why i become a speech language pathologist

• Speech Pathology Master’s Programs: Which is Right for You?
• What Can You Do with a Bachelor’s in Speech Pathology?
• Speech Pathology Doctoral Programs
• Online Masters in Speech Pathology at Emerson College (sponsored program)
• Online Masters in Speech Pathology at New York University (sponsored program)
• How to Become a Speech Pathologist: A Step-by-Step Guide
• Guide to Applying to Speech Pathology School
• How to Make a Career Change to Speech Pathology
• Is a Speech Pathology Degree Worth It?

10 Reasons to Love Being a Speech Pathologist

• What Is a CCC-SLP and Why It’s Important
• CCC-SLP Requirements: Become a CCC-SLP
• Guide to Applying for CCC-SLP Certification
• CCC-SLP Salary and Career Outlook
• The Guide to the ASHA Speech Pathology Certification Standards
• State-by-State Guide for Speech Pathology License Requirements
• 8 SLP Certifications that May Help Advance Your Career
• How to Become an Effective ASHA Clinical Fellowship Mentor
• How to Complete the ASHA Clinical Fellowship
• The Guide to Speech Pathology Job and Salary Negotiations
• What to Expect at Your First Speech Pathologist Job
• Bilingual Speech Pathologist Salary and Careers
• Child Speech Therapist Career and Salary Outlook
• Speech Pathology Assistant Careers and Salary Outlook
• How to Choose Your Speech Pathologist Career Setting
• Become a Speech Pathologist in a School Setting
• Become a Speech Pathologist in a Hospital Work Setting
• Opening a Speech Therapy Telepractice: What You Need to Know
• Speech Pathology Internships Guide
• Guide to Speech Therapy Volunteer Opportunities
• Choosing Between Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy
• How to Become an Audiologist
• Scholarships
• Day in the Life of an SLP Student
• Speech Disorder Resources for College Students
• Common Speech Language Pathology Assessment Tools
• The SLP Guide to Evidence-Based Practice
• When to Take Your Bilingual Child to the Speech Pathologist
• When to Take Your Child to the SLP

Home / How to Become a Speech Pathologist / 10 Reasons to Love Being a Speech Pathologist

While giving others the tools they need to effectively communicate is amazing in itself, there are many reasons that speech-language pathology makes for a fulfilling career. Speech pathology is a diverse field full of a variety of opportunities to help others grow, engage in fascinating research, and even impact social change. We talked to speech pathologists and professors from all over to learn about all of the things that make this field so great!

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Want to Become an SLP? Earn an MS Online at NYU

NYU Steinhardt’s online master of science program in Communicative Sciences and Disorders prepares aspiring speech-language pathologists with a comprehensive professional education.

• Prepares students to pursue SLP licensure 
• Accredited by ASHA’s Council on Academic Accreditation 
• As few as six terms to complete 
• Full-time and part-time plans of study

Make a Difference

In speech-language pathology, you make a difference in the life of every patient you help by improving their speech, language, and communication skills. Additionally, if you choose to go into research, you can study assessment tools, treatment methods, and more so that clinicians all over can better serve their patients

“Ultimately, what led me to my interest in becoming a professor was a desire to make an impact in the direction of healthcare. I wanted to make a difference in my field by providing clinicians and medical professionals guidance through evidence-based research that would improve the outcomes for children born with cleft palate.” – Dr. Jamie Perry, East Carolina University

“The aspect of my research I’m most proud of is seeing the positive impact on clients, student clinicians, and professionals from our holistic interprofessional stuttering clinic actualized in life orientation shifts. Many clients have reported living life on their terms rather than feeling like they had to just survive from situation to situation. Students that we’ve followed up with report continuing to value interprofessional collaborations, other professionals, and having the client be the primary focus of their therapy. When the student sees and values the client before the disorder and symptoms that they present that’s what makes me proud.” – Dr. Dan Hudock, Idaho State University

“Come into the field if you find you have a strong inner motivation to make a difference.” – Dr. Gerard Poll, University of Miami

Specialize in a Variety of Areas

You can choose to specialize in one of many areas of speech pathology, or you can find a career that allows you to interact with a wide variety of patients. Whether you want to work with adults or children, in voice or communication disorders, in a school or in private practice is all up to you.

“What I enjoy most about our profession is that I CAN work in a variety of settings and I continue to do this because it is what keeps me feeling alive. I absolutely LOVE academia – and mentoring and teaching are really so special to me. It feels good when a student thrives under my tutelage. I keep in touch with many of my students and invite them to keep me posted on their careers.” – Nicole Kolenda, NYU

“Being an SLP is my dream job and always will be. I love that we get to work with such diverse age groups and skills. I’m always learning so it never gets boring!” – Nicole Allison, Speech Peeps

“There is something so wonderful about providing such necessary services to students in the school environment. We have to be so knowledgeable about such a variety of disorders, treatments, assessments, technology, etc. I have also been able to take on leadership roles in the schools. I am currently the Lead SLP in my district and have found that providing professional development, coaching, and leadership to SLPs and OTs/PTs is incredibly rewarding.” – Danielle Reed, Sublime Speech

Improve Literacy for Those of Lower Socioeconomic Status

The gap in literacy for children of differing economic means starts young- in a year’s span wealthy children hear  16 times  as many utterances at home as children in low income households. Speech pathologists can empower parents to help their child’s language development, or help kids who have fallen behind catch up.

“I am very proud of my research demonstrating that it is possible for parents who are homeless, even with their own language literacy difficulties, to learn to use language facilitation strategies with their young children. Given the importance of language and literacy to successful life-long outcomes including quality of life, I am proud of this work because of the potential that it offers parents AND children who are homeless for improved language literacy abilities.” – Dr. Therese O’Neil-Pirozzi, Northeastern University

“I became interested in [researching the impact of poverty and use of African American English (AAE) dialect on literacy achievement] while I was an undergrad at Michigan State University when I learned that AAE use can have an adverse impact on literacy. Given that many African American children in the United States do not read on grade level, it was clear that this topic was critically important for the success of African American children.” – Dr. Ryan Lee-James, Adelphi University

Teach Others

All speech pathology students must fulfill practicum and clinical fellowship requirements under the supervision of a professional. Depending on your career path within speech pathology, you may have the opportunity to help mentor the next generation of professionals in your field.

“I enjoy mentoring students for aphasia research. The most rewarding feeling for me is to see my students’ passion grow for working with people with aphasia and other neurodegenerative disorders during this research experience.” – Dr. Hsinhuei Sheen Chiou, Minnesota State University Mankato

“I am really proud of the students I have in my lab and how they have risen to the challenges that the research presents has been great. We have 5 graduate student research assistants and 2 undergraduate volunteers that not only run some of the fNIRS studies on their own (due to IRB restrictions), but have been so successful at initiating and completing independent research projects.” – Dr. Nicholas Barone, University of Virginia

Grow as a Person

Oftentimes in life, the people you help grow will help you grow too. Speech pathology is no exception.

“As a clinician of 22+ years and clinical researcher who has partnered with the autistic community for over a decade and a half, I have experienced quite an evolution in my journey related to disability. My current work reflects a neurodiversity perspective of autism, but it has not always done so. I was not always familiar with this viewpoint, nor the broader social model of disability. I feel proud that I have grown (and continue to grow) in my understanding of disability and how I can best partner and ally with the autistic community, both as a researcher and clinician.” – Dr. Amy Donaldson, Portland State University

“Communication exists in every plane of human existence, and it is most taxed during these key life questions. Most of our clients come to us during a period of transition: a job promotion, an upcoming marriage, change in family role. They come with questions about communication, but the answers are closely tied to the life situation answer itself – and I never know what that is! But we figure it out together, and that’s why I love this job. Our clients write their own paths, and we are fortunate enough to be a sidelines coach for some specific skills. Being invited to experiencing the process of figuring life out, with my clients, has changed who I am as a person.” – Katie Gore, Speech IRL

Help Transgender People Find Their Authentic Voice

When making the transition to one’s true gender, finding the right voice can be hard, as well as harmful if not done safely and properly. Voice clinics offer trans men and women the opportunity to find that voice safely and effectively.

