There are different specialties. Each of them performs specific functions. Not only educators and teachers work with children, but also psychologists, speech pathologists, and music directors.
The profession of speech therapist in the modern world is becoming increasingly important. In Europe and the USA, such people are called speech therapists. Their main area of activity is the prevention and correction of speech problems.
Responsibilities of a specialist
Most believe that its task is to correct incorrect sound pronunciation. But a speech therapist has many responsibilities that involve more than just production and automation of sounds. What are his responsibilities:
- Diagnosis of speech development of a child or adult.
- Drawing up a plan of correctional work taking into account the individual characteristics of the child or adult.
- Work on sound pronunciation.
- Work on coherent speech.
- Work on voice and diction.
- Teaching writing and reading skills (i.e., a specialist helps the child learn the basics of literacy).
- Work on the development of the motor sphere.
- Parent consultation.
A good speech therapist is a specialist who copes with his professional responsibilities. And for this he must have the necessary skills and abilities.
What is the relationship between the work of a speech therapist and a neuropsychologist?
I would also add a neurologist to this list. The cause of speech disorders is often, although not always, neurological. For example, a child of about six wants to say “mousetrap”, but it turns out either “mousetrap” or “myfevofka”. For some reason everyone is having fun, but he doesn’t understand what’s wrong again. This is probably what it is - a violation of the innervation of the muscles responsible for articulation. And if you have porridge in your mouth, you don’t perceive someone else’s speech very clearly - these things are clearly related to each other. If, say, a child does not distinguish V and L by ear, he says wampa - without any ulterior motive. And everyone around again: “Ah! Oh! Come on, tell me correctly!” But he cannot say it correctly; for this he needs to develop phonemic awareness and train his language. In speech therapy terminology, such a disorder is called phonetic-phonemic underdevelopment. If you do not overcome it in time, your speech will not improve on its own, and in school you will also have mistakes in writing.
It happens that the diction itself is excellent, but the child stubbornly says “my jacket,” has difficulty remembering the words, or constantly reinterprets them. He just can’t remember that his friend’s name is Larisa, not Ralisa. The reason for this underdevelopment of speech may lie in the underdevelopment of speech centers in the brain. Stimulating them is primarily a medical problem, but it is also a job for neuropsychologists and speech therapists who are looking for workarounds. For example, what is not learned by ear can be supplemented with visual images, special logorhythmic exercises, etc. As a speech therapist, I teach such children to listen and hear, understand speech, describe, retell, answer questions, etc.
Speech disorders can be combined with mental retardation. Unlike mental retardation, it is most often surmountable, but this also requires the joint efforts of a neurologist, neuropsychologist and speech therapist.
Specialists also work together if speech is impaired as a result of a stroke or head injury.
The efforts of speech therapists are focused mainly on speech as such. Speech is impossible without normal brain function. She suffers if mental functions are suppressed or underdeveloped: attention, memory (especially speech-auditory memory), etc. The speech therapist also works on them, using special techniques. But to a much greater extent this applies to the work of a neuropsychologist. If, of course, he exists.
And a neuropathologist and neurosurgeon treat organic damage - the main cause of speech impairment.
It happens that problems with the vocal or articulatory apparatus interfere with normal speech. For example, there is a cleft in the palate, it makes the voice nasal, and diction also suffers. This is rhinolalia, its causes are eliminated by a maxillofacial surgeon. A speech therapist helps to bring the speech apparatus into working condition as soon as possible after surgery.
There are many options for speech disorders. Regardless of the reason, they cannot be overcome by fragmentary training. They require multifaceted, complex work.
Character traits
How to become a good speech therapist? First of all, you need to have certain character traits. After all, a specialist needs to communicate not only with children, but also with adults. Therefore, a speech therapist must be sociable and be able to find an approach to each client. The specialist should be able to explain the importance of the classes.
And also the speech therapist must be diplomatic when discussing diagnostic results with parents and clients. He needs to be shown that all speech problems can be corrected or corrected if they follow his recommendations.
In addition, the speech therapist must approach his work responsibly. After all, whether he will be able to correct the speech disorder depends on how correctly he draws up a correction plan. And, of course, a speech therapist must not only love children, but also be able to communicate with them and find an approach to them.
