speech and occupational therapy

Occupational Therapy vs. Speech Therapy: What’s the Difference?

Many speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are familiar with the field of occupational therapy before they even enter their own profession. Often, SLPs have seriously considered going into occupational therapy (OT) before deciding to pursue speech-language pathology and vice versa.

Although there are differences between the two professions, the common thread is clear: a desire to help patients improve their lives.

Learn more about speech and occupational therapy below, including the similarities and differences between the two career paths.

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• Arizona State University - Online - Online Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science - Designed to prepare graduates to work in behavioral health settings or transition to graduate programs in speech-language pathology and audiology.
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• Calvin University - Calvin University's Online Speech and Hearing Foundations Certificate - Helps You Gain a Strong Foundation for Your Speech-Language Pathology Career.

What Is an Occupational Therapist?

Occupational therapists (OTs) help individuals do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities . By promoting health and preventing or bettering disability, illness, or injury, OTs help individuals of all ages live fulfilling lives.

Occupational therapists provide job training for the “job of living.” They help train individuals on how to engage in self-care and in basic life skills that might otherwise be difficult or overwhelming due to disability, illness, or injury.

Services provided by OTs help individuals improve their ability to perform daily activities and reach their goals and may include:

• Reviewing medical history
• Performing individualized evaluations
• Developing customized interventions
• Demonstrating exercises
• Educating families and employers
• Assessing outcomes

What Is a Speech-Language Pathologist?

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are communication experts who work with individuals to help provide solutions to communication barriers . The primary goal of SLPs is to improve individuals’ ability to communicate using therapeutic practices.

SLPs focus on speech-related issues such as:

• Feeding and swallowing
• Social communication
• Speech sounds

Becoming a speech-language pathologist is a specialized career that is dedicated to helping others. It requires specialized education that can be gained either in-person or online.

Can Occupational Therapists Help With Speech?

This is a common question about occupational therapy and the answer is yes. While speech-language pathologists focus solely on communication, occupational therapists often incorporate speech-language therapies into their practice. Speech is a goal of many patients looking to improve their quality of life and work on their “job of living.”

Speech-language pathologists have a more specialized field of care, but there are many ways in which the practice of speech-language pathology can benefit from the assistance of occupational therapists.

How Do Speech Pathologists Work With Occupational Therapists?

There is a considerable amount of overlap between speech and occupational therapy and the two professionals work with each other in several applications. The complementary nature of careers for speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists is reflected in the fact that many hospitals, clinics, and assisted-living facilities employ both.

It’s common for SLPs and OTs to work together closely on many cases, although SLP therapies tend to be delivered one-on-one while OTs are more likely to work with groups or work more closely with PTs and other therapy providers.

Both SLPs and OTs may work with patients who have problems with:

• Language learning difficulties

Many of their treatment modalities are similar as well. The approaches that any SLP or OT might use in treating an eating problem rooted in myofunctional disorder, for example, will likely revolve around teaching the patient improved resting postures of the labial and lingual musculature, strengthening and retraining exercises for the affected muscles, and modification of eating habits and techniques to accommodate the remaining disability.

What Is the Difference Between Speech and Occupational Therapy?

Although some of the treatments may be similar, there are some primary differences between OT vs. speech therapyincluding differences in:

• Therapeutic focus
• Required education and training
• Job outlook and salary

Therapeutic Focus

Where they differ is largely a matter of the profession’s therapeutic focus.

Speech-language pathology is focused on issues of communication and problems arising from disabilities in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Meanwhile, occupational speech therapy is focused on the big-picture perspective, analyzing the individual’s problems as a larger set of interrelated issues, and developing treatments to account for each of them.

For example, an SLP working with an autistic child is likely to primarily work on language-learning skills, attempting to teach the child how to form sounds correctly and build them into words and sentences.

An OT presented with the same patient might incorporate larger considerations of autistic disability into their treatment: they might recognize that the major obstacle to learning sounds is not necessarily a mechanical deficiency in the auditory or speech function, but rather a dramatically shortened attention span and social dysfunction. Their treatment options could extend well beyond teaching sound creation skills, instead verging into socialization exercises and sensory integration therapy.

It’s in this big-picture perspective that occupational therapy has the most to offer to speech-language pathologists. No amount of sound drill repetition will correct a short attention span. These are called executive function skills—the ability to comply with training directed by specialists such as SLPs.

OTs also can help improve postural stability, which is critical for some swallowing and speech patients. They have a comprehensive understanding of how neuromuscular systems in the body tie together, where SLPs typically have a more specific focus on the throat and face.

OTs can provide alternative or complementary treatments that enable SLPs to exercise their own expertise.

Required Education and Training

Another area where speech and occupational therapy overlaps is in education and training. In fact, many might have followed identical paths up through their undergraduate degree programs, only making the final decision when the time comes to select a master’s program.

• Both fields require master’s degrees for licensing and certification
• SLPs have mandatory license programs they must comply with within all 50 states
• OTs must be licensed in most states but have strong certification requirements, even those working in states where licensure is not required

More and more, practitioners in both fields are turning to doctoral-level education instead of stopping at a master’s degree. OTs are seeking out OTD programs, or Post Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy degrees. SLPs, meanwhile, are increasingly obtaining a clinical doctorate in speech-language pathology.

As the standard of care for both types of therapists increase, doctoral degrees are likely to become the norm rather than the exception in both professions.

Job Outlook and Salary

The good news is, both SLPs and OTs are in-demand professions and salaries for SLPs and OTs are attractive.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for SLPs is $80,480 per year, and SLP employment is projected to grow 25% between 2019 and 2029, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

Meanwhile, the median pay for OTs is slightly higher at $86,280 per year and OT employment is projected to grow 16% between 2019 and 2029.

2020 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures for SLPs  and OTs  represent national data not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2021.

Pursuing Speech and Occupational Therapy Degrees

Pursuing a career as a speech-language pathologist or an occupational therapist is a rewarding endeavor. When choosing between the two professions, it’s imperative to understand the differences between speech and occupational therapy and how each career path aligns with your goals.

If making a difference in the lives of individuals while being able to work in diverse settings is appealing, a career as an SLP may be for you. Whether you already hold an undergraduate degree in a related field or are a college graduate looking to transition, a master’s degree in communicative sciences and disorders can prepare you for a rewarding career as an SLP.

Visit our career center to learn more about careers for speech pathologists .

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Speech-Language Pathology SLP

| 29 April 2024

Speech Therapy vs Occupational Therapy: 3 Key Differences

Searching for a satisfying career that helps people enhance their health and quality of life? I f so, speech and occupational therapy may be promising career paths for you. As two popular professions in the healthcare industry, SLPs and OTs enjoy rewarding, well-paid careers—while making a lasting difference in the lives of their patients. 1 ,2

Both speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and occupational therapists (OTs) aim to improve the well-being of their patients. While there are similarities between the two career paths, there are also radical differences.

Read on as we unpack the speech therapy vs occupational therapy debate and discover the route that resonates with you.

What is a Speech-Language Pathologist?

SLPs, or speech therapists , are licensed healthcare providers who aim to improve patients’ speech, language, and swallowing abilities . In some scenarios, this may also include assisting patients with oral complications, such as infants who have trouble swallowing or adults who have difficulty with vocalizing.

The work of an SLP also extends beyond addressing speech and language disorders. They play a crucial role in enhancing cognitive-communication and social interaction skills, too.

This includes working with individuals with traumatic brain injuries to improve memory and problem-solving strategies. A speech therapist may also guide those with social communication difficulties to navigate and thrive in communal environments.

Additionally, the expertise of a SLP extends to developing and implementing alternative communication strategies for those unable to speak. They may also use technology and sign language to foster effective communication.

Speech therapists work in a variety of healthcare settings—and with a wide range of individuals. This may include:

• Stroke victims who need to relearn how to talk
• Children and adults who stutter or struggle with semantics and syntax
• Patients with autism, hearing loss or developmental delays

SLPs work with individuals across the lifespan, from toddlers to teens to seniors, and have the opportunity to make an enduring impact on their patients. They’re ranked the 3rd best career in the healthcare profession and 10th out of 100 Best Jobs, according to US News. 3 ,4

What is an Occupational Therapist?

Occupational therapists are also licensed healthcare providers who offer therapeutic support. They focus on the ability to perform essential daily activities, such as bathing, eating and getting dressed . OTs also assist individuals and their family members or caretakers with learning how to use adaptive equipment to make everyday tasks safer and more accommodating.

Occupational therapists specialize in customizing interventions to improve a patient’s ability to perform daily activities. This can include adapting the environment to the individual’s needs in order to promote a higher level of independence . For children with developmental challenges, OTs creatively incorporate play as a form of therapy to enhance motor skills, socialization, and learning abilities.

Assisting aging adults is another pivotal function of occupational therapists. OTs often work to modify the homes and lifestyles of their elderly patients, so they can improve their quality of life while maintaining their freedom and preventing injuries.

Like SLPs, OTs are employed in a variety of healthcare settings. Whether in a clinic or nursing home, OTs empower patients to take charge of their personal well-being and prepare caregivers to help them through this process. OTs also work with patients of all ages. This might mean helping: 5

• Seniors who may be prone to falls and accidents
• Patients with developmental delays
• Children and adults who have suffered from an injury

When comparing a career in speech therapy vs occupational therapy, OTs fill a necessary gap between a physician’s diagnosis and the stress of daily living. They can help patients, regardless of their condition or illness, regain a sense of autonomy, power and independence.

Speech Therapy vs Occupational Therapy: How Do They Compare?

Each profession provides a distinct way of helping individuals reach their full potential. If you’re fascinated by language and communication, then speech-language pathology may be a natural fit. You may consider occupational therapy if you’re interested in the mechanics of the human body and its capacity to adapt, relearn, and heal.

