http://www.asha.org/students/professions/overview/slp.htm

For Those Considering a Career in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Shannon Hall-Mills, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

School of Communication Sciences and Disorders

Florida State University

Shannon.Hall-Mills@cci.fsu.edu

Who 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 advocate

work in schools, hospitals, businesses, in private practice, universities, research laboratories, and government agencies

work with infants, children, adolescents, adults and older generations

ASHA Career Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OIcPbndZMo

The Patient’s Perspective Senator Giffords recovery story

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfUKOBlZXdw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx3nfUKvrZ8

Excerpt with Stuttering from The King’s Speech:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zq3735M_kk&feature=fvwrel

A young boy with language impairment shares his experience:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpdjP0zHeBc

Dr. Grandin speaks about the brain of children with autism

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcWx8UVhzpQ&feature=fvst

Importance 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

Who are speech-language pathologists?

professionals educated to assess and treat speech and language sometimes called speech therapists also assess and treat swallowing disorders and

literacy problems SLP’s work with full range of human

communication and disorders across the lifespan (infants to elderly)

What 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

An 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

Future 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 and at-risk child

populations are willing to relocate to geographic areas with great need

What does a speech-language pathologist earn?

Salaries of speech-language pathologists depend on educational background, specialty, experience, work setting, contract length, and geographical location.

In 2011, median salary was: Across healthcare settings: $65,000-70,000 (12

months) Across schools: $58,000 (9-10 months)

http://www.asha.org

What 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

Academic 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

Audiology

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

http://www.asha.org/students/professions/overview/audiology.htm

What 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

involved in auditory and related research serve as expert witnesses in litigation

FSU Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders

http://commdisorders.cci.fsu.edu/ ranked 18th in graduate programs in communication disorders

by U.S. News and World Report Our programs in Speech-Language Pathology

Bachelor of Science (BS) Limited entry (typically junior year) Students planning a career in SLP or AUD

Post-baccelaureate SLP Bridge Program 6 graduate prereq courses for people from other bachelor degree fields

Master of Science (MS) On-campus program Distance-learning program Competitive

PhD

Curriculum Overview

Undergraduates: designed to be completed in 4 semesters

basic building blocks of speech and language (anatomy, phonetics, neurological bases)

possibility for a “minor” in CSD 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 4-5 years depending on mentor competencies in research, teaching, service, and clinical supervision

http://commdisorders.cci.fsu.edu/academic-programs-admissions/

SCSD @ FSU Clinic provides:

Speech-language services (all ages): Evaluations Therapy

Audiology services: Evaluations Hearing Aid Fitting *Cochlear Mapping

Research: Across the lifespan

Future: Veterans Clinic (TBI) Integrated PreschoolFSU Speech & Hearing Clinic

201 W. Bloxham Street

QUESTIONS?

For more information: http://www.asha.org

http://commdisorders.cci.fsu.edu/