good speech pathologist

13 Pros and Cons of Being a Speech-Language Pathologist

Are you considering a career as a speech-language pathologist? A speech-language pathologist has the unique and essential job of helping people communicate better, but what are the pros and cons of being a speech-language pathologist? Before you make any decisions, it is crucial to weigh the pros and cons of this profession. As a speech-language pathologist, you can expect to face various challenges and rewards in your career. Here are the top 13 pros and cons of being a speech-language pathologist so you can decide if this is the best career move for you.

What Does a Speech-Language Pathologist Do?

Where does a speech-language pathologist work, what is a typical speech-language pathologist work schedule like, how much does a speech-language pathologist make.

Job Outlook for a Speech-Language Pathologist

Top Cons of Being a Speech-Language Pathologist

1. you will first need to earn a bachelor’s degree., 2. you will need to earn a master’s degree., 3. you will need to pass the praxis series of the educational testing service exam., 4. you will need to complete your required clinical hours., 5. if you want to work in a school, you will need to earn your certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology (ccc-slp)., 6. you will need a license to practice., 7. i hope you have been saving your pennies., 8. you may have a huge caseload., 9. you may have to work weekends., 10. you may have to work holidays., 11. you may become burned out., 12. if you work in the school system, you may be split between more than one school., 13. you will have a ton of paperwork to complete, top pros of being a speech-language pathologist, 1. you will earn a good living., 2. you can work in a variety of settings., 3. you will have job security., 4. you will always be able to find a job., 5. you could travel for work., 6. you can be your own boss., 7. your schedule can be flexible., 8. you can even further specialize., 9. you are helping people., 10. your job will be intellectually challenging, 11. you will be helping educate and empower your clients and their families., 12. you will see your client’s progress., 13. you are a valuable member of the healthcare team., my final thoughts.

The Three Most Important Qualities of a Speech Language Pathologist That You Can’t Learn in School

All SLPs follow a fairly standardized path into professional practice. They all start by earning a master’s degree from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA), followed by a clinical fellowship, and then pass the ETS Praxis II: Subject Assessment in Speech-Language Pathology as the final step to earning state licensure. As a result, all speech-language pathologists are equipped with a similar foundation of knowledge and skills that allows them to successfully engage in the assessment and treatment of disorders related to speech, social communication, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing for both adults and children.

While CCC-SLP certification and a state license serve as your credentials as a speech-language pathologist, authorizing you to practice SLP in the state in which you’re licensed, they don’t speak to those soft skills that turn a speech-language pathologist into an exceptional one.

Soft skills needed to be a speech and language therapist are vital – perhaps just as vital as the concrete scientific know-how and therapeutic skills taught through a master’s in SLP and clinical fellowship. You’ve likely heard people talk about a doctor’s “bedside manner” —a unique term to describe how well (or poorly) they interact with their patients. Speech-language pathologists, like any other clinician, must also work on creating an environment that allows them to better connect with their patients on a human level. This is the magic behind effectively turning a purely clinical relationship into a personal one.

Anybody who has been in the field long enough to have some experience working with a diverse group of patients will tell you that their bedside manner is something they consistently work to improve throughout their SLP careers . You can’t expect to enter the speech-language pathology profession with your soft skills already honed to perfection. It takes experience and a thoughtful approach to each client interaction to reach that level, but in time it will become second nature.

So, what makes a good speech therapist, and what are the most important qualities of a speech therapist? You could come up with a long list of ways in which to make client interactions more positive and effective for both you and the patients you treat, but there are just three that stand out as the most qualities of a speech and language therapist:

1. Being Compassionate Is Perhaps the Single Most Important Quality of a Speech-Language Pathologist

2. Good Energy is Another One of those Vital SLP Qualities That Has to Come Naturally

3. Creativity Is an All-Important SLP Quality That You Won’t Learn in School

1 – Being Compassionate Is Perhaps the Single Most Important Quality of a Speech-Language Pathologist

While compassion in speech-language pathology practice may be an obvious quality for therapists to possess, it’s also one of those qualities that’s easily forgotten at the end of a long day dealing with stressful situations and challenging patients. Having compassion means taking the time to:

• Recognize and appreciate a patient’s challenges, stressors, fears, and concerns
• Free yourself of personal biases or assumptions
• Ask questions and acknowledge a patient’s feelings

If you can make a concerted effort to compassionately interact with every patient, every time – even the last client of the day showing up late to their appointment – then you’ll be rewarded with more positive patient interactions and better results from your SLP therapy sessions.

2 – Good Energy is Another One of those Vital SLP Qualities That Has to Come Naturally

Positive energy comes from a warm smile, eye contact, and positive language that shows you are excited to be part of their speech-language therapy program. For example, with adults, this might be conveyed with a statement like: “I am really looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish today.” … “I think we made great strides last session; let’s work on continuing that today.” … “I am really happy to be here with you today.” … “Your hard work is really starting to pay off.”

