Description
Scope of Practice
Settings
Knowledge
Examples of Practice
Scope of practice
Since its beginnings in the early 1900's speech-language pathology has grown to encompass the study and facilitation of communication in individuals across the lifespan. Speech-language pathologists work in many different settings providing services for individuals with communication disorders including, but not limited to:
- Aphasia
- Voice
- Articulation and phonology
- Stuttering
- Child language disorders
- Those needing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
- Dysphagia
Settings
Speech-language pathologists work in many different settings including:
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Private practice
- Universities
Knowledge
- Speech-language pathologists must obtain a graduate education. This is mandated by the Council For Clinical Certification (CFCC) of ASHA.
- Following the receipt of a graduate degree, SLPs are eligible to apply
for certification which involves:
- a supervised Clinical Fellowship (CF).
- a passing score on a national examination.
- In most states, speech-language pathologists also must comply with state regulatory (licensure) standards to practice and/or have state education certification
- Many SLPs choose to acquire and maintain ASHA's Certificate of Clinical Competence, also known as the CCCs.
Examples of Practice
- A school speech-language pathologist works with children age 3 through 22 in public and private schools. The school SLP often works on an interdisciplinary team including the social worker, special education staff, school psychologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, general education staff, and administrators. School SLPs are responsible for diagnosing and treating communication disorders which often include articulation, fluency (stuttering), and language concerns.
- An SLP in a hospital setting may work with many different age groups. SLPs diagnose and treat problems with feeding, swallowing, voice, acquired speech and language disorders from traumatic brain injury or stroke.
- SLPs may also work in private practice with all different ages for myriad communication difficulties.
- Some SLPs choose to work at a university as a professor, clinical supervisor,
and/or researcher. This typically requires a PhD
Center on Human Development and Disability,
Clinical Training Unit, University of Washington,
Box 357920, Seattle, WA 98195-7920 lend@uw.edu