Who is a speech therapist? What is his job?
A speech therapist works at the intersection of medicine and pedagogy. If we delve deeper into structural issues, then speech therapy is part of special pedagogy, i.e. defectology. Although until the 60s of the last century it was part of medicine. In some countries, even now only a person with a medical education can be a speech therapist.
A speech therapist (see profession speech therapist) is a specialist in correcting speech disorders, and they occur in both children and adults; they can affect both oral and written speech, pronunciation and deep speech processes.
Essentially, a speech therapist is a coach, but not a sports coach, but a speech coach. If the problem is only in pronunciation, a speech therapist performs articulation exercises, teaches you to breathe correctly, and gives a massage. Helps to extract the correct sounds and trains their pronunciation - first separately, then in syllables, in words, etc., until these sounds are included in speech.
But diction is only the cosmetic side of the issue. Speech serves us to convey information, express thoughts and emotions.
Often parents do not realize that if at the age of three the child hardly speaks, uses fragments of words or gestures instead of phrases, they should not even go, but run to a speech therapist. Such a delay in speech development, if not corrected, will ruin the child’s life.
In this case, the speech therapist works on replenishing vocabulary, grammar, and coherent speech.
Speech therapy help is also needed for stuttering, anatomical disorders of the speech apparatus, etc.
Most speech problems are visible in childhood. But speech can be affected at any age - after an injury or stroke, for example. If a person has already had speech, a speech therapist helps to disinhibit it, and, if possible, return it to its former liveliness and richness.
Responsibilities of a specialist
Most believe that its task is to correct incorrect sound pronunciation. But a speech therapist has many responsibilities that involve more than just production and automation of sounds. What are his responsibilities:
- Diagnosis of speech development of a child or adult.
- Drawing up a plan of correctional work taking into account the individual characteristics of the child or adult.
- Work on sound pronunciation.
- Work on coherent speech.
- Work on voice and diction.
- Teaching writing and reading skills (i.e., a specialist helps the child learn the basics of literacy).
- Work on the development of the motor sphere.
- Parent consultation.
A good speech therapist is a specialist who copes with his professional responsibilities. And for this he must have the necessary skills and abilities.
What is the relationship between the work of a speech therapist and a neuropsychologist?
I would also add a neurologist to this list. The cause of speech disorders is often, although not always, neurological. For example, a child of about six wants to say “mousetrap”, but it turns out either “mousetrap” or “myfevofka”. For some reason everyone is having fun, but he doesn’t understand what’s wrong again. This is probably what it is - a violation of the innervation of the muscles responsible for articulation. And if you have porridge in your mouth, you don’t perceive someone else’s speech very clearly - these things are clearly related to each other. If, say, a child does not distinguish V and L by ear, he says wampa - without any ulterior motive. And everyone around again: “Ah! Oh! Come on, tell me correctly!” But he cannot say it correctly; for this he needs to develop phonemic awareness and train his language. In speech therapy terminology, such a disorder is called phonetic-phonemic underdevelopment. If you do not overcome it in time, your speech will not improve on its own, and in school you will also have mistakes in writing.
It happens that the diction itself is excellent, but the child stubbornly says “my jacket,” has difficulty remembering the words, or constantly reinterprets them. He just can’t remember that his friend’s name is Larisa, not Ralisa. The reason for this underdevelopment of speech may lie in the underdevelopment of speech centers in the brain. Stimulating them is primarily a medical problem, but it is also a job for neuropsychologists and speech therapists who are looking for workarounds. For example, what is not learned by ear can be supplemented with visual images, special logorhythmic exercises, etc. As a speech therapist, I teach such children to listen and hear, understand speech, describe, retell, answer questions, etc.
Speech disorders can be combined with mental retardation. Unlike mental retardation, it is most often surmountable, but this also requires the joint efforts of a neurologist, neuropsychologist and speech therapist.
Specialists also work together if speech is impaired as a result of a stroke or head injury.
The efforts of speech therapists are focused mainly on speech as such. Speech is impossible without normal brain function. She suffers if mental functions are suppressed or underdeveloped: attention, memory (especially speech-auditory memory), etc. The speech therapist also works on them, using special techniques. But to a much greater extent this applies to the work of a neuropsychologist. If, of course, he exists.