With children, enthusiasm may come complete with high fives, clapping, and cheering. Gauge the needs of the child and their response to positive praise. Keep in mind each child will respond differently to enthusiasm. For example, a child with autism may have a negative reaction to loud or enthusiastic displays. Instead, you may show your enthusiasm through positive praise and a fist bump.

When using positive encouragement for children, make it a point to use behavior-based praise (“You tried really hard. That’s great!”) instead of personal praise (“You’re a good girl!”). Behavior-based praise is known to motivate children to take on challenges and strive toward goals.

Many SLP therapy treatments are frustrating for patients, and success in the field is rarely achieved in the short-term, so you can bet some of your patients will approach their SLP therapy sessions with little to no enthusiasm of their own. It’s your job to set the tone of each SLP therapy session by putting your enthusiasm and positive outlook on display.

Never underestimate enthusiasm among the important qualities of a speech therapist!

3 – Creativity Is an All-Important SLP Quality That You Won’t Learn in School

Make it a point to create and implement new strategies and techniques to make each therapy session fun, interesting, and challenging. The freedom to be able to flex your creative muscles is one of the great benefits of being a SLP !

For children, creativity means paying close attention to what interests them and then providing a nice variety of SLP techniques that aligns with their interests. For some children, it may mean playing a silly game, while for others, it may mean a fun arts and crafts activity.

Monotony is the downfall of any effective SLP therapy session, so it’s always beneficial to switch up techniques and strategies. New and exciting ways to approach speech-language therapy is the best way to keep your patients motivated and engaged, regardless of their age!

An important aspect of your job as an SLP is to be a coach and motivator, and the best way to motivate your patients is by keeping things interesting.

Do these qualities of a successful speech-language therapist sound like you? Learn more about becoming an SLP !

• Emerson College - Master's in Speech-Language Pathology online - Prepare to become an SLP in as few as 20 months. No GRE required. Scholarships available.
• Arizona State University - Online - Online Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science - Designed to prepare graduates to work in behavioral health settings or transition to graduate programs in speech-language pathology and audiology.
• NYU Steinhardt - NYU Steinhardt's Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders online - ASHA-accredited. Bachelor's degree required. Graduate prepared to pursue licensure.
• Calvin University - Calvin University's Online Speech and Hearing Foundations Certificate - Helps You Gain a Strong Foundation for Your Speech-Language Pathology Career.

• A to Z Guides

How to Become a Speech Pathologist

Speech pathology is a growing field for people who want to help others speak and communicate more effectively. Speech pathologists are experts in the physical and cognitive elements of spoken language. They work with people of all ages who need assistance speaking more clearly. They can help children with speech delays, adults recovering from illness or injury, or individuals with special needs. 

Learn more about what a speech pathologist does and how to become a speech pathologist. 

What Is a Speech Pathologist?

A speech pathologist, or speech-language pathologist, is a trained professional who diagnoses and treats people who have difficulty with speech, language, social communication, and cognitive communication. Speech pathologists can also assess and treat swallowing disorders in children and adults.

Speech pathologists are trained in multiple areas of speech and communication, including:

• Speech sounds: How people make sounds and put sounds together into words. Conditions that cause difficulty with making speech sounds include articulation or phonological disorders, apraxia of speech, or dysarthria.
• Language: How people comprehend written and spoken language, as well as using spoken language for communication. Difficulty finding words while speaking is called aphasia.
• Literacy: using language to read and write. Speech and language disorders may be combined with challenges in reading, spelling, and writing.
• Voice: The sound of your voice. Some people may have conditions that lead to a hoarse voice, losing their voice easily, talking too loudly, or having a nasal voice. Some people are unable to make some or all kinds of sounds.
• Fluency: How well spoken language flows. Stuttering is a common fluency disorder. 
• Cognitive communication: How well your mind manages language, speech, and communication. This may include problems with memory, attention, problem-solving, organization, and other thinking skills.
• Feeding and swallowing : The same physical structures of the mouth that allow speech also affect how you suck, chew, and swallow food and liquid. A swallowing disorder such as dysphagia may co-occur with speech disorders. 

Some speech pathologists also have some training in audiology. Audiology is a separate but related field that addresses hearing and balance issues.  Audiology is particularly helpful for speech pathologists who assist people with hearing loss.

What Does a Speech Pathologist Do?

You may think of speech pathologists as people who work with children who have speech impairments , speech delays, or difficulty pronouncing words. That is one role speech pathologists play, but there are a variety of other therapies they provide. Speech pathologists perform comprehensive assessments to diagnose the reason for communication difficulties. They may work with clients who have speech delays and pronunciation problems. Speech pathologists assist clients with hearing loss who are trying to improve verbal communication. Some speech pathologists work with clients who have speech difficulties due to medical conditions such as stroke or injuries to the face and neck. Once they assess the cause of communication problems, they create a treatment plan that addresses the challenges an individual has.

