All careers

Speech-Language Pathology Assistants

  • Bright Outlook
  • Rapid Growth

Assist speech-language pathologists in the assessment and treatment of speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. Implement speech and language programs or activities as planned and directed by speech-language pathologists. Monitor the use of alternative communication devices and systems.

What you’d do

  • Document clients' progress toward meeting established treatment objectives.
  • Implement treatment plans or protocols as directed by speech-language pathologists.
  • Collect and compile data to document clients' performance or assess program quality.
  • Perform support duties, such as preparing materials, keeping records, maintaining supplies, and scheduling activities.
  • Assist speech-language pathologists in the remediation or development of speech and language skills.
  • Select or prepare speech-language instructional materials.
  • Assist speech-language pathologists in the conduct of client screenings or assessments of language, voice, fluency, articulation, or hearing.
  • Prepare charts, graphs, or other visual displays to communicate clients' performance information.

Skills that matter

  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Monitoring
  • Service Orientation

How to get there

Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

Also called

  • Communication Assistant
  • Speech Pathologist Assistant
  • Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA)
  • Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA)
  • Speech Assistant
  • Speech Paraeducator

Related careers

See all careers

  • Speech-Language Pathologists

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders.

    Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher

  • Occupational Therapy Aides

    Under close supervision of an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks…

    Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

  • Occupational Therapy Assistants

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures.

    Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

  • Audiologists

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Assess and treat persons with hearing and related disorders. May fit hearing aids and provide auditory training.

    Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher

  • Psychiatric Technicians

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Care for individuals with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities, following the instructions of physicians or other health…

    Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

  • Occupational Therapists

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Assess, plan, and organize rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as…

    Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher