Speech pathologist-defectologist: where to study in Moscow and St. Petersburg?

A defectologist is a specialist who helps children suffering from mental and physical disabilities adapt to society. Defectologists can be classified as special teachers; their professional activities are closely related to medicine, sociology, and psychology. By the way, in 2022, the ProfGid career guidance center developed an accurate career guidance test. He himself will tell you which professions are suitable for you, and give an opinion about your personality type and intelligence.

Who is a defectologist?

Defectologists are often confused with speech therapists, but the former work with children who suffer from delayed speech development or central nervous system diseases, and the latter correct the speech of absolutely healthy children. Conventionally, defectologists can be divided into those who are engaged in scientific activities and those who are practicing correctional teachers. There are several areas of defectology, which determine the field of activity of the teacher:

• speech therapist who studies problems with speech development and corrects them;
• teacher of the deaf and teacher of the deaf, working with people who have hearing or vision problems, respectively;
• an amblyologist who works with patients suffering from visual impairments and blind children;
• oligophrenopedagogue and orthopedagogist working with children suffering from mental retardation and musculoskeletal disorders, respectively.

Defectologists working in any of the above areas are engaged not only in behavior correction, but also in the social adaptation of patients, their education, and rehabilitation.

Where to study

Thinking about how to become a speech therapist, many decide to take regular courses. However, they will not give you the right to officially engage in this type of activity. It is best to enroll in some famous university at the faculty of defectology, graduate, and then have a prestigious medical institution as a place of work.

You can consider the course if you already have a teaching education. You will simply complete the necessary disciplines in courses (it is best to choose courses from the best universities in the country). Pay attention to faculties involved in retraining specialists. There are courses that are only 1000 hours long (if you don't want to waste a few years on distance learning).

In Moscow, there are defectology departments on the basis of Moscow State Pedagogical University and Moscow State Humanitarian University. Sholokhov, in St. Petersburg - on the basis of the faculties of the University. Herzen, Wallenberg Institute, Leningrad State University. Pushkin.

Please note that you cannot earn a degree in speech therapy through college. If you decide to leave after 9th grade, then go to a regular pedagogical college, after which you will be able to enroll in your chosen university specialty and become a speech therapist.

Features of the profession of defectologist

In-demand defectologists are in daily contact with children and their parents, attend conferences, engage in scientific work, and consult with their colleagues working in the field of medicine, pedagogy, and sociology. They guide their young and adult pupils, helping them find their place in the world.

Main responsibilities:

• examination of patients, assessment of their condition and level of development;
• working with patient medical records;
• selection of teaching materials, development of individual programs taking into account the characteristics of patients;
• carrying out work aimed at correcting deficiencies in the development and behavior of pupils;
• Conducting regular examinations, adjusting the individual program based on the examination results;
• work with teachers, parents of children;
• studying the hobbies, characteristics and inclinations of pupils;
• assistance in choosing a profession, social adaptation;
• scientific work, documentation.

Experienced defectologists constantly use modern techniques in their work, being very active and enthusiastic people. The work of a defectologist is very important, because he helps children adapt, choose a profession, communicate with people, and gain all the necessary knowledge.

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.

Pros and cons of the profession of defectologist

pros

1. Providing assistance to children and adolescents.
2. The profession is important and necessary.
3. Career prospects.
4. Opportunity to combine practice with scientific activities.
5. The versatility of defectology.
6. Defectologists are specialists in demand in the labor market.
7. Social package, working with nice colleagues.

Minuses

1. The need to communicate daily with different people who are not always happy with the methods of the speech pathologist.
2. Difficulties that arise when communicating with children.
3. Psycho-emotional stress.
4. The success of the work carried out depends not only on the defectologist, but also on the parents, teachers, and doctors who are treating the child.
5. Small salary.
6. A huge number of job responsibilities.

History of the specialty

The name of the profession comes from the Greek words logos and paideia, which mean “speech education.” The first attempts to correct impaired ability to speak were made in ancient times, but were recorded only in the 17th century in works on deaf pedagogy. At that time, speech disorders were viewed as a medical problem.

And only in the 1930s, with the development of scientific thought, came the realization that speaking defects are associated not only with problems of articulatory muscles or breathing, but also with personality psychology. The basis of the modern science of “speech education” is pedagogy, physiology, linguistics and psychology, and speech therapists began to be taught en masse in universities in the middle of the 20th century.

Important personal qualities of a defectologist

Defectologists work with children suffering from acquired and congenital diseases, so they must be patient, love children, and responsible. Every day, correctional teachers face joy and sadness, there are also conflict situations, so inner peace, harmony and endurance are important.

