SPEECH-LANGUAGE

PATHOLOGY AS A
CAREER

AN ANALYTICAL REPORT BY JORDAN ALLYSSABETH OROZCO MAY 3, 2015

Abstract: Communication is needed for everyday use, whether for work, personal relationships, or just
making conversation while waiting in line. Speech-language pathology treats individuals who are
unable to communicate and swallow effectively, so that they may have as little as no problem
throughout their daily routines. There is a growing demand for speech-language pathologist in public
school systems. The recruiting and retaining of SLPs in public schools is priority across the nation.
Workload and caseload have a negative impact on the recruiting of SLPs but job satisfaction and
income have a positive impact on the retention of them. Therapy is effective if the right steps are taken.
The success of therapy goes far deeper than just a doctor-patient relationship. Support system,
environment, and intense treatment all play a major role in successful therapy. Overall speech-language
pathology as a career has a positive and promising outlook, there are pros and cons but what career
doesnt have a list of those. When choosing whether or not to pursue a career an individual must know
about the careers history, demand, effectiveness, and overall outlook. This analytical report will
provide readers with what they need to know about speech-language pathology and whether or not they
should pursue this career.

Jordan Allyssabeth Orozco Analytical Report May 2015 page 1

Letter of Transmittal
From: Jordan Allyssabeth Orozco,
Speech-Language Pathology as a Career
To: Professor Al-Tabaa & readers
interested in pursuing a career in
Speech-Language Pathology
Subject: Speech-Language Pathology as
a Career
Speech-language pathology is a career
on its way to the top. Not only is it
considered one of the top 50 best jobs in
the nation but it is also one of the most
satisfying jobs in America. A masters
degree or doctorate in communication
disorders along with American SpeechLanguage-Hearing Association (ASHA)
certification is needed in order to work
with children, teens, and adults to
attempt to fix their communication
disorders. Speech-language pathology as
a career has a promising outlook. The
demand and job outlook for pathologists
is 19% faster than any other job in the
nation. When deciding whether to pursue
a particular career path it is important to
know the history, pros and cons,
effectiveness, and outlook of that career.
This analytical report will provide
information and persuade readers of why
they should join this field.
A masters degree in speech-language
pathology not only offers a promising
career but also allows an individual to
assist those around them in achieving
their goal of effective and proper

Jordan Allyssabeth Orozco

communication. The following questions

were researched from this thesis:

What is the history behind the

methods of speech-language
pathology?
What is the demand and job
outlook for speech
pathologists?
Does speech therapy really
work?
What are the pros and cons of
being a speech-language
pathologist and perspective on
speech-language pathology as a
career overall?

The history of speech-language

pathology is what led to the current
therapy methods and guidelines used
today. It is important for an individual to
be knowledgeable about their possible
future career because not only does it
help them learn but it also hinders
further mistakes. When looking into
pursuing a particular career it is always
important to consider the job outlook for
the next 10-20 years. Pros and cons of a
job are also an important factor to
consider when pursuing any career. An
individual must look at the bigger
picture when choosing a career. This
analytical report should inform Professor
Al-Tabaa and persuade my audience to
join the movement in better the lives of
people with communication disorders.

Analytical Report May 2015 page 2

Executive Summary
4. What are the pros and cons of
being a speech-language
pathologist and perspective on
speech-language pathology as a
career overall?

Introduction
When choosing a career an individual
should always consider themselves and
the future satisfaction of that job. Job
outlook, pros and cons, and effectiveness
of a career should all be considered.
Whether the information throughout this
report is taken persuasively or
informatively it is sure to given all
readers a new perspective of pursuing a
career in speech-language pathology.

Methods
While analyzing the four research
questions, the supporting material
comes from scholarly articles written
by PhD holders, ASHA opinions,
British Medical Journals, surveys
from teachers and people working in
the field of speech pathology, and
speech-language pathology websites.

Purpose
The purpose of this analytical report is to
inform and persuade readers of the
history, job outlook, pros and cons, and
effectiveness of pursuing a career in
speech-language pathology. This report
will also determine whether or not the
writer of this report chooses to follow
through with a career in speech-language
pathology.

Limitations
The information in the analytical
report is limited to the stated
references and the surveys taken to
give well-rounded opinions.

