Essential Abilities for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists

Listed below are the essential abilities that are required of undergraduate students majoring in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences.  

Physical Abilities

• Participate in classroom or clinical activities for two- to four-hour blocks of time with one or two breaks
• Move independently to, from and within academic/clinical facilities
• Provide for or direct one’s own personal hygiene
• Manipulate screening/diagnostic/therapeutic/educational materials
• Respond to emergency situations including fire, choking and in the application of universal precautions
• Visually monitor client responses and use of materials
• Auditorily monitor and orally model correct speech and language production

Interpersonal Abilities

• Work effectively with people 
• Make appropriate decisions, including the ability to evaluate and generalize appropriately without immediate supervision
• Understand and respect authority
• Maintain appropriate work place behavior, including punctuality and regular attendance
• Maintain composure in demanding situations
• Complete responsibilities promptly and according to instructions
• Maintain appropriate relationships with clients, students, instructors/supervisors and colleagues
• Communicate effectively with people in person, by telephone and in writing by considering the communication needs and cultural values of the listener

Speech/Language and Cognitive Abilities

• Comprehend and read professional literature/reports
• Write university-level papers and clinical/educational reports in Standard American English
• Speak Standard American English intelligibly, including the ability to model English phonemes, grammatical features and other aspects of speech and language     
• Independently analyze, synthesize and interpret ideas and concepts in academic and clinical settings
• Maintain attention and concentration for sufficient time to complete academic/clinical activities: typically two to four hours in length with one or two breaks
• Schedule and prioritize activities, and provide documentation in a timely manner
• Comply with administrative, legal and regulatory policies, as well as rules and instructions of faculty/staff within the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences program and in off-campus practicum and externship sites at the graduate level.