Make-Up Blog for 4/17

Why work in education?

I would work as an educator in a school system if I were a Speech Pathologist. I have a friend who does it and loves it. The best teachers are usually the children's favorites. I'm guessing she's great because they all love her. I would like to become more involved with special needs because of    how rewarding it would feel to teach them something new. Those kids are all so kind hearted and I believe everyone deserves a top-notch education. I feel like if you love what you're doing, other people are loving it too. It's a win-win situation, the children love what you're doing for them and you love what you are doing.

There are a couple of great teacher blogs that I've read:
http://chapelhillsnippets.blogspot.com/
http://www.talkingkids.org/
http://ericsailers.com/blog.html




My favorite of the blogs was definitely Eric Sailers' blog. It was the most whole-hearted blogs. It is about the connection he had made with one of his patients and what inspired him to really become an SLP and name his child after one of his patients! I really love stories such as this one because they are so close to heart and really dig down to the purpose of your career choice. These are the reasons why I would like to pursue this major/career.












"Eric Sailers." Erics RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2015.
"The Best Speech-Language Pathologist Blogs from 'A to Z'" ASHAsphere. N.p., 15 Mar. 2012. Web. 12 May 2015.
"Chapel Hill Snippets." Chapel Hill Snippets. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2015.
"Child Talk." Child Talk. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2015.                         

5/1/15

Types of work settings

When you are a Speech Pathologist, there are so many varieties and types of people that you can work with! If you like children, you can work in a school system or privately teach them. If you are the type of person that would like to work with elders, a rehabilitation center might be the place for you. It honestly depends on you! It is important that you choose wisely so you are not stuck in a career that you don't enjoy. Here are some of the settings you could possibly work with:

• Early Intervention Programs
• Public School Systems
• Private School Systems
• Private Clinics/Private Practice
• Hospital Inpatient/Outpatient
• Rehabilitation Centers
• Skilled Nursing Facilities
• Home Health Agencies
• Corporations/Businesses (Accent Reduction)
• Profit or non-profit agencies that provide speech and language services

Early Intervention programs are specially made for children that are ages 3 and younger. The parents of these children are mainly afraid that they aren't listening because they aren't talking yet. I know someone like this. He doesn't really say many words other than "Mama" and "Dada". He's learning, it's just that he doesn't know how to transfer his thoughts to his words in complete sentences yet.

A hospital setting is exactly what it sounds like. A speech pathologist is kind of a therapist or doctor at the hosptial more than a teacher like they would be in a school system. They do more of a deciphering the problem and figuring out medicines more than they would train them to speak words correctly.

Rehabilitation Centers are neat places to be a speech pathologist in because you are typically helping people that are going through things like strokes. I think it's really cool to help someone close to your age learn how to speak again. 

   If I were to do any of the options in this list, I would work in a school system. It's hard for me to picture myself not working with people that have special needs or with young children. It would hopefully be social skills that they would keep for the rest of their lives. I have a passion for children and their innocence. I feel like pediatrics would be the place for me if I were to work in a hospital setting. Those are the only 2 options that I have looked into deeper than the others. 

"Early Detection of Speech, Language, and Hearing Disorders." Early Detection of Speech, Language, and Hearing Disorders. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2015.

"10 Awesome Reasons Why Being a Speech Pathologist Rocks!" Friendship Circle Special Needs Blog. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2015.

4/24/2015

Skills that would make you an ideal candidate to be a Speech Pathologist

If you are going to be a Speech Pathologist, some of the traits you have are given. Some can be acquired though.....

• To be a Speech Pathologist, you need to have top notch people skills, because that is all you will be working with.
• If you don't already have decent speech and pronunciation of things, that is something that you should work on. Practice what you preach!
• You have to adapt easily to new techniques and new technologies because it might be harder for your clients to progress if you do not. 
• Choose what area you work in wisely. If you are better with elders, you should probably work with stroke patients or with people that have had trauma.
• Work at the needs of your client. Tweek your teaching styles to your patient's needs.
• Decide what type of environment would suit you best. For some people, a hospital would be best. While for others, a school system might be where they progress the most.
• Have good patience. Work well with others. Some people take longer to learn than others, everyone and every case is different.

Lots of the new techniques and technologies for this career can be found on asha.org-it's updated regularly. You can also come up with your own things if that is what you can teach better with. Here are some apps that children might like if they have speech impediments:

http://www.smartappsforkids.com/2014/05/newly-updated-top-free-apps-for-language-therapy.html

"American Speech-Language-Hearing Association | ASHA." 24 Apr. 2015 <http://www.asha.org/>

"Newly updated! Top FREE apps for language therapy ..." 2014. 24 Apr. 2015 <http://www.smartappsforkids.com/2014/05/newly-updated-top-free-apps-for-language-therapy.html>

Video Blog

Current Research in the Speech Pathologist World

4/9/15

   Whenever I was searching for what topic I was going to have for this blog, something caught my eye. It was an article that was titled "Speech Requires Both Sides of the Brain." The reason why it caught my eye is because I am currently studying the development of the Neural System in my Child development course.

 

   I learned that within the first 3 months of pregnancy, you develop your hearing. A baby will react to a very loud noise. Month 8 is when you develop your major cortices, which are your senses.  Most of them are just muffled until then. I think it is unique that your speech is on both sides of your brain!

