A job in Speech-Language Pathology can be one of the most rewarding careers, and it can be the toughest. But what exactly does a speech therapist (or Speech-Language Pathologist SLP) do? Here’s where you will see the good, the bad, and the ugly.
I decided many years ago-30 years ago, as a matter of fact (I was 14 and in the 9th grade, do the math-I’m old), that I wanted to help children with speech problems. At the time, I didn’t know what that meant, but I did see that it helped my younger cousin communicate when no one could understand a word she had said. She was apraxic, but we didn’t know that then. Thankfully, her SLP was terrific, and you would never know she needed lots of speech therapy to help her.
I loved kids, and I had a great rapport with them, but I wasn’t cut out to be a teacher, I had zero skills with classroom management, and it honestly made my hands sweat to think about being responsible for 20+ lives at one time-so that ruled that career out for me.
How did I know I wanted to work with children in speech therapy? Here are some questions I asked myself long ago, and here are my up-to-date answers in case you are on the fence.
1. I love children. They are great, they look at the world freshly and innocently, and there’s never a dull moment. I could write a book of just funny stories my students have told me over the years.
2. I love helping people. My mom has multiple sclerosis, diagnosed when I was 12 years old. I had to toughen up and help at home; growing up was not a choice. Suppose I can alleviate someone’s suffering and difficulty and make their way easier-sign me up. If you feel that way, too, this may be your career path.
3. I am analytical. I love to solve problems. I even enjoy some kinds of research, i.e., not the type in graduate school. We get lots of challenging cases at school, and I have often had to research a diagnosis to determine how to treat a child.
4. I am somewhat organized. I hope my family does not read this, or they will call me out on it. How about am I responsible for crucial things? Yes, that’s not a lie-shew. I feel better.
5. I am fabulous at documentation because way back in the late 1990s, as an undergrad, my professors had a mantra, “if you don’t document it, it never happened.” That stuck in my head, and I still take documentation like a mad woman. It’s a must in this profession.
6. I like to learn. If you are even remotely interested in a career in SLP, you better love learning. You will have to continually update your knowledge base to keep up with the latest research and to earn CEUs (Continuing Education Units). Anyone in the medical world who has to earn CEUs to maintain a license to continue practicing-you would have to do this too.
7. I enjoy collaborating with teachers and other educators. Working with others is a requirement in this career. Coming up with solutions to help a child is a top priority, and working as a team is equally important. That doesn’t mean throwing your weight around like a brain development expert. I have learned so much from teachers and school psychologists that no book or class could teach me.
8. I love problem solving-even the tough stuff. Writing reasonable IEP goals for a student that can be followed, coming up with a communication plan or a device that will help, or writing social skill stories because a kid cries at birthday parties-all challenging-and right up my alley. Have a problem? I will solve it all in a day’s work.
9. I like paperwork-OK that is a complete fabrication, and my nose grew from that. I wouldn’t say I like paperwork, but it is a necessary and time-consuming evil entity. I understand it is important, but it sucks a tremendous amount of time. This paperwork time includes after school, weekends, and holidays-be prepared. I am writing this to procrastinate completing my billing due in a couple of days. It’s OK; I work better under pressure if this is also you; hello, soul sister/brother! I am being completely transparent with you right now.
10. Finally, and of the least importance, I enjoy time off during the summer and holidays. I had a practicum in a rehab hospital, and they had two weeks of vacation time per year. They also had to work one weekend per month-excuse me-um no. I have nothing but admiration for those that do, but that’s not me. Yes, I have a TON more paperwork to do than my hospital colleagues, but that vacation time is sweet and kind of makes up for it.
So, in summary, if you see yourself for at least most of these reasons, speech therapy may be for you. It’s a career that will validate you daily when you see your students make progress. It will also cut your legs from under you when you have to contend with awful people in meetings, but I guarantee you it will never be boring. To know that you are changing lives forever is a heady sensation and is never to be taken lightly.
My advice to you is this; visit an SLP and observe them in their habitat. I don’t mean once either; I suggest you volunteer your time and get your feet wet before deciding if this is your career. I can tell you that if you call a local school or hospital and ask to observe their SLP, they will roll out the red carpet in welcome. SLP’s as a collective group, are welcoming and want to show off their skills. We all had to work hard to become SLPs, and we are proud of our careers! So now that you know what a speech therapist does is it the right career for you?