Conclusion and
Recommendations

Scope
The goal is to inform and persuade
readers to consider the possibility of
pursuing a career in speech-language
pathology. In order to achieve this goal
research will analyze the following four
questions:

Regardless if the readers are

persuaded to pursue this career or not
they now have a well-rounded idea
about speech-language pathology as
a career. Readers can now have
opinions about the history and
present work of SLPs, demand and
workload that comes with being a
speech-language pathologist, and the
steps behind successful treatment.
Being a speech-language pathologist
isnt an easy job but the outcome is
worth it.

1. What is the history behind the

methods of speech-language
pathology?
2. What is the demand and job
outlook for speech-language
pathologists?
3. Does speech therapy really
work?

Jordan Allyssabeth Orozco Analytical Report May 2015 - page 3

Table of Contents
AbstractCover Page 1
Results Disscussion..14
Letter of Transmittal2
Executive Summary.3

Conclusion and
Recommendations15-16

Table of Contents4

Appendixes:

Introduction.5

Appendix A.
References17-18

Research Focus One: History

Behind the Methods of
Speech-Language
Pathology.6-7
Research Focus Two:
Demand and Job Outlook for
Speech- Language
Pathologists.8-9
Research Focus Three:
Effectiveness of Speech
Therapy10-11
Research Focus Four: Pros
and Cons of SpeechLanguage Pathology &
Perspective as an Overall
Career.12-13

Table of Figures:
Figure 1. ASHA..6
Figure 2. Child preforms
standardized testing7
Figure 3. Job outlook for
SLPs.8
Figure 4. Child receiving
treatment10
Figure 5. Group of
children11
Figure 6. Speech-language
pathologist..13

Jordan Allyssabeth Orozco Analytical Report May 2015 - page 4

Introduction
Speech-language pathology is a career
on its way to the top. Not only is it
considered one of the top 50 jobs in
the nation but it is also one of the
most satisfying jobs in America. In this
field individuals holding a masters or
doctorate degree in speech-language
pathology work with children, teens,
and adults to fix their communicative
disorders so they may go through
their everyday life with as little as no
communication problems.

A communicative disorder is
something an individual can be born
with or may get as a result of an
accident or disease. With proper and
intense treatment, communication
disorders can be fixed. The history of
speech-language pathology will be
addressed giving readers a better
understanding of the methods used
today. There is a growing demand for
speech-language pathologists in the
public school system; the number of
job openings is 19% faster than it was
ten years ago, but the supply is low.

The effectiveness of treatment is
based off of its intensity, environment,
and support system, which are
discussed more in-depth throughout
this paper. Although there are a few
negative opinions towards the role
pathologists play there is an overall
positive view of the work they do. The
reader will also learn about EBP the
approach that speech-language

pathologists take in order to

effectively treat patients. Overall an
individual seeking to help others
cannot go wrong with speech-
language pathology as a career.

This analytical report or research paper
will analyze both positive and negative
sides to speech-language pathology as a
career along with an overall wellrounded point of view on the career. The
research done will focus on the
following four questions:
What is the history behind the
methods of speech-language
pathology?
What is the demand and job
outlook for speech
pathologists?
Does speech therapy really
work?
What are the pros and cons of
being a speech-language
pathologist and perspective on
speech-language pathology as a
career overall?
A masters degree in speech-language
pathology not only offers a promising
career but also allows an individual to
assist those around them in achieving
their goal of effective and proper
communication. The overall goal in the
end is not only to persuade readers to
join this field but also to inform them of
what this job consists of.

Jordan Allyssabeth Orozco Analytical Report May 2015 - page 5

Research Focus One: History Behind the Methods of SpeechLanguage Pathology

Originally, speech-language pathologists
(SLPs) were never taken seriously. The
first speech therapists in America
werent certified, which only made sense
because they didnt have a profession to
certify them. Some were considered
quacks; people who falsely claimed
they had a secret technique or cure for
particular speech disorders.1
Speech-language pathologists had to find
a way to gain their legitimacy and
experience as a way of showing they
were not just quacks. The first clinicians
that were seen as legitimate by
professionals were from already
established professions. These
professions included education,
medicine, or elocution. Another way
American pathologists gained expertise
was to study the work of already
established speech clinicians in Europe.1
European clinicians were established
because they were physicians who
practices communication disorders.
Americans and Europeans came up with
a name to call these clinicians, which
was speech doctors. A number of
clinicians entered the field after
developing techniques for fixing
communication problems in themselves
or someone they knew on a personal
level. 1

