SLP Basics

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing essential terms and definitions from the CDIS 301 lecture on the professions, scopes of practice, settings, certifications, disorders, and professional organizations in speech-language pathology and audiology.

Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)

A licensed professional who identifies, evaluates, treats, and prevents communication and swallowing disorders.

SLP Scope of Practice

Five primary areas: identification, evaluation, treatment, prevention of communication/swallowing disorders, and delineation of professional boundaries.

Audiologist

A licensed professional who identifies, evaluates, treats, and prevents hearing and balance disorders and fits hearing aids.

Audiology Scope of Practice

Identification, evaluation, treatment, and prevention of hearing disorders; selection/evaluation of hearing aids; aural habilitation and rehabilitation.

Master’s Degree (M.S.)

The graduate degree required for entry-level practice as an SLP, including coursework and a minimum of 400 clinical practicum hours.

Doctorate (Au.D. or Ph.D.)

The graduate degree required for entry-level practice as an audiologist, combining advanced coursework with supervised clinical experience.

NESPA

The National Examination in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology that SLPs and audiologists must pass for certification.

CCC-SLP

Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology awarded by ASHA after meeting education, exam, and supervised practice requirements.

CCC-A

Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology awarded by ASHA after meeting education, exam, and supervised practice requirements.

Receptive Communication

The ability to understand spoken, written, or signed messages.

Expressive Communication

The ability to convey thoughts, ideas, or feelings through speech, writing, or nonverbal means.

Dysphagia

A swallowing disorder that can affect any phase of eating and drinking.

Articulation/Phonology Disorder

Speech errors related to the production of individual sounds or sound patterns.

Motor-Speech Disorder

Impairments (e.g., apraxia, dysarthria) affecting the planning or execution of speech movements.

Fluency Disorder

Disruptions in the flow of speech, such as stuttering or cluttering.

Voice Disorder

Abnormal pitch, loudness, quality, or resonance of the speaking voice.

Semantics

The study of word meaning and vocabulary within language.

Morphology

The rules governing the internal structure of words (prefixes, suffixes, roots).

Syntax

The set of rules that govern sentence structure and word order.

Pragmatics

The social use of language, including conversation rules and nonverbal cues.

SLP Work Settings

Common workplaces include schools, hospitals, residential and nonresidential health-care facilities, private practice, and universities.

Audiology Work Settings

Include schools, hospitals, residential and nonresidential health-care facilities, private practice, industry, and universities.

ASHA

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; the national professional and credentialing body for SLPs and audiologists.

AAA

American Academy of Audiology; a professional organization devoted to advancing audiology.

NMSHA

New Mexico Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the state-level professional organization for communication disorders specialists.

NSSLHA

National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association; the student branch of ASHA with university chapters like ENMU’s.

Team Approach

Interdisciplinary collaboration in which SLPs and audiologists work alongside nurses, teachers, physicians, psychologists, OTs, PTs, and families.

Personal Qualities of Effective Helpers

Traits such as encouragement, emotional stability, self-awareness, patience, sensitivity, and empathy that enhance client care.

SLP Job Outlook (2020-30)

Projected employment growth of 29% with approximately 158,100 positions in 2020 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Audiology Job Outlook (2020-30)

Projected employment growth of 16% with approximately 13,700 positions in 2020 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).