| Speech Pathology |
Index for Speech |
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Information AboutSpeech Pathology |
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__TOC__ Speech pathology, also termed '''speech-language pathology''' and '''speech & language therapy''' (SLT, mainly in the UK ) is the study of disorders that affect a person's Speech , Language and Swallowing . Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) or Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) address people's speech production and language needs through Speech Therapy in a variety of different contexts including Schools , Hospitals , and through private practice. Education In the UK, SLTs undertake a three - four year degree which qualifies them to work in any of the three main clinical areas. The course, which varies according to university, is a mixture of Linguistics , Psychology and Medical Science amongst other disciplines. Students also undertake clinical placements in which their ability to practise is assessed. Upon qualifying they enter as a newly-qualified practicioner. The recommended career course is that they then achieve a number of competencies, which qualify them to work entirely autonomously, although in practice this is not tightly regulated. In the United States, Speech Language Pathology practice is regulated by the laws of the individual states. However, by 2006, minimal requirement to be a certified SLP member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association {Link without Title} were: a graduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology, which typically entails 2 years of post graduate work; a completed clinical fellowship year, which is generally employment for a year while supervised by a practicing SLP who is also ASHA certified; and passing the Praxis Series examination. The graduate degree work to acquire a Master's in Speech-Language Pathology is rigorous and demanding, requiring many hours of supervised clinical practica, and intensive didactic coursework in medical sciences, phonetics, linguistics, phonology, scientific methodology, and other subjects. Certification by ASHA is noted as carrying one's "C"s. It is noted after an SLP's name as: CCC-SLP. Main Branches of Speech & Language Therapy (UK) In the UK SLTs choose one or a mixture of three main clinical areas to work in, these are with adults, children or adults with learning disabilities. Adult work mainly involves rehabilitation after a traumatic event, such as a stroke, which may leave the person with a disorder such as Aphasia , Dysarthria or Dyspraxia . Work with children mainly involves attempting to bring the child's speech or language skills up to the level of their peers. Working with adults with Learning Disabilities mainly involves educating their direct staff in communicating with the person so that they can reach their communicative potential. Jobs often fall outside the remit of these categories including special education, working with physical disabilities and working with people with autism Methods of assessment Children who are identified in school as having a Speech Disorder or difficulty learning Language are often referred to an SLP. Standardized tests are administered to assess the patient's receptive and expressive vocabulary, linguistic concepts, sentence structure, etc. Common tests used for children:
See also
References Wiig, E. H., Secord, W., & Semel, E. (1992). Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals-Preschool. USA: The Psychological Corporation, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Dunn, L. M., Dunn, Leota, M., Dunn, & Williams, K. T. (1997). Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Third Edition. Circle Pines, MN: AGS Publishing. External links
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