Occupation Description

Assesses and treats people with communication disorders including speech, language, voice fluency and literacy difficulties or people who have physical problems with eating or swallowing.

Skill Level: -
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher qualification. Registration or licensing is required.

Tasks Include: -

• administers tests, and observes patients to determine the nature and extent of communication, speech or voice disorders
• plans and conducts remedial exercises and programs to correct stuttering, abnormal articulation and other speech disorders
• advises on treatment for children slow in learning to speak
• provides speech training for patients with communication problems caused by defective hearing, abnormality, surgery or injury
• plans individual or group therapy in rehabilitation of patients with communication disorders
• counsels and guides language handicapped people, their families, teachers and employers
• may act as a consultant to education, medical, dental and other professional groups
• may conduct research related to the development of diagnostic techniques or the design of related apparatus
• may refer to, or accept referrals from, medical practitioners