Some of the services speech pathologists offer include: 

• Helping clients form sounds
• Teaching clients strategies to speak clearly and easily
• Prescribing exercises to strengthen muscles used to speak or swallow
• Helping clients say and understand new words
• Helping clients improve their ability to speak in sentences
• Training clients in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems 
• Working with clients' families to address daily challenges from communication or swallowing problems
• Providing aural rehabilitation for people with hearing loss

What Training Do Speech Pathologists Need?

Becoming a speech pathologist takes years of training. There are multiple levels of education involved in learning the field of speech and language, followed by clinical training. The training to become a certified speech pathologist includes: 

• Earn a bachelor's degree in a relevant field: Speech pathologists can start training by majoring in a subject like speech-language pathology, education, psychology, or linguistics.
• Earn a master's degree at an accredited program: You must attend a post-graduate program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) to complete your education.  
• Pass the Praxis examination: Many states require you to pass the Praxis 2 Examination in Speech-Language Pathology to become licensed. The test includes speech-language pathology, screening and assessment of patients, etiology, planning, and implementation of treatment.
• Oversight and mentoring from a speech pathologist who is currently certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
• 1,260 hours of clinical work, typically accrued over 36 weeks
• 80% percent of your clinical experience involving direct patient care
• Obtain licensure and certification: Once you have completed training, you can apply for a license to practice. Each state sets its speech pathologist license requirements. Many states' requirements are similar to the certification standards for ASHA. You may also apply for certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, which is a professional organization for speech pathologists.

What Is the Speech Pathology Career Path?

Once you are fully licensed, there are a variety of career options for a practicing speech pathologist, including: 

• Private practice: Seeing clients in your own office or visiting them in their homes.
• Local government: Many counties and cities provide speech therapy services for children . 
• Schools: School systems either hire speech pathologists or contract with speech pathologists in private practice to provide services to students. 
• Hospitals and rehabilitation facilities: Healthcare facilities may provide speech therapy as part of comprehensive rehabilitation services for people recovering from illness or injury.
• College and universities: Speech pathologists may work in higher education, training future professionals in the field. 
• Research: Some speech pathologists engage in research to deepen the understanding of speech and language or innovate new therapies for people in need. 

The median speech pathologist salary was $79,060 per year in 2021. The field is expected to grow by 21% in the next few years, making it one of the fastest-growing careers in the United States. There are no geographic limitations to where speech pathologists can live and practice.

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Speech-Language Pathology SLP

| 20 June 2024

What Is a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) & What Do They Do?

What does SLP stand for? A speech-language pathologist (SLP) diagnoses and treats issues related to speech, language, communication and swallowing disorders. 1 For patients who struggle to communicate or swallow, these healthcare professionals help them to better engage with the world around them.

What is a speech pathologist’s career outlook? Read on to learn more about this exciting and promising field of work.

Table of Contents:

• What Do Speech-Language Pathologists Do?

Where Do Speech-Language Pathologists Work?

What conditions do speech-language pathologists treat.

• Earn Your MS-SLP at USAHS

What Does a Speech Pathologist Do?

What is a speech-language pathologist? SLPs are communication specialists who treat speech, language, communication and swallowing disorders . 1

What does a speech pathologist do for their patients on a day-to-day basis? As part of their work, they may provide the following services : 2 , 1

• Evaluate and diagnose speech, language, voice and fluency disorders in children and adults
• Develop therapies to help patients improve their ability to swallow
• Identify treatment goals for patients
• Design and implement individualized treatment plans, including speech therapy activities , to help patients meet their treatment goals
• Provide aural rehabilitation for people who are deaf or hard of hearing

Treatments may include : 2 , 1

• Teaching patients how to make sounds
• Helping patients improve their voices
• Training patients to maintain fluency when speaking
• Developing exercises to strengthen the muscles used for swallowing
• Sharing vocabulary improvement strategies with patients
• Assisting patients with strategies to improve their sentence structure
• Demonstrating how to use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems to communicate

Speech-language pathologists may also spend time helping patients and their families navigate their disability and treatment options. 2 Many speech-language pathologists work as part of a larger healthcare team, including physicians and occupational therapists (OTs) or physical therapists (PTs).

What is a speech pathologist’s typical work environment? Speech-language pathologists often work in a variety of settings. The largest employers of speech-language pathologists were as follows:

What is a speech-language pathologist’s role in childhood development? Over half of SLPs work as a part of early intervention programs, preschools or K-12 schools. 3 , 4 In addition to the regular duties of a speech-language pathologist, they also develop individualized education programs (IEPs) and collaborate with other educators to ensure students are meeting their educational goals.

