Real-Life Communication
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, or ASHA, has established
guidelines so that the role of a speech pathologist assistant is clear. Sometimes,
you may have to use your communications skills to clarify your role to clients
and families.
According to the ASHA, an assistant may perform a number
of tasks under the supervision of a licensed speech pathologist. Some of these
tasks include following treatment plans, documenting client progress, assisting
with screenings, doing clerical work, assisting with client assessments and
doing research.
The ASHA also outlines what is outside an assistant's
role. Some of the tasks an assistant may not perform include performing diagnostic
tests, evaluating or interpreting test results, providing client or family
counseling, developing or modifying a client's treatment plan, and making
referrals.
Of course, assistants may never represent themselves as speech-language
pathologists.
"My responsibilities are to plan therapy sessions based
on the goals specified in the evaluation, keep treatment notes and make sure
the clients' files are up to date. Communication is key to the success of
the client, as well as the therapist," says Tamara Crowson. She is a speech-language
pathologist assistant.
A client's mother phones your office. She wants
to discuss her son's progress. "I'm concerned about my son's latest test
results," she says. "Can you tell me why he isn't making better progress?"
You
know from assisting with his assessment that her son's progress is actually
very good and suspect that the mother may have unrealistic expectations. What
do you say to her in response?