Real-Life Math
It may not be obvious at first, but speech pathologist assistants do use math in the course of their jobs.
"Several of the clients I work with use a system of augmentative communication called the picture exchange communication system," says Sara Bingham. She is a communicative disorders assistant.
"I help staff in group homes work through the program with their clients. I train the staff, provide them with materials, including data sheets, and answer any questions that come up. I am also involved in reviewing the data sheets and entering the data into a computer database program."
With this system, Bingham can monitor the progress made by clients. This is tracked by counting how many times a client uses the system independently.
"For instance, one client I work with, Ben, independently used the system 11 out of 125 times during the first week in April. In the second week of April, Ben used the system 17 out of 120 times independently. In the third week of April, he used the system 43 out of 130 times. In the fourth week of April, Ben used the system 67 out of 115 times independently.
"The percentage for the first week is 9 percent independent. The second week is 14 percent independent. The third week is 33 percent independently. The fourth week is 58 percent independently. He's slowly learning to use the system independently."
From tracking how many times Ben uses the system, Bingham is able to see that Ben is getting better with time. But of course, not everyone learns at the same speed.
"Another seven-year-old boy I work with, Drew, is using the same picture system," says Bingham. "During one of my visits with him, Drew used the system 33 out of 42 times independently. During my next visit, he used the system 14 out of 18 times independently. During my next visit, Drew used the system 11 out of 15 times independently. I visit him twice a week."
Who is making more progress -- Ben or Drew?