   I recently learned in class that your speech was only in your left frontal lobe. The split between your brain is called lateralization. Your left brain controls you speech and language controls while your right brain controls your colorization, spacial awareness, and rhythm. 

   Most left handed people have brains with the opposite functions. It is where your right brain controls your speech while your left brain controls your rhythm and colorization. 

 

"Left handed tour - Being left-handed - Left Handers Day." 2014. 10 Apr. 2015 <http://www.lefthandersday.com/tour/being-left-handed>

"Brain Hemispheres | Left & Right Hemispheres." 2011. 10 Apr. 2015 <http://www.thethinkingbusiness.com/brain_zone/brain-tour/brain-hemispheres>

"Speech and the Brain." 2007. 10 Apr. 2015 <http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/speechbrain.html>

ZERO TO THREE: Baby Brain Map." 2010. 10 Apr. 2015 <http://www.zerotothree.org/child-development/brain-development/baby-brain-map.html>

Speech Pathology

Schools Renowned for their Speech Pathology and Audiology:

• University of Iowa
• University of Washington
• University of Arizona
• University of Kansas
• Vanderbilt University

There are plenty more from where that came from, but these just so happened to be the ones I feel like everyone would know of. It is vital to your career that you go to a school that in known for what you are majoring in. It will get you further in your career.

  

http://www.asha.org/edfind/results.aspx?area=SLP&degree=MASTERS&location=ALL

You can go to the website above for more schools that specialize in Speech Pathology.

"Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Colleges - 112 ..." 2014. 20 Mar. 2015 <https://www.cappex.com/colleges/majors/SpeechLanguage-PathologyPathologist-146

"EdFind - Find graduate programs in Speech-language ..." 2006. 20 Mar. 2015 <http://www.asha.org/edfind/>

Occupational Speech Therapy

By: Raven

     

 February 6th, 2015

 

      So, we have already given our pitch, and I think it went quite well. The reason why I chose Occupational Speech Therapy was because I have a cousin that is Autistic and also Deaf. I've grown up with him almost like a brother. I have always watched my Aunt and Uncle find ways to communicate with him. Right now, for him, he only knows a couple of signs and he recognizes facial expressions. You can't really communicate with him very well on any levels. It's difficult to find out what he needs and how badly he needs it. The only things you will know is if he is happy or if he is frustrated(which happens a lot). In the term, "Actions speak louder than words," it is a literal idea in his life.

      Here are some statistics on getting jobs in Speech Pathology:

• There were 121,690 total employees in 2010
• The estimated job openings in 2020 are up to 52,300
• It is expected to grow by 23.4%
• You are required to have a Masters Degree in Speech Pathology
• There is no required work experience

      Estimated Incomes for this Job are:

• $75,000 on Lower End
• $90,000 on Average
• $110,000 on Upper End
• Your salary depends on where you work(schools, hospitals, private, etc.), and how hard of a worker you are. If you dedicate a lot of time and effort into this and you make your own schedule, you can make up to $84 an hour.

     There are so many benefits to this job. First of all, it is such a rewarding career, who wouldn't want to do it? You get to help people learn how to use such a valuable skill and not only do you help them, but you get to go home after work and really say you have accomplished something.

   February 9th, 2015

     This week I learned Speech Pathology is related to Audiology, which is the major that works with people that have hearing difficulties. The difference between SLPs and Audiologists is that SLPs deal with neurological issues; Audiologists deal with hearing loss and evaluate the type of loss to see if they are suitable for hearing aids. These majors work together with people that could have deafness, or mental disorders; sometimes Autism. Audiology also has to do with your balance. All of your balance actually comes from your inner ears. They help with Vertigo disorders, or a fistula, which is a hole in your ear. 

     

     Here is a video I also watched about the connection between the two fields. It interests me. I feel like it would be a great advantage to major in both fields after watching this.
       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXJpeBRHQyw
 (Copy and Paste; link will not work)

"Speech Language Pathologists Audiologists - Big Future." 2012. 27 Feb. 2015 <https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/careers/health-diagnosis-treatment-speech-language-pathologists-audiologists>

"Speech Pathology - The Princeton Review." 2011. 27 Feb. 2015 <http://www.princetonreview.com/Majors.aspx?cip=510203>    
"Dizziness & Balance FAQ | Avada Audiology & Hearing Care." 2012. 27 Feb. 2015 <http://www.avada.com/faq-dizziness-balance.html>

 

February 26th, 2015

We have had SO many snow days! I just now remembered I have been needing to catch up on my blog! I have been researching the requirements to become a Speech Pathologist lately and here are some of my results:

• You have to have a Graduate Degree in Speech Pathology from a state institution and a passing score on the Praxis examination in speech-language pathology.
• It has to be a valid license issued by the state of Tennessee  or an out-of state licensing board of communication disorders
• Speech Pathologists who have a Master's equivalence in this major and hold a valid teaching license for Tennessee may be given the license.  

  "Tennessee Teacher Requirements for Audiologists and ..." 2011. 9 Mar. 2015 <http://www.asha.org/advocacy/state/info/TN/TNteachrequire/>