What Do Speech-Language Pathologists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Speech-Language Pathologists assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems. They also monitor patients’ progress and adjust treatments accordingly.

Other tasks include:

• Develop or implement treatment plans for problems such as stuttering, delayed language, swallowing disorders, or inappropriate pitch or harsh voice problems, based on own assessments and recommendations of physicians, psychologists, or social workers.
• Write reports and maintain proper documentation of information, such as client Medicaid or billing records or caseload activities, including the initial evaluation, treatment, progress, and discharge of clients.
• Participate in and write reports for meetings regarding patients’ progress, such as individualized educational planning (IEP) meetings, in-service meetings, or intervention assistance team meetings.
• Evaluate hearing or speech and language test results, barium swallow results, or medical or background information to diagnose and plan treatment for speech, language, fluency, voice, or swallowing disorders.
• Complete administrative responsibilities, such as coordinating paperwork, scheduling case management activities, or writing lesson plans.
• Develop individual or group activities or programs in schools to deal with behavior, speech, language, or swallowing problems.

We asked Speech-Language Pathologists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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79% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 90% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Speech-Language Pathologists monitor patients’ progress and adjust treatments accordingly. They complete administrative responsibilities, such as coordinating paperwork, scheduling case management activities, or writing lesson plans.

A typical day for a Speech-Language Pathologist will also include:

• Participate in and write reports for meetings regarding patients’ progress, such as individualized educational planning (IEP) meetings, in-service meetings, or intervention assistance team meetings.
• Supervise or collaborate with therapy team.
• Write reports and maintain proper documentation of information, such as client Medicaid or billing records or caseload activities, including the initial evaluation, treatment, progress, and discharge of clients.
• Use computer applications to identify or assist with communication disabilities.
• Develop individual or group activities or programs in schools to deal with behavior, speech, language, or swallowing problems.

We asked some Speech-Language Pathologists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	49% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	73% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	87% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	26% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	4% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	46% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Speech-Language Pathologists also administer hearing or speech and language evaluations, tests, or examinations to patients to collect information on type and degree of impairments, using written or oral tests or special instruments. They may also communicate with non-speaking students, using sign language or computer technology.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Speech-Language Pathologists Evaluate hearing or speech and language test results, barium swallow results, or medical or background information to diagnose and plan treatment for speech, language, fluency, voice, or swallowing disorders. They might also Teach clients to control or strengthen tongue, jaw, face muscles, or breathing mechanisms.

In addition, they Design, develop, or employ alternative diagnostic or communication devices or strategies.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Consult with and advise educators or medical staff on speech or hearing topics, such as communication strategies or speech and language stimulation.

To some Speech-Language Pathologists, it is also their responsibility to Conduct lessons or direct educational or therapeutic games to assist teachers dealing with speech problems.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Speech-Language Pathologist, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm

http://www.asha.org/