Speech Pathology Health Article

Definition

The field of speech pathology, formerly known as speech therapy, is concerned with disorders of speech and language. A speech-language pathologist is a professional trained to diagnose and treat language and speech disorders.

Description

Speech pathology addresses the pathology of speech and language, meaning the "diseases" of speech and language and their functional effects on the affected person. Speech and language delays and disorders cover a wide range, from simple word substitutions in sentences to the inability to understand or use language for functional communication. The causes of speech and language disorders are wide and varied, including hearing loss, neurological disorders, traumatic brain injury, mental retardation, drug abuse, physical disabilities, and emotional abuse. Frequently, the cause is also unknown. In 1997-98, more than one million students were enrolled in special education programs designed by speech-language pathologists as a result of speech or language disorders.

Work settings

Speech-language pathologists work in a wide variety of settings ranging from private practice to the public sector and with agencies treating specific disabilities. Some examples are:

• kindergartens
• primary schools
• high schools
• nursing homes
• hospitals
• universities
• rehabilitation centers
• mental health centers
• community health centers
• private practice

In any of these work settings, a speech-language pathologists's typical workload may include:

• advising a mother on feeding a baby with a cleft palate
• helping a high school student who stutters
• helping a stroke victim to regain communication skills
• providing special training for teachers, doctors, or parents
• advising parents on the prevention of language disorders
• helping children and adults to learn to read
• treating people with brain injuries to regain language
• assisting people to develop control of vocal and respiratory systems for correct voice production

Due to the wide implications of speech and language disorders, speech-language pathologists usually work in close collaboration with other professionals such as medical specialists, educators, engineers, scientists, and other allied health professionals and technicians.

For example, in the vocational school context, speech-language pathologists collaborate with teachers and counselors in establishing communication goals related to the work experiences of students and propose strategies that are designed for the important transition from school to employment.

Education and training

Speech-language pathologists first complete a bachelor's degree which covers all aspects of communication development and disorders, followed by a master's degree. Many universities integrate both degrees into one sequence of training with the bachelor's degree providing the required background in theoretical and clinical areas and the master's program providing professional training for speech-language pathology careers.

A typical master's program in Speech-Language Pathology will usually include courses such as: Research Methods in Communication Disorders, Neuromotor Disorders of Speech Production, Disorders of Phonology, Neurologic Communication Disorders in Adults, Disorders of Speech Fluency, Language Intervention: from birth to age 21, Voice Disorders, Language Assessment from Childhood to Adulthood, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

Employment in speech-language pathology requires both a master's degree in a program of study accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and a credential or license. These requirements vary from state to state. Completion of the master's program provides the training required for students to qualify for a state license as a speech-language pathologist and the state credential for working as a speech-language pathologist in the public school system. The ASHA issues the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in speech-language pathology.

In the United States, ASHA is the professional, scientific, and certification association for speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. The Association holds that academic studies are not sufficient to prepare an individual to function

as a fully competent professional able to provide high quality care in speech-language pathology. All applicants for the CCC are accordingly required to successfully complete a clinical fellowship as well as the national examination in speech-language pathology. The clinical fellowship is intended to enable individuals to obtain supervised professional clinical experience in order to qualify for the CCC. Professional experience includes direct patient contact, consultations, record keeping, and all other duties associated with clinical work. All nonpublic school work settings require ASHACCC and/or state license or certification. Each state's guidelines may require ASHA certification as well as state license in addition to educational certification for employment in public schools for speech-language pathology.