How to Become A Speech Therapist In South Africa

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs), often called speech therapists, are educated in the study of human communication, its development, and its disorders. SLPs assess speech, language, cognitive-communication, and oral/feeding/swallowing skills.

What do speech therapist do?

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults.

What is the role of a speech therapist?

Speech and language therapists provide life-changing treatment, support and care for children and adults who have difficulties with communication, eating, drinking and swallowing. You’ll help people who, for physical or psychological reasons, have problems speaking and communicating.

Does speech therapy actually work?

Several studies show speech therapy is an effective method for helping children and adults develop their communication skills. One study of over 700 children with speech or language difficulties shows that speech therapy had a significant positive effect.

Why would a child need speech therapy?

Pediatric speech therapy helps treat children with communication challenges, both in how they speak and how they understand communication. Speech therapy also treats oral motor concerns, such as chewing and swallowing, as well as articulation, auditory processing and social skills.

How to Become A Speech Therapist In South Africa

Job Requirements for Speech Therapists:

Degree LevelMaster’s degree
Degree Field(s)Speech pathology
License/CertificationLicensure required in most states; voluntary certifications available
ExperiencePracticum
Key SkillsCompassion and patience; critical thinking, speaking, listening, and writing skills; knowledge of medical software such as Avaaz Innovations Interactive Voice Analysis System, language analysis software, and spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel; bilingual a plus
Mean Annual Salary R 1210929.88 (for speech-language pathologists)

Below are steps to Become A Speech Therapist In South Africa

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

There is no specific speech therapy degree or speech pathologist degree at the undergraduate level; however, a degree in communications or speech and hearing sciences might be most pertinent for a career in speech therapy. Additionally, these majors usually provide students with the prerequisite courses needed for admission to a graduate-level speech and language therapy degree program.

2. Earn a Master’s Degree in Speech and Language Therapist

Every state’s speech therapist licensure requirements include a master’s degree. A master’s degree program in speech pathology introduces students to concepts such as:

voice articulation

phonology

literacy

neurological substrates

Additionally, students are sometimes permitted to specialize in early intervention, providing therapy to school-aged children, or neurogenic disorders.

Supervised clinical practicums are an important component of these degree programs. In these practicums, graduate students diagnose and treat patients from different linguistic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Graduate students also might want to become bilingual. Speech therapists fluent in more than one language might have better career outlooks because they can work with more clients. Elective courses in a foreign language can assist an aspiring speech-language pathologist to develop extensive second-language skills.

3. Earn a Credential and Licensure

The South African Speech-Language-Hearing Association (SASHA) offers credentialing for speech therapists in academic programs, clinical practice, continuing education, and clinical specialty recognition.

The ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) satisfies all or part of the licensure requirements in most states. Additionally, some employers require that speech therapists possess this credential. To earn it, applicants must complete 400 hours of supervised clinical experience and have a master’s degree.

4. Continue Education

Some states require that speech therapists continue their education to maintain licensure. Continuing education requirements can be satisfied by completing classes, seminars, or workshops. Attending these opportunities also helps speech therapists stay current on industry standards and trends.

Speech therapists also might want to consider joining a professional organization. Membership in a professional organization can provide networking opportunities and access to continuing education credits. Credentialing organizations, such as ASHA, often offer these groups

Speech Therapist Job Description

Your duties as a speech therapist in a public school may include the following tasks:

Working with children one-on-one or in groups to treat voice disorders, stuttering problems or learning disabilities

Conducting school-wide hearing tests to identify and diagnose auditory problems among young children and promote early intervention

Teaching students with hearing or speech conditions to use sign language

Teaming with special education teachers to create comprehensive treatment plans for special needs children

Counseling parents on how to cope with speech and language disorders

Collaborating with teachers, administrators and parents to implement speech therapy programs

Work Environment

Depending on the school, speech therapists may work with students individually or in groups, providing treatment in a classroom or office. They assist students using audio-visual aids, physical strengthening exercises, instructive or repetitive practice, and other means.

A 40-hour work week is normal for speech therapy teachers, with additional hours worked as needed for lesson planning and related activities. Teachers in smaller districts may travel to different schools throughout the week to provide speech pathology services.