1 Duchan, J.F. (2002, December 24). What Do You

http://www.asha.org/Publications/leader/2002/0
21224/021224a.htm

Around the 1900s there were more than

enough people who claimed they were
speech correctionists in the United
States. These people began to form
groups. These groups prime purpose
was, the promotion of scientific
organized work in the field of speech
correction, said Malone 1999. This
group felt a need to develop scientific
foundation for this new profession,
speech-language pathology. A main
group known today is the American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association
formed in 1925 (Figure 1).
Back in the day there was no equipment,
texts, nor standardized tests. Clients
were recorded on wax phonograph
cylinders. 1 Sound waves were scratches
on a drum and tuning forks were used to
diagnose hearing loss by marks on
carpet.
Figure 1. ASHA

Source: www.healthyhearing.com

Individuals, whom were part of the

American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association (ASHA), took initiative to

Jordan Allyssabeth Orozco Analytical Report May 2015 - page 6

design diagnostic tools and average data

for creating a scientific standard and
base for research (Figure 2). They made
efforts to forward diagnostic reasons for
the causes and conditions associated
with different communication disorders.
Tests were developed to measure the
performance of clients in different areas
and collect normal data to be used as
standards for people showing abnormal
communication performance. 1
ASHAs main purpose was to promote
scientific research in the department of
speech correction.
Figure 2. Child preforming standardized
testing evaluated by speech-language
pathologists

Source: www.integratedlistening .com

Many people do not know the first

individuals who established their career,
nor when standardized tests were first
used in that field, individuals cant even
name the first written scholarly articles
in their field. As individuals there is little
to no attention given to a careers past
and all attention is on the present.

When attention is given to the past of a

career it can lead to many positive
outcomes. If quacks had never claimed
that they had a solution to correcting
peoples speech, would SLP even be a
career? A positive outcome when
attention is given to the past is that it
does not allow for repeated mistakes
from the past. Whenever making a
decision researches can look back at past
mistakes see what was done wrong and
how it can be fixed.
However knowing history by
remembering specific names, dates, and
events does not do an individuals
knowledge justice. Knowing specific
things far beyond textbook material can
allow a person to develop critical
thinking skills, by forming a deeper
meaning of the modern techniques used
today.
Being knowledgeable about the history
of a future career is so important when
deciding whether to choose that career.
Although people originally disagreed
with speech-language pathology being
an actual profession there were others
that saw it in a different light and gave it
a chance. Finding out and knowing who
the predecessors were and what they did
can lead to an understanding of sociocultural circumstances, it can also allow
us to wonder where we would be if our
forebears had taken other paths and
made other decisions. 1

Jordan Allyssabeth Orozco Analytical Report May 2015 - page 7

Research Focus Two: Demand and Job Outlook for SpeechLanguage Pathologists
There is a high demand for speechlanguage pathologists (SLPs) throughout
America in the public school system.
The demand is sky high however the
supply is very low. An additional 28,800
SLPs will be needed to fill the demand
between 2010 and 2020. There will be a
23% increase in job openings (Figure 3).
In occupational projection estimates for
2004 to 2014, speech-language
pathology ranked 17th out of the 20
large-growth occupations that requires a
masters, doctoral, or first-professional
degree.2

Figure 3. Job outlook of SLPs (blue)

compared to other civilian jobs (red).

Source: www.healthcare-schools-online.com

2 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Recruiting and retaining well-qualified

SLPs in public schools is a priority
across the nation. Research and surveys
have identified job satisfaction,
workload, and caseload as factors that
affect the recruitment and retention of
school-based SLPs.3 Without wellqualified SLPs in the public school
system students are left lagging behind
in class due to a variety of speech
disorders.4
Over the years changes have occurred in
the training of communicative disorders,
which have increased demand and
shown earlier identification of children
with communication disabilities, the role
of SLP in literacy, and increased
recognition of the needs of children with
multiple disabilities have resulted in
large oversized caseloads, greater time
demands, and additional workload
responsibilities for SLPs.3
Basically, with more high tech training,
pathologists are able to diagnose

3 Edgar, D. L., & Rosa-Lugo, L. I. (2007). The critical
shortage of speech-language pathologists in the
public school setting: features of the work
environment that affect recruitment and retention.
Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools,
Vol. 38, 31-46. Retrieved from
http://lshss.pubs.asha.org/article.aspx?articleid=1
762934

4 Hoffman, L. M., Ireland, M., Hall-Mills, S., Flynn, P.,

(2004). Knowledge and skills in business

practices for speech-language pathologists who are
managers and leaders in health care organizations
[Knowledge and Skills]. Retrieved from
www.asha.org/policy.