Healthcare settings for speech-language pathologists include the following : 4 , 5

• Assisted living facilities
• Private practices and clinics
• Rehabilitation centers
• Long-term care facilities
• Home health agencies

Some speech-language pathologists also work in corporate settings. 4   What is an SLP’s duty in such settings? They may work with employees on business speaking skills, such as presentation, accent modification or interviewing.

Local, state and federal government agencies hire speech-language pathologists for public health services. 4 The military also employs speech-language pathologists to work with service members and underserved populations.

If you don’t want to work in a clinical setting, you can pursue a role in research or teach at the college or university level. 1

With the high demand for speech-language pathologists, SLPs may work full- or part-time. 1

What is a speech-language pathologist’s role in treating various conditions? They provide solutions for a range of disorders caused by trauma, illness, developmental delays and medical events such as strokes . 2

Speech-language pathologists often treat speech disorders, including: 5

• Articulation disorders: Difficulty controlling muscle movements to create sound
• Phonological disorders: Sounds that are formed correctly in the muscles but don’t sound the way they should
• Resonance disorders: Disruption of sound waves due to conditions such as a cleft palate
• Speech impairments: Various conditions that make it difficult for a person to communicate and be understood, such as childhood apraxia of speech and stuttering

What do speech pathologists do to help patients improve? A speech-language pathologist may work with patients struggling with language disorders such as : 1 , 5

• Problems with receptive language (the ability to understand others)
• Problems with expressive language (the ability to share their ideas and feelings)
• Verbal communication
• Written communication
• Selective language impairment

Speech-language pathologists also treat social communication disorders , including any condition relating to verbal and nonverbal communication in social settings. 1 Individuals with autism or traumatic brain injuries also struggle with social communication disorders 5 , 1

Patients with cognitive communication disorders— often the result of stroke, traumatic brain injury or dementia —may also work with a speech-language pathologist. 1 These issues include difficulties with:

• Organizing thoughts
• Paying attention
• Remembering
• Problem-solving

Speech-language pathologists also treat swallowing disorders that may occur due to illness, surgery, stroke or injury. 1 , 5

Additionally, someone may seek treatment from a speech-language pathologist for issues related to the vocal cord, such as lesions and paralysis or for gender-affirming voice therapy. 5

Is this true, or is it more accurate to say: Individuals with autism or TBIs also struggle with social communication disorders.

Learn more about a career in speech-language pathology with answers to these common questions.

What Is a Speech-Language Pathologist, and How Do They Differ From a Speech Therapist?

When it comes to SLP meaning, a speech-language pathologist and a speech therapist are the same thing, but speech-language pathologist is the preferred term. 5

How Much Does a Speech-Language Pathologist Make?

What is a speech pathologist typically earning per year? The median annual salary for a speech-language pathologist is $89,290 . 6 Your salary will depend on factors like your experience, location and industry.

What Specialties Are Available in Speech-Language Pathology?

What is a speech-language pathologist’s career outlook? There are four specialties available for speech-language pathologists : 7

• Child Language (BCS-CL) from the American Board of Child Language and Language Disorders 8
• Stuttering, Cluttering and Fluency Disorders (BCS-SCF) from the American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders 9
• Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (BCS-S) from the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders 10
• Intraoperative Monitoring (BCS-IOM) from the American Audiology Board of Intraoperative Monitoring 11

Requirements vary based on the type of specialty but generally involve an exam, portfolio review or interview to assess your skills and expertise in the specialty area.

What Is the Role of a Speech Pathologist?

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) plays a crucial role in diagnosing and treating communication and swallowing disorders. 1 What is a speech pathologist’s main responsibility? They work with patients of all ages to develop personalized treatment plans that address issues such as speech articulation, language comprehension, and social communication skills.

Want to know more about our SLP program?

Earn your ms-slp with usahs.

“Having practiced with all this technology, I was so much more prepared for my job than my coworkers who went to other schools. I knew just what to do on my first day and now I’m teaching my coworkers about what I learned.”

– Bethany W., USAHS MS-SLP Alum

What is an SLP rewarded with as a result of their hard work? There are many benefits to being a speech-language pathologist , including an impressive salary, job security and the opportunity to make a difference in patient lives.

Pursue your dream of becoming a speech-language pathologist at t he University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS). Our hybrid online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) program allows students to take classes online and still engage in hands-on experience.

The USAHS program takes about five trimesters with three different intake dates (spring, summer and fall) to allow for flexibility.*

Our program does not require a GRE, and you’ll have access to state-of-the-art technology and virtual and in-person clinical practicum opportunities, including a pro-bono clinic.

Talk with an enrollment advisor and apply today .

*Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred, and other factors.

