• Introduction
• I. The Role of the Audiologist
• II. The Role of the Speech-Language Pathologist
• III. Employment Settings
• IV. Educational Requirements
• V. Course Work Summary
• VI. Bursary Assistance
• VII. SASLPA Registration and Membership Requirements
• VIII. CASLPA Information
• IX. Saskatchewan Employment Opportunities
• X. Continuing Education
• XI. Canadian University Programs

Of all the gifts nature has bestowed on humanity, the ability to communicate is one of the most important. Talking with a friend, listening to a child, understanding a presentation at a meeting -- these interactions are so automatic that we tend to take them for granted. But human communication is a complex and intricate process.

The brain stores hundreds of thousands of words. When we want to speak, the brain searches its memory bank for the precise word. It then recalls the order of speech sounds we must use to formulate that word, and then the learned pattern of tongue, lip and other muscle movements involved in producing the word.

Hearing is as complex as speech. The ear changes sounds into electrical impulses which the brain must interpret with the help of its memory bank.

Any impairment of our ability to communicate can have far-reaching consequences because it affects the way we learn about the world around us, utilize our knowledge and skills, and interact with our colleagues, family and friends.

For example, there is:

• the child with cerebral palsy who cannot communicate through speech, writing or gesture;
• the college student who avoids going to stores and restaurants, using the telephone and seeking employment because he stutters;
• the executive who has to give up her career because a recent stroke has left her unable to speak clearly enough to be understood; and
• the retired couple who cannot hear the fire alarm in their hotel room

-ASHA

One in ten Canadians lives with a serious communication handicap. The chances for successful treatment/education increases the earlier the problem is professionally identified. Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists can help people make their lives richer, more productive and enjoyable through improved communication skills.

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I. THE ROLE OF THE AUDIOLOGIST:

Audiology is the science of hearing and the study of hearing loss. The Audiologist is the professional whose focus is on the prevention, identification, evaluation and rehabilitation of children and adults with auditory dysfunction and related disorders.

Using a wide variety of technical instruments, the Audiologist evaluates hearing functions. If hearing loss is present, the Audiologist initiates appropriate rehabilitative measures such as selection of hearing aids, training in speech-reading and listening skills, referral for further medical investigation or referral for testing by professionals in related fields. The Audiologist plays an essential role in the educational process and social adjustment of the hearing impaired person and his family.

Audiology has grown substantially in the last 40 years. With advancements in diagnostic testing, hearing aid technology and rehabilitation techniques, the scope of practice for Audiologists has dramatically increased. Today, with their present level of training, Audiologists have the expertise to provide hearing health services in the areas of:

1. Paediatrics - early identification of hearing loss in infants and children
2. Education - management of the hearing impaired child in the classroom
3. Diagnostics - evaluation and monitoring of hearing status; identification and differential diagnosis of type and degree of hearing loss
4. Amplification - intervention and treatment of hearing; fitting of amplification systems; technical repair and maintenance of hearing aids and accessories
5. Industrial - hearing conservation programs; prevention of hearing loss due to noise exposure
6. Rehabilitation - counseling, in-servicing, and therapeutic management to facilitate the educational and social adjustment of the hearing impaired person; communication strategies for the individual/family/community support networks
7. Prevention - hearing health education to increase awareness of hearing, hearing protection and prevention of loss; risk factors for hearing loss, hearing conservation and assistive devices

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II. THE ROLE OF THE SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST:

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP's) are specialists in human communication, its normal development and its disorders. They provide services to overcome and prevent communication problems in the areas of language, speech, voice and fluency. Speech-Language Pathologists have the expertise to provide services in the areas of:

1. Prevention - foster community awareness of speech and language development and disorders through newsletters, newspaper articles, workshops and presentations
2. Early Identification - detect communication delays/disorders in young children through effective screening programs; work with families and professionals to raise awareness of speech and language development
3. Diagnostics - evaluate and monitor communication skill development; identify and differentially diagnosis type and degree of communication disorder; identify individual strengths, needs, and learning patterns
4. Intervention/Rehabilitation- develop individualized treatment programs; provide individual and group training programs for family and professionals involved with the individual client to promote effective communication strategies; provide speech and language therapy on an individual or group basis
5. Collaboration - work closely with parents and caregivers, nursing staff, teachers, occupational and physical therapists, psychologists, early childhood educators and early intervention workers to provide effective programming
6. Support/Empower - provide individual counseling, parent/caregiver skills training and help establish support groups; assist clients and their families in obtaining the information, support, and skills they need to deal effectively with their individual situations.

