How to become a pediatric speech pathologist

Pediatric speech-language pathology includes the evaluation and treatment of patients from birth to 18 years old. As such, it can require specialized skills in several differing age groups, including infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged children and adolescents. Common disorders found in the pediatric population, particularly in a medical setting, include apraxia and other articulation or phonology disorders, autism, language disorders, central auditory processing disorders, and stuttering. Dysphagia is very common in a pediatric medical setting. The evaluation and treatment of children with dysphagia requires a special knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of babies and children and the usual causes of dysphagia in the pediatric population.

Children referred for communication or swallowing problems often have one or more of the following etiological factors: cleft lip/palate, craniofacial anomalies, velopharyngeal insufficiency, dental malocclusion, macroglossia, oral-motor dysfunction, neurologic disease/dysfunction, head trauma, brain stem injury, respiratory compromise, tracheostomy, vocal fold pathology, paralysis/paresis of the vocal fold, developmental delay, intellectual disabilities, prematurity, autism, psychosis, hearing loss/deafness, environmental deprivation, or traumatic birth history.

Reimbursement Mechanism

Reimbursement for services in pediatric speech-language pathology can come from a variety of sources. These include various third party payers, such as Medicaid, private insurance and state funding programs. In some cases, patients are self-pay.

Referral Process

Patients are usually referred for a communication or swallowing evaluation by a physician, and the majority of the referrals tend to be from the primary care physician, such as a pediatrician or family practitioner. Referrals are also commonly received from other medical and dental professionals, including neonatologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, physiatrists, gastroenterologists, plastic surgeons, oral surgeons, otolaryngologists, orthodontists, dentists, psychologists and psychiatrists. In some cases, referrals are initiated by teachers or the parents, but most facilities require a physician's referral prior to providing services.

Collaboration with other Disciplines

Because children with chronic or complex conditions have multiple medical and treatment needs, it is important for the pediatric speech-language pathologist to take an interdisciplinary approach to the care of pediatric patients. Depending on the patient's diagnosis, functional skills, current needs, and age level, the pediatric speech-language pathologist may collaborate with any of the following professionals: physicians (particularly those noted above), nurses, social workers, dieticians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, recreation therapists, psychologists, teachers, audiologists, aural rehabilitation specialists, and others. SLPs may participate on specialized teams within the facility, such as a cleft palate or feeding team. Speech-language pathologists often provide co-treatments with another discipline (usually occupational therapy or physical therapy) for patients with various neurological conditions. For patients who are undergoing inpatient (and often outpatient) pediatric rehabilitation, the interdisciplinary treatment team works together to develop an integrated team treatment plan.

Documentation Requirements

The primary purpose of clinical documentation is to provide a means of communication between professionals regarding patient care. However, clinical documentation also serves as a means of recording and communicating for billing and reimbursement, providing proof of compliance and quality improvement, recording data for research purposes, and serving as a basis of legal evidence.

The most important documents in pediatric speech-language pathology include the following:

• Diagnostic reports
• Treatment plans
• Progress/discharge reports
• Progress notes for each session
• Charge documents
• Letters regarding the patient

The exact format, style, and length of documentation reports vary widely across work settings. Proper documentation, including the use of appropriate procedural (CPT) and diagnostic (ICD-9) codes, is very important for billing purposes. Reimbursement from third party payers is usually based upon the documentation and coding information.

Resources

Go to the SLP Health Care area of the ASHA Web site to access:

• ASHA Speech-Language Pathology Health Care Survey
• Health care frequently asked questions (FAQs)
• ASHA member forums

Go to ASHA Practice Policy to access documents on preferred practice patterns, etc.

Speech Pathology Australia (the Association) is recognised by the Federal Government of Australia, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, as well as the National Alliance of Self Regulating Health Professions (NASRHP) as the professional body representing speech pathologists in Australia. On this page you will find information about how to become a speech pathologist. For more information about the work carried out by speech pathologists see What is a speech pathologist?

How do I become a speech pathologist?

• In Australia, you must complete a recognised bachelor or graduate entry master’s degree.
• Australian universities offering speech pathology programs (recognised by Speech Pathology Australia) and their accreditation status are available online.
• To work in Australia, most employers, insurance schemes and funding bodies require speech pathologists to be a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) which requires membership of Speech Pathology Australia, or to be eligible for membership of Speech Pathology Australia.

Which university program should I choose?

