How to Be Speech and Language Specialist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jul 29, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The prevalence of speech and language difficulties is increasing, with an estimated 5-15% of school-aged children experiencing some degree of impairment. This has a significant impact on a child's academic success, as well as their social, emotional, and behavioral development. A Speech and Language Specialist (SLS) is a trained professional who can assess and diagnose any speech and language difficulties, as well as provide therapy to improve communication skills.

Without the intervention of an SLS, the child may struggle to effectively communicate, understand language, or express themselves, leading to issues like low self-esteem, frustration, and difficulty succeeding in school. The intervention of an SLS can provide the child with the necessary tools and strategies to improve their language skills, increase their confidence, and help them reach their full potential.

Steps How to Become

Earn an undergraduate degree. A bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology, communication sciences, or a related field is the first step to becoming a speech and language specialist. Depending on the program, students may be required to take classes in anatomy and physiology, linguistics, language development, and speech and hearing science.
Get a master's degree. After completing an undergraduate degree, individuals must pursue a master's degree in speech-language pathology from an accredited program. Most accredited programs require students to complete a minimum of 375 hours of supervised clinical practice.
Obtain a license. Speech-language pathologists must obtain licensure in order to practice professionally. Requirements vary by state, but generally include passing a national exam and completing a certain number of hours of supervised clinical practice.
Become certified. In addition to licensing, speech-language specialists may choose to become certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Certification requires passing the ASHA Praxis exam and completing continuing education requirements.
Consider specialization. Speech-language specialists may choose to specialize in certain areas such as autism spectrum disorder, swallowing disorders, or early childhood language development. Specialization requires additional coursework, clinical experience, and mentorship with experienced specialists.

Properly preparing for and engaging in speech and language activities is essential for reliable and efficient communication. To ensure success, it is important to be organized and diligent in the process. For example, having a good plan in place to practice the skill, utilizing effective strategies like breaking down difficult concepts and providing feedback can help to maximize ones progress.

seeking help from a qualified speech and language specialist can be beneficial as they are able to provide guidance and support. Furthermore, having realistic expectations for oneself and staying motivated can help to keep the process on track and help to accomplish desired outcomes. All these elements together will lead to reliable and efficient communication outcomes.

You may want to check Speech Recognition Scientist, Speech Pathologist, and Speech Pathology Technician for alternative.

Job Description

Speech Pathologist: Responsible for diagnosing and treating communication and swallowing disorders, including speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, fluency, and swallowing, in both children and adults.
Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant: Responsible for providing support to a Speech Pathologist with the implementation of assessments, treatments, and other related activities.
Speech-Language Therapist: Responsible for providing direct therapy to individuals with communication disorders, including speech, language, voice, and fluency, as well as helping them with activities to improve their communication and social skills.
Audiology Technician: Responsible for providing support to audiologists by performing hearing tests, fitting hearing aids and other assistive devices, and educating patients about hearing loss prevention and management.
Language Therapist: Responsible for providing direct therapy to individuals with language disorders, including articulation, phonology, fluency, and pragmatics.
Education Specialist: Responsible for providing support to teachers and families of children with special needs or communication disorders by designing and implementing individual educational plans (IEPs).
Research Specialist: Responsible for conducting research on communication disorders and developing treatments and interventions to help improve the quality of life for those affected.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of communication disorders and their associated treatments.
Understanding of language development and its impact on communication.
Ability to assess and diagnose speech and language disorders.
Ability to design and implement evidence-based treatment plans.
Expertise in the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies.
Proficiency in the use of technology to support communication.
Expertise in the use of assistive listening devices.
Ability to collaborate effectively with families, care teams, and other professionals.
Ability to evaluate client progress and document changes in communication skills.
Knowledge of relevant laws and regulations related to speech and language services.

Having strong communication skills is essential for Speech and Language Specialists. In order to effectively help clients in their areas of need, being able to communicate clearly and effectively is paramount. Communication skills are key in both verbal and non-verbal forms.