“In terms of the project I completed with a transgender client, I was most proud of the client herself and the courage and tenacity she showed in discovering and mastering her true voice.  In order to do this, she devised a very creative and effective way (using a supportive community of massively multiplayer online gamers) to practice the voice she was learning in her voice sessions. This was prior to coming out to her family and those closest to her, eliminating all the people easily available for practice. We can appreciate how this might affect her progress, given the need for practice and opportunities to generalize skills outside of sessions. I wanted to share this client’s experience with other SLPs to demonstrate in a concrete way how clients often have the best, that is, most feasible and meaningful, solutions to their problems, if we frame our clinical interactions in a way that allows us to hear and work with what our clients are saying about their motivations and perspectives.” – Dr. Linda Hoag  

Help Children

If you are interested in working with kids, speech pathology allows you to do so in a school, private practice, or even a medical setting.

“Integrating real life and therapy is the most important aspect of what we do. If the children cannot generalize the skills in everyday routines, we have done a disservice to the children. We work very closely with the parents to understand what is going on at home and we tailor programs to meet the specific challenges. This is important to note because the outside world often forgets this, but children with autism are children. They need to experience the world like all children do.” – Pam Drennen, Kidmunicate

“I fell in love with the creativity, play time, and silliness that working with young children not only allowed but encouraged.” – Cheri Chin, Super Power Speech 

“After working as a school-based speech-language pathologist for nearly a decade, I became convinced that written language was an area in which our clients were being underserved. The academic struggles these children faced as a result of their literacy-related deficits deeply concerned me and led ultimately to my returning to school to pursue my doctorate. During this time, I focused my research on the development of literacy interventions that could be used with our clients to facilitate academic success.”  -Dr. Joy Good, Arkansas State University

Address the Unique Needs of Bilingual Speakers

Bilingual speakers do not always have access to a speech pathologist who is educated on their unique needs. By specializing in this area you can help make equitable speech and language services available for all children.

“I see my research program as “social justice through science”. I see the work my lab does as improving the lives of Latino children by placing them on the right educational track. If we can get typical kids in the classroom full time and kids with phonological disorders in the speech room, then we are doing something to increase equity in the educational system.” – Dr. Leah Fabiano-Smith, University of Arizona

“I am most proud of the work that gives a voice to underrepresented groups. In the language acquisition literature for example, the typical population of study includes white monolingual English speakers from well-educated families. Yet, SLPs are tasked with providing equitable services for people of all backgrounds, across socioeconomic levels and linguistic backgrounds. One of my sincere hopes is that my work will to help to fill the gap in the literature on language development in Spanish learners in the United States. My pride in this work comes from my personal experience: as a daughter of Mexican immigrants, I too grew up in a Spanish speaking home in the United States. As a Latina scholar, this work is a way of serving my community.” – Dr. Stephanie De Anda, University of Oregon

Find Answers

There are still many unknowns in speech-language pathology. As a researcher, you can search for answers that improve treatment outcomes, access, and more for patients.

“I had my first experience with a person with a voice disorder in my graduate program. I loved how it incorporated both very scientific information with a bit of art in getting a good voice quality. After that, I sought out experiences with voice in my clinical experiences, externships, and later in my first job. I became the “voice person” at the outpatient clinic where I was working. I loved seeing the progress these individuals could make. I’m not going to lie, I also liked working with people who were neurotypical and adults. As I moved into my doctoral program, I knew I had to keep working in the area of voice. There are just so many unanswered questions in all areas of our field, but in voice I felt I could make some contributions to our Knowledge.” – Dr. Abby Hemmerich, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire

“Being brave and taking a chance on studying something that most people try to avoid… how stress affects language performance and recovery. The systematic study of this topic within aphasia is uncharted, so beginning this line of inquiry takes a lot of perseverance, patience, and independent learning.” – Dr. Jacqueline Laures-Gore, Georgia State University

Integrate Your Other Passions

In speech pathology, there are often opportunities to take your passions and use them to help patients in an effective, evidence-based way.

“I always liked creative problem solving and I liked working with technology. Putting all these things together got me interested in computer interfaces for children with complex communication needs.” – Dr. John McCarthy, Ohio University

“My friend’s son has Down syndrome, and she told me that both she and her husband had noticed significant improvements in his overall communication, his intelligibility, and in his self-confidence. Shortly after [a performance of his], I decided to work with several of my colleagues to create a program for adolescents and young adults with developmental disabilities and moderate to severe communication impairments. I was interested in studying the efficacy of using activity-based intervention with this population to embed speech, language, communication, and social goals in activities associated with theatrical productions.”  -Dr. Angela Losardo, Appalachian State University

How to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist

A career in speech-language pathology requires a master's degree and a clinical fellowship.

How to Become a Speech Pathologist

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Speech-language pathologists specialize in treating various speech impediments and addressing language comprehension difficulties.

Humans use their mouths and throats constantly, often unconsciously, to perform basic tasks like swallowing food or speaking aloud, so problems within this section of the body need to be addressed immediately and thoroughly.

Speech-language pathologists assist in these situations, and demand for their services is growing rapidly. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment within this profession will grow 25% through 2029, partly as a result of the aging American population and health ailments that are common among seniors that hinder talking and eating, such as strokes and Alzheimer's.

The median annual wage among U.S. speech-language pathologists in May 2020 was $80,480, according to the BLS, which notes that the usual entry-level academic credential within this field is a master's degree . Licensing requirements for this profession depend upon the state where a person practices, and many jobs within this field require national certification.

What Is Speech Pathology and What Does a Speech Pathologist Do?

The field of speech-language pathology encompasses much more than just communication disorders. The area of study also includes lessons about accent reduction and how to encourage children who are extremely picky eaters to consume food so that they are well-nourished, for example.

Speech-language pathologists specialize in treating various speech impediments and addressing language comprehension difficulties. They teach social skills to people with developmental disabilities, provide guidance to individuals with cognitive disorders and intervene when a person struggles to swallow food or beverages.

These clinicians routinely advise people who cannot hear well on how to understand others and express themselves, and they also show people who cannot speak how to communicate using picture boards and technological devices.

"Speech therapists help toddlers say 'mama' for the first time, assist teenagers who have a fluency disorder (stutter), and help adults who have suffered strokes be able to eat on their own again," Kassie Hanson, a Nebraska-based certified pediatric speech-language pathologist, wrote in an email.

Hanson recalls the beginning of her career and how working with a 2-year-old girl who was unable to talk solidified her career path. "After many sessions with the little girl, she said some of her very first words," Hanson says. "Just months later, she was talking in short phrases and sentences. Getting to help a little girl say her first words was life-changing and confirmed for me that I was in the right career!"

Steps to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-language pathologists recommend that people who want to join their field complete all of the following tasks:

• Pursue a bachelor's degree and take college courses that relate to speech-language pathology.
• Search for accredited speech-language pathology master's programs using the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's EdFind Tool .
• Gain relevant work experience and prepare a strong graduate school application with solid grades, essays and recommendation letters.
• Excel on the GRE General Test if the targeted graduate school considers GRE scores.
• Get into a master's program, ideally with a generous scholarship to reduce the cost.
• Obtain a master's degree in speech-language pathology.
• Complete a clinical fellowship in speech-language pathology.
• Take and pass the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology, a national test that assesses understanding of key content and current practices within the field.
• Secure a state license to practice independently if it is offered or required by your state.
• Get certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, or ASHA.

An undergraduate education in a related subject, such as communication sciences and disorders, may be mandatory for admission into a master's program in speech-language pathology, though academic prerequisites depend upon the graduate school, and some programs have a more flexible policy on college majors .

Speech-language pathology master's students learn about the many health conditions that can interfere with a person's ability to swallow, communicate or eat, including ailments that primarily affect children and diseases that are common among seniors.

Jolene Hyppa-Martin, an associate professor and a speech-language pathologist with the University of Minnesota—Duluth 's Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, notes that master's programs in speech-language pathology generally include lessons about how people who are unable to talk can express themselves via various alternative and augmentative communication devices.

