Speech-Language Pathology

1. Speech-Language Pathology • Practice Settings:Speech-language pathologists work in private practice, child development centers, preschools, schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, government agencies, health units, industry, colleges, universities, and research centers throughout the world. They are often part of teams, including physicians, psychologists, social workers, nurses, teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and counselors. • Education & Preparation • Qualified Speech-Language Pathologists have: • • Graduated from an accredited university program with a two or three year Master’s level degree in Speech-Language Pathology. S-LPs have training in Communication Sciences and Disorders. The professional program involves academic study as well as related practical internships. • Licensure • Requirements for professional certification necessary for clinical practice are set by the national professional association. The Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA) holds an annual examination for those wishing to qualify for national certification. • Several provinces that are mandated by the Regulated Health Professions Act require licensure and registration by provincial colleges. Professional Associations • The Ontario Association of Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists website: www.osla.on.ca • College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario website: www.caslpo.com • Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA) website: www.caslpa.ca • What is Speech-Language Pathology (S-LP)? • Speech-language pathology is the study of disorders that affect a person's speech, language, cognitive, voice, and/or swallowing abilities. Speech-language pathologists (S-LPs) manage people's speech production, vocal production, swallowing difficulties, and language needs throughout the entire life span. S-LPs work with agencies providing service to children and adults such as daycares and hospitals. Speech and language pathology is the rehabilitative treatment of difficulties with communication and/or swallowing resulting fromphysical, cognitive, and/or undetermineddeficits/disorders. • What Do S-LPs Do? • S-LPs assess and treat a broad range of speech, language, voice, swallowing, and cognitive-communication impairments, such as: • - Articulation difficulties • - Aphasia • - Cleft lip and palate • - Developmental language disorders • - Dementia • - Resonance disorders (e.g. cleft palate) • - Speech disorders (e.g. Parkinson's disease) • - Stuttering • - Swallowing • - Traumatic brain injury • - Voice disorders • S-LPs develop and carry out treatment programs designed to facilitate speech and language development or recovery, and to restore or improve communication efficiency. • They provide counseling and guidance for individuals with speech and language impairments, their families, and caregivers. • They work collaboratively with other professionals including educational and allied health professionals. • S-LP - How It Works • Responsibilities: • S-LPs use a wide variety of specialized tools and procedures to assess speech, language, and swallowing function. • They develop and participate in programs and on teams that provide consultative and direct treatment services. • They are responsible for counseling of clients and families and for appropriate referral to other professionals. • They are also committed to ongoing research, public education, and training of new S-LPs.