For Those Considering a Career in Communication Sciences and Disorders

1. For Those Considering a Career in Communication Sciences and Disorders Joanne P. Lasker, Ph.D., CCC-SLP School of Communication Science and Disorders Florida State University jlasker@fsu.edu http://www.asha.org/students/professions/overview/slp.htm http://www.commdisorders.cci.fsu.edu/

2. Who are audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech/language/hearing scientists? • professionals in the area of human communication sciences and disorders who: • evaluate • treat • conduct research • work in schools, hospitals, businesses, in private practice, universities, research laboratories, and government agencies • work with infants, children, adolescents, adults and older people

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

4. What specifically does an audiologist do? • identify, assess, and manage disorders of auditory, balance, and other neural systems • select, fit, and dispense amplification systems • hearing aids • prevent hearing loss by providing and fitting hearing protective devices and education • work with individuals with cochlear implants • assist with speech reading and aural rehabilitation • involved in auditory and related research • serve as expert witnesses in litigation

5. Market Trends and Future Outlook: Audiology • Positions expected to grow 10% from 2006-2016. • especially for those with the clinical doctorate in audiology • (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2008-2009 edition) • U.S. News and World Report ranks Audiologist as 1 of 50 Best Careers of 2011. • http://www.usnews.com/sections/business/best-careers/

6. What does an audiologist earn? • Salaries depend on educational background, experience, work setting, and geographical location. • In 2010, median salary: • for clinical service provider was $68,000 • $79,000 for university faculty • $93,000 for administrators • employee benefits (e.g., insurance, leave, and professional development) are very competitive • http://www.asha.org/Careers/SalaryData/

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

8. Who are speech-language pathologists? • professionals educated to assess and treat speech and language • sometimes called speech therapists • also assess and treat swallowing disorders • because we know the landscape! • SLP’s work with full range of human communication and disorders • across the lifespan (infants to elderly)

9. What else do speech-language pathologists do? • 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

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

11. Speech Tasks • Look at elements of speech production: • Explore the oral cavity. . . • Say /puh tuh kuh/. • Investigate your vocal range.

12. Language/Cognitive Tasks • Name objects. • Describe how objects are used. • List for your partner the steps you would use in washing a car by hand. • What are the first five things you did this morning? • Read a passage and write a written summary of it.

13. Augmentative/Alternative Communication (AAC) • Communicate to your partner (without speaking): • Using only gestures explain the things you did this a.m. • Partners may be able to use written choices to support conversation with a person who cannot speak. • Individuals who cannot speak may use assistive technology to assist with accomplishing life goals.

14. Assessment to Treatment • Once we determine where problems are, we attempt to teach strategies and skills – • Help individuals and families address these problems.

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

16. What does a speech-language pathologist earn? • Salaries of speech-language pathologists depend on educational background, specialty, experience, work setting, and geographical location. • In 2010, median salary in school setting was $60,000 • work in health care facilities: $70,000 • http://www.asha.org/uploadedFiles/Schools10Salaries.pdf

17. What is a speech, language, and hearing scientist? • conduct research on which clinicians base their methods of assessment and intervention • 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

18. Cycle 1: Trained vs. Untrained Productions

19. Academic Preparation: Audiology • graduate degree required: AuD or PhD • undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences • anatomy and physiology, basic science, math, auditory processes, balance, normal and abnormal communication development • auditory assessment and treatment (hearing aids and appliances, cochlear implants), aural rehabilitation (speech reading, sign), speech production • Certificate of Clinical Competence • graduate degree • 375 hours of supervised clinical experience • 36-week postgraduate clinical fellowship • written exam

20. Academic Preparation: Speech-Language Pathologist • graduate degree required: MS or MA (or more) • undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences • 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 • graduate degree • 375 hours of supervised clinical experience • 36-week postgraduate clinical fellowship • written exam

21. FSU Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders • http://www.commdisorders.cci.fsu.edu/ • ranked 18th in graduate programs in communication disorders by U.S. News and World Report • http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/grad/slp/search • we don’t offer graduate work in audiology • Bachelor of Science (BS) • limited entry to program - 47 credit hours • also offer the Master of Science (MS), advance masters, and PhD • our masters program prepares students for professional careers in clinical, research, and teaching environments • after completion of our masters in SLP, students typically get certified and licensed to work professionally

22. Curriculum Overview • Undergraduates: • designed to be completed in 4 semesters • basic building blocks of speech and language (anatomy, phonetics, neurological bases) • Masters: • 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: • can take 3-4 years depending on mentor • competencies in teaching, research, and clinical supervision