Hyppa-Martin, who has a Ph.D. in speech, language and hearing sciences, adds that speech pathology students often have coursework where they learn how to counsel patients.

Standards set by ASHA's Council on Academic Accreditation mandate that all entry-level speech-language pathology programs allow students to accumulate at least 400 hours of supervised clinical practice experience. These rules also require faculty at such programs to focus on teaching certain core values like accountability, concern for patients, cultural competence and professional duty.

Hawaii board-certified speech-language pathologist Julia Kuhn explains that speech-language pathologists are expected to do a clinical fellowship – which is usually a paid, entry-level job immediately after graduation – so they can supplement their broad academic training with hands-on experience in a particular focus area, such as swallowing disorders or pediatric language issues, before they practice independently within that specialty.

Isa Marrs, a board-certified speech-language pathologist in New York, says that licensure helps to ensure that speech-language pathologists are trained thoroughly enough to care for vulnerable people. "There are so many important things that you are doing in somebody's life that having the proper training is crucial," she says.

What It Is Like to Work as a Speech-Language Pathologist

Although other health care providers such as physicians and nurse practitioners tend to earn higher wages than speech-language pathologists, there are many perks to this profession, including a solid work-life balance and a strong sense of purpose, according to experts.

But Kuhn warns that there are some hassles that come with the territory of speech-language pathology, such as a reliance on government payouts from social welfare programs like Medicare, which occasionally reduce compensation rates substantially.

Another downside to the field is the heavy caseloads that many speech-language pathologists carry, Kuhn says. Pathologists may feel frustrated by a limited amount of upward mobility since they rarely ascend to management positions, and their pay rates don't necessarily increase steadily over the course of their career, she notes.

An interest in social interaction is necessary to enjoy a career in this field, Kuhn says, as is genuine enjoyment of therapy sessions, which encompass the majority of a pathologist's workday.

Most speech-language pathologists emphasize the meaningful nature of their work. Marrs notes that there is a particular satisfaction that comes from teaching a person with a lisp to speak in a way that makes the individual feel proud rather than self-conscious.

She recalls teaching a child with autism how to chew so he could eat food that wasn't pureed. "When we accomplished that, it opened up so much for this child, as far as learning how to eat things other than baby food," Marrs says.

Hyppa-Martin says she uses voice banking tools to record those who will lose their voices due to degenerative health conditions. The software programs produce simulations of patients' voices and can be used to converse with others. Hyppa-Martin notes that one of her former clients who had a terminal illness was able to use voice bank technology to deliver a speech at his oldest daughter's wedding before his death.

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Graduate Journey Resource Center

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What to Know if You’re Considering a Speech-Language Pathology Degree

The ability to communicate is arguably the most effective tool that most living creatures possess. It comes in many forms such as verbal, vocal, visual, body language and, in the human world, technological and artistic. It’s an integral part of any social ecosystem for all creatures from insects to humans, and when that communication process is disrupted or impaired, the system is affected. If a person has impaired communication issues, it can be frustrating for both the person and those they are trying to communicate with.

A rewarding career

This is where speech-language pathologists , or speech therapists, as they are sometimes referred to, come in. Children and adults who have cognitive issues, social communication issues, or swallowing issues from stroke, trauma or cleft palates are primarily the types of patients these professionals work with. It can be a rewarding career. Depending on the population you want to work with, there are numerous environments in which to pursue your career. Private practice, hospitals, nursing homes and schools are some of the places where speech-language pathologists are highly needed. With a median pay of $80,480 and a projected 25% growth rate through 2029 according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) , it’s no wonder that a master’s degree in speech-language pathology is on the rise; however, if this is a career you are considering, it’s important to be aware of a few things.

Education matters

A master’s degree is required to work as a speech-language pathologist, and while there are no required undergrad majors to pursue a graduate degree, there are prerequisites that must be fulfilled. If you know that this is your field of choice in undergrad, a bachelor’s degree in communications sciences disorders is recommended, though not required. If you’re returning to school after being in the workforce or have an unrelated bachelor’s degree, you may need to take a few courses before applying to speech-language pathology (SLP) graduate programs. Program recruiters at the institutions you are exploring  can help you with the specific requirements needed.

Proper accreditations

When searching for a master’s program in SLP, it’s important to make sure that the school is accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association , which is part of The Council on Academic Accreditation. Your program’s accreditation will be required for certification and usually for state licensure. Being well informed about the requirements and skills  needed to become a speech-language pathologist is key to your success in being accepted to a master’s program  and working in this growing field.

How to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist

Industry Advice Healthcare

Speech-language pathology (SLP) consistently ranks as one of the most fulfilling and desirable jobs for many reasons. Not only do SLPs enjoy significant job stability, high pay , and a variety of career advancement options, they also play a direct role in improving the lives and wellbeing of their patients. 

If you’re interested in becoming a speech-language pathologist, you should begin by understanding the steps required to start working as an SLP. We define and discuss each of these steps below. 

How to Become an SLP

To become a speech-language pathologist, you will need to:

• Earn a bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Earn a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
• Pass the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology
• Complete your clinical fellowship 
• Obtain licensure and certification

Interested in a Speech-Language Pathology Career?

Learn how an SLP degree can give you the skills you need to make a difference in educational and healthcare settings.

Steps to Becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist

1. complete a bachelor’s degree in a related field..

To become a speech-language pathologist, you will ultimately need to complete a graduate degree in the field. But the first step toward starting your career as an SLP will be to complete an undergraduate degree that will prepare you for graduate education.

Two undergraduate degrees closely aligned with the field include the Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and the Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. These programs are an excellent option for anyone who knows early on that they would like to pursue a career in speech-language pathology. 

However, other degrees (such as a bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, or linguistics) can also prepare you for your eventual graduate education, especially if paired with a relevant concentration. At Northeastern, for example, undergraduate students may complete a Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) minor or a Clinical Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology (SLPA) minor. 

2. Complete a master’s degree in speech-language pathology.

Once you have completed your undergraduate degree, your next step will be to enroll in a graduate program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). 

Some common program titles include Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology or Master of Science in Communication Science and Disorders. At Northeastern, we offer an MS in Speech-Language Pathology. 

While the exact curriculum will vary from program to program, most graduate programs in speech-language pathology include 60 credit hours of material. This curriculum consists of both academic and clinical work, allowing students to learn about key concepts such as speech-language disorders, articulation, phonology, dysphagia, etc., while also putting those lessons into practice in a clinical setting. 

Each graduate program will have its own prerequisites, which you will need to complete before enrolling. For example, At Northeastern, students must complete five prerequisite undergraduate courses before enrolling in the MS in Speech-Language Pathology program. These include: 

• Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
• Introduction to Audiology
• Introduction to Speech and Hearing Science
• Language Development

If you have completed a relevant undergraduate degree, as mentioned above, then you will likely find that you have completed the necessary prerequisite courses. 

3. Pass the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology.

To earn licensure in many states, you will first need to pass the Praxis 2 Examination in Speech-Language Pathology administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). 

To pass, you must earn a minimum score of at least 162. The test includes material about the foundations of speech-language pathology, screening and assessment of patients, etiology, planning and implementation of treatment, and more. The exam is offered at test centers throughout the country on multiple dates throughout the year. 

You can take the exam at any time that you meet the requirements to do so. Many students will take the Praxis exam in the last semester of their graduate program. Others will take it as soon as they graduate so that, if they were to fail, they would have time to retake the exam. 

It is worth noting that any of the organizations you may apply to for your clinical fellowship (below) may require a passing grade before they will accept your application. 

4. Complete your post-graduate clinical fellowship.

After completing your graduate degree, you need to complete a post-graduate clinical fellowship, which is a requirement for state licensure. As mentioned above, you can complete your clinical fellowship before you have passed the Praxis if you choose. 

Post-graduate fellowship requirements can vary from state to state. However, many states have modeled their clinical fellowship requirements to match the requirements needed to earn the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) credential through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). To qualify for the CCC-SLP, your fellowship must meet the following requirements:

• Be overseen and mentored by an ASHA-certified SLP for the duration of the fellowship
• Be at least 1,260 hours in length, typically accrued over at least 36 weeks (35 hours per week)
• Have at least 80 percent of your clinical experience involving direct clinical contact with patients

Depending on the state in which you wish to complete your fellowship, you may or may not need to apply for a temporary license. Check with your state’s speech-language pathology and audiology board to understand whether or not this will be required.  

