What is required to be a great speech therapist? Above-average
intelligence, kindness and a team spirit – to name a few. As we honor
speech-language pathologists in May for Better Hearing and Speech Month, we
reflect on 12 qualities SLPs possess and use in their delivery of care:
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- Compassion:
Speech-language
pathologists practice patience and empathy with their patients every day. A
career in speech-language pathology indicates a strong desire to help people
and serve the community.
- Creativity:
Speech-language
pathologists use creative and innovative exercises to treat the individual
needs of a patient.
- Enthusiasm: Speech-language
pathologists motivate patients during challenging treatments and recovery
periods. SLPs identify what wills a patient to improve and incorporate that
inspiration into treatment.
- Intelligence: Speech-language pathologists possess a wide
range of knowledge in communications, neuroscience and other disciplines such
as linguistics.
- Persistence: Speech-language
pathologists work persistently to treat, rehabilitate, and improve the
patient’s overall quality of life. SLPs who work with medically complex
patients persevere when other clinicians may cast doubt on a patient’s
abilities.
- Adaptability:
Speech-language
pathologists are trained to evaluate, diagnose, and treat various communication
disorders for both adults and children.
- Resourcefulness: Speech-language
pathologists keep their knowledge and skills current with the most up to date
resources, such as the Directory
of Speech-Language Pathology Assessment Instruments. They
continue their education and attend conferences with others in the profession.
- Versatility:
Speech-language
pathologists are trained to provide services in public and private schools,
hospitals, rehabilitation centers, the home setting, research laboratories and
other facilities.
- Proactive
approach: Speech-language pathologists find the best courses of treatment
by proactively determining the nature and severity of the problem.
- Team
spirit: Speech-language pathologists consult with teachers, parents, and
family members to understand the patient’s circumstances and later explain a
patient’s progress.
- Innovativeness:
Speech-language
pathologists continue to develop new methods and equipment to evaluate problems
and establish more effective treatments. They utilize technology such as mobile
applications when helpful.
- Stellar interpersonal skills: Speech-language
pathologists possess good communication skills and are pleasant and amiable
with patients and other healthcare professionals.
To learn more about what it takes to succeed as a speech-language
pathologist, visit the careers page from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Happy
SLP Month to all of our hard-working clinicians!