Speech Language Pathologist By: Holly Christensen MAP 3A/4A

What do Speech-Language Pathologist do? Speech-Language Pathologists assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent disorders related to speech, language, cognitive- communication, voice, swallowing, and fluency. They work with patients who can’t create speech sounds or produce them clearly. –People who stutter –Swallowing Difficulties –Voice Disorders (pitch or harsh voices) –People who wish to improve communications skills – Cognitive Communication Impairments Attention, memory and problem solving disorders

Where do the speech, language and swallowing difficulties come from? People can get these problems from a stroke, brain injury, developmental disorders, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, cleft palate, mental retardation, hearing loss, or emotional problems.

Speech-Language Pathologist Speech-language pathologist develop an personal plan to care for each of their patients needs. They keep records on the initial evaluation, progress, and discharge of their patients. They council their patients and families relating communication disorders and how to deal with with the stress

Work Environment Speech-Language Pathologists can work at an office, a school, or even a hospital/ medical setting. In the medical setting they may work at the patient’s bedside and assist in helping the patient to speak. In schools they work with students in an office or classroom. Sometimes they may even do house calls to the patients home.

Training Master’s degree is the most common education level and most jobs require it. Courses covered: –Anatomy –Physiology –Development of speech, language and swallowing

Employment In 2008 there were about 119,300 jobs for speech-language pathologists –48% where educational services –52% hospital, offices, nursing care facilities, home healthcare, and outpatient care centers

Job Outlook Speech-language Pathologist jobs are expected to grow 19% from (faster for the average for all occupations)

Salary The salary for speech-language pathologists depend on what area of work they are in: –Nursing Care Facilities$79,120 –Home Health Care Services$77,030 –General Medical Hospitals $68,430 –Offices of other Health Providers$67,910 –Elementary Schools$58,140

Sources ehttp:// e nguage_pathologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speech_and_la nguage_pathology p.htmhttp:// p.htm