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in Speech-Language Pathology { residential Austin, TX; satellite Dallas, TX; both distance education } at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, “Speech-Language Pathologists,” ASHA , 2024, https://www.asha.org/students/speech-language-pathologists/ .
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Speech-Language Pathologists: What Speech-Language Pathologists Do,” BLS , April 17, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm#tab-2 .
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Speech-Language Pathologists: Work Environment,” BLS , April 17, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm#tab-3 .
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, “Employment Settings for SLPs,” ASHA , 2024, https://www.asha.org/students/employment-settings-for-slps/ .
• Cleveland Clinic, “Speech-Language Pathologist,” Cleveland Clinic , January 12, 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24602-speech-language-pathologist .
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Speech-Language Pathologists: Pay,” BLS , April 17, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm#tab-5 .
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, “Clinical Specialty Certification,” ASHA , 2024, https://www.asha.org/certification/clinical-specialty-certification/ .
• American Board of Child Language & Language Disorders, “Applying for Specialty Certification,” ABCLLD , 2021, https://www.childlanguagespecialist.org/applicants/
• American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders, “BCS-SCF Candidates,” American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders , 2024, https://www.stutteringspecialists.org/candidates .
• American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders, “Requirements for Applicants,” ABSSD , https://www.swallowingdisorders.org/page/Requirements .
• American Audiology Board of Intraoperative Monitoring, “Membership Application,” AABIOM , 2018, https://www.aabiom.com/application .

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The Benefits of Speech Therapy

What to expect, frequently asked questions.

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) can help you with speech, language, and swallowing. They provide speech therapy to children and adults who may have speech or language disorders.

People with certain medical conditions may also benefit from speech therapy. Medical conditions that may cause speech or swallowing impairment include traumatic brain injury , stroke (brain damage due to a blood vessel blockage or bleed), and dementia (decline in memory and thinking functions).

This article looks at the various uses for speech therapy, what to expect during a session, and the techniques involved in this type of therapy. 

Verywell / Theresa Chiechi

Speech therapy can help with a variety of conditions.

Speech Disorders

Speech therapy may help with speech disorders like:

• Stuttering : Stuttering may involve repeating parts of words, prolonging words, or struggling to get out certain words. You may be more likely to have a stutter if you have a family history of stuttering.
• Apraxia : This motor speech disorder makes it difficult to move the tongue and lips to make sounds required for speech. In some cases, people with apraxia cannot speak at all. Causes for this disorder include brain tumors, dementia, stroke, and any other condition that causes brain injury.
• Voice : Voice disorders can be temporary or permanent and make it hard to speak. Chronic voice disorders include chronic cough, vocal fold paralysis, vocal polyps (growths on the vocal cords), and spasmodic dysphonia (vocal cord spasms).
• Dysarthria : People with this speech disorder have muscle weakness that makes it difficult to talk. They may slur or mumble their words. Dysarthria can happen due to brain injury or chronic degenerative conditions like Parkinson’s disease or Huntington’s disease .

Language Disorders

A language disorder ( aphasia ) is a condition that makes it difficult for a person to read, write, speak, or understand speech or other modes of communication. 

Someone with this type of disorder may struggle to:

• Use incorrect words for things
• Say complete sentences 
• Understand what other people say
• Understand jokes
• Read or spell 

Brain tumors, traumatic brain injuries, and degenerative disorders that affect cognitive function can all cause aphasia.

Feeding and Swallowing Disorders

Feeding and swallowing disorders can occur in both children and adults. A feeding disorder involves trouble with eating, sucking, drinking from a cup, or chewing. The specific term for swallowing disorders is dysphagia . Children or adults with dysphagia have trouble swallowing food or drink. 

Problems swallowing or feeding may or may not be related to a medical condition. Conditions that may cause a swallowing or feeding disorder include:

• Cleft palate or cleft lip
• Asthma and other breathing issues
• Heart disease
• Premature birth
• Nervous system disorders
• Reflux 
• Muscle weakness 
• Sensory issues
• Autism  
• Behavior problems
• Certain medications

Speech therapy begins with an evaluation to assess your difficulties and whether any structural issues contribute to your speech, language, feeding, or swallowing problems. An evaluation may involve a standardized test to help determine what you most need help with. Informal conversations may also help figure out your needs. 

A speech-language pathologist will then work with you to help improve your ability to speak, converse, or swallow. This may involve:

• Educating you on how to do certain things like articulating or pronouncing sounds
• Teaching you language skills
• Providing you with educational materials
• Giving you exercises to help strengthen your muscles 
• Giving you exercises that help you breathe better
• Participation in group therapy sessions 

You should also expect to practice the skills and exercises you learn in speech therapy sessions at home. Your speech-language pathologist may provide you with workbooks, worksheets, or virtual apps for at-home practice.