5. Obtain state licensure and ASHA certification.

Upon completing your fellowship, you should find yourself eligible to apply for state licensure, which you will need to practice. Licensing requirements and processes will vary by state, sometimes significantly, so it is important to check with your state’s speech-language pathology and audiology board.

It is also important to note that you will need to apply for licensure in any state you wish to practice. This means that if you live in a border region (for example, the Connecticut and Massachusetts border) and wish to practice in both states, you will need to ensure that you meet the requirements for both. 

Many SLPs will also apply for accreditation through ASHA at the same time as they apply for state licensure, specifically, the Speech-Language Pathology Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP). Generally speaking, even if certification is not required, it is recommended that you apply for and maintain it, as it is an important professional achievement.

“This is considered to be the gold standard certification internationally,” says Susan Fine, Director of Clinical Education at Northeastern’s MS in Speech-Language Pathology program . “Once you’ve earned your CCC-SLP, it’ll set you up for a number of great work opportunities both domestically and abroad and can open many doors in your career.”

Because many states model their licensing requirements on ASHA’s qualifications, you may find that you qualify for certification at the same time as you earn your license. You may, however, need to complete additional requirements. 

6. Continue to advance.

While it can be tempting to rest on your laurels once you have earned your license, it’s important to continue your education as you advance your career.

Many states require SLPs to complete a certain number of continuing education hours to maintain licensure. ASHA also requires continuing education to be completed in order to keep your certification. 

Even in cases where this is not a requirement, pushing yourself to complete additional coursework will empower you to stay on top of trends and developments in the field. The end result is that you will be more effective in treating your patients.

Choosing the Right Program for Your Needs

Earning your Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology will prove to be one of the most important steps in becoming an SLP. Through this education, you will learn the concepts, skills, and frameworks necessary to perform your job well, and it is also through this education that you will begin to gain hands-on experience that you’ll leverage throughout your career. 

“Our students have the opportunity to gain a wide range of clinical experiences,” Fine says. “We have excellent clinical training settings in our program. Our students get trained across the lifespan. They complete a minimum of four clinical rotations, initially in our state-of-the-art campus clinic, Northeastern University Speech-Language and Hearing Center . Students continue with their clinical training within the greater Boston area in a variety of settings, including schools, early intervention programs, inpatient acute care, rehabilitation hospitals, and specialized outpatient practices.” 

Interested in becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist? Learn more about the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Northeastern University.

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13 Pros and Cons of Being a Speech-Language Pathologist

Are you considering a career as a speech-language pathologist? A speech-language pathologist has the unique and essential job of helping people communicate better, but what are the pros and cons of being a speech-language pathologist? Before you make any decisions, it is crucial to weigh the pros and cons of this profession. As a speech-language pathologist, you can expect to face various challenges and rewards in your career. Here are the top 13 pros and cons of being a speech-language pathologist so you can decide if this is the best career move for you.

What Does A Speech-Language Pathologist Do?

Where does a speech-language pathologist work, what is a typical speech-language pathologist work schedule like, how much does a speech-language pathologist make, job outlook for a speech-language pathologist, top cons of being a speech-language pathologist, 1. you will first need to earn a bachelor’s degree., 2. you will need to earn a master’s degree., 3. you will need to pass the praxis series of the educational testing service exam., 4. you will need to complete your required clinical hours., 5. if you want to work in a school, you will need to earn your certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology (ccc-slp)., 6. you will need a license to practice., 7. i hope you have been saving your pennies., 8. you may have a huge caseload., 9. you may have to work weekends., 10. you may have to work holidays., 11. you may become burned out., 12. if you work in the school system, you may be split between more than one school., 13. you will have a ton of paperwork to complete, top pros of being a speech-language pathologist, 1. you will earn a good living., 2. you can work in a variety of settings., 3. you will have job security., 4. you will always be able to find a job., 5. you could travel for work., 6. you can be your own boss., 7. your schedule can be flexible., 8. you can even further specialize., 9. you are helping people., 10. your job will be intellectually challenging, 11. you will be helping educate and empower your clients and their families., 12. you will see your client’s progress., 13. you are a valuable member of the healthcare team., my final thoughts.

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How to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist in Massachusetts

What Does a Speech-Language Pathologist Do?

Are you thinking about a career in speech-language pathology (SLP), but still not sure if it’s the right career for you? No doubt you have many unanswered questions that are cause for hesitation.

Should I become a speech pathologist or another type of therapy professional, such as an audiologist? What steps do I have to take to become an SLP? Does this career fit my skills and personality?

Speech therapy jobs are abundant, and they offer the chance to work in clinical, educational, and administrative settings. If you’re curious about the pros and cons of an SLP career, here are some answers to help you figure out whether becoming a speech pathologist is right for you.

Is Speech-Language Pathology the Right Career For You?

A speech-language pathologist is a clinical therapist who specializes in assessing, diagnosing, and treating disorders that affect linguistic behavior, communication, or swallowing. They develop preventive therapies to treat language impairments in early childhood and corrective techniques to improve communication problems related to physical, social, or cognitive health.

Keep the following factors in mind as you weigh the benefits and challenges of being an SLP.

1. What are your salary requirements?

While salary isn’t the only factor in choosing a career, it’s important when considering the cost of your education and long-term earning potential. The good news is SLPs earn a very competitive salary. In 2020, the median pay for speech-language pathologists was $80,480 . On top of that, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the job demand is estimated to increase 29 percent from 2020 to 2030 .

The highest-paid speech therapists—who typically work for nursing and residential care facilities—earn anywhere from $95,000 to more than $122,000 a year. The educational services industry, which employs 38 percent of SLPs, reportedly offers a median annual wage of $71,410. If salary is a top priority, rest assured that working as an SLP can help you meet your financial goals.

2. Do you enjoy working with people?

A career as an SLP will involve working intimately with people from diverse backgrounds. Plus, depending on your work environment, you may have clients of all ages as well. Consider whether you’ll be comfortable in a hands-on role that requires a great deal of one-on-one interaction. Speech therapists need to possess these key traits:

• Listening and communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Patience and empathy
• Problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail
• Resourcefulness and creativity
• Adaptability

Since speech therapists mainly treat developmental disorders, they must also be excited to work with children. These professionals diagnose problems that typically manifest in early childhood, such as difficulty forming sounds, organizing thoughts, coordinating speech motor functions, and understanding verbal and nonverbal cues.

No matter what setting you work in, compassion and interpersonal skills are necessary to succeed. Many clients will have multiple obstacles affecting their ability to communicate, and it’s the role of a speech therapist to assess their individual needs and develop effective treatment plans. If you prefer not to work closely with others, a related research field might be a better fit.

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3. Are you willing to go to graduate school?

A Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited program is the minimum requirement to become an SLP. After graduation, a license is also mandatory to practice in most US states. Many employers, especially high-paying institutions, will require you to earn a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Depending on the industry you choose to work in, you may need additional certifications to demonstrate competency in specialized fields. If you’re not willing to pursue a postgraduate degree, that’s totally fine—but you’ll want to choose a different career.

4. Are you looking for a meaningful career?

Speech pathologists play an essential role in improving quality of life for others. SLPs show clients how to make positive changes that have a lasting impact on their lives. That’s why it’s important to have enthusiasm for helping people if you aspire to be a speech therapist.

Because therapy roles involve a lot of investigating, listening, and experimentation, you also need to have professional curiosity and a desire to come up with innovative solutions. Does this sound like you? Then, becoming an SLP may be an excellent choice.

Consider Your Options

Now that you know how rewarding and interactive a career in speech pathology can be, you might be ready to explore degree options. Compare graduate programs or reach out to an admission counselor to find out the requirements to enroll in a Master’s degree program.

The best way to choose a career you love is to get an up-close look at the everyday responsibilities of a speech-language pathologist. A licensed SLP can answer your questions or even guide you to related fields that may be a better fit.