A creative approach to work is encouraged: after all, you need to come up with interesting tasks so that the children do not get bored. And also, when working with them, you need to use visual material and, in order not to constantly spend money on purchasing it, you can make it yourself. In addition, a speech therapist must strive for constant self-development - attend various seminars, trainings and take advanced training courses. If you have these character qualities, then this field of activity is suitable for you.
Historical excursion
Science appeared not so long ago. The active peak of its development occurred in the 50s of the 20th century. Previously, attempts had been made to classify speech disorders as a separate group. Mentions of various defects in Ancient Rus' have been preserved.
People who had difficulty speaking were called tongue-tied. Foflu - those with a lisp, that is, those who did not pronounce whistling sounds. Stuttering - stuttering. The completely mute were also singled out.
The Slavs did not have a clear division according to violations, but the following groups were distinguished:
- deaf;
- with deficiencies in sound pronunciation;
- with a violation of tempo and rhythm.
Many proverbs and sayings have been created about the beauty of speech and its connection with thinking. The Slavs were sure that defects were sent by higher or dark forces as punishment.
In Europe, Kamensky was the first to ask questions about the correct formation of speech. He emphasized that normally a child should not have a burr or other problems with pronunciation.
In the middle of the 9th century, attempts to correct stuttering began. At this time, speech impediments were considered a medical problem. Therefore, doctors dealt with them.
The number of domestic works is extremely small; mainly translations of literature from Europe come to Russia. Aphasia, rhinolalia, tachylalia, and tongue-tie are being actively studied. Doctors are actively looking for the causes of problems and ways to overcome them.
In 1877, the science of logopathology was distinguished in Russia. Its subject was a person with speech pathologies, and the subject was observation of him. Different forms are compared and methods of overcoming are developed. At this time there are still no scientific works that would be devoted to theory.
By the end of the 9th century, the works of domestic scientists appeared. Oltushevsky, Khmelevsky and others identified two approaches to the study of violations. The first was based on performing exercises without taking into account the defect, the second involved a detailed study of the causes of its occurrence.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, speech therapy was identified as a separate science. The main history of development occurs in the mid-twentieth century. An attempt is being made to create a classification, and a clinical and pedagogical version is being developed.
Help is provided for children with speech disorders. Since 1920, they began to train defectologists. Since the 50s, speech therapy has been moving into the pedagogical field.
Levina's psycho-pedagogical classification appears. A network of preschool and school institutions for children with speech disorders is actively developing. All clinics open offices where specialists provide assistance.
A system of correctional schools was developed, of which there were eight types. Schools for persons with disabilities have been created. Teachers emphasized the training and adaptation of all persons with disabilities.
Speech therapists have written a number of fundamental works on the correction of various disorders and methods for identifying them. They began to develop an interdisciplinary approach and develop a categorical apparatus.
Education
To work in this specialty you must have certain skills and abilities. What education is needed to become a speech therapist? This specialist is trained at pedagogical universities and institutes. A speech therapist must have a higher education.
If you want to work in medical institutions, it is advisable that you also have a medical education. This is necessary so that you can get a promotion. But to obtain this diploma, you do not have to study as much as doctors, because speech therapists teach some medical disciplines. Each university has its own rules for obtaining additional education.
Speech therapists must also attend seminars and advanced training courses. All this is necessary in order to use new and effective methods in work.
What qualities should a speech therapist have?
Essentially, a speech therapist is a kind of teacher who must show great patience and understanding towards his students. The most important character traits are love for children, patience, emotional restraint, calmness, curiosity, perseverance, perseverance and endurance, because the results of the work done often make you wait a very long time. With some people, it takes more than 2-3 years to achieve visible improvements.
If it is easier to work with children, because they learn quickly, then with adults the situation is different. Few are able to admit their shortcomings and go to a specialist. For this reason, a professional speech therapist must be able to find an individual approach to everyone, be able to tactfully figure out the problem and, without hurting the patient’s feelings, provide primary consulting assistance. Therefore, it would not hurt for a specialist to know at least the basics of human psychology.