When it comes to the occupational therapy vs speech therapy debate, there are other key aspects to consider, including:

Both speech therapy and occupational therapy professionals have a genuine desire to enrich the lives of others, but salary may be a consideration. Here’s how average salaries in speech therapy vs occupational therapy compare:

• Speech-Language Pathologists – The most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that SLPs earn a median income of $84,140 per year. 1 SLPs who are employed in nursing care facilities and residential care settings earn a median income of $101,320 annually, while those who provide educational services earn about $77,310 per year. 1 The type of medical facility they work in, the state where they practice, and their specialty can all impact an SLP’s salary.
• Occupational Therapists — According to BLS data, an OT’s median income is $93,180. 2 OTs who work in home healthcare environments, for example, pull in a median salary of $101,500 annually. 2

Education and Training

If you’re wrestling with the question of occupational therapy vs speech therapy, remember that both require intense training —at didactic and clinical levels.

• Speech-Language Pathologist – SLPs typically need to earn a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) , a speech pathology degree program that takes about two years to complete.* Then, they can apply for temporary licensure in their state and perform a clinical fellowship. Following graduation, SLPs typically complete a postgraduate fellowship where they work under the supervision of an experienced and certified SLP. Fellowships require a commitment of at least 1,260 hours over 36 weeks. To earn state licensure , SLPs then need to pass the National Praxis exam in Speech-Language Pathology. 6 Some states may require additional certifications and credentials.
• Occupational Therapist – OTs must be educated and trained at the graduate level as well and typically must earn either a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) or a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) . At USAHS, our MOT program takes about two years to complete *; and our OTD program generally takes 7 – 3.7 years to finish *. Both programs prepare graduates to sit for the national examination for licensure—a test administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). 7

Finally, OTs need to be licensed in the state they choose to work, and requirements may vary by state. 8 OTs also must complete supervised fieldwork to obtain licensure. 9 For instance, at USAHS, we require prospective students to have the following:

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or an OTA degree with at least 84 college credit hours from a U.S. Department of Education recognized institution for OTA candidates
• Official transcripts from each degree-conferring institution
• Current resume or curriculum vitae. Two recommendations – one must be from an instructor or OT practitioner
• Statement of purpose, answers to OT supplemental questions, and prerequisite coursework completion
• Applicant must hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
• Provide official academic transcripts from all degree-granting institutions
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae
• Include two letters of recommendation from professional contacts
• Additional written essay is required as part of the application

Speech Therapy vs Occupational Therapy: Key Differences and Similarities

Speech and occupational therapy professionals work in rehabilitation— both professions aim to improve the lives of their patients. Additionally, each role often requires compassion, an eye for detail, and strong communication skills.

In the career debate between occupational therapy vs speech therapy, the key difference is their areas of concentration . While a speech-language pathologist focuses on complications with language, speaking and swallowing, an occupational therapist helps patients gain, or remediate, the skills they need to perform daily functions, regardless of their age, condition or injury. In essence, SLPs target communication barriers while OTs focus on enabling an individual’s independence in life’s tasks through rehabilitation.

This distinction is crucial in multidisciplinary teams, where the unique expertise of each therapist can enrich patient outcomes. Speech and occupational therapy share the same goal of enhancing someone’s quality of life. But at the same time, their paths diverge in the specific aspects of patient care they address, which reflects the complementary nature of their interventions.

Want to know more about our OT programs?

Innovations in speech and occupational therapy careers.

Advancements in technology and research are shaping the future of speech therapy and occupational therapy, creating new opportunities for patient care, diagnosis, and treatment. From virtual reality (VR) applications that simulate real-life scenarios for occupational therapy patients, to sophisticated software that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze and improve speech patterns, these innovations will set new standards in therapeutic care. 10

Since the pandemic, teletherapy has emerged as a significant development. 11 It’s breaking down geographical barriers and making speech and occupational therapy services more accessible to all. This digital approach not only expands the reach of therapists but also introduces a level of flexibility and convenience previously unavailable. 11

Moreover, wearable technology is being integrated into OT, enabling continuous monitoring and feedback for patients with physical disabilities or those recovering from strokes. 12 Wearables can support more personalized therapy plans and accelerate progress by allowing therapists to adjust strategies in real-time based on insights derived from data.

Want to know more about our SLP program?

Discover the right healthcare profession for you.

Ultimately, your occupational therapy vs speech therapy decision will come down to your personal and professional goals. Both career paths boast a wealth of benefits . Beyond salary, you’ll likely have the opportunity to provide your patients with the skills that they need to flourish.

Fortunately, USAHS can help you further navigate this OT-speech therapy decision. Our graduate occupational therapy programs and Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) are designed to help aspiring healthcare practitioners receive the continuing education and training they need to thrive.

Request information about our MS-SLP and OT programs and apply now to discover the right career path between speech and occupational therapy for you.

* Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, traditional vs. accelerated pathway, credits transferred and other factors.

The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program at the Dallas, Texas, campus has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

  Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of all prior didactic portions of the program.

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, “Speech-Language Pathologists,” BLS, April 17, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, “Occupational Therapists,” BLS, April 17, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm
• U.S. News & World Report, “Best Health Care Jobs”, U.S. News & World Report, 2024, https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/best-healthcare-jobs
• U.S. News & World Report, “100 Best Jobs”, U.S. News & World Report, 2024, https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs
• American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc., “What is Occupational Therapy?”, AOTA, https://www.aota.org/about/what-is-ot
• ETS, “Registering for a Praxis Test,” Praxis, https://praxis.ets.org/test-taker/register-process.html
• “NBCOT”, NBCOT, https://www.nbcot.org/
• State Affairs Group, “OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PROFESSION—CONTINUING COMPETENCE REQUIREMENTS,” AOTA, April 2024, https://www.aota.org/-/media/corporate/files/advocacy/licensure/stateregs/contcomp/continuing-competence-chart-short.pdf
• “Supervision requirements,” AOTA, https://www.aota.org/career/state-licensure/supervision-requirements
• Julie Liss and Visar Berisha, “How Will Artificial Intelligence Reshape Speech-Language Pathology Services and Practice in the Future?,” ASHA, August 2020, https://academy.pubs.asha.org/2020/08/how-will-artificial-intelligence-reshape-speech-language-pathology-services-and-practice-in-the-future/
• National Association of Rehabilitation Providers and Agencies, “The Growing Role of Telehealth in Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy”, NARA, July 2023, https://www.naranet.org/blog/post/the-growing-role-of-telehealth-in-physical-occupational-and-speech-therapy
• Pablo Maceira-Elvira, Traian Popa, Anne-Christine Schmid & Friedhelm C. Hummel, “Wearable technology in stroke rehabilitation: towards improved diagnosis and treatment of upper-limb motor impairment,” Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 2019;16:142, https://jneuroengrehab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12984-019-0612-y

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Upcoming speech-language pathology slp events.

Doctor of Education (EdD) Webinar - September 4 | USAHS

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OT vs. PT vs. SLP: Differences and Similarities

Occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy are often collectively referred to as the “rehabilitation therapy team.”

But wait—what, exactly, is the rehabilitation therapy team?

We’re so glad you asked!

In fact, there are so many questions around what rehabilitation is, and who does what within the rehab world, that I teamed up with Amy Behrens, CCC-SLP and Meredith Castin, PT, DPT to write this article.

We think it’s time to create a single resource that says exactly what we do.

As firm believers that medicine works best with a collaborative approach, we want to not only help people understand what physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and speech-language pathology (SLP) are, but also how they are similar and different.

Our goals for writing this article are to help the medical community better understand our roles, ensure that patients know how we bring our unique training and skills to help them recover—and hopefully to help future rehab professionals discover which therapy path they wish to pursue, should they decide to join our ranks!

Without further ado, let’s dive in!

What is rehabilitation therapy?

Rehabilitation therapy refers to evaluations, interventions, and treatments that help patients regain function.

A rehabilitation therapy team comprises physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology professionals, all of whom work together to provide care to patients whose lives have been affected by disease, injury, or disability.

As a team, therapists help to address impairments in patients’ ability to move, speak, eat, walk, dress themselves, and otherwise participate in their normal daily lives.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 145,100 SLP jobs , 130,400 OT jobs , and 239,800 PT jobs in the US.

What is occupational therapy (OT)?

Being that this is an occupational therapy site, let’s start there. What, exactly, is occupational therapy?

The short version is that OTs are health professionals who work with people who’ve had illnesses, injuries, and disabilities that prevent them from participating in their normal daily activities.

OTs work with these individuals to help them regain agency over their own health in various ways, including helping them with cooking, bathing, dressing, toileting, and more. In some cases, that involves using assistive technology, or it might require providing splinting, bracing, or other devices.

Because OT is a very holistic profession, we approach each task with the big picture of the patient’s life in mind.

That’s the short version of what we do! I created a whole article called “ What is Occupational Therapy & How Can It Help You? ”—and you can read that if you want the long version.

What is physical therapy (PT)?

Simply put, physical therapy is the treatment of the effects of disease, injury, and disability by using exercise, manual therapy, education, and therapeutic activity. PTs are considered a conservative care option because they use such techniques to get results, rather than relying on medications or surgery.

Physical therapists’ primary goals are to help patients improve their movement and function, and also reduce their pain. Physical therapists often prescribe stretches, exercises, and functional mobility activities to help patients move more efficiently and effectively, while eliminating as much pain as possible.

Physical therapists also look at patients from a holistic lens, but they are generally focused more on providing specific interventions to improve particular movements.

What is speech-language pathology (SLP)?

A speech-language pathologist’s goal is to improve a patient’s ability to communicate and/or swallow. SLPs can work on many aspects of communication with patients, including speech production, fluency (stuttering), language, cognition, voice, resonance, and hearing. Swallowing evaluation and treatment can also include feeding.

SLPs work with individuals across the life span, and with a variety of diagnoses (ranging from stroke to autism spectrum disorder to head and neck cancer to traumatic brain injury to vocal fold nodules!). The services provided by SLPs can be either rehabilitative (helping patients to regain what they have lost) or habilitative (helping patients to maintain or improve communication and/or swallowing ability).

