| Speech is integral to communication, the primary | | | | Job opportunities for speech language pathologists |
| tool of personal communication, and one of the | | | | are set to grow as fast as the average for all |
| most basic of functions required of human beings. | | | | occupations (around 11%) for the next ten years. |
| A certified speech language pathologist/therapist | | | | The reasons for the projected growth are |
| detects disorders impairing speech, language, | | | | many.o There is a growing number of ageing |
| meaningful and sensible communication, and even | | | | individuals of the baby boomer generation with |
| problems with voice, swallowing and fluency, | | | | the possibility of various disorders arising with age, |
| treating them appropriately. The speech language | | | | including speech, language and swallowing |
| pathologist works with:o people who cannot | | | | impairments.o The survival rate of premature |
| produce legible speech sounds, individuals suffering | | | | infants as well as trauma and stroke victims |
| from stuttering and other speech rhythm and | | | | continues to rise with advancements in medical |
| fluency problems, and those with voice disorders | | | | technology.o Elementary and secondary school |
| including inappropriate pitch and harsh voice.o | | | | enrollments will include among them students |
| those experiencing problems with understanding | | | | requiring special education and treatment in |
| and producing language, and individuals seeking to | | | | speech and language disorders, especially since the |
| improve their communication skills by modifying | | | | law guarantees special education to those who |
| their accent.o deeper physical problems such as | | | | need.o Greater emphasis is being placed now on |
| cognitive communication problems that affect the | | | | the early identification and treatment of speech |
| individual's capacity for attention, memorizing and | | | | and language disorders. |
| solving problems. | | | | The importance of early detection of speech and |
| Speech language pathologists are either employed | | | | language disorders highlights the significance of the |
| full-time by schools or hospitals, or put up a | | | | role of the speech language pathologist in the |
| private practice and work on a contract basis in | | | | growth of an affected individual, as he seeks to |
| hospitals and schools. | | | | break the shackles. |