What Does a Communicative Disorders Assistant Do

Practical Adult Insights; Canada; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Practical Adult Insights is seeking a Communicative Disorders Assistant to work alongside speech-language pathologists and audiologists in Canada. You will assist patients with various communication problems, tailoring treatments to individual needs, from children to adults.

Your role involves applying and monitoring treatment techniques, demonstrating flexibility and insight in your approach. Candidates must possess post-secondary education in a relevant field and complete a communicative disorders assistant program. The position offers diverse working environments, including hospitals and schools.

Qualifications

• Must have knowledge of speech and hearing pathology.
• Training in behavioural and occupational therapy techniques is beneficial.
• Post-secondary education related to communicative disorders is required.

Responsibilities

• Assist speech-language pathologists and audiologists in treatment.
• Monitor and report patient progress.
• Apply specific treatment techniques based on individual patient needs.

Skills

Knowledge of speech and hearing pathology

Flexibility

Communication techniques

Occupational therapy methods

Behavioural therapy methods

Education

Post-secondary education in relevant field

Completion of a communicative disorders assistant program

Job description

What Does a Communicative Disorders Assistant Do?

A communicative disorders assistant works with a speech‑language pathologist or audiologist to treat communication problems. Communication impairments can be caused by disease, accident or difficulties with reasoning and perception. The job title communicative disorders assistant is used in Canada where there are several colleges that offer programs in preparation for this career. In the US the term speech-language pathology assistants or speech pathology assistants is often used for this position.

Responsibilities

The main duties of a communicative disorders assistant are problem assessment and application of treatment suggested by speech-language pathologists or audiologists. Communicative disorders assistants handle patients with a variety of problems. Their patients could have speech or hearing limitations or cognitive impairment.

Communicative disorders assistants work with all members of the population, from children to adults, and the job requires a great deal of flexibility and insight. The right treatment must be applied based on the patient’s unique problem and personality. A communicative disorders assistant might use story‑telling to improve a preschool child’s pronunciation of certain sounds, while an adult patient with aphasia—the inability of the brain to process verbal or written language—might require focused attention on conversation techniques and the use of writing or pictures to communicate. Communicative disorder assistants are also responsible for monitoring and reporting patient progress.

In addition to being knowledgeable about speech and hearing pathology, the communicative disorders assistant should also be familiar with occupational and behavioural therapy techniques. For example, an autistic child most likely will require the use of behavioural therapy methods and the reinforcement of good actions. An adult victim of a car accident will probably respond better to occupational therapy methods that focus on resuming normal daily activities.

Communicative disorders assistants may also work in various settings such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, auditory clinics or schools. Treatment for communication disorders may involve the use of alternative communication methods or tools such as speech‑generating devices or pictures to aid understanding and interaction.

Education & Training

Training and program length for communicative disorders assistants and speech-language pathology assistants vary between countries. Programs in Canada range in length from one to two years and generally require some post‑secondary education. Two‑year associate’s degree programs for speech-language pathology assistants are available in the US and are generally considered a preparation to move toward a more advanced degree.