What is a Speech and Language Therapist?
A Speech and Language Therapist is a qualified individual, who works with clients that present with communication difficulties.
Therapists usually work in a community clinic, school, hospital or special needs setting. They assess, diagnose and treat clients for a variety of disorders including:
- Childhood speech and language disorders
- Stammers
- Acquired speech and language disorders
(such as from brain injury or disease) - Voice disorders
- Eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties.
Speech and Language Therapists also work with clients who cannot communicate through normal means to develop alternative forms of communication, such as specialised computer devices.
How do you become a Speech and Language Therapist?
In order to become a Speech and Language Therapist, you must complete a recognised qualification in the field. In Ireland, there are four such programmes; three at undergraduate level and one at postgraduate level. The following links will bring you to the homepages of the departments responsible for Speech and Language Therapy within each university. There, you can find out more information about course content and entry requirements.
Undergraduate
Postgraduate