This includes being able to read body language and facial expressions, utilizing active listening techniques, having a strong understanding of context, and being able to explain concepts in a way that is understandable for the client. In addition, it is important for Speech and Language Specialists to be patient, understanding, and compassionate. Having empathy and a strong desire to help others is essential in this role.

Lastly, having a deep knowledge of the field and the ability to use technology and electronic health records are important tools for Speech and Language Specialists. With these skills, they can help clients improve their communication skills and have better overall quality of life.

Speech Language Pathology Assistant, Speech Technology Consultant, and Speech and Language Therapist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working with children who have speech and language challenges?
What techniques do you use to help children with speech and language challenges?
How do you create lesson plans to help children develop their speech and language skills?
How do you stay current on the latest research and treatments related to speech and language?
What strategies do you use to motivate children to stay engaged in speech and language therapy?
How have you incorporated technology into your speech and language therapy practice?
How do you collaborate with families and other professionals to ensure the best outcomes for the child?
Describe a challenging speech and language therapy case that you have worked on, and what strategies you used to address it.
How do you handle difficult behavior from children in speech and language therapy sessions?
What has been your biggest success story in working with a child with speech and language challenges?

Common Tools in Industry

Text-to-Speech Software. This software can convert text into speech, allowing the user to listen to written content. (eg: Amazon Polly)
Speech Recognition Software. This software can recognize spoken words and convert them into text. (eg: Google Speech Recognition)
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Software. This software can help people with communication disabilities to communicate via pictures, symbols, and/or text. (eg: Proloquo2Go)
Natural Language Processing (NLP) Software. This software can help with language analysis and understanding, allowing the user to analyze language and gain insights from data. (eg: IBM Watson)
Screen Reader Software. This software can read aloud text on a computer screen, allowing people with visual impairments to access digital information. (eg: ZoomText Magnifier/Reader)
Speech Therapy Tools. These tools are used by Speech and Language Specialists to help individuals with speech and language impairments. Examples include picture boards, flashcards, and articulation exercises. (eg: Super Duper Articulation Fun Deck)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
National Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (NASLPA)
International Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (IASLPA)
American Academy of Audiology (AAA)
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (ASHF)
American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS)
Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA)
Council for Accreditation of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Programs (CASLPAP)
International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC)

We also have Speech Recognition Software Architect, Speech Processing Scientist, and Speech Therapist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Articulation. The ability to produce individual speech sounds.
Phonology. The study of the sound structure of language, including the understanding of how to combine and use different sounds in order to convey meaning.
Fluency. The smooth, effortless flow of speech.
Voice. The use of pitch, loudness, and tone in speech.
Pragmatics. The ability to understand and use language in a socially appropriate manner.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Strategies used to supplement or replace verbal communication, such as sign language, picture symbols, or electronic devices.
Language Processing. The ability to understand and use language effectively in different contexts.
Auditory Processing. The ability to understand, interpret, and remember what is heard.
Literacy. The ability to read and write.
Cognitive-Communication. The ability to think and reason in order to communicate effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Speech and Language Specialist?

A Speech and Language Specialist is a professional who assesses and treats communication problems related to speech, language, and swallowing.

What qualifications do Speech and Language Specialists have?

Speech and Language Specialists typically have a masters degree in speech-language pathology, and must be licensed or certified depending on their state of practice.

What types of communication problems do Speech and Language Specialists treat?

Speech and Language Specialists typically treat conditions such as stuttering, delayed speech development, disorders related to autism, speech sound disorders, and language impairments.

How do Speech and Language Specialists treat communication problems?

Speech and Language Specialists typically use a variety of techniques such as vocal drills, articulation therapy, language intervention activities, and visual aids.

How long does treatment typically last?

Treatment length can vary depending on the type and severity of the communication problem, but typically ranges from 6-12 months.

Web Resources

Speech and Language Specialist - Duke University sites.duke.edu
Speech & Language | USU - Utah State University cehs.usu.edu
UA Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic - University of Arizona slhs.arizona.edu