Nippold, M., & Marinellie, S. (2013).

Evidence-based speech-language pathology
practices in schools: findings from a national
survey. EBSCO Host, Vol. 44 Issue 3 p. 266-280.
Retrieved from
http://0-web.a.ebscohost.com.lib.utep.edu/ehost

Jordan Allyssabeth Orozco Analytical Report May 2015 - page 8

children earlier thus making their

caseloads larger. The increased size of
children seeking therapy results in a very
high time demand from SLPs and more
duty on the SLPs part. This is obviously
a factor of why the supply is low for
SLPs in public schools.
The national demand for skilled
clinicians in public schools combined
with the need in the private sector has
exceeded the number of students who
are graduating with degrees in
communication disorders. To put it into
perspective, 15,464 students applied for
a masters program in SLP, only 6,650
made it in, and of those admitted, only
3,733 actually enrolled in the graduate
programs.5
Another reason the supply is low is
because of children who come from
culturally and linguistically diverse
backgrounds. These children present a
challenge for SLPs due to linguistic
diversity and proficiency they posses in
their first and second language.3 SLPs
working with children with diverse
background must be able to distinguish
between normal characteristics of second
language, communication difference,
and a communication disorder. If the
SLP is unable to do this they may violate
state and federal mandates by
mislabeling children as language

5 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

disorder when the child may only be

struggling with language differences.3
Even though it seems as if there a
million reasons as to why SLP supply is
low there are reasons as to why SLP is a
growing job and will continue to grow
for the next ten years. Edgar and RosaLugo gave a survey out to ten public
school districts and recorded the results.
They came to find that although
workload and caseload are leading
factors for low supply, happiness, job
satisfaction, and income are reasons
individuals sign up for SLP graduate
programs. There are summer, winter,
and spring breaks in the public school
systems, which is what pathologists like.
Income is anywhere from $70,000 $120,000 and more.
As more college students graduate as
certified speech-language pathologists
the caseload and workload will become
less massive. There ill be more than one
speech pathologist at a single public
school. This is not only beneficial for the
pathologists but also for the students.
Changes are continuing to be made in
the public school system not only to
make a difference in the lives of children
but in the lives of SLPs wanting to join
that particular system. Readers should be
persuaded to want to be a part of this
field and join the movement to make a
difference in the lives of children at
public schools.

(2014). Supply and demand resources list

for speech-language pathologists. Retrieved from
http://www.asha.org

Jordan Allyssabeth Orozco Analytical Report May 2015 - page 9

Research Focus Three: Effectiveness of Speech Therapy

There is not a direct answer to whether
or not speech therapy actually works;
however, there is a state of knowledge
that can be given from the research that
has been collected. Acquired dysphasia
is known to have favorable outcomes of
language treatment. Studies have show
at an early age children who receive
treatment may experience a return of
their original communication disorder.
Intensity and effectiveness go hand and
hand when it comes to speech therapy.6

Figure 4. Child receiving one on one

intense treatment from speech-language
pathologist.

Source: www.buildncare.com

It is said that children outgrow their

communication disorders; however,

6 Enderby, P., & Emerson, J. (1996). Speech and
Language Therapy: Does It Work? BMJ:
British Medical Journal, Vol. 312, No. 7047, pp. 1655-
1658. Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org.lib.utep.edu/stable/2973211
6

short term and long term therapy can

affect a child at such a young age. While
a child may benefit from speech and
language therapy in the short term, there
may be no difference in the long term
between this group and children who are
not receiving therapy.6 This is due to the
fact that children grow out of stages
whether it is a crying stage or a
communication disorder stage. There is
still a lot to learn at such a young age
which is why therapy should not be
given until that child is at an age where
the disorder is identifiable. Individuals
who are diagnosed with acquired
dysphasia are somewhat easier to cure.
Speech and language therapy is effective
if targeted to patients with specific
defect and needs and is provided
intensely. When a patient has a specific
diagnosis that a pathologist is able to
narrow down and target that therapist
may potentially cure that disorder. 7
Even though there are a large amount of
tests that can be tested, these do not
reveal effectiveness. Any patient with a
speech disorder requires support and
encouragement in order to have a
successful outcome with therapy. Good
recovery from dysphasia tends to go far
deeper than just being able to pass
standardized tests.

