What
Is A Communication Disorder?
Who Is A Speech-Language
Pathologist?
Where Does A
Speech-Language Pathologist Work?
Who Is An Audiologist?
Where Does An Audiologist
Work?
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WHAT IS A COMMUNICATION DISORDER?
Speaking, hearing, and understanding the spoken word provide
the foundation for typical human communication. An impairment in one or
more of these areas may interfere with a person's ability to be successful in
school, to interact socially, to become employed, to be well-adjusted, and to
reach one's full potential. conditions which interfere with communication
may be present at birth or may occur at some point later in life. Many
conditions may be temporary: others are permanent. communication
disorders range from mild problems, which may be easily remediated, to severe
problems, which may require an alternative way to communicate (such as using
sign language or using computerized or other devices).
Nearly 10 million Americans, or 1 out of every
20 persons, have this type of disability. This number is expected to
increase over the next several years as a result of the growing number of people
in the older and preschool age groups. Between now and the year 2050,
according to the American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association (or ASHA, the national professional
organization of the Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists), the number
of persons with speech and /or hearing impairments will increase at a faster
rate than the general population will increase for that time period. This
is even more impressive when we take into account the shortage of
Speech-Language Pathologists, both in Kentucky and nationwide. Yet the
U.S. Department of Labor lists this field as one of the fastest growing in the
country.
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WHO IS A SPEECH-LANGUAGE
PATHOLOGIST?
A Speech-Language Pathologist is a professional with a
master's (or doctoral) degree in this field of study and having state and/or
national (ASHA) certification. The Speech-Language Pathologist is trained
in the study of human communication, its normal development, and its disorders.
This professional may also be called an "SLP", a "Speech-Language Clinician," or
a "Speech Therapist.". The Speech-Language Pathologist evaluates the
speech and language skills of persons ranging in age from infancy to geriatric.
Based upon that evaluation, this professional will determine if a communication
disorder exists and, if so, plans and implements a
treatment (or therapy) program to remediate the disorder. Typical
disorders include: articulation (difficulty in pronouncing speech sounds);
phonation (problems in pitch, loudness, and quality of the voice or even the
inability to vocalize); fluency (stuttering and other difficulties with the rate
or rhythm of speaking); and language (problems in vocabulary development,
syntax, semantics, information processing, and use of language rules).
Sometimes these disorders may be associated with such conditions as: aphasia
resulting from a stroke or other injury to the brain: cleft lip/palate (or other
facial defect): mental retardation; developmental delays; deafness; learning
disabilities; cancer of the larynx; or neuromuscular disorders such as cerebral
palsy, Parkinson's Disease, ALS, MS, or MD.
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WHERE DOES A SPEECH-LANGUAGE
PATHOLOGIST WORK?
Many Speech-Language Pathologists work in school systems.
Others work in settings such as: community hospitals, residential facilities,
private practices, clinics, US Military Services, Head Start programs, Job Corps
centers, rehabilitation centers, university training programs, and some business
corporations. To be employed, requirements typically include a master's
degree and ASHA certification. A state license may be required in states
(such as Kentucky) which have a licensure law. A certificate issued by the
state's Department of Education is usually required for Speech-Language
Pathologists employed in the public schools. Just as in most occupations,
salaries for Speech-Language Pathologists will vary depending upon the setting
in which they are employed.
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WHO IS AN AUDIOLOGIST?
"An audiologist is the professional who specializes in
evaluating and treating people with hearing loss. Audiologists have
extensive training and skills to evaluate the hearing of adults, infants and
children of all ages. Audiologists conduct a wide variety of tests to
determine the exact nature of an individual's hearing problem.
Audiologists present a variety of treatment options to patients with hearing
impairment. Audiologists dispense and fit hearing aids, administer tests
of balance to evaluate dizziness, and provide hearing and balance rehabilitation
training. Audiologists refer patients to physicians when the hearing
problem needs medical or surgical evaluation." *
*from the American Academy of Audiology
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WHERE DOES AN AUDIOLOGIST WORK?
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