Impacting Lives as a Speech-Language Therapist

Summary

Valerie introduces the Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) program at SIT, highlighting its impact on improving communication and swallowing abilities. The program, suitable for A-level, IB, or polytechnic diploma holders, offers a blend of humanities and sciences, preparing students for a diverse range of disorders and settings. With a focus on local industry needs and a multidisciplinary approach, the program ensures graduates are industry-ready, equipped with the skills to work in hospitals, schools, and private clinics.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ Speech and language therapists help individuals with communication and swallowing disorders, impacting their quality of life.
• 🌟 The role can transform lost words into hopes and dreams, aiding children and adults to reach their full potential.
• 📈 Therapists work with a variety of disorders across all ages, including speech, language, voice, fluency, and swallowing issues.
• 🏥 They operate in diverse settings such as hospitals, community care centers, educational institutions, and private clinics.
• 👥 Teamwork is crucial as they collaborate with a multidisciplinary healthcare team including doctors, nurses, and other professionals.
• 📚 The SLT program at SIT is a four-year undergraduate degree preparing students with the necessary skills and knowledge.
• 🏫 Students gain practical experience through 30 weeks of clinical practice and are taught by experienced faculty members.
• 🌐 The program is designed to be locally relevant, preparing graduates for the specific needs of the Singaporean industry.
• 🎓 Graduates will be eligible to apply for professional registration and can work towards becoming registered speech and language therapists.
• 📝 The admission process includes academic results, English language proficiency, and medical examinations to ensure suitability for the profession.

Q & A

What is the primary role of a speech and language therapist?

Speech and language therapists help individuals with communication and swallowing disorders. They can turn lost words into hopes and dreams by assisting children to communicate and learn, thus allowing them to reach their full potential, and by helping adults restore communication and swallowing abilities, improving their quality of life.

What are the three main areas covered in the information session about the speech and language therapy program at SIT?

The session covers what speech and language therapists do, where they work, and who they work with; why one should choose the SLT program at SIT; and the admission requirements for the program.

Which disorders do speech and language therapists typically work with?

They work with a range of disorders such as speech, language, voice, fluency, and swallowing and feeding disorders. This includes conditions like stroke, neurological disorders, head and neck cancer, speech delays, lisps, global developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder, stuttering, hearing impairment, cleft lip and palate, and Down syndrome.

In what settings do speech and language therapists typically work?

Therapists work in various settings including hospitals (acute and community), community care centers, vocational rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, educational centers (special and mainstream schools), and private clinics. Some also venture into non-clinical areas like human resources and communications.

What is unique about the SLT program at SIT compared to overseas programs?

The SLT program at SIT is designed to be relevant for local industry needs, with a curriculum built by senior clinicians with extensive experience in Singapore. It includes training specific to bilingual Singaporean children, multilingual and multicultural considerations, and addresses ethical, cultural, linguistic, and professional issues in speech therapy practice in Singapore.

What is the structure of the Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Language Therapy at SIT?

It is a four-year full-time program comprising 240 credits, with 30 students per cohort. It includes foundational topics, specific modules related to speech and language therapy, and clinical practice education spread across five blocks.

What accreditation is the SIT SLT program seeking to ensure professional eligibility for its graduates?

The program is looking to receive accreditation from the Allied Health Professional Council, which will make graduates eligible to apply for the SLT professional registration and practicing certificate in Singapore.

What are the admission requirements for the SLT program at SIT?

Applicants need to meet academic results, English language proficiency, and mother tongue criteria. They must also undergo multiple mini interviews, medical examination, and medical screening and immunization for certain conditions.

What are the English language requirements for entry into the SLT program at SIT?

Applicants should have a good pass in English at the H1/H2 level or HL/SL level, or an equivalent. For non-native English speakers, an IELTS overall band score of 8 with no less than 7.5 in all components is required.

How does the SIT SLT program prepare students for the workforce?

The program prepares students through a curriculum that covers local industry needs, clinical practice education with real clients, and teaching methods like team-based learning and problem-based learning. It also ensures students are trained for ethical, cultural, linguistic, and professional issues in Singapore.