Many schools hire speech therapists on a continuing 9- or 10-month contract basis to match the school year calendar. Featured Master’s Programs Sponsored Content

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Speech Therapy Degree Options

Students interested in a career in speech therapy should earn a speech therapist degree, bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders or a related major. You will need at least a bachelor’s degree plus your teaching certificate in order to practice speech therapy within the school system.

In the South Africa, over 230 colleges and universities offer speech language pathology programs accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology.

Some states require you to hold a master’s degree in speech-language pathology and your Certificate in Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP). Depending on the state, you may need to graduate from an accredited program in order to obtain a license.

Contact the Department of Education in your state to find out what your state requires. Your speech therapy degree plus certification will qualify you to help kids become more effective students in schools throughout your state.

Speech Therapy Certification

The South African Speech and Hearing Association offers the CCC-SLP to eligible speech language pathologists. To become eligible for this certification, speech therapists must possess a graduate degree from an accredited university and meet the following criteria:

Complete a specified number of hours of supervised clinical experience

Participate in a post-graduate clinical fellowship

Pass a national certification exam

Some require the CCC-SLP to practice in schools, the remaining mandate that speech therapists hold a teaching certificate, which typically requires a master’s degree from an approved college. Some states will issue a provisional teaching license to candidates with a bachelor’s degree, under the condition that they obtain a master’s within three to five years.

How long does it take to become a speech therapist in South Africa?

Speech-Language Pathology The Bachelor in Speech-Language Pathology is a four-year professional qualification. Speech-language therapists assess and treat children and adults with communication disorders. Speech-Language Pathology The Bachelor in Speech-Language Pathology is a four-year professional qualification.

How do I become a speech and language therapist in South Africa?

Degree: BA or BSc with suitable subjects such as Audiology or Speech and Hearing Therapy- Wits, UCT, UP, UL, UKZN. Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is mandatory for this occupation.

How many years does it take to be a speech therapist In South Africa?

Associate degrees usually take two years to complete, while some pursue a four-year bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology or communication disorders. Most states require speech-language pathologists to obtain a license, which entails completing one hundred hours of clinical fieldwork and passing an exam.

Can you study speech therapy through UniSA?

UniSA’s Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) has Qualifying status with Speech Pathology Australia. UniSA is currently working with Speech Pathology Australia to seek full accreditation of the program in 2022.

How much does a speech therapist cost in South Africa?

On average, the cost is between R3900. 00 and R4500. 00, which is usually fully covered by medical aids depending on what medical aid you are with and scheme you are on.

What subjects do you need to study speech therapy in South Africa?

Common courses for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology students:

Phonological and Articulation Disorders.

Developmental Language Disorders.

Clinical Speech Therapy and Audiology.

Research in Psychology 1.

Cognition and Neuroscience.

Linguistics 2A.

Becoming a Communication Therapist.

Paediatric Rehabilitative Audiology.

Does University of South Africa offer speech therapy?

Students obtain a thorough grounding in the medical, scientific, social and psychological aspects of speech, language and hearing. On the successful completion of the four year programme, students register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as either a Speech Therapist or Audiologist.

What does a speech therapist study In South Africa?

Speech therapists, also called speech-language pathologists, diagnose and treat students for speech, language and related disorders. To begin your practice, you’ll need to understand your job duties and earn your speech therapy degree-usually a bachelor’s credential.

What subjects do you need to become a speech pathologist?

You may wish to study an undergraduate degree in a relevant area such as linguistics, neuroscience or psychology to prepare for the Master’s degree.

Assumed knowledge for Master of Speech Language Pathology:

Linguistics.

Phonetics.

Functional anatomy of the speech system.

Functional neurology of the speech system.

What is the difference between a speech therapist and a speech pathologist?

These individuals benefit from the treatment provided by speech-language pathologists (SLPs), the correct term for these healthcare professionals; there is no difference between a speech therapist and speech pathologist, though the terms are often used interchangeably by people outside the profession.

What can a speech therapist do In South Africa?

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults.