Education
of speech and language therapists/logopedists
Depending on the country, the initial education of speech and language therapists-logopedists lasts between 3 and 6 years after completing the Baccalaureat or its equivalent. Education centres are usually within university medical faculties. Therapists are sometimes taught within special schools attached to therapy or rehabilitation centres.
The education programme is based on the skills and knowledge required of speech and language therapists-logopedists who provide language and communication therapy. Since the discipline stands at the crossroads of a number of different sciences, education encompasses a wide range of different areas of study, i.e:
- language sciences
- ENT (phonation, hearing, swallowing)
- neuropathology
- anatomy, physiology and the nervous system
- phoniatrics
- specific speech and language pathologies
- psychology and psychiatry
- gerontology
- disabilities and specific syndromes
- linguistics and phonetics
- neuropsychology
- theories of communication
- organisation of the education and health systems
- physical and acoustic sciences
- informatics
- ethics and legislation
- research methodology...
In addition to taught classes and directed learning, students also undertake a large number of practical sessions in a variety of clinical settings and specialised centres. Initial education concludes with a final examination and submission of a report or thesis.
The theoretical parts of the course are delivered by members of the medical faculty or university lecturers from the relevant disciplines and speech and language therapists-logopedists.
The clinical practicum is carried out under the supervision of practising professionals.
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