Speech Therapy for Adults

Depending on the reason you’re seeking out speech therapy, a speech-language pathologist may:

• Help you learn to move your muscles correctly to make sounds if you have apraxia or dysarthria
• Teach you how to use your breath to speak louder if you have dysarthria
• Help you learn to manage stuttering by teaching you to lower stress levels in certain situations
• Help you strengthen your mouth muscles to make it easier to swallow and eat if you have a feeding or swallowing disorder due to a brain injury or disease

Speech Therapy for Children

A speech-language pathologist’s approach will depend on the child. When working with a child who has a feeding or swallowing disorder, they might focus on:

• Strengthening the muscles of the mouth
• Helping the child with chewing
• Encouraging the child to try new food and drink
• Changing food texture to make it easier to swallow food 
• Helping with sensory issues related to food

Other skills a speech-language pathologist may work on with a child include:

• Language complexity : For example, they might teach words like "and" and "or" to connect ideas within sentences.
• Conversation skills : This may include role-playing to help the child with socialization and improve their read of social cues. 
• Vocabulary : They may use games or storytelling to help build the child’s vocabulary. 
• Phonological awareness : This recognition of the sounds that make up words is an important skill for reading. The SLP may work on helping the child identify sounds and rhymes in words to build this skill.

Healthcare professionals will also test your child’s hearing to see if hearing loss may be contributing to language and speech issues.

If you or your child is getting speech therapy from a qualified speech-language pathologist, you might wonder how likely it is that you’ll see improvement in speech, language, or feeding. 

Results will depend on the individual. It’s also essential to follow the exercises, tips, and strategies provided by the speech-language professional. Regular visits and keeping up with practice activities and exercises make it more likely to see an improvement in yourself or your child. 

A speech-language pathologist works with children or adults who have speech, language, or feeding and swallowing disorders. Typically the first session will involve an evaluation to determine the areas that are causing you the most problems. 

From there, they may teach you exercises and strategies to improve your speech, language, or ability to swallow and eat. 

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Think you or your child would benefit from speech therapy? Get in touch with your primary healthcare provider and ask for a recommendation. You can also use the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA)  Find a Certified SLP Tool . 

Not all children develop at the same rate, but if your child has issues understanding language, doesn’t use gestures, or doesn’t seem to be learning new words, you might consider having them evaluated by a speech therapist. 

While this may depend on the individual and the cause of speech-related problems, research suggests that speech and language therapy can significantly improve speech and language issues.

One example of a typical speech therapy technique is articulation therapy. This technique teaches the person to make specific sounds, sometimes by showing them how to move their mouth or tongue.

A language delay is when a child has difficulty in speaking and understanding speech that is unusual for their age.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Stuttering .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Apraxia of speech in adults .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Voice disorders .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Dysarthria .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Aphasia .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Feeding and swallowing disorders in children .

Brainline. Speech therapy .

Understood for All. What is speech therapy .

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Languages and speech disorders in children .

Broomfield J, Dodd B. Is speech and language therapy effective for children with primary speech and language impairment? Report of a randomized control trial . Int J Lang Commun Disord . 2011;46(6):628-640. doi:10.1111/j.1460-6984.2011.00039.x

Nemours Children's Health. Speech-language therapy .

By Steph Coelho Steph Coelho is a freelance health and wellness writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience working on content related to health, wellness, mental health, chronic illness, fitness, sexual wellness, and health-related tech.She's written extensively about chronic conditions, telehealth, aging, CBD, and mental health. Her work has appeared in Insider, Healthline, WebMD, Greatist, Medical News Today, and more.

Speech Pathology Bachelor’s Degrees Explained

Updated: Jun 22, 2023, 3:32pm

If communication, healthcare and working one-on-one with people to help them improve their lives interest you, consider a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology. Earning a speech-language pathology bachelor’s degree is a good first step to becoming a speech-language pathologist (SLP), an occupation that diagnoses and treats communication and swallowing disorders.

Graduates with a bachelor’s in speech pathology can apply for jobs like speech-language pathologist assistant or audiology assistant, or apply to graduate school. You can also use your knowledge of communication in other jobs in healthcare, education, government or business.

Explore what to expect from a typical speech pathology bachelor’s degree program, including admission requirements, common courses and potential careers for graduates.

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What Is a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Pathology?

A bachelor’s degree in speech pathology provides a foundation in communication sciences and disorders. Students get in-depth knowledge of the speech-language pathology field and take classes that explore evidence-based practices, aural rehabilitation, advocacy and phonetics. A typical speech pathology program covers professional cultural competence, cognitive science, language science and human development.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) reports that more than 270 institutions in the U.S. offer communication sciences and disorders undergraduate programs. Undergraduate degrees in this field that cover the same topics go by many different names, including speech-language pathology, communication disorders and speech and hearing science.

