language needs. Speech Therapy swallowing, eating, or reading. Speech Therapy is focused less on performing specific tasks, rather, focuses entirely on improving the speech and language capabilities of your child.
Occupational Therapy can help your childs academic and cognitive skills, gross and fine motor skills, social play and behavioral skills, sensory processing, and enhance their independence when performing daily tasks. In contrast, Speech Therapy can help your child improve speech fluency, literacy, vocabulary, develop articulation skills, improve feeding or oral motor skills, and reach appropriate developmental language milestones.
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Who Employs Speech Pathologists
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association reports that 56 percent of speech-language pathologists work in educational settings, mostly for early intervention programs, preschools and K-12 schools. At the university level, SLPs may see clients, but they are more often involved in teaching and research.
SLPs are also employed in healthcare settings, including residential facilities, hospitals, acute care facilities, psychiatric hospitals and rehabilitation centers. SLPs also work in corporate settings and for government agencies. SLPs in private practice have the greatest flexibility in choosing their hours and target populations.
Ot Vs Pt Vs Slp Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, PTs, OTs, and SLPs have somewhat similar salaries.
The largest gap seems to be between PT and SLP.
The BLS site reports that the median annual wage for physical therapists was $86,850 in May 2017, and it was $76,610 for Speech-Language Pathologists. The median wage for OTs fell squarely in the middle of that range, at $83,200.
As this is an OT website, we have our own guide to OT salary, in case you want to dive deeper into that particular data.
Keep in mind that median wage is the pay at which half the workers in an occupation earn more than that pay, and half earn less.
Another thing to keep in mind is saturation. Certain cities will have several PT, OT, or SLP schools within the area , so there is more competition for jobs, lowering overall wages.
Also, more desirable cities will often pay lower rates because more people are vying for the jobs there.
Aside from location, the setting in which you practiceas well as your employerwill play a big role in how much you earn.
Our advice is to consider the field that appeals the most to you, rather than looking at the salary alone, to ultimately make your decision.
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What Does An Slp Do In A School
Speech-language pathologists working in education settings constitute 38% of all SLPs, according to the BLS. Education settings include pre-kindergarten, K12 public and private schools, and colleges and universities.
SLPs who work in early childhood education settings employ intervention strategies and support students throughout their learning cycles. It is also important for school-based SLPs to advise and work with educators and administrators. This ensures that students communication challenges are addressed holistically, so as not to disrupt their learning.
A school-based SLP or speech teachers key responsibilities may include the following:
The first step to becoming an SLP and achieving your career goals is earning a Master of Sciences in Communication Disorders . To learn more about the Speech@Emerson program, including its length, a look into our online campus and what to expect of immersion experiences, visit our Speech@Emerson program page, contact the admissions team by phone at 855-997-0407 or send an email to .
What Is A Speech
Speech-language pathologists, also called speech therapists, work with patients on a broad range of physical and cognitive communication disorders: issues with articulation, stuttering, word finding, semantics, syntax, phonics, vocalization, and swallowing. These disorders have a variety of causes, such as autism, stroke, brain injury, hearing loss, developmental delay, a cleft palate, and psychological issues, among others.
SLPs are typically part of a rehabilitation team that can include physical therapists, occupational therapists, audiologists, and psychologists.
SLPs work in educational and clinical settings such as:
- Research laboratories
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The Different Types Of Speech Therapy
SLPs use a variety of techniques to improve their ability to comprehend. As part of the assessment process, SLPs use a variety of techniques to assess comprehension, such as speaking in a clear and organized manner, answering questions, and providing visuals. Interventions: SLPs typically use interventions to assist patients in improving their comprehension, such as prompting. Speech and language rehabilitation are two aspects of rehabilitation that aim to improve a patientâs abilities. Speech-language pathologists diagnose and treat a wide range of disorders of speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing, including swallowing disorders, in the field of medical speech-language pathology. They are trained to help people suffering from a variety of neurological conditions, including stroke, seizure, cancer, and brain damage. Speech therapy is a type of therapy that is used to assist people who are unable to communicate effectively. Speech therapists are available for people of all ages, from newborns to seniors. There are no educational or qualification differences between a speech pathologist and a speech therapist. There are several variations of the same term.
Work Settings For A Speech Pathologist Vs A Speech Therapist
There are a few differences between speech pathologists and speech therapists, but what are their common work settings? A speech-language pathologist can work with children, adults, and even organizations to treat people with various disabilities. These professionals may also work in the offices of physical therapists and audiologists. Lets examine some of these differences in order to decide which career path is right for you.
In addition to their clinical roles, speech therapists must be compassionate and have strong interpersonal skills. Their clients will have multiple barriers to effective communication. In addition to treating people with speech problems, speech therapists can also work in research fields. They can help develop treatments that will improve their clients lives. A speech therapist can be employed in schools or in private practice. There are also government and corporate positions available for speech pathologists. Considering your goals before choosing a career path is crucial to a satisfying and rewarding career.