And a neuropathologist and neurosurgeon treat organic damage - the main cause of speech impairment.
It happens that problems with the vocal or articulatory apparatus interfere with normal speech. For example, there is a cleft in the palate, it makes the voice nasal, and diction also suffers. This is rhinolalia, its causes are eliminated by a maxillofacial surgeon. A speech therapist helps to bring the speech apparatus into working condition as soon as possible after surgery.
There are many options for speech disorders. Regardless of the reason, they cannot be overcome by fragmentary training. They require multifaceted, complex work.
Individual entrepreneur registration
How to become a speech therapist and conduct private lessons? It is better to open a small office after you have worked in an educational institution or a children's center. Because you will already be able to conduct classes with children with various speech disorders, you will have methods that, if you practice them, you will get good results. And most importantly, you will have a client base, because the effectiveness of a speech therapist’s classes is visible. And if you are a good specialist, then satisfied parents will recommend you to others.
What does it take to become a speech therapist and open a speech center? It is necessary to register it as an individual entrepreneur and select the desired taxation system. And you will also need to draw up an educational program in which you will study and obtain a license from the education department. In addition, you will need to obtain permission from the SES and fire inspection, provide a rental agreement for the premises or its purchase.
You must have a diploma, a speech therapy office passport (all teaching aids and visual materials are noted in it) and a health record. By registering an enterprise, you can work in a private speech therapy office.
Where does a speech therapist work? Is a flexible schedule possible?
Speech therapists work in educational and medical institutions. A speech therapist in education is called a teacher-speech therapist, in medicine - simply a speech therapist.
Speech therapists in medicine work in clinics and departments for people with speech pathologies, with consequences of stroke, in maxillofacial surgery clinics, etc. They conduct appointments in clinics, work in orphanages, etc.
The salaries of speech therapist teachers in some kindergartens, mass and correctional schools are still maintained. And also in commercial development centers. A free schedule is possible if the speech therapist works exclusively privately. The salary of a speech therapist is 20 hours per week. Some speech therapists work in two places at once: in the morning in one place, and in the afternoon in another. If desired, you can combine work in an institution with private practice. Usually these are classes with wards at home, which, let me tell you, is quite difficult.
Education
To work in this specialty you must have certain skills and abilities. What education is needed to become a speech therapist? This specialist is trained at pedagogical universities and institutes. A speech therapist must have a higher education.
If you want to work in medical institutions, it is advisable that you also have a medical education. This is necessary so that you can get a promotion. But to obtain this diploma, you do not have to study as much as doctors, because speech therapists teach some medical disciplines. Each university has its own rules for obtaining additional education.
Speech therapists must also attend seminars and advanced training courses. All this is necessary in order to use new and effective methods in work.
What is bad about being a speech therapist?
This is working with children and their parents, which in itself is not bad, but difficult. It is difficult to find a common language with a child if he is already so overwhelmed that he is afraid to talk at all. It is difficult to call a child to order, especially if he does not understand speech well, if his memory is weak, his attention is unstable.
It is difficult to convey your recommendations to parents, who often do not understand the seriousness of the problem. Yes, they want the child to finally learn to speak. But first of all, they are concerned with those very “defects of fiction”, and not with speech as a whole. The more severe the violation, the more reluctant they are to complete homework.
Now I work at a school for children with severe and multiple developmental disabilities. Their speech difficulties are a consequence of motor and intellectual impairments. Many of our students have behavioral problems, so-called disorders of the emotional-volitional sphere. To win over such a child and set him up for work requires diabolical ingenuity and absolute dedication. Speech pathologist, speech therapist, psychologist, subject teachers - we all work in the same team.
It's difficult, but we like it.
How can a young specialist start working?
A student can get a job in a school or kindergarten already in the third year, so after graduating from a university or technical school, the graduate will have experience and a place to work. You will still have to train on living people - this is a necessary stage in the development of any specialist. You can start with the neighbor's children, and it is better to tackle simple speech defects, for example, making sounds. You need to honestly warn parents that you still have little experience, but it is in this area that you are already competent. You need to be ready to work in public - report on video to your superiors, be able to work in the presence of family members.