SLPs also strive to look at a patient and his or her goals in a holistic manner. Communicating effectively and swallowing safely can play a huge role in a patient’s ability to participate in social rituals like mealtime, to make their wants and needs known, to connect with their loved ones, or to continue working in a specific vocation. SLPs work with patients and their families on individualized goals that they develop based on each patient’s unique situation, and what will improve that patient’s quality of life.

For more reading on speech-language pathology, here is their scope of practice .

OT vs. PT. vs. SLP: similarities and differences

As noted earlier, physical, occupational, and speech therapy are all primarily concerned with improving patients’ function.

It’s how we each evaluate and treat a patient that sets us apart.

We’ll get into that in a moment, but let’s start with some similarities.

Similarities

Here are some ways that the rehab therapy team’s roles overlap a bit.

• We all follow a similar trajectory of treatments: initial evaluations, progress notes, and discharges.
• We all focus on caregiver training to help support a patient with the end goals.
• We all often provide somewhat similar treatments (as noted above) and work toward similar end goals––though each in our own unique manners.
• We all generally work in similar settings. For example, you’ll find all three of us in acute care, LTAC, inpatient rehab, SNF, pediatric , school, home health, and outpatient settings.
• We are all key in making discharge recommendations after patients are hospitalized.
• We all participate in research and education.
• We all share some similar areas of focus, such as working with children or older adults. PTs and OTs share some subspecialties and niches, such as hand therapy and pelvic health––and OTs and SLPs both work on cognitive and mental health interventions, especially with patients who have dementia or have experienced brain injuries/diseases.

Differences

Here are some of the ways that each rehabilitation therapy profession is unique.

OTs are unique because they use a holistic lens to focus on daily tasks. From driving to dressing oneself, an OT can help people become as involved as possible in the activities they love…sometimes getting quite creative with splinting or assistive technology in the process! Plus, OTs can pursue a niche in mental health!

SLPs are unique because they focus on the incredibly important functions of swallowing and communication. From performing instrumental evaluations for voice and swallowing to using AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) technology to help patients communicate, SLPs have limitless niches and specializations. Some SLPs even focus on transgender communication or literacy!

PTs are unique in that they can work with professional athletes, sports teams, dance troupes, or other movement-based groups of people. They can also pursue pain science, and even work with horses, dogs, and cats in the field of animal rehabilitation!

Our teamwork approach in action.

Perhaps the best way to explain the similarities and differences in the rehab therapies is to use a patient case study as an example.

Let’s consider the case of a young man who has chronic high blood pressure and then has a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), which is commonly referred to as a stroke. A stroke is sometimes informally called a “brain attack” because it involves the sudden deprivation of oxygen to the brain. This leads to areas of the brain either temporarily or permanently losing function.

So, let’s look at how each therapy discipline will treat the man who has a stroke.

An occupational therapist focuses primarily on how this patient (whom an OT will often refer to as a client) is able to function in his daily roles, based on the damage to various parts of his brain.

• Can this man cook meals for his young daughter?
• If not, an OT will provide coaching, exercises, and adaptive equipment to help the man return to cooking the meals he and his family love.

A physical therapist also looks at that same young man and wonders how he is functioning from a movement standpoint.

• Can the patient safely walk 50 feet so he can care for his daughter while his wife is at work?
• If not, a PT will provide exercises, assistive device (cane, walker, etc.) training, and manual therapy to help the patient regain the ability to walk as independently as possible.

As you can see, there is already some overlap in function. After all, that patient or client will need to walk to and from the pantry to get the supplies for cooking, too!

If the patient needs to stand up independently to cook, he will need strength and balance in his legs. That means both OTs and PTs might be working on similar goals of standing tolerance, which will help him be able to be more independent. But the PT looks at walking independently as the end goal, while the OT looks at cooking meals as part of a normal daily life as the end goal.

A speech-language pathologist also looks at this same patient from a functional standpoint, with the emphasis being on communication and swallowing. In addition, the SLP will consider the patient’s cognition. In fact, there’s a big overlap between SLPs and OTs, especially in settings like acute care, inpatient rehab, and outpatient.

• Can the patient speak to his wife without struggling to find the right words (this is called aphasia)? And can this patient move his mouth, jaw, and tongue to speak without struggling to articulate (this is called dysarthria)?
• If not, the SLP might work with this patient to improve his ability to communicate so that his wife can purchase the foods that he wants for dinner.

Differences in education

PTs and OTs have very similar curriculums in some ways, which is why some schools even have us sitting in the same rooms for a few courses!

SLP’s curriculum is probably the most different from the rest, but we do all share some core commonalities.

Before we jump into the coursework itself, keep in mind that occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists need master’s degrees to practice, while the entry-level requirement for physical therapists is a doctorate degree. WebPT has a comprehensive article about all the nuances of becoming a PT . And, we’ve recently put together a post that walks you through what it takes to become an OT .

All three disciplines have coursework in human anatomy, physiology, and neuroscience. Occupational and physical therapists both have additional focus on orthopedics, neurological interventions, geriatrics and pediatrics. OTs branch off to focus on activity analysis, cognitive function, mental health, and research. PTs spend extended amounts of time on joint mobilization, therapeutic exercise, and pain science, as well as the pulmonary, digestive, integumentary (skin), and other body systems that impact movement.

Speech-language pathologists spend a good part of their curriculum studying speech, language, and voice disorders, and also focus on specific speech and swallowing disorders that affect both children and adults.

If you’d like to take a deeper dive into each profession’s focus, check out each program’s curriculum at NYU!

• Occupational therapy curriculum
• Speech-language pathology curriculum
• Physical therapy curriculum

Differences in licensure

All new physical therapy students in the U.S. must complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree at one of the accredited institutions across the US. In order to practice, they must also pass the NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam) and apply for and receive a state license.

In order to become educated as an occupational therapist in the US, one must obtain a master’s degree from an accredited OT school, then pass the NBCOT (National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapists) .

In the US, speech-language pathologists must complete a master’s degree-level program, pass a Praxis exam , and obtain licensure through individual states in order to practice.

Many speech-language pathology positions also require SLPs to have earned (or be working toward earning) their Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) . This certification requires the SLP complete a clinical fellowship year (among other requirements).

Each state has different requirements for PTs, OTs, and SLPs to obtain and maintain licensure, so therapists must consider individual state laws, regardless of whether they have been educated on US soil or elsewhere.

OT vs. PT vs. SLP salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, PTs, OTs, and SLPs have somewhat similar salaries.

The largest gap seems to be between PT and SLP.

The BLS site reports that the median annual wage for physical therapists was $86,850 in May 2017, and it was $76,610 for Speech-Language Pathologists. The median wage for OTs fell squarely in the middle of that range, at $83,200.

As this is an OT website, we have our own guide to OT salary , in case you want to dive deeper into that particular data.

Keep in mind that median wage is the pay at which half the workers in an occupation earn more than that pay, and half earn less.

Another thing to keep in mind is saturation. Certain cities will have several PT, OT, or SLP schools within the area (or at least nearby), so there is more competition for jobs, lowering overall wages.

Also, more “desirable” cities will often pay lower rates because more people are vying for the jobs there.

Aside from location, the setting in which you practice—as well as your employer—will play a big role in how much you earn.

Our advice is to consider the field that appeals the most to you, rather than looking at the salary alone, to ultimately make your decision.

OT vs. PT vs. SLP debt reduction

As mentioned earlier, all three disciplines require a post-baccalaureate degree to practice. OTs and SLPs need master’s degrees, while PTs need doctorates.

Master’s degrees and doctorates are usually not cheap, so it’s important to realize that most people who become rehab therapists do incur significant debt in the process.

While there have been a number of articles addressing the problem in the physical therapy field, there isn’t as much chatter about OT and SLP. This might be because the burden of debt from a master’s degree is less than that of a doctorate.

Our advice is to consider your own debt burden based on how your life will be impacted by the cost of school. Based on your current financial situation, needs of dependents or family members, spending habits, and other factors, you may or may not find that becoming a therapist is financially feasible for you.

While some schools do carry more clout than others, where you attend school does not typically affect your pay upon hire, so we recommend you choose the least expensive option (considering room and board and other living expenses) for school.

Overall, as wonderful as the rehab therapy professions are, the the debt to income ratio can be hard to bear.

At the end of the day, we encourage anyone to do a LOT of shadowing in their profession of choice before signing up for a heavy debt load!

Common practice niches and settings

One of the best things about being a therapist is the ability to explore all sorts of settings and patient populations, and to delve deeper and expand your expertise in the areas that interest you most!

PTs, OTs, and SLPs can all choose to focus on infants, children or adults, and each can choose whether to practice primarily in an inpatient or outpatient setting. OTs, PTs, and SLPs can also opt to work in the school system.

Physical therapists commonly choose niches such as geriatrics, pediatrics, hand therapy, sports, and pelvic health. A newer one is animal therapy, particularly with dogs. More and more PTs are entering the realm of pain science these days, too, which is great considering the opioid crisis in the US!

Occupational therapists often opt for specialized training in driving rehab, low vision, hand therapy, and mental health.

Speech-language pathologists frequently choose to focus on fluency, swallowing disorders, and voice/resonance disorders.

Industry trends for rehab therapists

Despite the differences in specializations and niches, there are several industry trends that are gaining popularity across the three rehab fields.

Here are some of them:

Non-traditional and non-clinical careers

More and more PTs, OTs, and SLPs are opting to leverage their degrees in alternative settings, outside of traditional, direct patient care. There are many reasons for this, including boredom, glass ceilings, and burnout—but many people choose to go non-clinical simply because they’re ready to try something new and use their degrees and education in creative ways.

Meredith and I wrote an article about non-traditional options for occupational therapists , and she runs an entire website around non-clinical jobs for rehab professionals ! Some of her offerings include courses, articles, videos, interviews, and career coaching—all of which focus on helping PTs, OTs, and SLPs find non-clinical ways to use their degrees.

Teletherapy is all the rage these days. Initially, SLPs were the first to get on board with treating remotely, but now more and more OTs and PTs are joining the ranks of online therapists. There are many ways to get involved, and you can read my article about telehealth OT and Meredith’s article about telehealth PT for more information.

The demand for therapists is higher than ever, and some facilities have a difficult time meeting staffing needs. Whether these facilities are in remote or “undesirable” locations, or they simply don’t have any nearby grad schools, they will often opt to hire travelers to fill short-term staffing needs.

Traveling can be great for new and experienced therapists alike. In addition to paying significantly more than pretty much any normal full-time job (with very few exceptions), travel offers a unique opportunity to work with a wide variety of patient populations in various settings, all in a very short time period. Plus, travel therapy is a great way to see the country!

OT vs. PT vs. SLP job outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), all three rehab therapy professions have an excellent employment outlook.

Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 24 percent from 2016 to 2026 , which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Occupational therapy will continue to be an important part of treatment for people with various illnesses and disabilities, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, autism, or the loss of a limb.

Employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 28 percent from 2016 to 2026 , which is also much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for physical therapy will come from the aging baby boomers, who are not only staying active later in life, but are also more susceptible to age-related health conditions that may require physical therapy. In addition, physical therapists will be needed to treat people with mobility issues stemming from chronic conditions, such as diabetes or obesity.

Employment of SLPs is projected to grow 18 percent between 2016 to 2026, With baby boomers continuing to age, there will be increased need for SLPs to treat speech and language impairments caused by strokes and age-related brain injuries.

The history of OT, PT, and SLP

We thought a brief overview of our professions’ histories was important to include, because it emphasizes two things:

• All three professions are around a century old, making them relatively new
• Though distinct in their own ways, our professions have much commonality in their history

All three professions were started around the same time and two major factors influenced their founding:

• World War I
• The entrance of women into the workforce

We look forward to seeing how all three grow evolve and continue to interact with one another.

No matter which path you choose, you’re in good shape.

The rehab therapy professions are constantly making various lists of the top careers in America.

And while these lists should always be taken with a grain of salt, it’s always nice to see our wonderful professions represented positively by mainstream media!

Here are just a few of our bragging rights:

• Glassdoor’s 2018’s 50 Best Jobs in America (OT #4, SLP #35)
• US News and World Report’s 25 Best Healthcare Jobs (OT #9, PT #10, SLP #24)
• Money Magazine’s 100 Best Jobs (OT # 11, PT #12, SLP #38)

We are all one big, happy rehab family!

At the end of the day, our differences and similarities are what make us such a fantastic team.

One of the reasons we love each other so much is that we understand the joys and pains involved with rehabilitating patients to achieve their goals.

We hope that this article has helped un-muddy the waters by clarifying what the rehabilitation therapy disciplines do, and also how we work together and separately to help patients regain the ability to communicate, eat, move, and participate in the activities that mean the most to them.

And if you’re trying to decide which path to pursue, we hope this article has helped you make that choice!

About the authors:

Meredith Castin, PT, DPT is a physical therapist based in San Diego who worked in outpatient, acute care, inpatient, and pretty much every other setting out there, before ultimately leaving patient care to become a writer. In addition to writing as a freelancer for OT Potential and WebPT, Meredith runs The Non-Clinical PT , an educational platform devoted to helping rehabilitation therapy professionals leverage their degrees and experience in non-clinical careers.

Amy Behrens, MA, CCC-SLP is a speech language pathologist whose work gives her the opportunity to work with adults and children in the outpatient, inpatient, and acute care settings. When she’s not helping folks to communicate or swallow, she loves exploring the Minnesota Northwoods (ideally by canoe!).

Sarah Lyon, OTR/L is and occupational therapist, and is the owner of OT Potential . Sarah worked in an acute trauma center, a rural hospital, and a state psychiatric hospital before transitioning to helping fellow OTs full-time—by creating resources such as this one.

Learn more about occupational therapy in the following guides:

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• College Advice
• Completing Your Degree
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• What Degree Do I Need to Go Into Occupational Therapy?

Four Reasons to Earn a MS in Occupational Therapy

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It is not uncommon for people interested in patient care to compare occupational therapy and speech-language pathology, or speech therapy. In fact, these careers fall under the category of rehabilitation therapy which includes occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy. Professionals in all three of these fields work together to care for patients whose daily lives have been affected by a disability, injury, or illness.

Those who are interested in pursuing a career in rehabilitation therapy often find themselves torn between occupational therapy and speech therapy. Since the duties of these professions sometimes overlap and practitioners often collaborate with one another, it can be difficult to decide which career is right for you. Here’s a look at the differences between occupational therapy and speech therapy so you can better understand which role is best aligned to your goals.

What is an Occupational Therapist?

Occupational therapists (OTs) are practitioners who use therapeutic techniques to treat injuries, illnesses, or disabilities that affect patients’ ability to complete everyday activities which are important to them.

Occupational therapists treat a wide variety of patients in various settings. The majority of OTs work in state, local, or private hospitals and or in private practice offices. Other common work environments for these physical therapists include elementary and secondary schools at the state, local, and private levels, home healthcare services, or nursing care facilities.

Want to learn more about Occupational Therapy Careers? Download Our Free Guide!

What is a Speech-Language Pathologist?

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) , or speech therapists, are practitioners who diagnose, treat, and prevent communication and swallowing disorders. The primary goal of a speech therapist is to use therapeutic approaches to improve a patient’s ability to communicate and/or swallow.

Roughly 40 percent of SLPs work in educational environments at the state, local, and private levels, while other popular settings include private practices, hospitals, and nursing and residential care facilities.

While there are overlaps in the approach to patient care that both of these professions take, the two careers are distinct. Here’s a look at the distinguishing factors between occupational and speech therapy.

Occupational Therapy vs Speech Therapy: How Do They Differ?

While these careers are different from one another, the desire to help improve patients’ lives is a common thread between occupational therapy and speech therapy. For this reason, students who are looking to narrow their area of focus often compare the two professions.

Michael Roberts , associate professor and director of the master's in occupational therapy program at Regis College explains, “They are both interested in helping people be present and active in the world, and often collaborate on things like feeding and swallowing in rehab hospitals, social participation in school systems, and adapted communication for clients with aphasia.”

“The clearest difference,” Roberts continues, “is in the OT’s focus on the use of meaningful, goal-directed, personalized activity programs to restore independence and quality of life with a holistic focus on the client’s whole life, whereas the speech therapist is focused exclusively on the client’s swallowing or communication disorders and how to remediate them.”

In order to determine which career is right for you, it is important to understand how the roles and responsibilities, job growth, and required education for each profession differs. Once you thoroughly understand what each career entails, you can make an informed decision about which path will allow you to achieve your personal and professional goals.

Roles and Responsibilities

As Roberts points out, OTs and SLPs often collaborate with one another to address the needs of a patient. On a granular level, though, the roles and responsibilities of professionals in each field vary.

The common roles and responsibilities of occupational therapists include:

• Evaluating a patient’s condition and specific needs
• Designing treatment plans and setting goals to improve a patient's ability to live independently
• Assessing and documenting patient progress
• Evaluating and adapting patient environments to allow independence and ease daily activities
• Educating patients and caregivers on the use of special equipment and care techniques

It is also important to remember that there are several specialties that OTs can choose to pursue. The roles and responsibilities of an individual OT will vary depending on which focus they decide to specialize in. Board and specialty certifications offered by the American Occupational Therapy Association include:

• Gerontology
• Mental Health
• Physical Rehabilitation
• Driving and Community Mobility
• Environmental Modification
• Feeding, Eating, and Swallowing, Low Vision
• School Systems

While occupational therapists work to treat patients from head to toe, speech therapists are more narrowly focused on treating complications that affect speech, language, and swallowing abilities. Tasks commonly performed by speech-language pathologists include:

• Evaluating a patient’s speech, language, and swallowing ability
• Designing and carrying out individualized treatment plans to address a patient’s needs
• Educate patients and caregivers on techniques to manage communication and swallowing disorders

Who Makes More Money: OT or SLP?

Both occupational therapy and speech-language pathology are in-demand careers for those who wish to pursue a role in healthcare and rehabilitation services.

The occupational therapy field has grown rapidly in recent years and is expected to continue expanding. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, OT employment is projected to grow 14 percent from 2021 to 2031. Many factors can be attributed to this growth, including the need for experienced professionals to care for the aging baby boomer population and to treat patients with chronic conditions.

As a result of the demand for highly trained occupational therapy professionals, OTs can expect generous compensation for their skills. In 2021, it was reported that OTs earned a median annual wage of $85,570 , or roughly $43.59 per hour.

Speech therapy, on the other hand, is also growing in popularity--the BLS projects an increase in employment at a rate of 21 percent from 2021 to 2031. Much like the occupational therapy field, more SLPs will be needed to treat speech and language disorders in the aging population. Additionally, as awareness of childhood speech and language disorders continues to rise, the demand for SLPs to treat this age group is increasing as well.

On average, speech-language pathologists earned slightly less than occupational therapists with a median salary of $79,060 , or about $39.53 per hour, in 2021.

Required Education

Undergraduate education can vary for either career; however, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology both typically require a master’s degree or higher level of education in order to become a licensed practitioner.

Upon completion of an appropriately related bachelor’s degree, aspiring OTs often enroll in a master's in occupational therapy program. These programs usually take two to three years to complete and prepare students for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT ) exam. In order to become a licensed occupational therapist, students must pass the NBCOT exam, fulfill their fieldwork requirements, and follow the process to obtain state licensure.

Those who wish to become speech therapists, on the other hand, will need to pursue a master's in speech-language pathology. Once a student has completed a master's in speech-language pathology and passed the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology administered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) , they can complete the process of applying for state licensure.

Choosing Your Path

Choosing between occupational therapy and speech therapy can be a difficult decision, so it is important to know how each career path aligns with your personal and professional goals. For those facing this decision, Roberts says, “If you are comparing Speech Therapy and OT, I would recommend looking at the scale, scope, and variety of ways you can practice each profession.”

“Speech therapists can work in inpatient, outpatient, and private practice settings to help restore their clients’ ability to communicate and connect with the world around them,” he continues. “OTs work in physical dysfunction settings, psychosocial dysfunction settings, long-term care, school systems, community-based organizations, as ergonomic or low-vision consultants, in assistive technology, in driving rehabilitation, and many more settings across the lifespan.”

One of the benefits of pursuing an occupational therapy career, says Roberts, is that “with an entry-level degree in OT there are almost no limits to the settings, practices, and populations you can explore.”

If you want to make a difference in the lives of patients while having the flexibility to work in a variety of settings, occupational therapy could be the right path for you.

Are you considering earning your master’s degree in occupational therapy and becoming an occupational therapist? Learn more about the different reasons it might be the right move for you.

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy

Earn your Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at Regis as our emphasis on fieldwork prepares you for a fulfilling OT career.

If you want a master’s degree in occupational therapy (MSOT), you’ve probably got a lot of questions, here are four Reasons to Earn a MS in Occupational Therapy.

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An occupational therapist advocates for his profession as one of the few successful treatments without side effects.

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The Benefits of Speech Therapy

What to expect, frequently asked questions.

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) can help you with speech, language, and swallowing. They provide speech therapy to children and adults who may have speech or language disorders.

People with certain medical conditions may also benefit from speech therapy. Medical conditions that may cause speech or swallowing impairment include traumatic brain injury , stroke (brain damage due to a blood vessel blockage or bleed), and dementia (decline in memory and thinking functions).

This article looks at the various uses for speech therapy, what to expect during a session, and the techniques involved in this type of therapy. 

Verywell / Theresa Chiechi

Speech therapy can help with a variety of conditions.

Speech Disorders

Speech therapy may help with speech disorders like:

• Stuttering : Stuttering may involve repeating parts of words, prolonging words, or struggling to get out certain words. You may be more likely to have a stutter if you have a family history of stuttering.
• Apraxia : This motor speech disorder makes it difficult to move the tongue and lips to make sounds required for speech. In some cases, people with apraxia cannot speak at all. Causes for this disorder include brain tumors, dementia, stroke, and any other condition that causes brain injury.
• Voice : Voice disorders can be temporary or permanent and make it hard to speak. Chronic voice disorders include chronic cough, vocal fold paralysis, vocal polyps (growths on the vocal cords), and spasmodic dysphonia (vocal cord spasms).
• Dysarthria : People with this speech disorder have muscle weakness that makes it difficult to talk. They may slur or mumble their words. Dysarthria can happen due to brain injury or chronic degenerative conditions like Parkinson’s disease or Huntington’s disease .

Language Disorders

A language disorder ( aphasia ) is a condition that makes it difficult for a person to read, write, speak, or understand speech or other modes of communication. 

Someone with this type of disorder may struggle to:

• Use incorrect words for things
• Say complete sentences 
• Understand what other people say
• Understand jokes
• Read or spell 

Brain tumors, traumatic brain injuries, and degenerative disorders that affect cognitive function can all cause aphasia.

Feeding and Swallowing Disorders

Feeding and swallowing disorders can occur in both children and adults. A feeding disorder involves trouble with eating, sucking, drinking from a cup, or chewing. The specific term for swallowing disorders is dysphagia . Children or adults with dysphagia have trouble swallowing food or drink. 

Problems swallowing or feeding may or may not be related to a medical condition. Conditions that may cause a swallowing or feeding disorder include:

• Cleft palate or cleft lip
• Asthma and other breathing issues
• Heart disease
• Premature birth
• Nervous system disorders
• Reflux 
• Muscle weakness 
• Sensory issues
• Autism  
• Behavior problems
• Certain medications

Speech therapy begins with an evaluation to assess your difficulties and whether any structural issues contribute to your speech, language, feeding, or swallowing problems. An evaluation may involve a standardized test to help determine what you most need help with. Informal conversations may also help figure out your needs. 

A speech-language pathologist will then work with you to help improve your ability to speak, converse, or swallow. This may involve:

• Educating you on how to do certain things like articulating or pronouncing sounds
• Teaching you language skills
• Providing you with educational materials
• Giving you exercises to help strengthen your muscles 
• Giving you exercises that help you breathe better
• Participation in group therapy sessions 

You should also expect to practice the skills and exercises you learn in speech therapy sessions at home. Your speech-language pathologist may provide you with workbooks, worksheets, or virtual apps for at-home practice.

Speech Therapy for Adults

Depending on the reason you’re seeking out speech therapy, a speech-language pathologist may:

• Help you learn to move your muscles correctly to make sounds if you have apraxia or dysarthria
• Teach you how to use your breath to speak louder if you have dysarthria
• Help you learn to manage stuttering by teaching you to lower stress levels in certain situations
• Help you strengthen your mouth muscles to make it easier to swallow and eat if you have a feeding or swallowing disorder due to a brain injury or disease

Speech Therapy for Children

A speech-language pathologist’s approach will depend on the child. When working with a child who has a feeding or swallowing disorder, they might focus on:

• Strengthening the muscles of the mouth
• Helping the child with chewing
• Encouraging the child to try new food and drink
• Changing food texture to make it easier to swallow food 
• Helping with sensory issues related to food

Other skills a speech-language pathologist may work on with a child include:

• Language complexity : For example, they might teach words like "and" and "or" to connect ideas within sentences.
• Conversation skills : This may include role-playing to help the child with socialization and improve their read of social cues. 
• Vocabulary : They may use games or storytelling to help build the child’s vocabulary. 
• Phonological awareness : This recognition of the sounds that make up words is an important skill for reading. The SLP may work on helping the child identify sounds and rhymes in words to build this skill.

Healthcare professionals will also test your child’s hearing to see if hearing loss may be contributing to language and speech issues.

If you or your child is getting speech therapy from a qualified speech-language pathologist, you might wonder how likely it is that you’ll see improvement in speech, language, or feeding. 

Results will depend on the individual. It’s also essential to follow the exercises, tips, and strategies provided by the speech-language professional. Regular visits and keeping up with practice activities and exercises make it more likely to see an improvement in yourself or your child. 

A speech-language pathologist works with children or adults who have speech, language, or feeding and swallowing disorders. Typically the first session will involve an evaluation to determine the areas that are causing you the most problems. 

From there, they may teach you exercises and strategies to improve your speech, language, or ability to swallow and eat. 

A Word From Verywell

Think you or your child would benefit from speech therapy? Get in touch with your primary healthcare provider and ask for a recommendation. You can also use the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA)  Find a Certified SLP Tool . 

Not all children develop at the same rate, but if your child has issues understanding language, doesn’t use gestures, or doesn’t seem to be learning new words, you might consider having them evaluated by a speech therapist. 

While this may depend on the individual and the cause of speech-related problems, research suggests that speech and language therapy can significantly improve speech and language issues.

One example of a typical speech therapy technique is articulation therapy. This technique teaches the person to make specific sounds, sometimes by showing them how to move their mouth or tongue.

A language delay is when a child has difficulty in speaking and understanding speech that is unusual for their age.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Stuttering .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Apraxia of speech in adults .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Voice disorders .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Dysarthria .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Aphasia .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Feeding and swallowing disorders in children .

Brainline. Speech therapy .

Understood for All. What is speech therapy .

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Languages and speech disorders in children .

Broomfield J, Dodd B. Is speech and language therapy effective for children with primary speech and language impairment? Report of a randomized control trial . Int J Lang Commun Disord . 2011;46(6):628-640. doi:10.1111/j.1460-6984.2011.00039.x

Nemours Children's Health. Speech-language therapy .

By Steph Coelho Steph Coelho is a freelance health and wellness writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience working on content related to health, wellness, mental health, chronic illness, fitness, sexual wellness, and health-related tech.She's written extensively about chronic conditions, telehealth, aging, CBD, and mental health. Her work has appeared in Insider, Healthline, WebMD, Greatist, Medical News Today, and more.

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Choosing Between Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy

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Home / Speech Pathology Career Guide / Choosing Between Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy

Speech Pathology vs Occupational Therapy

For those with a desire to help others develop, improve, recover, or find alternatives to the skills needed in everyday life, speech pathology and occupational therapy are both excellent career choices. Because these careers help others in a similar way, many aspiring healthcare professionals have difficulty deciding which field they would like to pursue. While there are many similarities between the two fields in terms of how both professionals work with patients, this article will talk about some of the differences that may help you decide which path to choose.

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What do Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists do?

Occupational therapist job description.

Occupational therapists  (OTs) use everyday activities as therapy for the treatment of disability, illness, or injury. The goal of occupational therapy is to optimize a patient’s daily living and working experience, either through the improvement, development, or recovery of skills, as well as adaptation of a patient’s environment. Occupational Therapists help patients across the lifespan, from children with developmental disability to seniors undergoing cognitive change. Since occupational therapists are working on movements and activities involving the whole body, they are more likely to be more physically active during the work day as they demonstrate exercises and move equipment.

Speech Pathologist Job Description

Speech-language pathologists  (SLPs) treat patients with a wide range of speech, language, swallowing, fluency, voice, and cognitive disorders in order to help them better communicate. Like OT’s, the goal of SLPs is to optimize their patient’s living experience, either through the improvement of their ability to communicate or by providing them with alternative ways of communicating so that they can be heard. SLPs also treat across age groups in a variety of settings. 

So, if you are interested in helping people improve their ability to communicate, speech pathology careers may be of interest to you. If you are more interested in helping others develop the skills needed to complete physical tasks, occupational therapy may be the best fit.

