Hugh Said:

I'm applying for MSc Speech and Language therapy, can anyone help with tips for the interview stage?

We Answered:

Explain what you think you can contribute to people with impaired language skills.

You will need plenty of enthusiasm in the work, so it is good to display it at the interview.

Any work you may have done in this field, including voluntary work may help you get in.

Christy Said:

How often do you see your patients as a speech language pathologist?

We Answered:

Completely depends on the client and the disorder or delay you are remediating and also the setting (private practice, school, hospital). For a kid with a simple articulation error (e.g. 's') you could see them as short as a couple months.

However for some kids you will see them many years. For example, children with severe learning disabilities, autism, developmental delays, etc. Kids like that will likely have many difficulties that take most of their childhood to improve upon.

So essentially it can range from a couple months to several years. Only rarely are there short-term cases like 4-6 weeks. That may occur if there is someone you are not sure speech therapy will work for and want to have a trial period- for example an adult who has had a stroke several years ago and may or may not be able to improve.

Sharon Said:

At what age would you consider getting speech/language therapy classes...?

We Answered:

As soon as I feel maybe there is a speech/language concern.

Suggest calling EI (early intervention). You need no referral. It is free. They will assess and provide services if he qualifies.

Qualifying for speech/language
Generally qualifying befor 15 months there has to be a feeding disorder
Generally qualifying around 18 months there has to be a receptive language delay (understanding of language) Following commands, identifying body parts (6) if an 18 month old can't id 3 parts that qualifies as a receptive delay
Generally speech delays you need to be close to 24 months for an expressive delay.

A 24 month old should be putting 2 words together, and should have a 50 word vocabulary minimum.

It sounds to me that he is on target, however I'm not a speech therapist. Anytime anybody has a concern I feel they should follow up with an assessment from early intervention even if reassured by their pediatrician, go to EI. I had EI first eval my 3rd son at 38 days old, he didn't qualify, then they saw him at 4 months, he didn't qualify, at 6 months the third eval he qualified and still qualifies, he is 3.

Waiting is the worst advice you could follow. Language acquistion there is a very small window to attain these skills, up to age 7, after that the window is closing and its harder. The 0-3 development, its crucial to get the basics during that timeframe, its actually more important than the preschool years any developmental specialist and all of the EI team will tell you that

Ruth Said:

What can I expect from a 'Speech And Language Therapy Assessment'?

We Answered:

Hi! I have the same problems with speech since I had trouble developing it since I have hearing lost.

Anyway, they gave me a very simple test.

When I went there, they gave me four tests to go through, and each of them are really easy. I think mines a bit different since I have hearing problems, but from my understanding, the assessment is given to everyone.

This is what they gave me:

1) They did a behavioral assessment. They don't tell you, but they observe how you behave such as making bad remarks throughout the meeting. I think this part is for children but they do it for everyone as not to discriminate.

2) The first test they gave was vocabulary test where they say a word, and you point to the image corresponding to the image. Some are easy, some are harder. They gave two of these, but I can't remember exactly what they're called.

3) They gave another test where I read a paper with a really weird story. This tells which word you have trouble making.

4) They listen to what you're saying. Like they ask you a lot of common questions, like your background, etc, and simply get an idea of your speech range.

Edit: It could also mean that you might have a speech impediment and they want you to go there. Has anyone ever told you that you can't say a certain type of word?

Darlene Said:

What sounds like a more rewarding, better career special needs teaching, speech and language therapy, counsell?

We Answered:

All the careers you mention are very rewarding, yet the ultimate decision must be yours. You'll need plenty of patience and caring for any of these careers. Consider your strengths... where do you think you would be the most helpful? Answer that question, and you'll find any of the careers you've mentioned very personally rewarding. Good luck:)