The speech therapist must be responsible, because he has no right to make a mistake in making a diagnosis. If he incorrectly identifies the problem and prescribes an ineffective treatment method, this can turn into a real tragedy for patients: speech defects tend to lose the ability to be corrected over time, so it is very important to eliminate the deficiencies in a timely manner. Over time, they will be much more difficult to get rid of, which is why the speech therapist has such a great responsibility.
Work in educational institutions
How to become a speech therapist? It is necessary not only to obtain the required skills and abilities, but also to be able to apply them in practice. Therefore, during their studies, students are given internships in educational institutions so that they understand what they will be doing.
After studying, most get a job in kindergartens or schools. How to become a speech therapist? To do this, you need to pass an interview and demonstrate to the employer that you have an understanding of the profession and understand what you need to do. The ideal option is if you are given a mentor who can share his experience with you.
You must be able to fill out documentation and create programs. How to become a good speech therapist? You need to consult with more experienced specialists if you have any difficulties during the work process. After all, they can show you how to do it right? and you will show that you are ready to learn. And in the teaching profession this is an important quality.
In addition, the speech therapist must be able to communicate with parents. Therefore, you must be able to argue your point of view and be able to explain complex terms simply and clearly. You must show that you understand the profession, even if you have little work experience.
How to become a speech therapist? You must be able to communicate with children and treat them with respect. You need to structure classes in such a way that children find it interesting and at the same time so that they solve their pedagogical problems.
Underwater rocks
Thanks to the free schedule, which is set by the specialist himself, this profession may seem attractive. However, it has many specific features that may turn out to be disadvantages for some. Here are the most obvious disadvantages of this profession:
- emotionally difficult work, because the patients are mostly children with various disabilities and diseases (Down syndrome, etc.);
- the need to fill out reporting documentation at odd hours, that is, speech therapists do not receive an increase in their basic salary for maintaining documents in government agencies;
- There is no guarantee that the work done will bring any results, so many speech therapists face great disappointment, so they need perseverance and resilience to continue treatment sessions.
Individual entrepreneur registration
How to become a speech therapist and conduct private lessons? It is better to open a small office after you have worked in an educational institution or a children's center. Because you will already be able to conduct classes with children with various speech disorders, you will have methods that, if you practice them, you will get good results. And most importantly, you will have a client base, because the effectiveness of a speech therapist’s classes is visible. And if you are a good specialist, then satisfied parents will recommend you to others.
What does it take to become a speech therapist and open a speech center? It is necessary to register it as an individual entrepreneur and select the desired taxation system. And you will also need to draw up an educational program in which you will study and obtain a license from the education department. In addition, you will need to obtain permission from the SES and fire inspection, provide a rental agreement for the premises or its purchase.
You must have a diploma, a speech therapy office passport (all teaching aids and visual materials are noted in it) and a health record. By registering an enterprise, you can work in a private speech therapy office.
Who else needs speech therapists?
Very often, speech pathologists and speech pathologists begin to engage in private practice, providing assistance to a variety of people. In addition to children with speech disorders, elderly people who have suffered a stroke, and even professional actors also seek help.
If you decide that this is your calling - the profession of speech therapist, reviews about it should be carefully studied, and specifically from the professionals themselves. Judging by the posts on various thematic forums, this is an extremely difficult job that requires complete dedication. The main advantage is considered to be the opportunity to give private lessons to children or adults, for example, to give public speaking lessons to aspiring actors or managers of trading companies.
Room
It is also necessary to select a suitable room for a speech therapy room. The ideal location is close to educational institutions (schools, kindergartens) and on busy streets. A speech therapy room does not require a room that is too large. It is enough to design the waiting area and the office itself in which you will conduct classes.
The premises must comply with all SES and fire inspection requirements. Set up a corner with useful information for parents about speech development. Place a soft sofa and a hanger to make customers feel comfortable. The office does not need to be decorated too brightly so that the child is not distracted during classes. You can add famous children's characters as interesting original accents so that the child feels comfortable in class.
Training to become a defectologist
To work in this field, you must have a specialized higher education. To undergo training, you can enroll in a university or, if you have a teaching diploma, complete retraining courses for specialists. As practice shows, employers trust applicants with higher education in their field more. Certificates and diploma courses are welcome as an addition.