Most bachelor’s degrees, including speech pathology bachelor’s degrees, take about four years of full-time school to finish.

Certified SLPs need a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, and earning a bachelor’s degree in the field provides excellent preparation for graduate school. It may also increase your chances of getting into an SLP master’s program, which tend to be competitive, and reduce the chance that you will need to complete prerequisite coursework.

Even if you choose a completely different career path, a speech pathology bachelor’s program can help you develop valuable communication and critical thinking skills that you can use in any field.

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Admission requirements for a speech pathology bachelor’s degree program.

Admission requirements for a speech pathology bachelor’s degree program vary by school. In some cases, you only need to meet general university eligibility criteria before you can declare a speech pathology major. Common eligibility criteria and application requirements include:

• Completed online application and application fee
• Official transcripts documenting your high school diploma, GED certificate or its equivalent
• Successful completion of college preparatory coursework
• Demonstration of academic achievement, which may include a minimum GPA or minimum test scores
• Letters of recommendation
• SAT or ACT scores

Common Courses in Speech-Language Pathology Bachelor’s Programs

The curriculum for a speech pathology bachelor’s degree varies by school, but most programs explore phonetics, audiology and language disorders. Below, we describe some popular courses you can expect to take in a speech-language pathology bachelor’s program.

• Introduction to Phonetics: This class provides an overview of phonology, phonetic transcription and speech disorders.
• Introduction to Audiology: Students learn the fundamentals of using and interpreting tests that assess auditory function.
• Developmental Language and Literacy Disorders: This course explores theories of language and literacy disorders in children and infants. Students learn about assessment and treatment techniques and how to develop a treatment plan.
• Multicultural and Multilingual Issues in Speech-Language Pathology: This class covers non-discriminatory assessment processes. Topics include differential diagnoses, using interpreters and assessment biases.
• Speech Pathology Capstone: Many speech-language pathology bachelor’s programs include a capstone that gives students hands-on experience and a chance to put theory into practice. It may include a service learning project, clinical experience or research project.

Accreditation for Speech Pathology Bachelor’s Degrees

There is no formal programmatic accreditation for speech pathology at the undergraduate level. However, you should choose an institutionally accredited school to improve your chances of getting into graduate school and qualifying for federal financial aid. ASHA’s Council on Academic Accreditation provides voluntary accreditation to graduate programs in speech-language pathology and audiology.

What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Pathology?

Earning a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology provides excellent preparation for students who want to pursue a graduate degree in the field to become a certified SLP. You can also potentially work as a speech-language pathology or audiology assistant or pursue a career in education or another healthcare field. Salary information in this section is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics , Payscale and Glassdoor .

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Average Annual Salary: $43,550 Minimum Required Education: Associate degree or bachelor’s degree Job Overview: Becoming a speech-language pathologist requires a master’s degree, but you can get a job as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) with a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology.

SLPAs work under the supervision of a licensed SLP to help people improve their communication. Typically, the SLP provides diagnoses and treatments for clients, while the SLPA supports that work by taking notes, keeping records and doing some assessment. SLPAs often work with children in schools. Most states require SLPAs to get a license, and ASHA offers an SLPA certification.

Audiology Assistant

Average Annual Salary: $44,170 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree Job Overview: Audiology assistants work under the supervision of an audiologist to improve patient care and access to audiology services by reducing cost and wait times. They can only perform work assigned by their supervising audiologist. Depending on the state you work in, you may need a license to work as an audiology assistant. ASHA offers an audiology assistant certification.

Interpreter

Median Annual Salary: $53,640 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree Job Overview: Interpreters convert information from one language (spoken or sign language) into another. Interpreters typically must be fluent in both languages they work with to best foster communication between two people who do not share the same language. Interpreters can specialize in various areas such as healthcare or medical, legal or sign language.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher

Average Annual Salary: $48,600 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree Job Overview: ESL teachers help students who speak a different native language learn English. Depending on their role, ESL teachers may also help students with their coursework in other subjects or teach other subjects to ESL students. Daily tasks include creating lesson plans, grading assignments and assessing students. Some schools may prefer or require a master’s degree, and you will need a teaching certification valid in the state where you work.

Special Education Teacher

Median Annual Salary: $63,950 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree Job Overview: Special education teachers teach students with various developmental, learning, mental and emotional disabilities. Typical job tasks include creating individualized education plans for students, communicating with parents about students’ progress and tailoring lessons to meet students’ needs. Special education teachers working in public schools need a state license, and a master’s degree may be preferred or required.

Community Health Worker

Median Annual Salary: $46,190 Minimum Required Education: High school diploma Job Overview: Community health workers advocate for people to get better access to healthcare services, ask community members about health concerns and raise awareness about health issues and healthcare services. Other tasks include collecting community data, offering basic health services and helping people overcome barriers to healthcare access. This role requires good analytical, communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills. Some employers may require postsecondary education.

