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Health & Fitness

SLP? What do all those letters mean?

What is an SLP anyway?

The acronym SLP refers to Speech-Language Pathologists, informally called Speech Therapists.  SLPs specialize in communication disorders as well as swallowing disorders.  A speech-language pathologist helps to evaluate and treat children and adults who have difficulty speaking, listening and understanding, reading, writing, eating and/or swallowing.

Where to SLPs work?

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Speech-Language Pathologists can work in various settings: Schools, Private Practice, Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Rehab settings, home settings, and Universities. 

 

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Who do SLPs help?

SLPs are trained to work with all ages: some specialize in Birth-to-Three while others work with the aging population.  They help to teach children how to talk, as well as help adults regain speech and swallowing abilities after suffering a stroke.  Speech-Language Pathologists are trained to work with all kinds of clients with varying abilities; they are skilled at working with clients with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Apraxia (motor planning), Cerebal Palsy, Down Syndrome, stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), dysarthria (weakness), dysfluency (stuttering), articulation disorders (speech sounds), language delays and disorders, cleft palate/lip, lisps, tracheostomy, Multiple Sclerosis, and more.

 

What qualifications are necessary to become a Speech-Language Pathologist?

-Qualified professionals have completed both a Bachelor and Masters degree from accredited Universities (some even have a doctoral degree).  During their educational career, students are required complete 400 hours of supervised clinical experience: 25 hours of observation and 375 hours of direct client contact.   

-Following the completion of a graduate degree, the candidate is considered a Clinical Fellow and completes their CFY (Clinical Fellowship Year) under the close guidance of a highly skilled SLP.  This CFY lasts for approximately 36 weeks or 1260 hours of client contact.  -At the conclusion of their CF ‘year’, and after passing a national examination (Praxis), the professional is officially a Speech-Language Pathologist.  Those professionals who have passed the Praxis examination have earned the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA).

-SLPs working in the schools are also required to hold Educator/Teacher Certificates; this requires additional examinations (Praxis tests).

-State Licensure is also required to work in various settings.

SLPs are required to stay up-to-date about techniques, treatment methods and new ways to evaluate clients by completing 30 hours of Professional Development every 3 years. 

 

Did you know there is a privately owned Speech Therapy practice in Southington?  Communication Foundations, LLC offers comprehensive evaluations and treatment, accepts most insurance carriers and is accepting new clients.  They offer daytime, after school/evening and weekend sessions to accommodate your busy schedule.

Contact owner, Meredith Bandish M.A., CCC-SLP today to find out more, at (860) 853-0205, or visit their website at www.communicationfoundations.com

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