Speech Pathology
A speech pathologist is trained to assess, identify, diagnose, treat and work with people with a communication difficulty. Training encompasses all aspects of communication – spoken, written, signed, symbolled or gestures.
Speech pathologists work in a variety of settings including kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, nursing homes, universities, rehabilitation services, mental health services, community health centres, hospitals, private practice and specialist centres such as MS Society, Autistic Centres, Spastic Welfare League.
A speech pathologist may give advice on feeding to a mother who has a baby with a cleft palate, work with a group of children in a child care centre who are difficult to understand, work with a student who stutters, retrain a teacher who constantly loses their voice, rehabilitate someone who has suffered sever brain injury, work with stroke victims, liaise with carers of the elderly or work with a school child who has difficulty understanding speech.
Speech pathologists work in a variety of ways, from providing one on one direct therapy, through to working in small groups, within the classroom, becoming involved in home-based programs, providing resources and information, as well as giving advice and direction to clients and their carers.
They may coordinate the management of clients and work as part of a multidisciplinary team, consulting with other agencies, providing workshops and supporting family members and other caregivers. Speech pathologists are an important member of any early intervention tem and geriatric services team.
How to become a speech pathologist.
There are a number of postgraduate courses available in Australia. (See further study links below).
Professional Associations
Speech Pathology Australia
http://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/Default.aspx?p=3
Further study
Careers
For general information about careers in health:
University of Tasmania Career Development & Employment Service
The Service can help you to clarify important career issues and assist you with your career decisions and provide many services to support you to take charge of your future.
Utilising both web-based material and face-to-face services, you can seek information on things such as employment, education, further study, job search training and graduate recruitment.
http://services.admin.utas.edu.au/careers/
Employment opportunities
The University of Tasmania’s online student website lists job vacancies.
careerhub.utas.edu.au
Details of job vacancies
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