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Graduates in the medical field today can look forward to many diverse career paths that weren’t open to them in the past. In addition to advancements in technology, several advancements have been made in ability to recognize, diagnose, prevent and treat disabilities, mental disorders, and physical impairments.

Speech Pathology is one of many exciting medical careers that has gained traction of late. Speech pathologists work directly with patients and provide a number of services to them as well as their families. Patients requiring speech therapy usually have  communication and swallowing disorders. Speech therapists are responsible for their diagnosis and assessment, so they can recommend counseling, intervention or even treatment.

Speech pathologists often coordinate with others within the health care industry as part of a team, building a collaborative effort toward the patient’s overall care and treatment. Because of this, speech pathologists are required to have skills well beyond just their medical training; their own ability to communicate is essential to accomplishing the necessary tasks involved in servicing their patients.

Careers in speech pathology allow for practitioners to work in several different environments. In some cases they may be required to assist patients at their residence or at a private care facility, school or university. Speech pathologists are also required to work with patients of various ages ranging from young children to senior citizens.

Speech pathologists, through their training and empathy, are able to help their patients overcome barriers to communicating with others, and thus improve their overall quality of life and ability to be self-sufficient, confident, and purposeful in their interactions with the world.