7 Palmer, J.B., Drennan, J.C., & Baba, M. (2000).
Evaluation and treatment of swallowing

impairments. American Family Physician. Vol. 61

pp. 2453-2462. Retrieved from
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0415/p2453.html

Jordan Allyssabeth Orozco Analytical Report May 2015 - page 10

Many factors may affect the success of

an individuals treatment. These factors
include environment, support system,
and intensity of treatment. Dysphasic
patients and their relatives require
support and encouragement on their way
to recovery. Speech and language
therapists have helped these patients to
communicate more effectively using a
variety of different approaches.6 An
individual undergoing recovery must
have a support system that will help
keep their treatment intense even when
they are away from the pathologist. The
environment must be encouraging and
positive in order to have a successful
treatment.
The reason children have reoccurring
speech problems later on in life is
because their main communicative
disorder was not identified as a child or
therapy was given at too young of an age
to comprehend. Even though intense
therapy is being given to a child and they
have a strong support system it does not
mean there will be a successful outcome.
If the treatment being given is not
comprehended correctly by the child
they will lose the therapy they received
in the long run.
The difficulty researchers and
practitioners have is identifying those
children who have disorders that indicate
a boarder range of underlying difficulties
that will not resolve spontaneously or
may lead to a different range of patterns
of speech and language development.6

Therapists are now becoming more

confident that these children can now be
diagnosed properly so that treatment can
be targeted more effectively. Trails are
being tested to compare the outcomes
between children receiving early speech
and language therapy and those
receiving delayed intervention.6
Figure 5. A group of children from Milwaukee
that went through speech therapy and made it
out successfully.

Source: www.speechspecialistsmilwaukee.com

Although dysphasia easier to

treat than children with communication
disorders, the trails underway will only
improve the diagnosis of communication
disorders and treatment for children.
There are two sides on whether speech
therapy actually works but if treatment is
given properly the outcome can be very
effective.6

Jordan Allyssabeth Orozco Analytical Report May 2015 - page 11

Research Focus Four: Pros and Cons of Speech-Language

Pathology & Perspective as an Overall Career
Results show that overall people hold
positive opinions towards SLPs therapy;
on the other hand they have negative
opinions towards their roles and training
with some students. Although speech
pathologists received positive feedback
for their work, pathologists are lacking
in the contribution and efforts
department.
Professional relationships in large school
settings impact service delivery and the
overall treatment provided to students,
speech-language pathologists need to
exam routinely the way in which their
coworkers view their professional role
and performance.8 The larger the school
the harder it becomes to deliver one on
one with every child you are treating. In
order to perform better and fully play out
your role one must look at themselves
through others and make corrections.
The profession of SLP in the US realized
it needed a Code of Ethics to define
standards of practice and provide a
framework for professional behavior and
responsibilities.9 This document has

8 Sanger, D. D., Hux, K., & Griess, K. (1995).
Educators opinions about speech-language
pathology services in schools. EBSCO Host Vol. 26
Issue 1, pp. 75-82. Retrieved from
http://0-web.a.ebscohost.com.lib.utep.edu/ehost
9 Lubinski, R. 2010. Speech Therapy or Speech-

Language Pathology. In: JH Stone, M Blouin,

editors. International Encyclopedia of
Rehabilitation. Retrieved from
http://cirrie.buffalo.edu/encyclopedia/en/article/
333/.

gone through many revisions and is now

a procedure for filing and reviewing
complaints against professionals who
have committed ethical violations and
those who have committed unethical
practices. Speech pathologists may be
held liable for their professional
misconduct or lack of skill.9
Another negative opinion towards SLPs
roles and training is the treatment of
bilingual students. People disagree with
pathologists treating these children
because they make misinterpret
diagnosing them and give them improper
grammar for their first and second
language. Others say providing service is
part of speech-language pathologists role
bilingual or not, this subject is still a
constant debate.8
In the private practice department of
speech-language pathology there are
positive and negative views as well. The
negative view is quite clear, failure of
being able to keep a private practice
going. The pathologist in charge must
have a set of leadership skills and
business skills in order to keep the
practice going. They must establish
goals, protect themselves and their
clients, have money for advertisement,
and know that this is not a one-man
project. Owning and running a private
practice is definitely doable but it does

Jordan Allyssabeth Orozco Analytical Report May 2015 - page 12

take a lot of effort. The positive side is a

pathologist has the ability to be their
own boss, set their own hours, and have
a specific way of treating clients in
speech therapy.
Figure 6. Speech-language pathologist
enjoying her job while teaching a patient
to swallow properly.

Source: www.speech-language-pathologyaudiology.advanceweb.com

A survey indicated that education and

private practice generally viewed
speech-language pathology services
positively, although some areas of
concern emerged. School principals
were more positive in their view of the
extent to which SLPs communicated
with and provided information to
educators that were classroom teachers
and teachers of students with learning
disabilities. Educators expressed concern
about a lack of helpful in-service
workshops and suggestion for class

management of students with

communication disorders. Overall,
education professionals are favorable
toward services when SLPs incorporated
their suggestions into the development
of treatment progress.8
After gathering all the research
necessary it is clear that educators
opinions about the role and performance
of speech-language pathologists is high
overall and continues to improve over
the years. This improvement is due to
speech-language pathologists expanding
roles and broadened areas of expertise.
Of the many challenges speech-language
pathologists face in school settings and
this studys positive findings concerning
the effectiveness an appropriateness of
speech-language pathologists
interactions with students and groups of
educational professionals, speechlanguage pathologists are to be
commended for their job performance.8
Though this research question has shown
an opposing view towards the thesis it
gives clear points and valuable evidence
to back up those points. The results of
peoples different opinions give the
audience a different perspective than just
the pros of speech-language pathology.
This research topic also offers the
audience a well-rounded idea of both
pros and cons in the private field of
speech-language pathology and the
public field.

Jordan Allyssabeth Orozco Analytical Report May 2015 - page 13

Results Discussion
Research Focus One: History Behind
the Methods of Speech-Language
Pathology
The research revealed that being
knowledgeable about the history of a
future career is important when deciding
whether to pursue that career. Although
people originally disagreed with speechlanguage pathology being an actual
profession there were others that saw it
in a different light and gave it a chance.
Finding out and getting to know who the
predecessors were and what they did can
lead to an understanding of sociocultural circumstances, it can also allow
individuals to wonder where we would
be if the people before us had taken
other paths and made other decisions.
Research Focus Two: Demand and
Job Outlook for Speech-Language
Pathologists
The research revealed the demand for
speech-language pathologists will
continue to rise and the job outlook will
continue to be promising. Changes are
continuing to be made in the public
school system not only to make a
difference in the lives of children but in
the lives of SLPs wanting to join the
movement. Readers should be persuaded
to want to be a part of this field to make
a difference in the lives of children and
adults in both public schools and private
clinics.

Research Focus Three: Effectiveness

of Speech Therapy
The research revealed that although
dysphasia is easier to treat than children
with communication disorders, currently
trials are underway to improve the
diagnosis of communication disorders
and treatment for children and adults.
There are two sides on whether speech
therapy actually works but if treatment is
given properly he outcome can be very
effective.
Research Focus Four: Pros and Cons
of Speech-Language Pathology &
Perspective as an Overall Career
The research reveled educators opinions
about the role and performance of
speech-language pathologists is high
overall and continues to improve over
the years. The improvement is due to
speech-language pathologists expanding
roles and broadened areas of expertise.
Of the many challenges SLPs face in
school settings and this studys positive
findings concerning the effectiveness
and appropriateness of SLPs interactions
with students, SLPs are to be
commended for their job performance.
The results of peoples different
opinions give the audience a different
perspective than just the pros of speech
language pathology.

Jordan Allyssabeth Orozco Analytical Report May 2015 - page 14

Conclusion and Recommendations

In conclusion, this analytical report
researched the history of speechlanguage pathology (SLP), reasons for
lack of SLP supply, opinionated views
of pathologists work, and an overall
better understanding of speech-language
pathology as a career. The readers can
now answer the four research questions
discussed throughout this paper and may
develop a well-rounded opinion on
speech-language pathology as a career:
What is the history behind the
methods of speech-language
pathology?
What is the demand and job
outlook for speech
pathologists?
Does speech therapy really
work?
What are the pros and cons of
being a speech-language
pathologist and perspective on
speech-language pathology as a
career overall?
Speech-language pathology was never
taken seriously and those who falsely
claimed they had a secret cure for speech
disorders were seen as crazy or
quacks. But over time speech
pathology developed into a profession
that is still growing today. Knowing
about a professions history is more than
just knowing dates and memorizing
names, knowledge offers point of view
and well-rounded images for readers.
Pursuing a career in speech-language
pathology has a promising outlook.
From 2010-2020 there will be 28,800

