Essay On Speech Pathology

Speech-pathologists provide critical services to many children nationwide. While the numbers of children in need of special services continue to increase, the number of speech-language pathologists employed in schools has decreased. The shortage of speech-language pathologists, caused by a growing workload, could potentially threaten the education of special needs students. Today, special educators are faced with growing responsibilities that can be challenging. While trying to meet all the needs of their students with disabilities, special educators have rising levels of paperwork, complex caseloads, and limited resources to handle (Woltmann and Camron 178). Demanding responsibilities are causing stress and burnout within the field of speech-pathology, which could be detrimental to both student and teacher. Stress caused by the accumulation of task demands faced by SLPs can develop into burnout, a condition that results in lowered productivity and morale (Harris et al.). Hiring and keeping qualified speech-pathologists is a pressing issue (Katz et al. 149). According to Harris et al. “Individuals with particularly high levels of stress and burnout may be more likely to leave their positions” (110). Stress in the speech-pathology field comes from many different sources. Woltmann and Camron state that “In addition to caseload numbers, SLPs cite excessive paperwork and lack of time for planning…as a major challenge” (180). A study performed by Harris et al. gave results that corroborate that salary and caseload are two major reasons that dissuade SLPs from working in schools (109). These stressors are contributing to the shortage of speech pathologists and interfering with the education of students in need of help. A great deal of stress comes from the growing workload of speech-language pathologists. Woltmann and Camron use “workload” to describe “…all the activities required and performed by school SLPs” (181). While caseload is often thought of as the same thing as workload, caseload is only one part of workload. Workloads may include activities such as face-to-face service with students, or anything beneficial for the students’ education (Woltmann and Camron 181). SLPs are also in charge of their students’ IEP (Individualized Educational Program) meetings, IEP development, assessment, treatment, consultation, and collaboration (Katz et al. 140). Speech-language pathologists provide a myriad of different service to a diverse group of people. In the school setting, SLPs provide for at least four different groups: school-age students with a disability labeled as a speech or language impairment, students with disabilities other than speech-language impairment, preschoolers who are eligible for speech-language services, and students who receive pre-referral intervention (Caseload and Workload). More recently, workloads have become more complex and demanding, and in a survey given by Edgar and Rosa-Lugo, “Workload was strongly disfavored by 44.2% of respondents” (37). Workloads have become more difficult to manage due to caseload, IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) mandates, state and local regulations, state certification requirements, student factors, unfunded mandates, state and local budgets, school policies and expectations, and professional influences (Caseload and Workload). According to Edgar and Rosa-Lugo, “Fiscal constraints and the increased workload in public school shave made it more challenging to provide effective services to children with communication impairments” (32). SLPs provide many services for those who need it, but the shortage of SLPs and the growing workload of current SLPs are making it harder for special needs students to get what they need. The workloads of school-based speech-language pathologists are high, and one of the reasons is because caseloads are becoming bigger (Katz et al. 150). According to ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association), “Large caseloads are those that are difficult to manage, because of the number of students and/or the complexity of their needs” (Caseload and Workload). In the …show more content…
Men and women in the field of speech-language pathology become overworked and no longer desire to work in special education. The conditions compelling speech-language pathologists to leave are also causing students to not enter the field in the first place. However, the number of children who need their services continue to grow. SLPs who stay in the field are given larger and larger caseloads until they experience burnout as well. Speech-language pathologists are vital for the specific education that speech-language impaired children need. Their education is in danger of being harmed due to the lack of professionals in the field of Speech-Language