As a speech-language pathologist, you strive to make a difference in your patients’ lives. Helping people of all ages overcome communication and swallowing disorders is your passion, so you’re interested in working with populations that need your services most right now.
Rising quickly in demand, employment of SLPs is expected to surge 25% through 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is more than six times the 4% projected job growth for all professions.
Clearly, there’s currently a massive need for SLPs, and this doesn’t show any signs of slowing in the near future. Here’s a look at the types of patients who need your help most right now.
4 In-Demand Patient Groups for SLPs
Young Children
Speech disorders are becoming more common in children, creating a major need for pediatric SLPs. In this type of role, you’ll be helping pediatric patients with developmental disorders, autism, and those who have experienced an injury or been involved in an accident. This is an incredible opportunity to have a profound impact on the lives of young children.
Senior Citizens
The aging baby boomer population is creating a need for SLPs with a focus on elderly patients. Medical issues like strokes, Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, tumors, and traumatic brain injuries can cause people to have severe communication setbacks. Working with this type of patient will allow you to help them start feeling like themselves again, after struggling to communicate in the manner they did before their medical setback.
ESL Patients
Learning a new language isn’t easy. Therefore, bilingual SLPs are needed to help patients struggling to communicate in English. You’ll help them to determine whether a speech disorder is the root cause of their issues or if they’re just having trouble catching onto a second language. This line of work will allow you to change the lives of patients feeling defeated by their inability to communicate effectively in English.
School Settings
Most — 38% — of SLPs work in educational services, according to 2019 BLS data. This includes state, local, and private settings. In schools, SLPs work with children in a variety of ways, including helping prevent communication disorders, identifying students who might be at risk for future issues, and assessing and evaluating students’ communication abilities. In this type of role, you would be able to help get to the root problem of school-age children struggling to communicate and make life-altering changes.
If you’re ready to find a new SLP job, Management Registry, Inc. wants to help. We’re committed to helping top talent like you find rewarding opportunities, so contact us today to start your search!