Selecting the correct career path is a crucial decision with far-reaching implications. It is a choice that will shape your future, underscoring the importance of making an informed decision.
Over the next few weeks, The African Reporter will engage with business people, professionals, and other role players, focusing on a specific career field every week.
Through this, we aim to provide valuable guidance to our younger readers navigating their career choices. This week we give a platform to the speech therapist and audiologist’s career. Katlego ‘Rainbow’ Mogapi has been a speech therapist and audiologist for the past six years.
“I will always preach that my career choice was guided by divine intervention. Initially, I dreamed of becoming a pilot or an aeronautical engineer. However, the cost of flight school was beyond my parents’ means, and I didn’t meet the criteria for engineering.
“Speech-language therapy was my third option—a field I knew nothing about until my first year of study. Thankfully, I was fortunate enough to fall in love with it from the moment I began,” said Mogapi.
What is speech therapy?Speech therapy is a field that involves diagnosing and treating people’s ability to communicate, understand others, and express themselves.
What is a speech therapist and what do they do?A speech-language therapist/pathologist is a communication expert who assesses diagnoses and treats disorders in individuals of all ages.
Disorders include:• Speech disorders• Language disorders• Social communication disorders• Literacy and cognitive development, and swallowing disorders
Where can I study to become a speech therapist? Which course?One can study to be a speech therapist at different universities such as:
• The University of the Witwatersrand• University of Pretoria• University of Cape Town• University of Fort Hare• Stellenbosch University• Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University.
Previously, the universities offered it as a dual degree to study both speech-language therapy and audiology. Now, they are separate programs.
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How long does it take to qualify as a speech therapist?The degree takes four years to complete and includes a blend of theory and practical experience. Practical training begins in the second and third years, where students gain hands-on experience at various sites, such as schools, hospitals, clinics, and old age homes.
After graduating, you are required to complete a year of community service. Upon completing this year, you are fully licensed to practice as a speech-language therapist under the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
Which high school subjects do I need?To qualify to study, you will need an average of 60% for your matric with subjects such as:
• Mathematics• English• Physical sciences and biology.
What are the roles and responsibilities of a speech therapist?The role of a speech therapist lies in the following areas when it comes to speech, language, communication, cognitive-, communication-, and swallowing disorders:
• Prevention• Screening• Consultation assessment and diagnosis• Treatment• Intervention• Management, counselling, and follow-up services.
This applies to both children and adults. In addition, speech-language therapists provide aural rehabilitation for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and provide augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems for individuals with severe expressive and/or language comprehension disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder or progressive neurological disorders.
How do I know if I need speech therapy?You may need speech therapy if you experience difficulty with communication, such as trouble pronouncing words, stuttering, or forming sentences. Other signs include struggling to understand or process language, difficulty following conversations, or challenges with reading and writing.
For children, delayed speech milestones, limited vocabulary for their age, or difficulty interacting with peers may indicate a need for therapy.
Adults may benefit from speech therapy if they experience speech or language changes because of injury, illness, or neurological conditions like a stroke.
If these issues affect your daily life, relationships, or confidence, consulting a speech-language therapist can help assess and address your needs.
Which conditions are treated with speech therapy?Speech-language therapy addresses a wide range of conditions affecting communication and swallowing. These include speech disorders like articulation issues, stuttering, and apraxia, as well as language disorders such as aphasia or difficulty understanding and using language.
It also helps with cognitive-communication disorders, which impact memory, attention, and problem-solving. Speech therapy supports individuals with developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or intellectual disabilities.
Additionally, it treats swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) caused by conditions like stroke, neurological disorders, or injury.Whether the challenges are developmental, acquired, or related to medical conditions, speech therapy provides tailored interventions to improve quality of life.
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What activities are done in speech therapy?Speech therapy is a mix of fun, creativity, and focused practice! For children, it might look like playing games where every turn helps practice sounds, building vocabulary through storytelling, or crafting sentences while pretending to be pirates on a treasure hunt.
Adults might engage in memory games, role-playing conversations, or working through real-world scenarios like ordering food at a restaurant.
Swallowing therapy is about building strength and safety. This could involve exercises to improve muscle coordination, trying different food textures, or learning special techniques to make eating safer. Every activity is carefully planned to meet individual goals, blending serious progress with engaging, tailored experiences.
What are the advantages of speech therapy?Speech therapy is incredibly rewarding as a career option. As a speech therapist, you make a real difference in people’s lives – helping children say their first words, supporting adults in recovering their communication after an injury or enabling someone to eat safely again.
It is a versatile field with opportunities to work in schools, hospitals, private practices, or research. You will never stop learning, as every patient or client presents a unique challenge.
Plus, the demand for speech therapists is growing worldwide, offering job stability and the chance to work anywhere. Most importantly, it is a career filled with purpose, creativity, and the joy of empowering others to find their voice.
Where do speech therapists work?Speech therapists work in a variety of settings, depending on their interests and specialities.
You can find us at:• Schools, helping children improve their communication and language skills to succeed academically and socially.• We also work in hospitals and rehabilitation centres, assisting patients recovering from strokes, brain injuries, or surgeries affecting speech and swallowing.• Private clinics and practices are another common workplace, offering tailored therapy sessions for individuals of all ages.• Some speech therapists work in nursing homes, supporting older adults with swallowing disorders or dementia-related communication challenges.• Others venture into research, universities, or teletherapy, delivering services remotely.
What advice would you give to someone who aspires to become a speech therapist?If you are considering becoming a speech therapist, my advice is: to be ready to learn, stay curious, and have a genuine passion for helping people. This career is incredibly rewarding but also requires patience and creativity.
You must think outside the box to design activities that keep therapy fun and engaging while addressing serious challenges like speech delays or swallowing disorders.
Get as much hands-on experience as you can – volunteer, shadow professionals, and ask questions. Remember, you are not just working on communication; you help people to connect, express themselves, and live fuller lives. It is a privilege, so embrace the journey!
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
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