available positions for SLPs. Even when

the year 2020 comes speech-language
pathology will continue to be a career
rising to the top. Although the amount of
workload and caseload is a lot it wont be
for long, every year brings in a handful
of SLPs. Job satisfaction and income
outshine the negative side of this career.
The outlook combined with job
satisfaction should persuade readers to
join the movement in making a
difference in the lives of children and
adults.
Success through speech therapy is
almost 100%. But the effort not only
comes from the pathologist and the
patient but also from the patients
family. A strong support system,
positive environment, and intense
therapy are all keys to successful
treatment. Treating children too young
may result in reappearance of
communicative disorders. With new
techniques and methods pathologists
have discovered that a child must be old
enough in order to narrow down and
cure specific communication disorders.
Overall individuals have positive
opinions towards speech-language
pathology. There are some negative
opinions towards SLPs roles and
training. The negative opinions mainly
come from teachers that must work with
both the speech pathologist and the child
in the same environment, but even at that
they still view pathologists work very
highly.

Jordan Allyssabeth Orozco Analytical Report May 2015 - page 15

Regardless if the readers are persuaded

to pursue this career or not they now
have a well-rounded idea about speechlanguage pathology as a career. Readers
can now have opinions about the history
and present work of SLPs, demand and
workload that comes with being a
speech-language pathologist, and the
steps behind successful treatment. Being
a speech-language pathologist isnt an
easy job, however, knowing that the
outcome involves changing the lives of
individuals for the better makes it all
worth it.

Jordan Allyssabeth Orozco Analytical Report May 2015 - page 16

Appendix A. References
American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association. (2004). Knowledge
and skills in business
practices for speech-language
pathologists who are managers
and leaders in health care
organizations [Knowledge and
Skills]. Retrieved from
www.asha.org/policy.
American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association. (2004). Roles and
responsibilities of speechlanguage pathologists with
respect to augmentative and
alternative communication;
technical report [Technical
Report]. Available from
www.asha.org/policy.
American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association. (2014). Supply and
demand resources list for speechlanguage pathologists. Retrieved
from http://www.asha.org
Duchan, J.F. (2002). What do you know
about your professions history?
Why is it important? The ASHA
Leader. Retrieved from
http://www.asha.org/Publications
Edgar, D.L., & Rosa-Lugo, L.I. (2007).
The critical shortage of speechlanguage pathologists in the
public school setting: features
of the work environment that
affect recruitment and retention.

Language, Speech, and Hearing

Services in Schools, Vol. 38, 31
-46. Retrieved from http://lshss
.pubs.asha.org
Enderby, P., & Emerson, J. (1996).
Speech and Language Therapy:
British Medical Journal, Vol.
312, No. 7047, pp. 1655-1658.
Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org.lib.utep.edu/
stable/29732116
Hoffman, L.M., Ireland, M., Hall-Mills,
S., Flynn, P., Nippold, M., &
Marinellie, S. (2013). Evidencebased speech-language
pathology practices in schools
findings from a national
survey. EBSCO Host, Vol. 44
Issue 3 p. 266-280. Retrieved
from http://0-web.a.ebsco
host.com.lib.utep.edu/ehost
Lubinski, R. (2010). Speech Therapy or
Speech-Language Pathology. In:
JH Stone, M Blouin, editors.
International Encyclopedia of
Rehabilitation. Retrieved from
http://cirrie.buffalo.edu
Palmer, J.B., Drennan. J.C., & Baba, M.
(2000). Evalution and treat
ment of swallowing
impairments. American Family
Physician. Vol. 61 pp.24532462. Retrieved from
http://www.aafp.org

Jordan Allyssabeth Orozco Analytical Report May 2015 - page 17

Sanger, D.D., Hux, K., & Griess, K.

(1995). Educators opinions
about speech-language
pathology services in schools.
EBSCO Host Vol. 26 Issue 1,
pp.75-82. Retrieved from
http://0-web.a.edscohost.com.
lib.utep.edu/ehost
Cover Page Figure:
Source: friendshipcircle.org
NOTE: Some resources are cited a
specific way because that is how the
writer asked for it to be cited.

Jordan Allyssabeth Orozco Analytical Report May 2015 - page 18