How to become a Speech Therapist

Speech therapists who assist individuals with speech and/or language disorders and related concerns. They are trained to diagnose, treat, and prescribe preventative measures for speech, communication, and swallowing disorders. They work with children as well as the adult and elderly populations with speech impairments as a result of emotional issues, accidents, disabilities or due to congenital, developmental, or acquired disorders. They also work with victims of trauma and premature babies with speech impairments. This includes swallowing disorders that lead to difficulties in feeding or swallowing; cognitive-communication disorders leading to difficulty in organizing thoughts; social communication disorders leading to problems in the social use of verbal and nonverbal language; receptive or expressive language disorders, and speech disorders leading to difficulty in producing speech. Speech therapists work alongside a number of professionals to provide treatment and support to those with speech impairments using various intervention methods such as articulation therapy, oral-motor therapy, vitalstim therapy, language intervention, sensory feedback activities and so on.

• Collect thorough case history data of the patient including their medical history. 
• Examine the patient, prescribe screening/ diagnostic tests to identify the underlying cause and nature of the speech problem.
• Devise treatment plans and conduct individual or group speech therapy sessions for the patient. 
• Liaise with the patient’s teachers, parents/ family members, doctors, physiotherapists as necessary. 
• Track patient progress and monitor the effectiveness of the treatment methods.
• Maintain comprehensive records of patient history and treatment.
• Educate the patient and their caregivers about the speech problems and the treatment options.
• Refer the patient to other specialists or healthcare professionals as necessary.
• Keep up-to-date with the new and emerging therapies, diagnostic tools, and technologies.

For a speech therapist, extensive knowledge about speech-related disorders, diagnostic procedures and intervention modalities is crucial. They should have strong communication and active listening skills in order to build rapport with the patients, extract case histories and convey information about the diagnosis and treatment to the patient and their caregivers. Their interpersonal skills are vital to effectively liaise with the patient, their caregivers, and other professionals. They should be detail-oriented and skilled at critical thinking and problem-solving in order to identify, assess, and devise treatments for speech problems. Additionally, they should be empathetic and patient, and possess the mental endurance to provide support to their patients in a professional manner. They should be skilled at using relevant software to manage the patient database. They should be resourceful and flexible to work with patients from a range of backgrounds. Their organization and time management skills are important in order to effectively manage their caseload. 

Salary Range: The salary range for Speech Therapists or Speech-Language Pathologists in India can vary from approximately Rs.20,000 per month for entry-level positions to Rs.70,000 or more per month for experienced professionals. These figures are approximate and can vary based on factors such as the type of employer (hospital, clinic, educational institution), location (metro cities may offer higher salaries), and the demand for qualified professionals in the region.

Highest-Paying Jobs and Scope: The highest-paying jobs for Speech Therapists or Speech-Language Pathologists in India are in reputable hospitals, rehabilitation centres, or specialized clinics. Leadership positions, such as department heads or consultants, may come with higher salaries due to the required level of experience, expertise, and responsibility.The scope for Speech Therapists or Speech-Language Pathologists in India is expanding with increased awareness and recognition of communication disorders. Opportunities exist in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, special education centres, research institutions, and private practice. The demand for qualified professionals in speech-language pathology is growing as more individuals seek assistance for speech, language, and communication difficulties.

To enroll into a bachelor's program, it is essential for the aspiring candidate to clear entrance exams conducted by various educational institutes. Admission to bachelor and master courses on the basis of entrance test is through NEET. Some institutions provide admission on the basis of marks and qualifying examination and Institutions who conduct their own entrance exams are-

• Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped Entrance Exam
• All India Institute of Speech & Hearing BASLP Entrance Exam
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences Entrance Exam
• All India Institute of Speech and Hearing Audiology Entrance Exam
• Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test (IPU CET)
• National Institute of Speech and Hearing (NISH), Audiology and Speech Therapy Entrance Exam
• Satyabhama University BASLP Entrance Exam

• Private practice
• Government Agencies
• Government Health Departments
• Hospitals
• Nursing Care Facilities
• Rehabilitation Centers
• Additionally, students of Audiology can get jobs with different institutes of education as      
• Faculty (for this eventually a SET or NET degree is required)
• Academic Universities
• Medical Hospitals/Clinics
• Special Schools (children who are challenged with autism, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment and other problems)
• Normal schools
• Hearing aid/cochlear implant industries
• Hearing conservation program in industries