Speech-language pathologists or speech therapists work with special education students to assess, diagnose and treat disorders related to speech, language, cognitive communication and fluency. Many years ago, speech therapists focused on speech articulation problems such as lisps, stuttering and difficulty with r's and t's. Speech-language pathologists now focus on language disorders that effect a child's academic and life-skill functioning. They focus on pragmatics (understanding language as communication,) receptive language, augmented communication, fluency and language production. As well as working specifically with children with language difficulties, they also work with children with developmental delays and other cognitive disabilities who have difficulty producing language, understanding language or communicating.
Future Opportunities
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
The combination of growth in the occupation and an expected increase in retirements over the coming years should create excellent job opportunities for speech-language pathologists. Opportunities should be particularly favorable for those with the ability to speak a second language, such as Spanish.
Work Settings
Speech-language pathologists often work in rehabilitation with people who have suffered strokes or brain injuries from accidents. They see these patients in hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, or in individuals homes. They may be employed by those institutions or agencies that provide rehabilitation services through state agencies or insurance companies.
In education, speech-language pathologists work with individual students or small groups of students either in a separate room or in the back of a classroom, especially in strong inclusion settings. Some speech-language pathologists will have enough clients in one building to work only there. In many districts speech-language pathologists may see students in more than one building and travel during the day.
Qualifications
Most states require a master's degree and certification to work in educational settings. Speech language pathologists are required to be certified by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association as well as completing a prescribed number of clinical hours and passing the PRAXIS exam administered by ETS.
Income for Speech and Language Pathologists in Special Ed
Speech and Language Pathologists in public schools are covered by the teacher's salary scale. (See Special Education Teachers) Some school districts or private special education schools contract with agencies for speech-language pathologists. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for speech pathologists in public schools is $51,110. The middle 50 percent of all speech language pathologists earned between $46,360 and $72,410.