The field of speech-language pathology has expanded to enable individuals to specialize in a variety of areas such as language learning disorders, voice disorders, non-verbal communication and aphasia. In addition, individuals may specialize in age groups ranging from paediatrics to geriatrics.

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III . EMPLOYMENT SETTINGS:

Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists work in a variety of settings - hospitals, schools, child development centres, rehabilitation centres, special institutions, government agencies, public health offices, industry, colleges and universities, private practice, or research centres. Duties and responsibilities vary depending on the position.

Usually part of a comprehensive team, Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists coordinate their efforts with educational, medical, psychological, social work and other personnel involved in rehabilitation. There are also opportunities for employment in administration, teaching and research.

In Saskatchewan , positions are available in both larger centres and rural areas. Centres in large cities offer benefits such as working closely with professional colleagues, easy access to other specialists and educational resources, experience with a wide variety of communication disorders, and the opportunity to specialize. Working in rural areas offers experience with a large and diverse caseload, which is often managed independently and involves travel. Rural positions offer more responsibility and challenge in general clinical assessment and treatment.

The fields of speech-language pathology and audiology provide unique and challenging career opportunities.

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IV. EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

The Master's level is the recognized standard of education both in Canada and the United States .

Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology programs are available in many provinces and states. There are seven university programs in Canada which offer training in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. The pre-requisite for training at the graduate level is a Bachelor's degree in Communication Disorders or a Bachelor's degree with solid academic background in psychology, linguistics, statistics, physical and social sciences. Individuals with undergraduate degrees in unrelated fields should contact the training programs to determine whether a qualifying year is necessary. A high level of academic standing is required for admission.

Saskatchewan has specific requirements for employment. For further information see Section VII. To be sure you will meet these requirements upon graduation the program you choose should be certified by the Canadian Association of Speech-language Pathologists and Audiologists or Accredited by the Educational Standards Board of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA).

Universities in Canada which offer Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology programs are listed in Section XI These universities should be contacted directly for information and applications.

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V. COURSE WORK SUMMARY:

University courses include acoustics, anatomy, assessment, counseling, hearing disorders, hearing aids, language development and disorders, linguistics, neurology and neurophysiology, non-vocal communication, parent training, psychology, phonetics, speech disorders, statistics, stuttering, voice and voice disorders and a variety of specific areas (i.e. autism). The courses and clinical practicums cover the development, disorders and the training or retraining of human communication in all its aspects.

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VI. BURSARY ASSISTANCE:

Training programs in speech-language pathology or audiology are not currently available in Saskatchewan . A limited number of bursaries are available from Saskatchewan Health for students wishing to train in this field at a graduate level. Bursary recipients must commit themselves to work for Saskatchewan Health or in a position approved by the Minister of Health on graduation. For more information and an application form contact Saskatchewan Health.

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VII.     SASKATCHEWAN ASSOCIATION OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AND AUDIOLOGISTS (SASLPA):

Registration:

To practice in Saskatchewan as a Speech-Language Pathologist or Audiologist you must be registered as a practising member of SASLPA.
To qualify for registration you must complete an application form, pay the application fee and provide the following evidence:

Speech-Language Pathologists:

A. That you have successfully completed a Master's degree with the following course work at a recognized university:

1. 18 semester hours or the equivalent in courses that provide fundamental information applicable to normal development in the use of speech, hearing and language; and
2. 42 semester hours or the equivalent in courses that provide information about and training in the management of speech, hearing and language disorders and that provide information supplementary to these. No more than six of these semester hours may be in courses that provide the academic credit for clinical practicum. Of these 42 hours, at least 24 must be in courses in the field of speech-language pathology; and
3. A minimum of 300 actual hours of supervised clinical practicum in direct assessment and remediation of communication disorders. This practicum requirement must be met during the period of academic preparation; or

