The Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) is responsible for the assessment and treatment of speech, language and communication problems in people of all ages, to enable them to communicate to the best of their ability. A Speech and Language Therapist may also work with people who have eating and swallowing problems.
Using specialised skills the Speech and Language Therapist will work directly with the patient (client) and provide support to them and to their carers.
The Speech and Language Therapist will also work closely with Teachers, Nurses and other health Professionals to manage the treatment regime and integrate it with any additional treatment the patient is undergoing.
The Speech and Language Therapist will assist children and adults who have the following types of problems:
difficulty producing and using speech
difficulty understanding language
difficulty using language
difficulty with feeding, chewing or swallowing
a stammer
a voice problem
The job of a Speech and Language Therapist will see them working with people who suffer from a wide spectrum of clinical conditions including those with the following problems:
cancer of the mouth and throat
cleft palate
dementia
head injury
hearing loss and deafness
learning disability
neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease
physical disability
psychiatric disorders
stroke
The Speech and Language Therapist may work in a hospital setting, with inpatients and outpatients, or in a community health setting. The work of a Speech and Language Therapist often involves school visits as well as jobs of work in assessment and day centres.
Training programmes:
Speech and Language Therapy training consists of a three or four-year degree course accredited by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
The graduate Speech and Language Therapist then receive the Certificate to Practice needed to register with the Health Professions Councl (HPC) and to work as a Speech and Language Therapist within the NHS.
Career prospects:
Most newly qualified Speech and Language Therapist work with a general caseload for at least a year, usually both adults and children.
An experienced Speech and Language Therapist may then choose a particular group of clients or type of clinical work in which to specialise. Or there is the option of moving into research or a Speech and Language Therapy Teaching or Management position.
For further information contact:
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
2 White Hart Yard
London
SE1 1NX
