Speech Language Pathologist

Duties and Responsibilities: A speech language pathologist is a specialist that helps patients who have problems with their speech and help prevent communication and swallowing disorders in patients. Their responsibility is to diagnose and treat patients who are suffering from stutters and as well as vocal and cognitive communication impairments. Their duties consists of conducting tests and provide therapy that are designed for individual clients’ needs. They also keep long-term records on their patients in order to help them with their difficulties. They also identify the problem whether it's a swallowing disorder or if it’s dysphagia. This helps them to assess and diagnose the disorder and come up with a special therapy. Finally, they counsel patients and families on how to cope with communication and swallowing disorders.

Salary: 73,410 USD

Education: In order to become a speech-language pathologist, you must follow the education requirements. Speech-language pathologist typically need at least a master’s degree. You are require to enter to a graduate program that include courses in speech and language development, age-specific speech disorders, alternative communication methods, and swallowing disorders. These programs include supervised clinical experience. You then must graduate from any of Speech-Language Pathologist. There you will learn the skills such as analytical skills, communication skills, compassion skills, compassion, critical-thinking skills, etc.

Demand or Need for this career: The job outlook for this career is projected to 21 percent from 2014 to 2024 . Therefore speech-language pathologists will be needed.

Reflect: I think I would like to be this kind of pathologist, because my cousin use to had speech and communication problems. Then this specialist helped her by special therapies and strategies that actually help her. I would love to help people like that and better their communication or speech.