Im in the process of getting my undergrad in communication disorders this upcoming fall. However i am unsure whether i should A) get my certification to become an SLPA or B] continue on with grad school after getting my BA. Are SLPA’s generally needed? Or would getting certified be considered a waste of time…I also wanted to know if SLPA predominantly work in school settings? Any advice appreciated!
I’ve never worked in the school system
, but I’m an Occupational Therapist and have never worked with an assistant . If you can afford it, continue to grad school to increase you job opportunities .
Hello! Thanks for the reply!
So if i may ask what exactly is occupational therapy? I hear that alot in regards to slpa, so is it in regards to behavioral therapy?
Occupational therapy is the therapy that specializes in activities of daily living like dressing, toileting, bathing,homemaking, etc with emphasis on safety, home modifications and equipment adaptations . Like speech therapy we also work on feeding and cognition . We also work on ROM and strengthening after a life altering event or illness. We work closely with physical therapy in a variety of settings including schools, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living, home health etc. To be honest , we do a little bit of everything . You may want to google for a better, more comprehensive answer
Occupational therapy concerns itself with making people more independent with respect to their activities of daily living (e.g., dressing, grooming), increasing their fine motor skills, and helping them sensory integration.
You should consider getting a masters and becoming an SLP rather than an SLPA; your career opportunities and salaries will be much, much better for you as an SLP. Some SLPA programs only require an Associates Degree (i.e., 2 years of community college). And yes, many of them work in schools. To work in other settings, you will need to get your Certificate of Clinical Competence “CCC-SLP” issued by ASHA (the American Speech-Language Hearing Association." This will require a graduate degree and a clinical fellowship year.