Similarities Between Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy

While speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists work with patients on different sets of issues, there are many similarities in the approach to helping patients in both careers:

Evaluation:  Assessing and evaluating patients for issues and disorders is a key responsibility for both SLPs and OTs

Treatment and Treatment Plans:  Both OTs and SLPs must use what they have learned from evaluating their patients to come up with treatment plans and to execute those plans. Both professions are highly evidenced based, utilizing research to implement proven treatments

Evaluate Treatment Effectiveness:  Once speech pathology or occupational therapy treatment plans are in place, it is important to be able to evaluate whether or not they are working, so that those plans can be adjusted to optimize outcomes for patients

Family Education:  Many therapy patients either have disabilities that require help from caregivers, are young children who need help continuing treatment outside of therapy sessions, or have other needs that require family education. SLPs and OTs are charged with educating families on injuries and disorders, including what families can do to help patients benefit from therapy as much as possible, as well as making patient home environments better for the patient’s condition.

Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy Education Requirements

Both speech pathology careers and occupational therapy careers require master’s degrees and state certification. Here is some more information on the path to becoming each.

Speech Pathology Certification Requirements

Speech pathology master’s program prerequisites.

Before applying to a  speech pathology master’s program , students must meet prerequisite requirements. While some programs allow students to complete foundational speech pathology coursework in the earlier semesters of a program, most programs require that speech students complete several foundational courses before applying. Some programs will also require that the student has spent a certain amount of hours observing speech pathologists before applying.

Speech Pathology Master’s Programs

Speech pathologists must earn a master’s degree, which typically takes 2-3 years to complete. As part of this degree, students will complete the coursework needed to  prepare to become speech pathologists , and will also complete  clinical and field requirements  that will be required by most states for certification or  licensure .  Accredited speech pathology master’s programs  require 400 clinical practicum hours, often divided over several experiences.

Speech pathologists do not need a doctorate degree to become certified and practice in any state.

Speech Pathology Clinical Fellowship Year

After completing a speech pathology graduate program, students in most states must complete a Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY). The CFY is a 9 month, 1260 hour experience completed under an American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) supervisor. During the CFY, fellows gain professional experience through observation and supervisory activities.

Speech Pathology Praxis Exam

Those who want to become a speech pathologist must pass the Praxis exam with a score of 162 or higher. It is recommended that the exam be taken during the Clinical Fellowship Year.

Speech Pathology Certification

Speech pathologists must be certified in order to practice. While ASHA provides a national certification, this certification is not required in all states (though most states have equivalent standards). In order to become certified, you must work with your state’s speech pathology board or other governing body to determine what specific requirements you must meet and how to apply. Once your application is accepted, you can practice as a speech pathologist, as long as you continue to meet certification maintenance requirements!

Occupational Therapy Certification Requirements

Occupational therapy master’s program prerequisites.

While the  American Occupational Therapy Association  (AOTA) has not published a list of specific requirements, schools often require that you complete foundational coursework in various areas of science before you apply, so that you are prepared to begin a graduate level occupational therapy program.

Occupational Therapy Master’s Programs

Occupational therapy master’s programs typically take 2-3 years to complete. In addition to required coursework, students must complete Level I and Level II Fieldwork as part of the program. The requirements for Level I Fieldwork are determined by your program, but AOTA requires that Level II Fieldwork consist of at least 24 weeks of full time experience or the part time equivalent. Students must work with a variety of populations in multiple settings during their fieldwork.

Although a master’s degree will suffice for earning certification at this time,  AOTA/Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)  will require all entry-level OTs to have a doctorate from July 1, 2027 onward.

Occupational Therapy Certification Exam

To become  certified as an occupational therapist , you must pass the national certification exam. You must apply to take this exam, which requires submitting your occupational therapy master’s program transcript as well as a character review. Applicants who meet the requirements will receive an Authorization to Test. After taking the test, if you pass, you will be nationally certified as an OT!

Occupational Therapy State Licensure

After earning your national certification, make sure to check with your state on  occupational therapy licensure requirements  so that you can become licensed to practice in that state. After receiving state licensure, continue to follow all state and national renewal requirements.

Speech Pathology vs Occupational Therapy Salary and Outlook

Speech pathology and occupational therapy are both high growth fields with strong earning opportunity:

• For occupational therapists, the  average salary  is $84,270 with 18% predicted growth in demand from 2018-2028
• For speech-language pathologists,  average salary  is $77,510 with 27% predicted growth in demand from 2018-2028
• For both occupations, the top 10% of salaries top $120,000.

Speech Pathology vs  Occupational Therapy Work Settings

Although both SLPs and OTs are needed in many different settings, and provide services to a variety of populations, there are some differences in where these professionals typically work. While  40% of speech pathologists work in schools , only 11% of OTs do. There are certainly many occupational therapists in educational settings, but one who has a goal of working in a school may want to keep this in mind.

The most common  setting for an occupational therapist  to work is a medical setting. Forty-five percent of OTs work in hospitals, nursing facilities, or home health care, while only 19% of SLPs do.

SLPs and OTs are equally likely to work in an office of OTs, SLPs, and physical therapists (PTs). About 25% of these professionals choose to do so.

Therapies and Interventions

What are the differences between speech therapy and occupational therapy?.

Step into the world of therapy where Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy play unique roles in enhancing human development and function, setting the stage for a transformative journey ahead.

Key Takeaways

• Speech therapy focuses on communication and swallowing disorders, while occupational therapy aids in regaining everyday skills.
• Speech therapy targets speech impairments and language disorders, while occupational therapy targets fine motor and cognitive skills.
• Speech therapists work on articulation problems and voice disorders, while occupational therapists focus on enhancing functional independence.
• Speech therapists diagnose and treat communication challenges, while occupational therapists assist in daily tasks and motor skills.

Speech Therapy Overview

Occupational Therapy Overview

• Holistic Approach: Occupational therapists take a holistic approach to treatment, considering the physical, emotional, and environmental factors that may impact a patient's ability to perform daily tasks. By addressing these various aspects, therapists can help patients achieve greater independence and quality of life.
• Adaptive Equipment: Therapists may recommend and provide adaptive equipment to assist patients in completing tasks. These tools can range from modified utensils for eating to specialized computer software for work-related activities, enabling patients to engage in activities that are important to them.
• Patient-Centered Care: Occupational therapy focuses on patient-centered care, where therapists work closely with individuals to set personalized goals and develop treatment plans that align with their specific needs and aspirations. This approach empowers patients to take an active role in their rehabilitation journey and enhances the overall effectiveness of therapy sessions.

Targeted Conditions in Speech Therapy

Speech Sounds Therapy

• Specific Sound Production: This therapy focuses on improving the ability to produce individual speech sounds correctly, which is crucial for clear and effective communication.
• Techniques Utilized: Therapeutic techniques may include auditory discrimination training to distinguish between sounds, oral-motor exercises to strengthen speech muscles, and phonetic placement cues to guide sound production.
• Overall Goal: The ultimate aim of Speech Sounds Therapy is to enhance speech clarity and overall communication skills for individuals with speech sound disorders, empowering them to communicate effectively and confidently.

Fluency Techniques Used

Language development strategies, language development strategies in speech therapy:.

• Individualized Approach: We design personalized activities using play, books, pictures, and interactive tools to suit each individual's needs.
• Child-Centered Techniques: For children, we focus on enhancing communication skills, vocabulary, grammar, and social interactions through age-appropriate strategies.
• Overall Improvement: Our language development strategies target language delays, disorders, and difficulties in expressing thoughts effectively, aiming to enhance communication abilities and promote clearer speech for better interaction and comprehension.

Targeted Conditions in Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy Scope

• Occupational therapists focus on improving fine motor skills to enhance independence in activities of daily living.
• They work on addressing handwriting difficulties to facilitate effective communication and participation in various tasks.
• Occupational therapy aims to support individuals in sensory integration challenges to improve their quality of life and engagement in meaningful activities.

Occupational Therapy Techniques

Techniques used in speech therapy.

• Articulation Therapy : This technique focuses on correcting articulation problems like lisps or difficulty pronouncing certain sounds. Speech therapists work with individuals to improve the clarity of their speech by practicing specific sounds in isolation, syllables, words, phrases, and sentences.
• Fluency Therapy : For individuals experiencing fluency disorders such as stuttering, fluency therapy techniques help improve the flow of speech. Therapists may use strategies like breathing exercises, slowing down speech rate, and desensitization to reduce stuttering occurrences and promote smoother communication.
• Language Intervention : Speech therapy addresses receptive and expressive language disorders by targeting vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and social communication skills. Through activities like storytelling, role-playing, and structured language exercises, therapists help individuals develop stronger communication skills to express their thoughts and understand others effectively.

Techniques Used in Occupational Therapy

Key Differences in Therapeutic Approaches

• Occupational Therapy :
• Speech Therapy :
• Tailored Approach :

Educational Requirements for Therapists

Salary and Job Outlook Comparison

• Salary Differences: Speech-language pathologists have a median annual salary of approximately $79,060, while occupational therapists earn around $85,570 annually. This variation in earnings reflects the different demands and responsibilities of each profession.
• Job Outlook Disparities: The job outlook for speech-language pathologists is notably more optimistic, with a projected growth rate of 21% from 2021 to 2031. In comparison, occupational therapy is expected to experience a 14% growth during the same period. This forecast indicates a higher demand for speech-language pathologists in the coming years.
• Professional Growth: With a higher job growth rate and a rewarding median salary, pursuing a career as a speech-language pathologist can offer both financial stability and professional fulfillment. The increasing demand for speech therapy services underscores the importance of this profession in healthcare.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between speech feeding and ot?, can ot help with speech therapy?, what is the difference between slp and ot cognition?, what do ot pt and slp have in common?.

Alex leads our content strategy and ensures that all information presented is accurate, insightful, and empowering. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the community’s needs, Alex guides the team in creating meaningful content that educates, inspires, and connects.

What Makes Speech Therapy Month So Important?

What Are the Benefits of Auditory Processing Speech Therapy?

