Ellen Said:

Any Language Speech Pathologists out there?

We Answered:

My mom is a speech path! She loves her job and has zero regrets. She worked in elementary schools for years (she would work part time for two or three schools at a time). She would help kids with their speech problems - some just didn't talk, some were delayed, some had disabilities, and others just had lisps or other things. She played a lot of 'games' with them that were actually learning tools. Last year, she switched to nursing homes for the elderly, and now she helps people speak that have had a stroke or have lost an ability. It's a very rewarding job, not too much stress, and a pretty flexible schedule. Plus, the pay is pretty good, and there is always a demand! She hasn't told me much about her education, but I know she did have to go to grad school. She has always said she struggled with anatomy in college, but that course might not be required at all schools. Good luck!

Andrea Said:

Do speech-language pathologists use sign language?

We Answered:

I am a speech language pathologist, it is a GREAT job. You will always be able to find work, it is clean relatively easy work with good hours and pay.

Speech Pathologists work with people who have difficulty with communication and / or swallowing. This can be adults or children. There are a number of reasons someone might need a speech pathologist. Check out the websites for more info. Yes, we can work with deaf people, one of my recently graduated students just got a job at a school for deaf children. I have diagnosed a number of children with hearing impairment and have worked with children and adults in training them to use cochlear implants. I would HIGHLY recommend this as a career.

Another one to look at would be "teacher of the deaf". This is a special qualification ontop of a teaching or speech pathology degree that you can do as a masters (or at least thats how it works in Australia).

Personally what I have done with hearing impaired people is: teaching them to listen with cochlear implant, teaching them to speak clearly, teaching them language / grammar / vocabulary they have not acquired normally. As I said I have also assessed children and through the course of the assessment I have identified hearing impairment from the way they speak and listen. Some of the other things I have worked on with deaf people is scarcasm and boredom conveyed in tone of voice. With the adult who had a cochlear implant put in at 30 he didn't know you could hear scarcasm by tone of voice. Try saying "really? how interesting" - you can say it and mean at least 2 different things. If you have spent your life lip reading you can't hear this. Interesting.

Ida Said:

Speech Language Pathologists- I need your wisdom!!!?

We Answered:

They are trying to find out what kind of language skills a child has so they know where to begin treatment. They will also see if what the parent is telling them matches what they see in assessment.

Joanne Said:

Any Speech Language Pathologists?

We Answered:

I just finished my masters in Speech Pathology and I'm going to begin working in a school in the fall. At our school the most important thing for getting into graduate school is your grades not your undergrad internship because they know most of your clinical practicums will be done during graduate school. It is a good idea to join your local chapter of NSSLA so you can get some volunteer experience. If you can get a part time job working with special needs children that would also help.

Just make sure when you get into graduate school you get a variety of experiences don't just focus on one area because employers like that.

If you go to the site speakingofspeech.com you can post a question that will only be answered by speech therapists.

Good Luck!

Ivan Said:

Male speech-language pathologists in the hospital setting?

We Answered:

Its about 55 percent to 45 percent women over mean. Its not weird at all.

Javier Said:

What do Speech Language Pathologists do??!!?

We Answered:

You don't need a lot of math and science to get into this career. The only math I was required to take was statistics. Some of the course work has a bit of science to it like anatomy of head and neck and some hearing science. Check out http://www.asha.org/public/slp.htm. It gives some more info about the field. You can also do a search for salary reports on their website. To work in the field as a licensed SLP you are required to get a master's degree (better if it's an accredited program). If you have a bachelor's in communication sciences and disorders, the master's program will be about 5 semesters. It includes coursework and clinical work in testing and therapy. Speech pathology is a great field that is very rewarding. It is very diverse so you won't get bored. I work in an elementary school and love it. Email me if you have any more questions.