Title: For Those Considering a Career in Communication Sciences and Disorders
1For Those Considering a Career in Communication
Sciences and Disorders
- Joanne P. Lasker, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
- School of Communication Science and Disorders
- Florida State University
- jlasker_at_fsu.edu
http//www.asha.org/students/professions/overview/
slp.htm
http//www.commdisorders.cci.fsu.edu/
2Who are audiologists, speech-language
pathologists, and speech/language/hearing
scientists?
- professionals in the area of human communication
sciences and disorders who - evaluate
- treat
- conduct research
- work in schools, hospitals, businesses, in
private practice, universities, research
laboratories, and government agencies - work with infants, children, adolescents, adults
and older people
3Audiology
http//www.asha.org/students/professions/overview/
audiology.htm
- study of
- typical hearing
- hearing and balance disorders
- habilitation/rehabilitation
- work encompasses
- how hearing mechanism works
- hearing assessment
- treating children and adults with hearing loss
- retraining hearing in children and adults,
including cochlear implants
4What specifically does an audiologist do?
- identify, assess, and manage disorders of
auditory, balance, and other neural systems - select, fit, and dispense amplification systems
- hearing aids
- prevent hearing loss by providing and fitting
hearing protective devices and education - work with individuals with cochlear implants
- assist with speech reading and aural
rehabilitation - involved in auditory and related research
- serve as expert witnesses in litigation
5Market Trends and Future Outlook Audiology
- Positions expected to grow 10 from 2006-2016.
- especially for those with the clinical doctorate
in audiology - (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2008-2009 edition)
- U.S. News and World Report ranks Audiologist as 1
of 50 Best Careers of 2011. - http//www.usnews.com/sections/business/best-caree
rs/
6What does an audiologist earn?
- Salaries depend on educational background,
experience, work setting, and geographical
location. - In 2010, median salary
- for clinical service provider was 68,000
- 79,000 for university faculty
- 93,000 for administrators
- employee benefits (e.g., insurance, leave, and
professional development) are very competitive - http//www.asha.org/Careers/SalaryData/
7Importance of Language
- language - our most human characteristic
- the essence of human life (Light, 1997)
- essential to learning, working, enjoying family
life and friends - multiple ways to express and understand language
- speaking, sign language, informal gestures,
writing, computerized communication
8Who are speech-language pathologists?
- professionals educated to assess and treat speech
and language - sometimes called speech therapists
- also assess and treat swallowing disorders
- because we know the landscape!
- SLPs work with full range of human communication
and disorders - across the lifespan (infants to elderly)
9What else do speech-language pathologists do?
- train future professionals in colleges and
universities - manage agencies, clinics, or private practices
- engage in research to enhance knowledge about
human communication - develop new methods and assess effectiveness of
treatment approaches - serve as expert witnesses in court
10An example of SLP competencies the Big 9
- Articulation
- Fluency
- Voice and resonance
- Language
- Hearing
- Swallowing
- Cognitive aspects of communication
- Social aspects of communication
- Alternate communication modalities
11Speech Tasks
- Look at elements of speech production
- Explore the oral cavity. . .
- Say /puh tuh kuh/.
- Investigate your vocal range.
12Language/Cognitive Tasks
- Name objects.
- Describe how objects are used.
- List for your partner the steps you would use in
washing a car by hand. - What are the first five things you did this
morning? - Read a passage and write a written summary of it.
13Augmentative/Alternative Communication (AAC)
- Communicate to your partner (without speaking)
- Using only gestures explain the things you did
this a.m. - Partners may be able to use written choices to
support conversation with a person who cannot
speak. - Individuals who cannot speak may use assistive
technology to assist with accomplishing life
goals.
14Assessment to Treatment
- Once we determine where problems are, we attempt
to teach strategies and skills - Help individuals and families address these
problems.
15Future Outlook Speech-Language Pathology
- Number of positions in speech-language pathology
expected to climb 11 between 2006 and 2016. - (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2008-2009)
- Excellent job opportunities in next 8 years
especially if - you speak a second language
- are willing to work with aging population
- are willing to relocate to geographic areas with
great need
16What does a speech-language pathologist earn?
- Salaries of speech-language pathologists depend
on educational background, specialty, experience,
work setting, and geographical location. - In 2010, median salary in school setting was
60,000 - work in health care facilities 70,000
- http//www.asha.org/uploadedFiles/Schools10Salarie
s.pdf
17What is a speech, language, and hearing scientist?
- conduct research on which clinicians base their
methods of assessment and intervention - develop evidence-based methods
- explore the biological, physical, and
physiological processes involved in communication - collaborate with related professions (engineers,
physicians, dentists, psychologists) - train future professionals and scientists
18 Cycle 1 Trained vs. Untrained Productions
19Academic Preparation Audiology
- graduate degree required AuD or PhD
- undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences
- anatomy and physiology, basic science, math,
auditory processes, balance, normal and abnormal
communication development - auditory assessment and treatment (hearing aids
and appliances, cochlear implants), aural
rehabilitation (speech reading, sign), speech
production - Certificate of Clinical Competence
- graduate degree
- 375 hours of supervised clinical experience
- 36-week postgraduate clinical fellowship
- written exam
20Academic Preparation Speech-Language Pathologist
- graduate degree required MS or MA (or more)
- undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences
- linguistics, phonetics, anatomy and physiology,
psychology, human development, speech and hearing
science, normal and abnormal communication
development - speech, language, swallowing disorders -
assessment and intervention, clinical and
research experiences - Certificate of Clinical Competence
- graduate degree
- 375 hours of supervised clinical experience
- 36-week postgraduate clinical fellowship
- written exam
21FSU Program in Communication Sciences and
Disorders
- http//www.commdisorders.cci.fsu.edu/
- ranked 18th in graduate programs in communication
disorders by U.S. News and World Report - http//grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/
grad/slp/search - we dont offer graduate work in audiology
- Bachelor of Science (BS)
- limited entry to program - 47 credit hours
- also offer the Master of Science (MS), advance
masters, and PhD - our masters program prepares students for
professional careers in clinical, research, and
teaching environments - after completion of our masters in SLP, students
typically get certified and licensed to work
professionally
22Curriculum Overview
- Undergraduates
- designed to be completed in 4 semesters
- basic building blocks of speech and language
(anatomy, phonetics, neurological bases) - Masters
- 60 credit program - usually takes 6 semesters,
including summers - last summer is internship - program covers all areas needed for certification
- some lateral entry students admitted but may
take longer - Doctoral
- can take 3-4 years depending on mentor
- competencies in teaching, research, and clinical
supervision