SLP vs. SLPA

There are many differences between an SLP and an SLPA, the main thing being that an SLPA is restricted to what he/she can do while an SLP has more range and freedom. An SLP is basically in charge of supervising an SLPA as they are only assistants as said in their title. It is because of this that SLPA's are not allowed to conduct their own tests, it is said in ASHA that an SLPA must follow the scope of practice and therefore know their limitations.

In order to be an SLP, the SLP must hold a Master’s degree from an accredited University and has completed a minimum of 400 clock hours.In addition, once an SLP graduates with their master’s degree, they must obtain an additional 1260 clock hours of direct treatment (36 weeks of full-time employment) under supervision, prior to taking/passing the National Praxis Examination and then receiving the Certificate of Clinical Competence. (M.S., CCC-SLP).

In order for an SLPA to be licensed in Arizona, they must have 60 hours of university credits in the area of speech and language and have 100 clinical hours (this varies for different states). An SLPA is someone who assists the SLP in the delivery of therapy services. They are very limited. Here are some things they CANNOT do:

1. Participate in parent conferences, case conferences, or interdisciplinary team conferences without the supervising speech-language pathologist or another speech-language pathologist being present

2.Provide counseling advice to a client/patient or his or her parent or guardian which is beyond the scope of the client/patient’s treatment

3.Sign any documents in lieu of the supervising speech-language pathologist; i.e., treatment plans, client reimbursement forms, or formal reports

4.Discharge a client/patient from services

5.Represent himself or herself as a speech-language pathologist

6.Perform procedures that require a high level of clinical acumen and technical skill; i.e., vocal tract prosthesis shaping or fitting, vocal tract imaging, and oropharyngeal swallow therapy with bolus material.

- Sabrina