Speech Pathologist

                       Speech Pathologist

Duties and Responsibilities:

    Speech-language pathologists (sometimes called speech therapists) assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in patients. Speech, language, and swallowing disorders result from a variety of causes, such as a stroke, brain injury, hearing loss, developmental delay, a cleft palate, cerebral palsy, or emotional problems. When diagnosing patients, speech-language pathologist typically do the following:

·      Communicate with patients to evaluate their levels of speech or language difficulty.

·      Determine the extent of communication problems by having a patient complete basic reading and vocalizing tasks or by giving standardized tests.

·      Identify treatment options

·      Create and carry out an individualized treatment plan

Salary:

$69,870-$107,650

Education:

    The standard level of education for speech-language pathologists is a master’s degree. Although master’s programs do not specify a particular undergraduate degree for admission, certain courses must be taken before entering the program. Required courses vary by institution. Graduate programs often include courses in age-specific speech disorders, alternative communication methods, and swallowing disorders. These programs also include supervised clinical practice in addition to coursework.