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What subjects are studied
Training in Speech Therapy involves intensive preparation for interaction with patients. For this reason, the focus is on subjects with an emphasis on psychology. An employee of this profile must understand people, be able to establish contact with them and win them over.
Regardless of plans for the future, speech therapists must master the basics of psychology of adults and children. Additionally, basic principles of teacher education are given, and courses are taken in anatomy and the medical causes of speech disorders.
Courses
Taking courses to become a speech therapist is important for people with a pedagogical education. In this case, they can attend a retraining program for specialists lasting 1 thousand hours. After this, you need to pass a series of tests and exams to get permission to work with patients. In the absence of a pedagogical base, completing a retraining program does not give the right to work in the profile.
Universities
To enroll in the field of “Speech Therapy” or “Defectology” at one of the universities, you usually do not need to take exams. It is enough to have high Unified State Exam scores in Russian language and biology. Additional disciplines include social studies, literature or mathematics. Some universities still sometimes require an additional entrance test, which allows you to get into a budget place.
In Moscow, the leaders in training in this profile are considered to be MPGU, the Institute of Social Pedagogy and Psychology named after. Raoul Wallenberg, Herzen State Pedagogical University. A high level of training is guaranteed at the Pushkin State University in St. Petersburg.
You can obtain the profession of a speech therapist at almost any pedagogical university, on the basis of which the department of speech therapy or the faculty of defectology operates.
Equipment
How to become a children's speech therapist? You need to purchase the necessary teaching aids for speech correction and visual material. These include various pictures, toys, educational games, and a cut-out alphabet. In addition, the office should have:
- large wall mirror for studying;
- small mirror;
- sound probes;
- stationery.
Also, the office should have furniture that is suitable for the child’s age, so it is best to choose tables and chairs whose height is adjustable. All methodological and didactic aids and stationery should be stored in the closet. And there should definitely be antibacterial wipes, and best of all, a sink so you can wash your hands. And, of course, the office should be clean and tidy.
Approximate salary
The salary level for a speech therapist can vary greatly. After all, this is influenced by the city or town in which the medical or other institution is located, as well as the level of the institution itself. For example, the more famous the clinic, the higher the speech therapist will be paid.
After analyzing some job search sites, we can come to the conclusion that the salaries of employees of government agencies are significantly lower than those of specialists in private offices.
It is also worth noting that salary is significantly influenced by length of service. Young specialists receive no more than 15,000 rubles per month.
In addition, speech therapists working in rehabilitation or correctional centers, as well as in special groups (special classes) for children with speech disorders, receive a 20-25% increase in salary.
Based on this, we can conclude that the salary of a speech therapist is not very high. On average, it ranges from 15 to 35 thousand rubles per month.
Make colorful booklets that can be left in educational institutions, hospitals and shopping centers. Create a group on social networks where you will communicate with parents and share useful information on speech development. And the best advertising is the reviews of grateful clients who have benefited from your classes.
How to become a speech therapist and where to start? Talk to those who work in this specialty, ask what they consider the most important in their work. But the main thing is the desire for self-development and the desire to help people speak beautifully and correctly, and for this you need to improve your skills and abilities.
The profession of speech therapist-defectologist: features and social significance
It is necessary to figure out what type of profession this specialty belongs to. It is believed that a speech therapist is a person who combines a talented teacher and an experienced doctor. He must accurately determine the cause of a speech defect and competently create effective exercises and techniques to eliminate the problems. To do this, a professional speech therapist should thoroughly know how human physiology works, in particular the structure of the speech system and associated pathologies. In addition, a good specialist must have special skills, for example, the ability to do speech therapy massage to relax the muscles of the larynx and other organs of the pharynx.
It is no exaggeration to say that speech therapist is the profession of the future. After all, it is he who teaches people to speak correctly, and speech is the most important component of communications for all of humanity: thanks to it, we can communicate with others, share thoughts and transmit information.
Often, a person who has speech disorders feels inferior and may develop serious complexes that negatively affect his entire life. That is why the profession of “speech therapist” is irreplaceable; these specialists eliminate many speech defects, teach how to pronounce sounds correctly, and thereby practically change a person’s fate. In addition, they provide psychological assistance: they help to integrate into society, adapt a person to social life and contribute to his development in terms of self-improvement.