Health Education Specialists

Median Annual Salary: $59,990 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree Job Overview: Health education specialists create programs to teach people about health issues and promote well-being. Job tasks include evaluating health programs, developing training programs for community health workers, collecting health data and advocacy work.

Health education specialists typically work for healthcare facilities, nonprofits and public health departments, and their duties vary depending on where they work. Some employers prefer or require that health education specialists get a certification.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Speech Pathology Bachelor’s Degrees

What bachelor’s degree is best for speech pathology.

According to ASHA, the most direct educational path to becoming a speech-language pathologist is to start with a bachelor’s degree in a communication sciences and disorders discipline. Depending on your school, your degree might be in speech-language pathology, speech and hearing science, audiology or a related field.

What is the difference between a speech pathologist and therapist?

There is no real difference between a speech pathologist and a speech therapist; they are two interchangeable terms. They perform the same type of work and do not require different types of education, skills or licensing.

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Speech pathologists and the continuum of care.

Home / Speech pathologists and the continuum of care

This week is Speech Pathology Week 2024 and the theme is ‘Communicate Your Way.’ Speech Pathology Week is all about celebrating the diverse ways that people communicate and to raise awareness about the work of speech pathologists.

In Australia, there are an estimated 1.2 million people with communication support needs. Speech pathologists work with people to achieve their communication goals, whether it’s a child with a developmental language delay, someone recovering from a stroke, or anyone needing support to communicate.

According to 2021 Australian Early Developmental Census (AEDC) data, on average one in five children in Victoria (28 per cent of children in the local government areas of Hume and 20 per cent in Whittlesea) present to school as developmentally vulnerable in at least one area (Department of Education and Training, 2021).

At Northern Health, the Speech Pathology Department consists of 35 speech pathologists and allied health assistants in the Paediatric and Adult teams, working across multiple sites. Speech pathologists are responsible for assessment and management of swallowing and communication disorders. To celebrate and acknowledge the Northern Health Speech Pathologists, let’s take a look at the services they provide across the continuum of care with a focus on supporting patients with a communication impairment.

Communication Support Group

Frank and Norminia are two Northern Health patients that have had speech pathology as part of their journey. Frank and Norminia are currently involved in a weekly communication group run by Manuela Cavuoto, Northern Health Speech Pathologist.

Norminia was first seen by speech pathology when she was diagnosed with a Left Lacunar Infarct. At that time, Norminia’s speech started depleting and progressively became worse. With the support of Northern Health Speech Pathologists, Norminia reports that her speech has improved since implementing strategies and talking as much as possible. Despite some spelling difficulties, Norminia sometimes uses pen and paper to write down what she is trying to say to help others understand her.

Frank was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis and a Left Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke which impacted his communication. When talking about the difference speech pathology has made for him, Frank shared that “speech pathology gave me the confidence to speak again and get around the community… Speech pathology had helpful recommendations about what to do when there is a communication breakdown.”

The Acute Speech Pathology team play a significant role in the early stages of a patient’s communication journey. They provide communication screening, assessment, management and early rehabilitation of patients who present with a communication and/or swallowing difficulty. It’s essential for patients to be able to communicate their basic needs and wants and participate in healthcare decision making. Speech pathologists help to optimise and advocate a way of communicating (e.g. gesture, communication aids, verbally) and support patients on their healthcare journey.

The Subacute Speech Pathology team continue on the assessment and management of patients with a large focus on rehabilitation and goal-based intervention and within the geriatric population. It’s within this setting that patients may receive therapy to work on their goals. Some examples include improving the clarity of their speech, participating in a conversation, reducing word finding difficulties, and providing education to family and carers.

The Community Speech Pathologists have a key role in working alongside patients to achieve their communication goals once they are back at home. This can include supporting a patient return to work by practicing their clear speech strategies over the telephone, increasing their confidence in reading a story to their grandchildren or practicing word-retrieval strategies to help with successful conversations. Both Bundoora and Broadmeadows host a Communication Support Group which provides an opportunity for patients to increase their confidence communicating.

Paediatrics

The Paediatric Speech Pathology team supports family and nursing staff to understand babies’ early communication skills. They also provide outpatient services for children who have developmental delay including language, speech, play, and cognition. Paediatric Speech Pathologists work within the Multidisciplinary Developmental Assessment Clinic (MDAC) and the Northern Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinic (NASDAC).

Thank you to our Speech Pathology team for all your hard work and dedication!

Featured image: Speech Pathology teams at Bundoora, Broadmeadows and Epping.

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VIDEO : Speech Pathology Week highlights the impact of communication support work

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There are an estimated 1.2 million Australians with communication support needs, who benefit from services like speech pathology.

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