More and more private children's speech centers are appearing every year, and their owners place emphasis on young specialists whom they are ready to train and support, as they see in them great potential and a difference from the Soviet approach to work.
Another tip would be to get yourself a mentor or supervisor of more experienced professionals to consult with on difficult issues.
Who absolutely cannot do this job?
An irritable person, gloomy, self-righteous, a person prone to violence (including psychological violence) will not be able to work as a speech therapist.
You must be able to quickly respond to a constantly changing situation, adapt your methods to the child, and not the child to the methods. There are no universal methods and techniques, no master keys that fit all locks. We need flexibility.
You need artistry, you need playfulness. Although no one will give you an Oscar for this.
When you sit one-on-one with a student, you must be able to be “here and now” and put aside everything that is not related to this communication. If you are not ready to peer and listen closely to your students, nothing will work.
Room
It is also necessary to select a suitable room for a speech therapy room. The ideal location is close to educational institutions (schools, kindergartens) and on busy streets. A speech therapy room does not require a room that is too large. It is enough to design the waiting area and the office itself in which you will conduct classes.
The premises must comply with all SES and fire inspection requirements. Set up a corner with useful information for parents about speech development. Place a soft sofa and a hanger to make customers feel comfortable. The office does not need to be decorated too brightly so that the child is not distracted during classes. You can add famous children's characters as interesting original accents so that the child feels comfortable in class.
Equipment
How to become a children's speech therapist? You need to purchase the necessary teaching aids for speech correction and visual material. These include various pictures, toys, educational games, and a cut-out alphabet. In addition, the office should have:
- large wall mirror for studying;
- small mirror;
- sound probes;
- stationery.
Also, the office should have furniture that is suitable for the child’s age, so it is best to choose tables and chairs whose height is adjustable. All methodological and didactic aids and stationery should be stored in the closet. And there should definitely be antibacterial wipes, and best of all, a sink so you can wash your hands. And, of course, the office should be clean and tidy.
Make colorful booklets that can be left in educational institutions, hospitals and shopping centers. Create a group on social networks where you will communicate with parents and share useful information on speech development. And the best advertising is the reviews of grateful clients who have benefited from your classes.
How to become a speech therapist and where to start? Talk to those who work in this specialty, ask what they consider the most important in their work. But the main thing is the desire for self-development and the desire to help people speak beautifully and correctly, and for this you need to improve your skills and abilities.
Why is distance learning easy?
To become a speech therapist remotely, you only need a computer, tablet or smartphone with Internet access. You do not need to have special knowledge or install any additional programs on your computer.
For example, training at ABiUS takes place on the website in a distance learning system. The student is required to have only general computer knowledge. Thanks to the intuitive interface, the user navigates this system independently and without difficulty. Here he uploads the necessary documents, gets access to educational materials and practical assignments, and takes tests.
The student can ask questions related to the training by phone to his methodologist, who supervises him from the beginning to the end of the training.
There is no need to come to take the final exam; everything takes place online. Receiving a diploma or certificate is free by Russian Post.
How to get a speech therapist education remotely
You can become a speech therapist by correspondence using remote technologies. It is simple, convenient and does not require interruption of work. Today, this form of training is available in many universities and continuing education institutions.
The Academy implements several distance learning programs in speech therapy.
The professional retraining program “Speech Therapy” is intended for teachers of preschool and school institutions.
Duration of training – 260 / 510 academic hours (from 2 to 4 months).
Main topics of study
- Regulatory and legal support for the education of persons with disabilities;
- Medical and biological foundations of defectology;
- Organization of speech therapy work;
- Fundamentals of special pedagogy and psychology;
- Types of speech disorders and methods of speech therapy.
Training according to the program will allow you to effectively manage the process of development of the individuality and personality of a child who needs specialized individual methods of education and training.
The advanced training program “Speech Therapy” is intended for practicing specialists who want to expand and update their knowledge.
Duration of study – 180 academic hours. (1 month).
The programs comply with the requirements of Federal Law dated December 29, 2012 N 273-FZ “On Education in the Russian Federation” and Order of the Ministry of Labor of Russia dated October 18, 2013 N 544n (as amended on August 5, 2016) “On approval of the professional standard “Teacher (pedagogical activities in the field of preschool, primary general, basic general, secondary general education) (educator, teacher).”