B. Have completed required course work at a university recognized by the council and whose degree is, in the opinion of the council, equivalent to the Master's degree; or

C. Are certified as a Speech-Language Pathologist with the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA).

Audiologists:

A. That you have successfully completed a Master's degree in the following course work at a recognized university:

1. 18 semester hours or the equivalent in courses that provide fundamental information applicable to normal development in the use of speech, hearing and language; and
2. 42 semester hours or the equivalent in courses that provide information about and training in the management of speech, hearing and language disorders and that provide information supplementary to these. No more than six of these semester hours may be in courses that provide the academic credit for clinical practicum. Of these 42 hours, at least 24 must be in courses in the field of audiology;  and
3. a minimum of 300 actual hours of supervised clinical practicum in diagnostic audiology and rehabilitative audiology during the period of academic preparation; or

B. Have completed required course work at a university recognized by the council and whose degree is, in the opinion of the council, equivalent to the Master's degree; or

C. Are certified as an audiologist with the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA).

Membership:

SASLPA is dedicated to assuring that high quality, accessible services are provided to people with communication disorders. To meet this goal, SASLPA:

• regulates the practice of the profession and governs members in accordance with the Act and Bylaws of the Association
• informs the public about communication disorders and appropriate treatment resources
• monitors relevant professional and consumer issues through discussions with consumer groups, government departments and other professional associations
• sponsors workshops and seminars on specific aspects of the practice of speech-language pathology and audiology to update professional knowledge and skills
• has a provincial voice in the Canadian Association
• publishes regular updates that inform members about professional and administrative activities in speech-language pathology, audiology and the association

Membership affords regulatory status, professional development opportunities, personal contact with colleagues and a provincial voice in the Canadian Association.  
More information can be obtained by contacting the SASLPA office.

SASLPA
11 – 2010 – 7th Avenue
Regina, SK  S4R 1C2
Telephone: (306) 757-3990
Toll Free: 1-866-757-3990
Fax: (306) 757-3986
E-mail: saslpa@sasktel.net

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VIII. THE CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AND AUDIOLOGISTS (CASLPA):

Our national professional association offers membership to students and Speech-Language Pathologists or Audiologists who qualify. Information and application forms are available from:

920 – 1 Nicholas Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 7B7
caslpa@caslpa.ca

CASLPA introduced an examination for certification of practitioners in 1987. Students in their final year of university training should contact the examination committee of CASLPA for more information. Successful completion of the examination bestows the right to use the acronym SLP (C) or Aud (C), indicating a CASLPA certified professional. The CASLPA counselor in Saskatchewan coordinates this certification exam in the province.

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IX. SASKATCHEWAN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

Employment opportunities in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology in Saskatchewan are excellent, in part because there is no training program in the province. The number of employment opportunities have grown in recent years due to an increase in the aging population, lengthening life expectancy and growing public awareness of communication disorders. Some experienced clinicians choose to enter private practice.

According to Employment Canada's Job Futures report, job prospects are bright. "The growing trend to early detection and intervention in speech and hearing problems, the increase in the elderly segment of the population with chronic or rehabilitation needs as well as the increase in public acceptance of disabled persons have led to increased employment opportunities in the communication disorders field."

In Saskatchewan , Speech-Language Pathologists are employed by Saskatchewan Health, Public Health, Hospitals, Rehabilitation Centres, School Boards, and private practice clinics. Audiologists are employed by hospitals, the Saskatchewan Hearing Aid Plan and private practice clinics.

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X. CONTINUING EDUCATION IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY:

Professionals employed in the fields of speech-language pathology or audiology keep up-to-date through continuing education opportunities such as workshops and conferences sponsored by provincial and national associations, ASHA, and allied health and education organizations.

The fields of speech-language pathology and audiology are developing rapidly. To keep up to date professionals must be willing to learn continually. Every day at work is different; every client has different needs and different challenges.

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XI. CANADIAN UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS:

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