Speech-Language Pathology (MS)

Speech language pathologists work with clients of all ages and backgrounds, within a wide array of settings including hospitals and clinics, nursing homes, private practices, and schools.

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Considering a career as an SLP? Get answers to the questions: What does a speech-language pathologist do, where do they work, and what skills do they need?

Learn how to become a speech-language pathologist in MA. Find out the licenses, and certifications you need after earning a master’s degree in SLP.

How Much Do Speech-Language Pathologists Make in Massachusetts? Salary Guide

Wondering how much money you can make as a speech language pathologist? This guide walks you through the average SLP salary in Massachusetts.

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Speech@Emerson / Resources

April 8, 2020 

What is a speech-language pathologist? Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are trained specialists in identifying and treating impairments related to speech, language, cognition, social skills, swallowing, and hearing. Specific communication impairments may include articulation disorders, language disorders and delays, fluency impairments, literacy challenges, cognitive-communicative impairment, differences in social communication, and voice problems.

Speech-language pathologists work with clients across the lifespan, from infants to school-age children to older adults, designing and implementing plans of care to improve, maintain, or restore skills in talking, listening, problem-solving, reading, writing, and swallowing.

SLPs may also provide clients with tips and information to prevent communication impairments. Communication impairments can have a significant effect on the way people live their lives, from social interactions to vocational endeavors. SLPs work across a variety of settings — home visits, schools, businesses, private practices, medical settings, and rehabilitation centers. The work of an SLP is key to improving overall quality of life, making SLPs valuable contributors to both educational and medical settings.

Employment of speech-language pathologists is expected to grow 27 percent from 2018 to 2028,  according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That’s more than triple the average growth rate for all occupations over the same time period (5 percent, as per the BLS).

Earning the right degree and gaining hands-on experience in the field are important if you are interested in a career in speech-language pathology. The time it takes to become a practicing professional depends on a number of factors; however,  on average, it takes at least two years to complete a full-time Master of Sciences in Communication Disorders (M.S.).

If you’re a student considering a career in speech-language pathology or even a working professional transitioning from an unrelated career field, below is a general list of steps you can take to enter the SLP profession.

Step 1: Complete a Master of Sciences in Communication Disorders (M.S.)

• Step 2: Complete Supervised Clinical Experience as part of an Accredited Graduate Program
• Step 3: Pass the Praxis Exam in Speech-Language Pathology
• Step 4: Complete Clinical Fellowsh ip (CF)

Step 5: Obtain Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP)

SLPs can enter the field without an undergraduate degree that focuses on communication sciences and disorders. If you have a bachelor’s degree in another discipline, the  Speech@Emerson  program and post-baccalaureate programs offer foundational courses that may prepare you to earn your Master of Sciences in Communication Disorders (M.S.).

A master’s degree program that is earned at a program accredited by the  Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA)  is the minimum level of education required for those interested in becoming a certified SLP. In addition to certification, speech-language pathologists have to be licensed through their state licensing board. Some licensing boards may have additional requirements for licensing.

Requirements for applying to a Master of Sciences in Communication Disorders (M.S.) program vary from institution to institution. For the Speech@Emerson program at Emerson College, requirements include completing a bachelor’s degree program, providing letters of recommendation, enclosing a resume and personal essay, and participating in an interview.

Once you are enrolled in the program, your coursework will include both academic and clinical learning experiences.

The  Speech@Emerson curriculum  prepares students to assess and treat people with any of the following conditions:

• autism spectrum disorders
• language and literacy disabilities
• fluency disorders
• speech sound disorders
• cognitive-communicative disorders
• voice disorders
• swallowing problems
• motor speech disorders
• deaf and hard of hearing

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Step 2: Complete Supervised Clinical Experience As Part of an Accredited Graduate Program

The clinical practicum — a critical step to becoming a speech pathologist — is part of every high-quality Master of Sciences in Communication Disorders (M.S.) program. During your clinical practicum, you will see professionals at work and will have the opportunity to be supervised by them. The primary focus of clinical practicum is for students to gain hands-on experience working with individuals who have communication disorders across a variety of settings. The Speech@Emerson program enables you to complete clinical practicum requirements so that you can apply for certification.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association requires that all applicants for certification earn a total of 400 clinical clock hours, 25 of which are guided observation hours and 375 hours (minimum) are direct clinical clock hours. The 25 guided observation hours require students to be actively involved in debriefing the session with the professional performing the activity. These hours typically occur in the context of a class or structured learning experience and are completed prior to starting supervised clinical practicum activities.

In order to accrue at least 400 clinical clock hours,  Speech@Emerson students are required to enroll in five semesters of Clinical Practicum (CD 611, 612, 613, 614, 615) while in the program.  In the Speech@Emerson program, CD 611 is a virtual practicum experience that helps students practice clinical decision-making and clinical writing, as they earn clock hours by participating in simulated clinical activities. The other practicum courses, CD 612, CD 613, CD 614, CD 615, involve students working as graduate student clinicians in community-based placement sites.

Step 3: Pass the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology

Students in the Speech@Emerson program take the Praxis exam towards the end of their graduate program, immediately after completing Comprehensive Exams, and before their clinical fellowship. The exam assesses knowledge and skills obtained through academic coursework and supervised clinical experiences in the program.

While you can use Praxis’  Speech-Language Pathology Study Companion (PDF, 1.6 MB)  to familiarize yourself with the exam content before testing, your graduate coursework and field experience will be most applicable to the exam. To further aid in test preparation, you can also make use of study tools available on the internet and in books.

Refer to the  Praxis Bulletin and Forms resource page  if you have any questions about test day procedures, score reporting, or if you just want to find more information about the registration process.

Step 4: Complete Clinical Fellowship (CF)

Upon graduation from the Speech@Emerson master’s program, you will be required to complete a clinical fellowship. This consists of nine months of full-time employment or 12 months of part-time employment during which you are employed by a school, private practice, early intervention team, or medical facility. Completing your clinical fellowship represents the final component of training prior to becoming fully certified by the  American Speech-Language-Hearing Association  (ASHA). During the months of fellowship, you will be supervised by a CF mentor. The CF mentor must be certified, must have completed their own CF at least nine months prior, and must have completed a minimum of two hours of continuing education in the area of supervision. The CF experience prepares graduates for independent practice in the field. It is the first job you will hold as a future certified speech-language pathologist.

To work as a Clinical Fellow, you may need to obtain a temporary license, also called a temporary or provisional license, from your state licensing board.

Finding a clinical fellowship means looking for a position that will hire someone who does not yet hold ASHA certification. You will need to conduct a job search to locate a CF position. Most graduate programs offer career development support to help you with your search.

Students may file an application to obtain the certificate of clinical competence immediately after graduating from an academic program. Students take the Praxis exam just prior to program completion. Typically, they then complete their clinical fellowship employment experience.

To obtain the certification, you must meet the eight standards summarized below. Select any one of the hyperlinked standards to learn more and view additional sub items.

• Standard I—Degree Applicants for the CCC-SLP must be in possession of a master’s, doctoral or other recognized post-baccalaureate degree.
• Standard II—Education Program Applicants for the CCC-SLP must have completed all graduate coursework and clinical experience in a CAA-accredited SLP program.
• Standard III—Program of Study Applicants for the CCC-SLP must have completed a program of study that includes academic course work and supervised clinical experience.
• Standard IV—Knowledge Outcomes Applicants for the CCC-SLP must have a demonstrated knowledge of biological, physical, social, and behavioral sciences, as well as basic human communication and swallowing disorders. They must have a demonstrated knowledge of the methods of assessment, prevention, and intervention for people with communication and swallowing disorders.
• Standard V—Skills Outcomes V-C: Applicants for the CCC-SLP must complete a minimum of 400 clock hours of supervised clinical experience in the practice of speech-language pathology. Twenty-five hours must be spent in clinical observation, and 375 hours must be spent in direct client/patient contact. V-D: At least 325 of the 400 clock hours must be completed while the applicant is engaged in a CAA-accredited speech-language pathology graduate program.
• Standard VI—Assessment Applicants for the CCC-SLP must pass the national examination adopted by ASHA for purposes of certification in speech-language pathology.
• Standard VII—Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellowship VII-A: Applicants for the CCC-SLP must have completed a clinical fellowship of no fewer than 36 weeks of full-time professional experience, or the part-time equivalent. During this time, they should have shadowed a licensed practitioner.
• Standard VIII—Maintenance of Certification Once an applicant has their certification, they must demonstrate continued professional development in order to maintain it.

