Role of a speech therapist in daily work?

I’m thinking about a career in speech therapy. Could someone tell me what a speech therapist does on a day-to-day basis? Are there specific college programs or credentials needed for this field?

Speech therapists, also known as speech-language pathologists, have a diverse set of tasks on a day-to-day basis. They work with individuals of all ages who have difficulty with communication, speech, language, or swallowing. This could include children who have speech delay, individuals who stutter, or patients who have had strokes and are relearning how to communicate and swallow.

On any given day, a speech therapist might be assessing a new patient, working one-on-one with patients for therapy sessions, drafting progress reports, discussing a patient's progress with their family, or collaborating with other healthcare professionals. These sessions may involve different types of exercises, like sound repetition, language games, or practicing swallowing techniques, depending on the patient's needs.

In terms of training, a speech therapist requires at least a master's degree in speech-language pathology. This program generally covers subjects such as anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanism, normal development and disorders of communication development, speech and language behavior, and principles of acoustics. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) offers an accredited master's degree credential, which is commonly required for this role.

The specific licensure requirements vary by state, but in general, it involves completing a supervised postgraduate clinical fellowship and passing a national examination in speech-language pathology. Some speech therapists also choose to earn a Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA, which may expand job options and meet some state licensure requirements.

This is a rewarding field, especially if you enjoy helping others. The nature of it offers the unique opportunity to fundamentally improve someone's life by helping them communicate more effectively.