A defectologist must be a friendly, peace-loving and very enthusiastic person who is ready to devote himself entirely to his favorite work. A correctional teacher may not like children, but he is obliged to treat his little pupils with respect and understanding.

1. Responsibility.
2. Patience.
3. Caring.
4. Equilibrium.
5. Strictness.
6. Objectivity.
7. Makings of a leader.
8. Communication skills.
9. Creativity.
10. Attentiveness.

What to take for admission to speech therapy after 11th grade

To enter the university, you must pass the Unified State Exam. The list of subjects depends on the specific educational institution and the profile chosen by the applicant. Often universities require you to take three or four exams.

Russian language, as a compulsory subject, must be taken for admission to all universities. Mathematics is less common. But some universities require you to take it too. It is important to take into account that for admission you need specialized mathematics.

Elective subjects include biology or social studies. These subjects can be together, but sometimes only one is present, which allows the student to focus on a certain narrow area (scientific or humanitarian).

Also, some universities conduct their own entrance tests (in addition to the requirement to pass the Unified State Exam in certain subjects). Most often this is an interview where the committee asks professional and personal questions. The applicant is not required to have in-depth knowledge, but he must have a basic understanding of the profession, know the basic terms and concepts.

Examples of questions:

1. Why did you decide to enroll in this specialty?
2. Which famous speech therapists do you know?
3. Where can a specialist work?
4. What skills and qualities should he have?
5. What is “speech development”?

Defectologist's place of work

Defectologists are in-demand specialists who can find employment in the following public and private educational institutions:

• boarding schools;
• children's centers;
• kindergartens;
• sanatoriums;
• specialized school institutions;
• medical centers.

Very often, experienced speech pathologists engage in private practice, working with one or more students. Correctional teachers are in demand in institutions specializing in the education, treatment, and socialization of children and adolescents.

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.

Professional knowledge

1. Correctional pedagogical techniques, methods and techniques.
2. The ability to establish psychological contact with students.
3. Ability to analyze the results of a medical examination, conclusions of teachers and psychologists.
4. Diagnostic techniques.
5. Deep knowledge in the field of psychology and sociology.
6. Basic knowledge of medicine.
7. The skills and knowledge necessary to develop an individual correction program.
8. Knowledge of 1 foreign language (preferably, but not required).

How to get a speech therapist education remotely

You can become a speech therapist by correspondence using remote technologies. It is simple, convenient and does not require interruption of work. Today, this form of training is available in many universities and continuing education institutions.

The Academy implements several distance learning programs in speech therapy.

The professional retraining program “Speech Therapy” is intended for teachers of preschool and school institutions.

Duration of training – 260 / 510 academic hours (from 2 to 4 months).

Main topics of study

• Regulatory and legal support for the education of persons with disabilities;
• Medical and biological foundations of defectology;
• Organization of speech therapy work;
• Fundamentals of special pedagogy and psychology;
• Types of speech disorders and methods of speech therapy.

Training according to the program will allow you to effectively manage the process of development of the individuality and personality of a child who needs specialized individual methods of education and training.

The advanced training program “Speech Therapy” is intended for practicing specialists who want to expand and update their knowledge.

Duration of study – 180 academic hours. (1 month).

The programs comply with the requirements of Federal Law dated December 29, 2012 N 273-FZ “On Education in the Russian Federation” and Order of the Ministry of Labor of Russia dated October 18, 2013 N 544n (as amended on August 5, 2016) “On approval of the professional standard “Teacher (pedagogical activities in the field of preschool, primary general, basic general, secondary general education) (educator, teacher).”

Important nuances

School graduates are wondering: is it possible to somehow “facilitate” admission to the desired university by participating in various events and does the average grade point of the certificate play a role?

All this definitely makes sense, because the university can add up to 10 points for individual achievements! These include: victories in sports competitions, volunteer activities, a certificate with A's and much more.

The average score of the certificate does not play any role, since the results of the Unified State Exam are taken into account. For a certificate with honors, the university can award up to several points.

Is it still possible to do without a certificate and advanced training?

Theoretically, yes, if you work with private clients as a speech therapist-tutor. You can register as an individual entrepreneur or register with the Federal Tax Service (since tutoring is essentially self-employment). But if you plan to correct the speech of “special” children, that is, work with stuttering, general underdevelopment of speech and other serious disorders, you still need to obtain a certificate, as well as improve your qualifications. And it’s not just a matter of prestige: an insufficiently qualified specialist may not only not help, but also harm the patient.

Author of the article

Yurkin Alexey