Health Careers
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant
Professional Activities
Speech Pathology Assistants (SPAs) work with children and adults under the supervision of a certified/licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). They follow treatment plans, document performance, assist with some screening and assessment procedures, prepare materials, maintain equipment, and assist with scheduling.
SPAs work with people with communication disorders. Examples of childhood disorders include delayed speech and language development, autism, stuttering, articulation disorders, and hearing impairments, as well as cognitive processing and auditory processing. Children may have birth defects such as cleft palate and cerebral palsy requiring speech therapy. Adults may have strokes, brain injuries, laryngectomies, voice disorders, and dialect differences requiring the services of an SLP.
Speech Pathology Assistants may work in both the public and private sector. SPAs may work in schools, hospitals, and clinics. They may also work in rehabilitation clinics, Head Start programs, or home health programs.
Educational Requirements
- Graduation from high school or a GED.
- Graduation from an appropriate associate’s degree program.
- State Licensing is required.
Academic Programs
The Center for Human Development at UAA in collaboration with Prince William Sound Community College, offers a two year distance delivered A.A.S. Degree in Disability Services, which includes an emphasis area in Speech-Language Support. For more information contact:
Center for Human Development, UAA
2702 Gambell Street, Ste. 103
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
Contact: Dr. Marjorie Kassier
Phone: (907) 264-6240
Toll free: (800) 243-2199
Email:
Web site: http://www.alaskachd.org/
Contacts
State Contact:
The Alaska Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Molly Thompson, President
Phone: (907) 562-3994
Email:
Web site: http://aksha.org/
National Contact:
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
2200 Research Boulevard
Rockville, MD 20850
Toll free: (800) 638-8255
Fax: (301) 296-8050
Email:
Web site: http://www.asha.org/
This page was last updated by Janice Troyer on June 13, 2008
