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FACTOIDS:
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• Speech-language pathologists and audiologists held about 105,000 jobs in 1998.
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• Helen Keller learned to read people's lips by feeling their movement.
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• In England, the Speaker of the House is not allowed to speak.
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- Speech-language pathologists assess and treat those with speech, language, voice and fluency disorders. They may also work with people who have oral motor problems causing eating and swallowing difficulties.
- They use written and oral tests as well as special instruments to diagnose the nature and extent of impairment, and to record and analyze speech, language and swallowing irregularities.
- Many also perform research related to speech and language problems.
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- Speech-language pathologists should be able to effectively communicate diagnostic test results, diagnoses, and proposed treatment in a manner easily understood by their clients.
- They must be able to approach problems objectively and provide support to clients and their families.
- Because a client's progress may be slow, patience, compassion, and good listening skills are necessary.
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- A master's degree in speech-language pathology or audiology is the standard credential. Suggested programs of study include communication technologies, special education, rehabilitation therapies, speech pathology and audiology.
- Other requirements are 300 to 375 hours of supervised clinical experience, a passing score on a national examination and nine months of postgraduate professional clinical experience. Thirty-six states have continuing education requirements for licensure renewal.
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- Employment opportunities are expected to grow much faster than average through 2008 because of the growing elderly population at risk of hearing loss and strokes, medical advances allowing severely injured people to survive and an increasing pool of children needing speech therapy.
- Job opportunities should improve in private practice, because healthcare providers are hiring independent contractors.
- Some job openings will appear as current workers retire or transfer to other occupations.
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Sources: Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor; Royal National Institute for the Blind
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