Source: The  American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

The  Speech@Emerson  program prepares students academically and clinically to apply for the CCC-SLP.  Applications for the CCC-SLP can be found online.

Teaching Certificate and State Licensure

A state license and teacher education license are two separate steps that may be required to work as a certified SLP in certain states, depending on your employment setting. If you are planning to practice as an SLP in the school setting, you may be required to have a teaching certificate, depending on your location.

In addition to national certification by ASHA, SLPs in most states are required to be licensed. Requirements for state licensure for SLPs vary based on your location. Some states require proof of education and clinical fellowship, passing scores on the Praxis exam, and continuing education hours. To find out more about specific state licensure and teacher credentialing requirements, refer to the state requirements resource page on the  American Speech-Language-Hearing Association  website or contact your state’s licensing board.

Citation for this content:  Speech@Emerson, Emerson College’s online Master of Sciences in Communication Disorders (M.S.)

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Why Become a Speech Language Pathologist

Pamela case, ma, ccc-slp.

It is hard to believe that I have spent the last 26 years working as a speech-language pathologist in healthcare, and it continues to be an exciting field with many challenges and opportunities. Survey results often portray the story of individuals working in careers that are unfulfilling and mundane, which serve the primary purpose of obtaining a paycheck to cover living expenses. The individual finds little excitement in their job and looks forward to the weekends for relief and recovery. These survey results are foreign to me in my job role due to the complete level of job role satisfaction and enthusiasm I have continued to experience after 26 years in the field as a speech pathologist. Perhaps you are curious, wondering, what is speech pathology and what is so special about this profession that it generates a high level of job role satisfaction and enthusiasm that is still going strong after a quarter century? Speech pathology, also termed speech-language pathology, is the study of the disorders that affects a person's speech, language and swallowing. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) choose one or a mixture of two main clinical areas to work in, which are with adults or children. Adult work mainly involves rehabilitation after a traumatic event, such as a stroke, which may leave a person with a disorder such as aphasia, dysarthria or apraxia. Work with children mainly involves attempting to bring the child's language or speech skills up to the level of their peers. I have opted to work mainly with adults and the following are some of the reasons that have contributed to my enthusiasm and job role satisfaction over the course of 26 years:

• Tremendous diversity in job setting opportunities from the public school and university setting to medical speech pathology;  
• Multitude of work choice settings in medical speech pathology including acute hospitals, nursing home facilities, home health agencies, adult day care centers, rehab hospitals, and private practice;  
• Opportunity to interact with other medical professionals including physicians, neurologists, psychologists, social workers, occupational and physical therapists, dietitians and nursing;  
• Ability each and every day to make a positive difference in the life of patient, whether it is regaining speech after a stroke or speaking for the first time with a speaking valve after a tracheotomy or eating foods by mouth following return of a functional swallow with elimination of tube feeding; and  
• Opportunities for management, both in operations and clinical, at both a single site and multi-site level.

Options are tremendous and the career path an individual will take as a speech pathologist will depend upon their training and individual goals. Those who accept the challenge of this profession will find the effort put forth to earn the appropriate degrees will be rewarding. What might you expect to encounter if you accept the challenge of becoming a speech-language pathologist? The process begins with a broad educational experience in the liberal arts and sciences. Emphasis is placed on basic classes in speech-language development, speech-language disorders, audiology, neuroanatomy, psychology, and related courses. All of these courses equip the student with the necessary skill set (analytical, oral and written) to undertake professional training at a graduate level. It is at the graduate level that speech-language pathologists receive the academic and clinical training that prepares them for professional certification and licensure and permits them to practice as private practitioners or as employees of public and private agencies.

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Pamela Case, MA , CCC-SLP

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Happy National Speech Language Pathologist Day to All!

National slp day: honoring speech language pathologists nationwide.

Happy National SLP Day to you and all your Speech Language Pathologist friends! Today is a special day where we get to honor you and all you do! Speech Pathologists do so much – from private practice work to working with a traumatic brain injury, or simply helping clients with their communication skills. We hope you are proud of how you help so many clients and know that you play an important role! Here at Speech Therapy Store, we are definitely amazed by you! 

National Speech Pathologist Day is observed each year on May 18th – this coming Saturday for the year 2024! This day serves to acknowledge the profound impact that speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have on the lives of individuals with communication disorders. We honor the hard work of SLPs across the United States and all the other countries. It’s a profession that encompasses a range of specialties, from helping children with stutters to assisting adults recovering from strokes to regain their ability to communicate. SLPs do SO MUCH and we are excited to celebrate you!

National SLP Day provides an opportunity for us to recognize and appreciate the dedication and expertise that these professionals bring to their work. The recognition of this day also opens the door for aspiring speech-language pathologists to learn more about the field and to encourage others to advocate for people with communication challenges.

All For You – 

We are thankful for you, and we are proud of you! If you want someone to know more about what you do, or if someone you know is considering becoming an SLP, feel free to forward this post or our free informational graphics to them so that they can know and appreciate all SLPs do! 

We’ve created cards for you to print and hand out to your team, your child’s SLP, or just your favorite SLP! When working in the schools, I was so thankful every time someone did even the smallest thing to tell me thanks or notice my efforts. We work hard and feeling appreciated goes a long way. That’s what National SLP Day is about!

Speech-Language Pathologists

Speech-language pathologists are vital professionals in the healthcare and education sectors. They specialize in assessing, diagnosing, and treating communication disorders and speech-related issues.

Roles and Responsibilities

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) carry out a range of functions centered around diagnosing and treating speech and language impairments. Our primary task includes developing and implementing effective treatment plans to address fluency, articulation, and voice disorders. We also offer early intervention services for children exhibiting signs of communication difficulties. Here are some of our key responsibilities:

• Assessing speech, language, cognitive-communication, and oral/feeding/swallowing skills.
• Diagnosing speech and language disorders.
• Creating treatment plans tailored to each individual’s needs.
• Providing therapy that may involve language intervention activities, articulation therapy, and other modalities.
• Educating patients and family members about communication disorders and how to cope with them.

Typical Work Settings

SLPs can be found in a variety of environments, reflecting the diverse nature of our work. Common settings where we practice include:

• Hospitals: Addressing communication and swallowing disorders related to medical conditions.
• Schools: Enhancing students’ speech and language skills to support their educational performance.
• Private Practices: Offering specialized and tailored therapy services.
• Research and Higher Education: Conducting research and teaching at universities to advance the field of communication sciences.

SEE ALSO: Free SLP Planner [Updated Yearly]

Qualifications and skills.

In order to become a speech-language pathologist, one must meet high educational and professional standards as set by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). These typically include:

• Master’s Degree: In Communication Sciences and Disorders.
• Clinical Experience: Supervised by a licensed SLP.
• Certification: Commonly the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP).

SLPs must possess a strong understanding of communication disorders and skills in assessment and treatment. We also work with speech-language pathology assistants, who support us under our direction. Essential skills include:

• Analytical Skills: For assessment and diagnosis.
• Communication Skills: Crucial for therapy and collaboration with clients, families, and other professionals.
• Compassion: To support clients struggling with communication barriers.

By constantly updating our qualifications and skills, we ensure that our services remain effective and grounded in the most current knowledge within the field.

Significance of National SLP Day

National SLP Day underscores the essential contributions of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and heightens awareness around communication disorders and therapies.

Recognition of the Profession

National Speech-Language Pathologist Day presents an opportunity to highlight the important role of SLPs in treating a wide array of communication disorders. Individuals living with autism spectrum disorder, central auditory processing disorder, or those who’ve experienced traumatic brain injuries benefit from the expertise of SLPs. By acknowledging the dedication and specialized skills of these professionals, we show our support for their commitment to fostering better speech and communication abilities.