While a speech therapist will help you improve your skills, a speech pathologist can help you overcome the obstacles you face in your everyday life. They can help you overcome unwanted accents, improve public speaking skills, and build confidence. Theyve helped celebrities add accents and dialects and help them gain more confidence. One famous actor that benefited from a speech pathologist was Dustin Hoffman.
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No Matter Which Path You Choose Youre In Good Shape
The rehab therapy professions are constantly making various lists of the top careers in America.
And while these lists should always be taken with a grain of salt, its always nice to see our wonderful professions represented positively by mainstream media!
Here are just a few of our bragging rights:
Which Areas Do Our Speech Pathologists Cover
Aberdeen, Abermain, Bellbird, Beresfield, Bolwarra, Branxton, Cessnock, Chisholm, Cliftleigh, Dungog, East Maitland, Gillieston Heights, Greta, Heddon Greta, Hinton, Kurri Kurri, Laguna, Lochinvar, Lorn, Maitland, Morpeth, Muswellbrook, Paterson, Raworth, Raymond Terrace, Rothbury, Rutherford, Singleton, Stroud, Tarro, Telarah, Tenambit, Thornton, Vacy, Windella, Wollombi, Woodberry and more.
Telehealth sessions are also an option if appropriate for the individual or group participants instead of face-to-face sessions.
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Salary And Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the median 2020 pay for speech-language pathologists as $80,480 per year, or approximately $38.69 per hour. Median pay means that half in the profession earned more, while half earned less.
When looking at salary data, remember there is no different between a speech therapist and a speech pathologist. Use the search term “speech-language pathologist.”The employment website ZipRecruiter lists states where average 2021 earnings are higher than the median, including:
- Massachusetts: $113,261
- New Hampshire: $98,076
- Virginia: $98,042
The BLS projects job growth for SLPs will be 25 percent through 2029, a rate considered much faster than average when compared to other occupations. With the aging of the Baby Boom population, it is expected that there will be more instances of health conditions leading to language or speech impairments, including dementia or strokes.
References
Tips For Choosing Between Occupational Therapy And Speech Therapy
Here are some additional tips you can use when choosing between a career as an occupational therapist and a speech therapist:
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Consider your goals. When deciding whether youd like to be an occupational or speech therapist, consider your interests and what youd like to achieve in your career. For example, you can think about the conditions and requirements each professional encounters and how those fit with your
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Staying positive about your career path as an occupational or speech therapist can help you notice the best aspects of each role. You then can more accurately compare the positive features of both careers as part of your decision-making process.
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Stay flexible. As you work to decide which career is right for you, you may encounter new information about each role and learn new things about yourself. Try to think flexibly and creatively about career options that can work for you as either an occupational or speech therapist.
Please note that none of the companies mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.
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How Do I Know My Child Might Need Speech Therapy
As a parent, you know your child best. Needs vary from child to child, depending on age and stage.
Some common signs include:
- Not Talking at School or Home
- Lack of gesturing
- Issues with verbal requests
Speech therapy can start at any age, however, the sooner the better. The chances of success for your child will be much higher. In general, it is recommended to begin evaluation and consultation for speech therapy as soon as parents notice any potential signs of concern.
Your childs Speech Therapist will perform a thorough evaluation of their capabilities, focusing treatment on areas of concern. In addition, a professional and experienced speech therapist, like those at The Therapy Place, will ensure that therapy sessions are fun for your child!
Speech Pathologist Vs Speech Therapist
Related
Birth defects, head trauma, strokes and anxiety can affect a person’s ability to communicate. These individuals benefit from the treatment provided by speech-language pathologists , the correct term for these healthcare professionals there is no difference between a speech therapist and speech pathologist, though the terms are often used interchangeably by people outside the profession.
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Speech Pathologist Role And Job Duties
While speech pathologists also work in rehabilitation, they specialize in working with patients facing challenges related to speech, communication, or swallowing disorders. These disorders have many root causes, including traumatic brain injury, stroke, hearing loss/impairment, developmental disability, autism, a cleft palate, or Parkinsons disease.
A speech pathologist first evaluates a patients abilities and specific challenges. Then they identify treatment options and formulate a plan tailored to that patient and their needs. Some common conditions that speech pathologists help with are fluency issues , voice disorders, and aiding in the development of swallowing muscles.
Speech therapy is often a lengthy process, which means that a speech pathologist may work with the same patient for several months or even years. The end goal is to bring the patient to a point where they are swallowing and communicating as well as possible.
Speech Therapy For Children
For your child, speech therapy may take place in a classroom or small group, or one-on-one, depending on the speech disorder. Speech therapy exercises and activities vary depending on your childs disorder, age, and needs. During speech therapy for children, the SLP may:
- interact through talking and playing, and using books, pictures other objects as part of language intervention to help stimulate language development
- model correct sounds and syllables for a child during age-appropriate play to teach the child how to make certain sounds
- provide strategies and homework for the child and parent or caregiver on how to do speech therapy at home
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