A speech and language therapy (SLT) assistant's career story

I currently work within the Ealing Adult Speech and Language Therapy service, providing speech, communication, and swallowing therapy in a rehabilitative setting under the supervision of Speech and Language Therapists. Along with my clinical duties, my role entails providing administrative support across the team.

I completed a Bachelors in linguistics and language where I studied Neurolinguistics; this sparked my interest in pursuing a career in Speech and Language Therapy. After graduating, I landed my first role as a research assistant in a team developing an aphasia (a language disorder caused by damage in a specific area of the brain) language assessment battery for Gulf-Arabic dialect speakers in Qatar.

After a year’s experience of research into Aphasia and language disorders, I returned to the United Kingdom and began a role as an English as an Additonal Language (EAL) assistant in a secondary school, where I supported pupils in learning English as an additional language.

Keeping to my goal of working in Speech and Language Therapy, I applied for my first speech and language therapy assistant job and successfully gained the post. I now work as a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant supporting and facilitating therapy for adults experiencing speech, communication and swallowing impairments across the Ealing community; and with in-patients at Clayponds Hospital.

My hope is to continue working as an Speech and Language Therapy Assistant to obtain as much experience within the field as possible, and in the near future; to qualify as a Speech and Language Therapist.

Working with individuals experiencing communication or swallowing impairments, I am able to take on a flexible, analytical and dynamic approach. Each patient experiences a unique difficulty, so I am prepared to tailor my approach according to their needs during therapy sessions; provide strategies to overcome barriers when they do arise, and encourage patients to use in their daily activities.

I believe that the ability to build positive therapeutic relationships with patients is key. Demonstrating openness, empathy and willingness to listen contributes to a productive therapeutic experience.

Making the decision to launch myself into the field was a pivotal moment in my career journey. Stepping out of my comfort zone and applying for my first patient-facing role was a big moment in my career as it required me to take a leap of faith, and be confident that I am capable of achieving my ambition of working in Speech and Language Therapy!

There are many moments where I hope I have made a positive impact as an SLT Assistant. Working with patients in a rehabilitative setting, I try to approach patients with empathy and positivity so that their rehabilitative journey is made a little less daunting. Be it by providing a listening ear, or just having a general chit-chat about their daily lives, I wholly believe that taking on a person-centred view allows patients to feel valued as individuals and not defined by their difficulties.