• Every university program has points of difference, but all programs must meet the Speech Pathology Australia accreditation standards for graduating students to be eligible for membership of Speech Pathology Australia.
• Speech Pathology Australia accredits both bachelor and master’s degree programs against the same standards.View the Standards.
• Bachelor and master’s degrees equally equip students to work as speech pathologists in Australia.
• A bachelor degree in speech pathology is usually 4-5 years in duration, whereas a master’s degree is 2-3 years.
• Students enrolling in a master’s degree usually have a bachelor degree in an aligned field or another recognised qualification.
• All university programs offering a professional entry speech pathology qualification require students to complete speech pathology placements/work integrated learning. Prospective students should be aware that placements may not always be available close to the student’s home, and some universities mandate regional or rural placements during the degree.
• Whilst some universities offer ‘distance’ or ‘online’ enrolments, most programs require in-person attendance at the relevant university at various points throughout the degree. Prospective students should enquire as to the amount of time students are required to attend the university in person.
• Speech Pathology Australia does not recommend one university program over another. Prospective students are encouraged to familiarise themselves with each program’s prerequisites, course outlines, delivery options and resources, and contact the relevant universities with queries.

Is study as an Allied Health Assistant a pathway to becoming a speech pathologist?

• An Allied Health Assistant qualification, in any form, is not a recognised pathway towards becoming a speech pathologist or gaining entry to a speech pathology degree.
• Short courses in speech pathology or similar variants are also not recognised by Speech Pathology Australia and do not equip graduates for entry to the speech pathology profession in Australia.
• View more information.

What are the job and salary prospects?

• The number of university programs offering speech pathology has grown substantially in recent years. Consequently, the number of graduates has also increased.
• The Australian Government Job Outlook website provides further details on employment, prospects, salaries and the workforce.
• The national (minimum) award for speech pathologists in Australia is detailed for Speech Pathologists in all sectors in the Health Professionals and Support Services award (2010). Note that some employers will create separate. agreements including Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBAs) for pay and entitlements outside of this award.
• The Speech Pathology Australia Career Centre will provide you with an indication of the types of positions, contexts and salaries being offered for speech pathologists.

The number of universities offering speech pathology, and the number of Bachelor and Graduate Entry Master degree programs has increased substantially since 2017. The increase in program offerings has increased the number of students enrolling in Australian speech pathology degrees which is consequently increasing the number of Australian graduates. Graduate projections are expected to continue to increase as newly established programs graduate their first and subsequent cohorts in coming years.

• 76 per cent increase in speech pathology programs between 2017 and 2023.
• Approximately 90 per cent increase in first year enrolments since 2018.
• Approximately 30 per cent increase in graduates since 2018,

Where can I work?

• Speech pathologists typically work in health, education and disability (including the NDIS), but speech pathology practice and work contexts are continuing to evolve.
• They may work as clinicians, educators, researchers, policy advisors, managers, advocates, consultants and in other aligned roles.
• Speech pathologists provide services in a range of settings including public services, such as government agencies and not for profit organisations, as well as in private practices, with other speech pathologists, in a sole practice, or with other disciplines.
• More than 50 per cent of Association members provide private services for at least some of their income, however Speech Pathology Australia encourages practitioners to have at least 3 years of experience before starting their own private practice.

Can I work overseas after I graduate?

• Eligibility to work internationally as a speech pathologist varies between countries (and even within countries).
• In most cases, you will need to be a Certified Practicing Member of Speech Pathology Australia.
• You may need to complete additional requirements before you are deemed eligible, such as completing a skills assessment for migration purposes, obtaining a letter of good standing, having a minimum number of practice hours or documenting your clinical experience.
• Some countries require at least a master’s qualification in speech pathology.
• View more information.

How can I arrange work experience?

• Use the Speech Pathology Australia ‘Find a speech pathologist’ search to find a Speech Pathology Australia member near you, working in an area of interest.
• Contact the speech pathologist/s or organisation/s directly.
• Many speech pathologists also have independent websites which contain contact details.
• Please note, Speech Pathology Australia does not arrange, coordinate or recommend individuals or organisations for work experience opportunities, nor guarantee availability of work experience opportunities.

How can I find out more about speech pathology?

• Access resources and information on this website including videos, podcasts, fact sheets (including “What is a Speech Pathologist”) and position statements.
• Speak with speech pathologists working in a range of settings.
• Arrange a work experience or workplace observation opportunity.

Workforce Analysis Project

Speech Pathology Australia will be undertaking a specific Workforce Analysis Project to capture and understand the speech pathology workforce and to understand the future needs of the profession and community.

The Workforce Analysis Project will provide a detailed profile of the supply, demand and distribution of the profession, including locations, context and factors related to shortages in services and influences in recruitment and retention.

The project aims to create Australia’s first speech pathology interactive geospatial map. This map will provide data to enable a comparison of speech pathology services by geographic area and population demand informed by a by a range of factors, including age groups, socio-economic status and health determinants.

The outcomes of this project will provide invaluable data to inform the Association’s capacity to develop strategies to address the needs of the community.

Contact us

Contact Speech Pathology Australia.