Public Awareness

This day also serves as a platform to elevate public understanding of issues like hearing loss and how it affects daily life. Informative campaigns and educational resources are released to provide insight into the challenges faced by individuals with such disorders. By doing so, we move towards a society that is more informed and empathetic towards the needs of people with communication difficulties.

Celebration Across Platforms

We see a diverse celebration of National SLP Day across various platforms. Social media influencers in the field make significant contributions by creating engaging content on platforms like TikTok, sharing successes and insights into the life of an SLP. These online activities foster a sense of community and encourage participation from a global audience, further spreading the message of “Happy National SLP Day”.

Annual Observance

Annually, during the month of May, we collectively observe National Speech Pathologist’ Day, reaffirming our support and gratitude for SLPs each year. The regularity of this observance ensures a consistent acknowledgment of the profession and its contributions, reminding us annually to appreciate and commend the work SLPs do in improving the lives of those with communication challenges.

SEE ALSO: Top 14 Free CEUs for SLPs

Happy National Speech-Language Speech Day!

Here at Speech Therapy Store, the goal is and always will be to make YOUR work life easier by providing speech therapy resources and materials! Check out some of the best of the best below! 

Best Resources Round Up

Speech therapy store’s top 5 freebies .

• 432+ Free Measurable IEP Goals and Objectives Bank – We have rounded up over 400 IEP Goals and Objectives for every category you could think of! This PDF is one of our highest downloads.
• Articulation Words We have been working hard to build an entire articulation library! Click the sound you are working on to find some of our favorite resources to teach that sound, flashcards to practice at word, phrase, sentence, and conversational level (with pictures!) and download our interactive freebie with 20 target words to practice!
• Idioms and Figurative Language has 10 popular classroom idioms with 30-45 second video explanations. This freebie is a preview of our 100 Classroom Idioms Bundle! We got such sweet reviews on this post, we hope you love it too! 
• WH Questions Bundle has been one of our most popular freebies! This is interactive or printable and has 30 questions for each category – Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.
• SLP Planner is a planner that we release yearly that is interactive and a total of 123 pages! It has a horizontal version, a vertical version, daily planners, caseload planners, CEU logs, individual data sheets, group data sheets, and more. Our 24-25 Planner will launch at the end of May! 

Speech Therapy Store’s TOP 3 Curriculums! 

• Year Long Speech Therapy Materials is our set of 17 themed, interactive bundles that focus on articulation, language, and social skills! 
• Tier 2 Vocabulary Curriculum is a curriculum built for K through 6th grade! This is differentiated for 2 learning levels, interactive, and has 100 words per grade level! Pre tests/Posts tests and data tracking are included!
•   The Complete Conversational Skills Curriculum has 7 modules that cover initiating, tone of voice, ending a conversation, answering questions, making comments, how to change the topic, maintaining a topic, and practice games! 

Speech Therapy Store’s TOP 5 Products! 

• Summer Homework Bundle: Articulation, Language and Social Skills is a digitally interactive bundle that targets multiple sounds and has engaging and fun pictures. This is a higher saling product in the pre summer to help students with their speech skills before next school year!
• Fall Language Bundle is a 47-page interactive PDF that targets language and articulation goals! We have language bundles with many different themes and they have been a favorite all year long. 
• 100 Common Classroom Idioms has been so popular this year! This interactive or print and go bundle of 100 Classroom Idioms prompts you to practice with definitions, pictures, and sentences. This bundle includes quizzes every 10 Idioms as well! 
• Articulation Fortune Teller Origami is a bundle of fortune tellers for students to cut, fold, and then practice with! There are sounds for everyone on your caseload plus a blank template!
• Articulatio n Reading Passages and Conversations is a top seller for therapists with older students! This 266 bundle has 6 stories per sound, with 20 target words per sound. This also comes with a teacher version for data collection.

Love from other Speechies! 

• National SLP Day Handout by Paige Fruit is a great and clear handout that highlights the 6 main areas school speech therapists work on.
• JOKES Posters Room Decor Figurative Language Speech Therapy FREE by Monae’s Speech House is a bundle of some fun and funny decor for your speech room!
• FREE | Where is the Speech Therapist | SLP Room Posters | Speech Room Decor by I Heart Communication is a bundle of Door Posters for your Speech Therapy Room!
• FREEBIE! SPEECH ROOM RULES SPEECH THERAPY PHONOLOGY ARTIC APRAXIA by Monae’s Speech House is a clear and engaging set of rules for a speech therapy room.
• Speech Therapy Room Decor Printable by LoveforSpeech is a bundle of posters or cards to print out for your speech therapy room that are cute and encouraging for therapists and learners!

SEE ALSO: Speech Therapy Room Decor

Thank You!!

To help spread the love, we created some cards for you to pass on to the SLPs in your life. Or, you could print out a poster to hang up and spread the love to help support other SLPs on National SLP Day! The support and love goes so far for hard working speech therapists, and we want to make sure they feel extra appreciated today! 

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Why children with disabilities are missing school and losing skills

Fahmida Azim for NPR

On a recent school day in Del Norte County, Calif., in one of the state's northernmost school districts, 17-year-old Emma Lenover sits at home on the couch.

In some ways, Emma is a typical teen. She loves Disneyland and dance class. But she has already faced more adversity than some classmates will in a lifetime.

"All of October and all of November, there was no school because there was no aide" says Emma's mother, Melony Lenover, leaning her elbows into the kitchen table.

Emma has multiple health conditions, including cerebral palsy. She uses a wheelchair, a feeding tube and is nonverbal. To communicate, she uses a special device, like an iPad, that speaks a word or phrase when she presses the corresponding button. She is also immunocompromised and has mostly done school from home this year, over Zoom, with help from an aide in the classroom. At least, that's what was supposed to happen.

Melony Lenover says her daughter's special education plan with the district guarantees her a dedicated, one-on-one aide. But the district is in the throes of a special education staffing crisis. In the fall, without an aide, Emma had to stop school. As a result, she missed out on the dance and art classes she loves and regressed on her communication device.

The fact that a district could struggle so mightily with special education staffing that students are missing school – that's not just a Del Norte problem. A recent federal survey of school districts across the U.S. found special education jobs were among the hardest to staff – and vacancies were widespread. But what's happening in Del Norte is extreme. Which is why the Lenovers and five other families are suing the school district , as well as state education leadership, with help from the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund.

Related: Oregon spent upwards of $18 million to defend its struggling child welfare system. Now, the trial has been postponed

The California Department of Education says it cannot comment on pending litigation.

"It's very, very, very, very difficult when we are trying to bring people on board, trying to provide these services, when we want the best that we can give – cause that's our job – and we can't," says Del Norte Superintendent Jeff Harris. Harris says he cannot comment on the lawsuit, but acknowledges the staffing crisis in Del Norte is very real.

Emma Lenover, left, works through a literacy lesson at home with special education teacher Sarah Elston. Emma loves these visits and, on this day, waited anxiously at the picture window for Elston to arrive.

Cory Turner / NPR

In December, after the lawsuit was filed, district special educator Sarah Elston told the local Wild Rivers Outpost : "Just a few days ago I had two or three [aides] call out sick, they weren't coming to work, and so this starts my morning at 5:30 having to figure out who's going to be with this student... It is constant crisis management that we do in special education today."

Del Norte's isolation makes it more difficult to hire needed staff

The district sits hidden away like a secret between Oregon, the frigid Pacific and some of the largest redwood trees in the world. It's too isolated and the pay is not competitive enough, Harris says, to attract workers from outside Del Norte. Locally, these aides – like the one Emma requires – earn about as much as they would working at McDonald's.

Harris has even tried hiring contractors from Oregon. But "it's a two-hour drive from southern Oregon here," Harris says, "so four hours of the paid contract time was not even serving students."

Related: Staff and advocates claim lack of accountability for Oregon special education system

The district's hiring process is also too burdensome, according to Harris, taking weeks to fill a job. Hoping to change that, the district declared a special education staffing state of emergency earlier this school year, but the problem remains.

In April, the district still had more than 40 special education job openings posted.

