Speech language pathologists, also known as speech language therapists, speech pathologists, or speech therapists, work with people across the lifespan (from conception to death), assessing and treating communication and/or swallowing difficulties. They work through direct (1:1 contact) and indirect (e.g., broad public health) approaches across education (early childhood through to higher education), health (acute, rehabilitation, aged care, etc.), justice, civil society, and private practice settings.

A linguistics degree is the perfect pathway into a speech language pathology degree. An understanding of developmental linguistics, sociolinguistics, and neurolinguistics is required for a speech language pathologist to effectively assess, diagnose, and develop an intervention plan for a person with a communication difficulty.

Dira Ah Kee, Chamila Sewwandi and Tiahli Ricketts completed their speech language pathology training internationally and now work for the Fijian civil society organisation, Frank Hilton Organization. Hear from them in their own words …