No matter which path you choose in Speech Language Pathology, a job as an SLP can be a very rewarding experience. Many choose to work in the school system. Many SLPs find that it is rewarding working with children on areas such as articulation and the many facets of language.
Another career path can be as a medical SLP. Many times, SLPs choose to work in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), hospital, home health or an outpatient clinic.
Critical Thinking is defined as: the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment.
Critical thinking skills are essential in the field of Speech Language Pathology (SLP). As a Speech Language Pathologist, your job is to evaluate the patient, determine the correct speech diagnosis and then develop a treatment plan that best rehabilitates that patient.
In your future career as a speech pathologist, there are many common speech disorders that you will encounter, ranging in severity and complexity. Stuttering, delayed language, lisps, aphashia, dysphasia…all these are good to know as you will be expected to treat patients suffering through these frustrating disorders.
Because all communication disorders carry the potential to isolate individuals from their social and educational surroundings, it is essential to provide help and support as soon as a problem is identified. Voice disorders may sometimes be divided into organic and functional disorders. Organic disorders are due to physical diseases like cancer and tumors that affect the way the vocal folds work. Functional disorders are due to the misuse and abuse of voice. Frequently, the cause is unknown, which often calls for the support of a speech pathologist. While many speech and language patterns can be called “baby talk” and are part of children’s normal development, they can become problems if they are not outgrown as expected.
