Question of the day? WHAT AM I?

A $%^&*!# SPEECH PATHOLOGIST! Yes, yes I am. Received a dean's commendation for high achievement in my final semester of the course. Highest mark possible for research project extraordinaire with the lovely Nicole and Alyssa (and Deb Theodoros <3). Passed adult video exam, which was pretty much the key element in arriving at this moment. So yes, not sure how many times Jeremy has had to hear: "Guess what I am? A SPEECH PATHOLOGIST!" today...but...it probably has been more than once (and he only arrived at the Sunshine Coast around 2:30 pm, so it hasn't even been a whole day). So what is this picture of?

Two newly confirmed (tanned, but sun safe) speech pathologists, sitting in a rock grotto hot tub/spa thingy, drinking mimosas in Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast to celebrate their awesomeness!

So, just in case anyone has been reading my blog and has no freaking clue what I'm talking about, this is what my CURRENT profession includes:

Speech and language pathologists provide a wide range of services, mainly on an individual basis, but also as support for individuals families, support groups, and providing information for the general public. Speech services begin with initial screening for communication and swallowing disorders and continue with assessment and diagnosis, consultation for the provision of advice regarding management, intervention and treatment, and provision counselling and other follow up services for these disorders.

• cognitive aspects of communication (e.g., attention, memory, problem solving, executive functions).
• speech (i.e., phonation, articulation, fluency, resonance, and voice including aeromechanical components of respiration);
• language (i.e., phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatic/social aspects of communication) including comprehension and expression in oral, written, graphic, and manual modalities; language processing; preliteracy and language-based literacy skills, phonological awareness.
• swallowing or other upper aerodigestive functions such as infant feeding and aeromechanical events (evaluation of esophageal function is for the purpose of referral to medical professionals);
• sensory awareness related to communication, swallowing, or other upper aerodigestive functions.

Multi-discipline collaboration

Speech-language pathologists collaborate with other health care professionals often working as part of a multidisciplinary team, providing referrals to audiologists and other medical consultants; providing information to health care professionals (including doctors, nurses, occupational therapist, and dietitians), educators, and parents as dictated by the individual client's needs.

In relation to Auditory Processing Disorders^[3] collaborating in the assessment and providing intervention where there is evidence of speech, language, and/or other cognitive-communication disorders.

The treatment for patients with cleft lip and palate has an obvious interdisciplinary character. The speech therapy outcome is even better as the surgical treatment is performed earlier.^[4]

Administration

Speech-language pathologists act as case managers and service delivery coordinators as well as manage clinical and academic programs.

Healthcare

• Promote healthly lifestyle practices for the preservation of communication, hearing, swallowing, or other upper aerodigestive disorders.
• Recognizing the need to provide and appropriately accommodate diagnostic and treatment services to individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and adjust treatment and assessment services accordingly.
• Advocating for individuals through community awareness, education, and training programs to promote and facilitate access to full participation in communication, including the elimination of societal barriers.

Research

• Conduct research related to communication sciences and disorders, swallowing disorders, or other upper aerodigestive functions.

Training

• Educate, supervise, and mentor future speech-language pathologists.
• Educate and provide in-service training to families, caregivers, and other professionals.
• Train, supervise, and manage speech-language pathology assistants and other support personnel.
• Educating and counseling individuals, families, co-workers, educators, and other persons in the community regarding acceptance, adaptation, and decisions about communication and swallowing.

Working environments

Speech and language pathologists can work in a wide range of settings. The clinical environments include both public and private hospitals. As part of the support structure in the education system working in both public and private schools, colleges, and universities. And some community support services in community health and day centers, and the judicial and penal services such as courts, prisons, and young offenders' institutions.^[5]

Subsequent to ASHA's 2005 approval of the delivery of speech-language pathology via video conference, or telepractice,^[6] SLPs have begun delivering services via this service delivery method.