For Those Considering a Career in Communication Sciences

For Those Considering a Career in Communication Sciences and Disorders Shannon Hall-Mills, Ph. D. , CCC-SLP School of Communication Sciences and Disorders Florida State University Shannon. Hall-Mills@cci. fsu. edu http: //www. asha. org/students/professions/overview/slp. htm

Making effective communication, a human right, accessible and achievable for all!

Who are audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech/language/hearing scientists? l professionals in the area of human communication sciences and disorders who: l l l evaluate treat conduct research advocate ASHA Career Video: https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=_OIc. Pbnd ZMo work in schools, hospitals, businesses, in private practice, universities, research laboratories, and government agencies work with infants, children, adolescents, adults and older generations

The Patient’s Perspective l Senator Giffords recovery story l l l Excerpt with Stuttering from The King’s Speech: l l http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=7 Zq 3735 M_kk&feature=fvwrel A young boy with language impairment shares his experience: l l http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Df. UKOBl. ZXdw https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=rx 3 nf. UKvr. Z 8 https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Mpdj. P 0 z. He. Bc Dr. Grandin speaks about the brain of children with autism l http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Xc. Wx 8 UVhzp. Q&feature=fvst

Importance of Language l language - our most “human” characteristic l l l the “essence of human life” (Light, 1997) essential to learning, working, enjoying family life and friends multiple ways to express and understand language l speaking, sign language, informal gestures, writing, computerized communication

Who are speech-language pathologists? l professionals educated to assess and treat speech and language l l l sometimes called speech therapists also assess and treat swallowing disorders and literacy problems SLP’s work with full range of human communication and disorders l across the lifespan (infants to elderly)

What else do speech-language pathologists do? l l l train future professionals in colleges and universities manage agencies, clinics, or private practices engage in research to enhance knowledge about human communication develop new methods and assess effectiveness of treatment approaches serve as expert witnesses in court

An example of SLP competencies: the “Big 9” l l l l l Articulation Fluency Voice and resonance Language Hearing Swallowing Cognitive aspects of communication Social aspects of communication Alternate communication modalities

Future Outlook: Speech. Language Pathology l Number of positions in speech-language pathology expected to climb 11% between 2006 and 2016. l l (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2008 -2009) Excellent job opportunities in next 8 years especially if: l l l you speak a second language are willing to work with aging population and at-risk child populations are willing to relocate to geographic areas with great need

What does a speech-language pathologist earn? l l Salaries of speech-language pathologists depend on educational background, specialty, experience, work setting, contract length, and geographical location. In 2011, median salary was: l l Across healthcare settings: $65, 000 -70, 000 (12 months) Across schools: $58, 000 (9 -10 months) l http: //www. asha. org

What is a speech, language, and hearing scientist? l conduct research on which clinicians base their methods of assessment and intervention l l develop evidence-based methods explore the biological, physical, and physiological processes involved in communication collaborate with related professions (engineers, physicians, dentists, psychologists) train future professionals and scientists

Academic Preparation: Speech-Language Pathologist l graduate degree required: MS or MA (or more) l undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences l linguistics, phonetics, anatomy and physiology, psychology, human development, speech and hearing science, normal and abnormal communication development speech, language, swallowing disorders - assessment and intervention, clinical and research experiences Certificate of Clinical Competence l l graduate degree 375 hours of supervised clinical experience 36 -week postgraduate clinical fellowship written exam

Audiology http: //www. asha. org/students/professions/overview/audiology. htm l study of: l l typical hearing and balance disorders habilitation/rehabilitation work encompasses: l l how hearing mechanism works hearing assessment treating children and adults with hearing loss retraining hearing in children and adults, including cochlear implants

What specifically does an audiologist do? l l identify, assess, and manage disorders of auditory, balance, and other neural systems select, fit, and dispense amplification systems l l hearing aids prevent hearing loss by providing and fitting hearing protective devices and education involved in auditory and related research serve as expert witnesses in litigation

FSU Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders l http: //commdisorders. cci. fsu. edu/ l ranked 18 th in graduate programs in communication disorders by U. S. News and World Report Our programs in Speech-Language Pathology l l Bachelor of Science (BS) l l l Post-baccelaureate SLP Bridge Program l l 6 graduate prereq courses for people from other bachelor degree fields Master of Science (MS) l l Limited entry (typically junior year) Students planning a career in SLP or AUD On-campus program Distance-learning program Competitive Ph. D

Curriculum Overview http: //commdisorders. cci. fsu. edu/academic-programs-admissions/ l Undergraduates: l designed to be completed in 4 semesters l l l Masters: l l basic building blocks of speech and language (anatomy, phonetics, neurological bases) possibility for a “minor” in CSD 60 credit program - usually takes 6 semesters, including summers - last summer is internship program covers all areas needed for certification some “lateral entry” students admitted but may take longer Doctoral: l l can take 4 -5 years depending on mentor competencies in research, teaching, service, and clinical supervision

SCSD @ FSU l Clinic provides: l Speech-language services (all ages): l l l Audiology services: l l Across the lifespan Future: l FSU Speech & Hearing Clinic 201 W. Bloxham Street Evaluations Hearing Aid Fitting *Cochlear Mapping Research: l l Evaluations Therapy l Veterans Clinic (TBI) Integrated Preschool

QUESTIONS? For more information: http: //www. asha. org http: //commdisorders. cci. fsu. edu/