Speech-Language Pathology?

[SDSorority]

Any Speech-Language Pathologists out there? Anyone have kids that go to one?

I have an undergrad degree in Music Education and Flute Performance. I am a private teacher (I LOVE working one on one with kids), and a receptionist at the college I attended (don't love this as much as teaching). I am thinking of getting my Masters in Speech-Language Pathology. It's a 2 year program at Ohio State, and I only need 4 classes that are speech specific and to take my GRE before I start. This is a career-switch... kinda. I could incorporate some music therapy into my sessions (I'm assuming) but I'm a little hesitant to do JUST Music Therapy as a Masters because the demand isn't as high.

Any advice? I'm hoping this is a career path that I would love. I need that feeling!!

 

[bookwormde]

There a 2 types of SLP program, traditional and those which additionally teach social communication, TOM and EF curriculums.

Quite honestly with 4 classes do not even think about working in a school unless you want to join the mirad of SLPs who can to meet the needs of the students who are assigned to their care.

Sorry to be blunt

Here is a link to the leading clinican in the addtional curriculum areas in the country (I have attended and in April am attending another of her workshops) so you can get a "feel" for what the majority of an SLPs work is in schools today.

http://www.socialthinking.com/



bookwormde

 

[benjackal]

Hi There,
I am a Speech Language Pathologist and I think you would enjoy the profession! Yes, there are many SLPs employed within schools, but there are many settings and age groups that require SLP services. I saw preschool children in a out-patient hospital setting and often wished I was musical as I feel it would have been helpful with many populations
The 4 classes you need to take are likely senior level undergrad classes but then you can apply to a Master's program and it should be 2 years work beyond that. It is a lot of work and you will need to do 'internships' during your degree along with a period of supervised work after graduation to get certified. If you enjoy working with children, I really think you would enjoy it and your background in music would be an asset!
Good luck!

 

[deerhart]

non slp here (just a parent) but one area that music and SLP's work wonderfully together is working with kids with CAPD. For them it is much easier to here speech sung or process music versus regular speech.
My son's reg SPED teacher did a lot of music work with him after his CAPD was diagnosed (listening and repeating sounds instead of words)

 

[bookwormde]

It is interesting that when words are combined with music (and repeated) they are processed in a non linear fashion much like a picture, That is why our kids have a much better time with it.

bookwormde

 

[deerhart]

for my son it was a godsend because he is very very musically inclined anyways. He could not do the auditory memory work when it was saying words/letters/numbers, but he could memorize the tune fo an entire song and play it back in different keys in no time flat.

The only big problem is that he refuses to sit down and take "lessons" on the piano (which he can copy a number of short songs by ear), but has taken to the violin this year and next year will play the viola (still hoping I can convince him to take piano lessons)