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What are constant therapy's auditory commands for therapy sessions?.

Dive into Constant Therapy's auditory commands for therapy sessions, where each task holds the key to unlocking cognitive potential – intrigued to learn more?

• Auditory commands enhance listening skills and spatial awareness in therapy.
• Clear instructions ensure accurate task performance and active engagement.
• Tailored commands personalize therapy sessions for individual needs and challenges.
• Real-time feedback in Constant Therapy enhances attention to detail and skill development.

Understanding the Basics of Auditory Commands

Importance of Clear Instructions in Therapy

Clarity in Therapy

Communication for success, tailoring commands to individual needs.

Personalized Command Selection

• Targeted Intervention : Commands can be customized to address specific areas of difficulty or to enhance particular skills.
• Enhanced Therapy Experience : Customized commands make therapy more engaging and relevant, leading to a more effective rehabilitation or training process.
• Individual Progress : Adjusting auditory commands allows for personalized progression tracking tailored to each user's objectives.
• Motivation and Engagement : Personalized tasks keep users motivated and engaged, contributing to better outcomes in therapy sessions.

Customized Prompt Options

Feedback Mechanisms for Progress Tracking

• Real-time Feedback: Constant Therapy offers immediate feedback on task performance, allowing users to adjust and improve their responses promptly.
• Accuracy Tracking: Progress is measured based on the precision with which users follow instructions and correctly place objects, providing clear indicators of improvement areas.
• Listening Skills Evaluation: Users receive feedback on their listening skills and comprehension abilities, helping them understand their strengths and areas needing development.
• Data Analysis: The platform tracks completion rates and response times, enabling users and therapists to monitor progress over time and tailor interventions accordingly.

Enhancing Communication Skills Through Commands

Cognitive Skill Development With Auditory Cues

• Users engage in auditory processing tasks by tapping objects to hear their names and placing them correctly.
• Following verbal instructions enhances comprehension and execution abilities.
• Tasks like placing objects such as BET to the left of a ladle test spatial awareness and attention to detail.
• Auditory cues provide interactive feedback, promoting active participation and information retention during therapy sessions.

Implementing Commands in Daily Practice

Maximizing Therapy Outcomes With Auditory Guidance

• Enhanced Attention to Detail: The placement of objects like BET to the left of the ladle tests spatial awareness and attention to detail.
• Promotion of Active Participation: Interactive auditory experiences in therapy sessions promote active participation and enhance learning.
• Development of Key Skills: Auditory guidance helps develop listening skills, comprehension abilities, and the ability to execute instructions effectively.
• Instant Feedback for Retention: Instant feedback provided during auditory command tasks aids in the retention of information and maximizes therapy outcomes.

What Is Constant Therapy?

What are the games for constant therapy?, what is an example of a working memory task?, how do you target short term memory in speech therapy?.

Jamie is one of the creative forces behind the words that resonate with our audience at Deaf Vibes. With a passion for storytelling and advocacy, Jamie delves into topics that matter deeply to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Jamie’s articles are crafted with empathy, insight, and a commitment to positive change, from exploring the latest advancements in hearing technologies to shedding light on the everyday challenges and victories of those within the community. Jamie believes in the power of shared stories to inspire action, foster understanding, and create a more inclusive world for everyone.

7 Auditory Processing Disorder Goals for Speech Therapy Success

Begin your journey to mastering the 7 Auditory Processing Disorder goals with the letter 'B' and unlock the secrets to transformative speech therapy outcomes.

• Customize communication objectives for tailored interventions and progress tracking.
• Enhance sound recognition and discrimination skills for improved auditory processing.
• Develop proficient sound blending through multisensory techniques and phonemic activities.
• Strengthen language comprehension and speech production for effective communication outcomes.

Setting Clear Communication Objectives

Improving Auditory Discrimination Skills

Sound Recognition Techniques

Listening skill development.

• Distinguishing between similar sounds enhances listening comprehension
• Speech therapy aids in speech perception and language development
• Recognizing and interpreting speech sounds accurately is crucial
• Improved auditory discrimination skills lead to better understanding of spoken language
• Overcoming challenges in processing auditory information is essential

Enhancing Sound Blending Proficiency

Strengthening Listening Comprehension Abilities

Enhancing Auditory Discrimination

• Training goals target improving the ability to differentiate subtle sound differences.
• Strengthening auditory discrimination aids in language development.
• Enhanced auditory discrimination helps in distinguishing speech sounds in noisy environments.
• Improved auditory discrimination supports accurate processing of auditory information.
• Developing auditory discrimination skills is vital for effective communication.

Improving Sound Recognition

Developing effective speech production.

• Articulation: Target specific speech sounds and patterns to improve speech intelligibility.
• Phonological Awareness: Enhance the understanding of sounds and their relationship to language for better speech discrimination.
• Speech Clarity: Work on improving speech sound production accuracy to reduce communication breakdowns.
• Prosody and Intonation: Provide strategies to enhance speech pacing, intonation, and prosody for a natural flow of speech.
• Coordination: Strengthen the connection between auditory processing, speech production, and language comprehension to boost overall communication outcomes.

Building Vocabulary and Language Skills

Implementing Multisensory Learning Techniques

• Multisensory learning techniques engage multiple senses like hearing, touch, and sight to enhance information processing in individuals with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD).
• These techniques involve combining auditory input with visual, tactile, or kinesthetic stimuli to reinforce learning and memory retention for individuals with APD.
• Implementing multisensory strategies in speech therapy can improve auditory discrimination, sound recognition, and language processing skills in individuals with APD.
• By incorporating multisensory approaches, speech therapists can address the unique sensory needs and preferences of individuals with APD to optimize therapy outcomes.
• Multisensory learning helps individuals with APD strengthen neural connections, enhance sensory integration, and improve overall communication abilities through varied sensory experiences.

How to Treat Auditory Processing Disorder in Speech Therapy?

What are the goals for auditory discrimination in speech therapy?, can you be successful with auditory processing disorder?, do slps work with auditory processing disorder?.

Together, we can make a significant impact on their journey towards improved auditory processing abilities.

Effective Auditory Verbal Therapy Lesson Plans for Learning Success

Step into the world of Auditory Verbal Therapy where structured lesson plans hold the key to unlocking learning success for children with hearing loss.

• Tailoring individualized plans optimizes progress and skill development.
• Targeted activities enhance auditory, speech, and language goals effectively.
• Strategies focus on improving auditory skills and language comprehension.
• Personalized approaches ensure engagement, motivation, and tailored learning outcomes.

Importance of Lesson Planning

Tailoring Plans to Individual Needs

• Auditory Discrimination: Assessing the child's ability to distinguish between different sounds.
• Language Comprehension: Evaluating how well the child understands spoken language.
• Speech Production: Targeting areas for improvement in producing clear and intelligible speech.
• Hearing Technology: Considering the use of devices like hearing aids or cochlear implants.
• Communication Goals: Establishing objectives for enhancing overall communication skills.

Incorporating Targeted Activities

Strategies for Enhancing Auditory Skills

• Engage in auditory identification activities to aid vocabulary development and language skills.
• Focus on phonological awareness at the syllable and phoneme level to improve oral and written language mastery.
• Utilize auditory-verbal techniques such as speech babble and word manipulation exercises to boost phonological awareness skills effectively.
• Incorporate targeted interventions and structured activities to enhance auditory awareness and discrimination for improved language comprehension.
• Implement sound sorting activities to enhance auditory skills and support vocabulary development.

Personalization for Learning Success

What Is the Strategy of Auditory-Verbal Therapy?

What is the efficacy of auditory-verbal therapy?, what are the goals of avt?, what are the principles of avt?.

Through personalized and engaging sessions, we aim to cultivate the seeds of language, communication, and overall learning growth, leading to a beautiful and fulfilling journey ahead.

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Occupational Therapy vs. Speech Therapy: Understanding the Key Differences

Posted on February 29th, 2024.

In pediatric healthcare, parents often encounter the terms "occupational therapy" and "speech therapy" when seeking services for their children. 

While both disciplines focus on improving a child's overall well-being, they address distinct areas of development and utilize different approaches to intervention. 

Let's delve into the nuances of occupational therapy vs. speech therapy to gain a clearer understanding of how each supports children's development.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy (OT) is a healthcare profession that aims to help individuals of all ages participate in meaningful activities or occupations. Occupational therapists focus on enhancing a person's ability to perform daily tasks, improve motor skills, enhance sensory processing, and promote independence in activities of daily living. In pediatric settings, occupational therapy often addresses challenges related to fine motor skills, sensory integration, self-care skills, and overall functional independence.

What is Speech Therapy?

Speech therapy, also known as speech-language therapy or speech-language pathology, is a specialized field that focuses on assessing, diagnosing, and treating communication disorders and swallowing difficulties. Speech therapists, or speech-language pathologists (SLPs), work with individuals of all ages to improve speech sound production, language skills, social communication, fluency, voice quality, and swallowing function. In pediatric practice, speech therapy commonly addresses articulation, language development, pragmatic language/social skills, fluency/stuttering, and feeding/swallowing issues.

Key Differences Between Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy

In understanding the distinctions between occupational therapy (OT) and speech therapy (ST), it's crucial to recognize the unique focuses and approaches of each discipline. Let's explore the key differences between occupational therapy and speech therapy to gain insight into how they address various aspects of a child's development and well-being.

Focus Areas

While occupational therapy primarily focuses on enhancing fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-care skills, and overall functional independence, speech therapy focuses on improving speech sound production, language skills, social communication, fluency/stuttering, voice quality, and swallowing function.

Interventions

Occupational therapy interventions may include activities to improve fine motor coordination, sensory integration techniques, adaptive equipment recommendations, and environmental modifications. Speech therapy interventions, instead, may include articulation exercises, language therapy activities, social skills training, fluency techniques, voice therapy exercises, and swallowing therapy.