Melony Lenover says she knows supporting Emma can be challenging. But decades ago, Congress made clear, through the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act , that her daughter is legally entitled to that support.

If it'd been one of my typically-functioning kids who are not in school for two months, [the school district] would be coming after me.

The federal government said it would cover 40% of the cost of providing special education services, but it has never come close to fulfilling that promise. In 2023, the National Association of Elementary School Principals said , "Since the law was enacted, the closest the federal government has come to reaching the 40 percent commitment was 18 percent in 2004-2006, and current funding is at less than 13 percent."

All this leaves Melony Lenover chafing at what she considers a double standard for children with disabilities.

"If it'd been one of my typically-functioning kids who are not in school for two months, [the school district] would be coming after me," Lenover says.

In many places, a child who has missed about 18 school days – far less than Emma – is considered chronically absent. It's a crisis that triggers a range of emergency interventions. Lenover says Emma's absences weren't treated with nearly the same urgency.

While Emma Lenover still doesn't have a dedicated aide, she is finally getting help.

"We said as a team, enough is enough," says Sarah Elston, who is Emma's special education teacher. "We're gonna do whatever it takes to get this girl an education."

Elston has been working with her high school principal to patch together as much help as they can for Emma, including shifting a classroom aide to help Emma participate in one of her favorite classes remotely, dance.

How the staffing shortage can become dangerous

Linda Vang is another plaintiff in the Del Norte lawsuit, alongside Emma Lenover's parents. On a recent Thursday, she sits at her kitchen table, her back to a refrigerator covered with family photos. She grips her phone hard, like a lifeline, watching old videos of her son, Shawn.

The cell phone videos show a young boy with a broad smile, being urged by his mother to pull up his socks. Or being taught by his doting sister to ride a scooter. Or dressed up for what appears to be a wedding, and doing the chicken dance. He is a joyful kid.

Much has changed since then.

Related: ‘She just wants a friend’: Oregon families push for full school days for children with disabilities

Shawn is a pseudonym, chosen by Vang and his attorneys in the lawsuit. We're not using his real name because Shawn is a minor and his mother asked us to protect his identity.

To understand Shawn's role in the lawsuit – and the depths of Del Norte's staffing crisis – you have to understand what happened to him on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023.

He was 15 at the time. Shawn has autism and is nonverbal, and as part of his special education plan, he gets his own, dedicated aide at school. But again, because of Del Norte's struggles to hire enough special education staff, those aides are often in short supply and undertrained.

Shawn's lead teacher that day, Brittany Wyckoff, says, when he grew frustrated in class, his fill-in aide did not follow procedure. It was snack time, but "this staff said, 'No, you're not being calm' and pulled [the snack] away. So that wasn't the appropriate way to handle it."

Another staff member later told police Shawn had begun to calm down, but the aide still wouldn't give him the snack – pistachios. Instead, Wyckoff says, the aide used a firm tone and continued telling Shawn to calm down. Shawn got more agitated, hitting himself in the face.

The aide later told police he began to worry Shawn might try to bite him – because Shawn had bitten other staff before. Witnesses told police he warned Shawn, "You will not bite me. You will not bite me."

Wyckoff says standard procedure, when a student gets agitated and potentially violent, is to move classroom furniture – a table, a desk – between your body and the student. Instead, Wyckoff says, this aide moved furniture out of the way. When Shawn moved toward the aide, unobstructed, the aide raised his hands.

"The staff member just instantly reached out and choked [Shawn]," Wyckoff remembers. "And full-on, like one hand over the other hand choke."

Multiple staff told police, Shawn had not tried to bite the aide. Wyckoff says she was yelling at the aide to stop and finally pulled him off of Shawn, "who was turning purple."

Related: Oregon cancels contract with nonprofit that places foster care kids in unlicensed short-term rentals

How the incident led to missed school

The aide left school after choking Shawn and went to a local bar for a beer, according to the police report. He later told police he'd acted in self-defense. When he was arrested, for child endangerment, and asked why he hadn't called police himself, the aide said, because he'd been in many similar situations and didn't think this rose to that level.

The district attorney ultimately chose not to file charges.

Emma, left, works with her sister, Kelsey Mercer, to join one of her favorite school classes, dance, from home.

Linda Vang says the incident changed Shawn. He became less trusting and was scared to return to the classroom. "It is the hardest thing in my life to watch my son go through this."

To make matters worse, after the incident, the school couldn't provide Shawn with a new aide, and, like Emma Lenover, he couldn't do school without one. After the encounter, he was forced to miss two months of school – because of the staffing crisis.

"It was just week after week, them telling us, 'There's no staff. There's no staff,' " Vang remembers. "I feel for him. I'm angry for him. I'm upset for him. It's hard."

Again, Superintendent Jeff Harris can't comment on the specifics of the lawsuit, or on the incident involving Shawn, but he defends the district.

"We don't come in everyday going, 'How can we mess with people's lives?' We come in every day going, 'What can we do today to make this work?' "

We don't come in everyday going, 'How can we mess with people's lives?' We come in every day going, 'What can we do today to make this work?'

Shawn, like Emma, lost skills during his time away from school. His mother says he struggled more to control his behavior and was less willing to use his communication device.

Shawn is back at school and finally improving, Vang says. He even likes the aide he has now.

"It has been very hard the last year. But you know, we're getting there. You know, I'm doing my best, every single day."

With inadequate staff, students can lose vital skills

Wyckoff, Shawn's former teacher, says the staff shortage is so acute that some aides are being hired with little to no special education experience.

"They could know absolutely nothing about working with a student with special needs," Wyckoff says, "and [the district] is like 'Hey, you've gotta work with the most intensively behaviorally challenging student. Good luck!'"

Wyckoff says the staff the district is able to hire need more and better training, too. The stakes are just too high.

Related: Medicaid makes changes to make it easier for schools to bill for services to students with disabilities

Superintendent Harris says the district does provide staff training, but he also has to balance that with the need to get staff into classrooms quickly.

Veteran special education staff in Del Norte tell NPR they've seen what happens when students with disabilities don't get consistent, quality support: They lose skills.

"One particular student, he was doing well," says Emily Caldwell, a speech-language pathologist in the district. "We were talking about removing his communication device from coming to school because he's communicating verbally."

Caldwell works with many students who, like Shawn and Emma, use a communication device. This student, though, had been learning to use his own voice. It was a big deal, Caldwell says. But the student began losing those skills as he was shuffled between inexperienced staff.

Emma, right, communicates with her sisters Ashley Lenover, left, and Kelsey Mercer using body language and a special tablet device.

Now, "he's not communicating verbally at school anymore, he's only using his device and only when prompted," Caldwell says.

"I have a student whose toileting skills have regressed," says Sarah Elston, Emma's teacher. "I have more than one student who have lost skills on their [communication] device, that is their only way of communicating with the world."

This sense of loss, Elston says, keeps her up at night.

Superintendent Jeff Harris acknowledges the effects of the staffing crisis have been painful.

"When you have a child who can't do something that they were able to do before because they don't have that consistency, that's hard. I mean, that's a knife to the heart."

Related: Parents of severely disabled children in Oregon say end of funding program represents a ‘caregiving emergency’

Looking forward

The lawsuit against the Del Norte Unified School District and state education officials is ongoing. The families hope it will not only help their children, but also raise awareness around a crisis they know is larger than themselves – and larger than Del Norte.

In the meantime, Del Norte teachers are doing everything they can to support their students with disabilities.

Elston, Wyckoff and Caldwell all say they have raised alarms with the district around students not getting the support they're entitled to – and even being mistreated by untrained or inexperienced staff.

Caldwell says some veteran staff have quit out of frustration. Though she insists, she's staying.

"I just worry," Caldwell says, tearing up. "The kids I work with, most of them don't communicate effectively without support. And so they can't go home and be like, 'Hey, Mom, so-and-so held me in a chair today.' And so I feel like, if I wasn't there and if I wasn't being that voice and that advocate, who would be?"

Digital story edited by: Nicole Cohen Audio stories produced by: Lauren Migaki Audio stories edited by: Nicole Cohen and Steve Drummond Visual design and development by: LA Johnson

Copyright 2024 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

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