Scope of Practice

Occupational therapy addresses a broad range of activities of daily living, including self-care, school activities, play skills, and community participation. Conversely, speech therapy focuses specifically on improving communication skills, including speech, language, social interaction, and swallowing.

Evaluation Focus

While occupational therapy evaluates functional abilities related to daily activities, motor skills, sensory processing, and environmental factors, speech therapy evaluates communication skills, speech sound production, language comprehension and expression, social communication, fluency, voice quality, and swallowing function.

Embracing a Collaborative Approach

In the realm of pediatric therapy, collaboration between speech and occupational therapists can be highly beneficial for children's overall development and well-being. By combining their expertise and resources, these professionals can address a wide range of challenges and maximize therapeutic outcomes.

Here are some ways speech and occupational therapy can work together:

• Integrated Assessment: Speech and occupational therapists may conduct joint assessments to gain a comprehensive understanding of a child's strengths, challenges, and areas of need.
• Targeted Intervention: Coordinated therapy sessions allow therapists to address overlapping goals and incorporate complementary strategies to support a child's speech, language, motor skills, sensory processing, and social-emotional development.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Therapists collaborate with each other, as well as with parents, educators, and other professionals, to ensure consistent support and continuity of care across different settings.
• Functional Activities: Therapists may integrate functional activities that target both speech/language and motor/sensory goals, fostering skill acquisition in real-life contexts.
• Home Programs: Collaboratively developed home programs provide families with tailored strategies and activities to reinforce therapeutic goals and facilitate carryover of skills into daily routines.
• Progress Monitoring: Regular communication between speech and occupational therapists allows for ongoing progress monitoring, adjustments to treatment plans, and shared goal-setting to optimize outcomes.

Is Speech Therapy Occupational Therapy?

While speech therapy and occupational therapy share some similarities in their goals of promoting overall well-being and independence, they are distinct disciplines with different areas of focus and expertise. Speech therapy primarily addresses communication disorders and swallowing difficulties, while occupational therapy focuses on enhancing functional abilities related to daily activities and participation in meaningful occupations. While both therapies may be beneficial for children with certain overlapping needs, such as those with developmental delays or neurological conditions, they serve different purposes and employ different intervention techniques.

Does Occupational Therapy Help with Speech?

Occupational therapy can indirectly support speech development by addressing underlying skills and abilities that contribute to communication success. For example, occupational therapists may work on fine motor skills needed for handwriting, sensory processing skills related to attention and focus, or self-regulation skills that impact social interaction. By improving these foundational skills, occupational therapy can create a supportive environment for speech therapy to be more effective. Additionally, occupational therapists may collaborate with speech therapists to address shared goals and promote holistic development in children.

Understanding the distinctions between occupational therapy and speech therapy is essential for parents seeking appropriate interventions for their children. While both therapies play critical roles in supporting children's growth and development, they target different areas of functioning and utilize distinct intervention techniques.

Occupational Therapists traditionally work on fine motor skills and activities of daily living (ADLs). However, their profession’s name can be misleading, especially when working with children. People often get confused and say, “My kid doesn’t have an occupation/job!” What they don’t realize is that play is the job for children and is how they learn.

Similarly, speech therapy is also misunderstood. People hear our profession’s name and think we only work on sounds or with people who stutter. However, speech-language pathologists also address cognition (attention, memory, problem-solving) as well as dysphagia (feeding and swallowing disorders). There is much that both OT and Speech Therapy can offer when someone truly understands our scopes of practice.

At Tryumph Speech Therapy , we provide comprehensive speech therapy services tailored to meet the unique needs of each child. While we do not offer Occupational Therapy, we believe in a holistic approach. Therefore, if we find it necessary, we will refer your child to trusted OTs, particularly for sensory integration concerns and self-regulation difficulties.

If you have concerns about your child's communication development or would like to learn more about our services, we invite you to schedule a free discovery call today .

Contact us at (512) 898-9858 or email us at [email protected] . Let's work together to transform "try" into TRYUMPH!

Posted on August 7th, 2024.  

Have you ever noticed your child finding it challenging to combine words, or perhaps struggling to name everyday objects? Recognizing these signals early can make a world of difference. 

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Have you ever noticed how some children seem to have an easier time expressing themselves, while others struggle to find the right words? 

It's fascinating to see how each little one develops at their own pace, using different means …

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Occupational Therapy versus Speech Therapy – What’s the Difference?

Many share the common idea that occupational therapy and speech therapy are similar, as both professions focus on rehabilitation services. However, there are distinct differences between the scope of an occupational therapist and speech therapist. This article explains the role and scope as well as how occupational and speech therapy can benefit you.

What is an occupational therapist?

Occupation therapy, also commonly known as OT, is a field that treats a patient from head to foot. The primary goal is to help patients feel more independent in the activities of everyday living, whether it’s eating food, getting out of bed, or going to the shops.

Occupational therapists use a range of exercises and adaptions to help individuals practice self-care and complete basic life skills that they might find challenging or overwhelming due to disability, injury or illness. Occupational therapists sometimes work closely with speech pathologists, particularly when working with a client who has hearing loss.  

Occupational therapy and hearing loss

It’s common for children with hearing loss to experience sensory or motor difficulties because the vestibular system which is responsible for your sense of balance and movement, is located in the inner ear and may also be implicated when there is hearing loss. The vestibular system plays an important role in a child’s motor skill development including balance, core stability, muscle tone and coordination of both sides of the body.

At Hear and Say, an occupational therapist will work with our team of speech pathologists and audiologists to holistically monitor and support the development of children with hearing loss. They aim to identify potential issues as early as possible and then provide targeted strategies to help children thrive in their everyday settings.

Practice areas and expertise

Occupational therapists work with people who might be impacted by the below:

• Injury or illness
• Difficulties with fine and gross motor skills
• Developmental delay
• Intellectual disability
• Physical disability

Occupational therapists practice in a number of areas including:

• Acute care therapy: working directly with patients in hospital who require immediate treatment plans after experiencing a high-risk surgery or traumatic injury.
• Acute rehabilitation therapy: intense rehabilitation therapy where patients are required to stay for an extended period of time and attend daily sessions.
• Subacute care therapy: people that are currently not in hospital but still require intense therapy. Occupational therapists will typically work with patients three to five times during a week.
• School environments : an Occupational therapists works independently in a classroom helping students with learning difficulties and social participation.
• Assistive technology: occupational therapists determine the technology needed to help patients complete daily tasks with little to no assistance.
• Home care : therapy sessions delivered within the patients home.
• Private practice : sessions are booked via appointments and treatment is based on the patients particular needs.
• Teach life skills: an occupational therapist explores many aspects that assist the patient in developing various life skills. This can include supporting appropriate positioning for eating and swallowing, this might include aids such as adapted utensils. 

Education and qualifications

In order to practice, occupational therapists must obtain the following qualifications:

• An undergraduate or master’s degree in occupational therapy
• Be recognised and meet the national regulation requirements set by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia for the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency

Benefits of occupational therapy

The main focus of occupational therapy is to support independence, safety and meaningful engagement in daily tasks. These tasks are inclusive of self-care, productivity and leisure activities. When working with children, the aim of occupational therapy is to get the child to be able to participate in their activities of daily living and play the same as their siblings and peers.

A parent might consider coming to an occupational therapist if they’ve notice that their child has been slower to reach some of their gross and fine motor milestones. For example, their child may be taking longer to learn how to crawl, walk, jump or climb on playground equipment. They may also notice that their child has difficulty using their hands for play and self-care activities such as holding cutlery at mealtimes, holding a pencil for drawing and writing activities or learning to cut with scissors.

Alternatively, they might be concerned about their child’s ability to settle and focus on play and early learning activities. Children need to be able to control their bodies so that they can sit stably to attend and listen. They also need to be able to screen sensory input so that they can focus on what is relevant in a particular situation.

What is a speech pathologist?

Speech pathologists, also commonly known as speech therapists, assist people with speech and language challenges. Speech therapist’s overall goal is to help patients communicate more effectively. 

Speech pathologists support people with:

• Articulation
• Speech motor planning
• Oral motor skills
• Language development
• Developmental delays
• Learning disabilities
• Traumatic brain injury

In order to practice speech pathology, an individual must obtain the following:

• An undergraduate or master's doctorate degree in speech pathology
• Be recognised as a member of the professions governing body, Speech Pathology Australia

Listening and Spoken Language Specialist certification

Hear and Say has many listening and spoken language specialist who have undergone specific training to work with people impacted by hearing loss. In addition to the above, they have completed the below to achieve the Listening and Spoken Language Specialist certification:

• 900 hours of professional experience
• 80 hours of professional development
• 20 hours of mentored sessions
• Pass the final exam

Benefits of speech therapy

Speech pathologists can be helpful to all ages, whether it's the ability to speak more clearly or understand one's feelings and thoughts. Mastering these skills also increases self-esteem and independence for people with speech and language disorders.

Speech therapy for children

Every family hopes their child will meet all their developmental milestones. It can become worrying when their child does not seem to be on track with the development of their communication skills, from first words, to articulating phrases to language comprehension.

It can also be extremely frustrating for the child who is desperately trying to express themselves when they have something to say. Thankfully, speech therapists are an invaluable resource when it comes to supporting a child’s speech, language and communication skill set.

Speech therapy for children with hearing loss

For children with hearing loss who use hearing technology like hearing aids, learning to hear and speak takes a lot of work and additional support. At Hear and Say our speech pathologists specialise in working with children impacted by hearing loss. They work closely with paediatric audiologists and occupational therapists to help the child reach their language goals. Speech therapists tailor each lesson to the individual to give babies and children the critical skills they needed to hear and speak just like others around them. Lessons often involve lots of play-based learning, including games and reading.

Similarities between occupational therapy and speech therapy

While these careers are different from one another, they both share a common goal of aiming to improve patients’ lives. Occupational therapists and speech therapists career paths align in the following ways :

• Evaluation:  Evaluating patients for issues and disorders is a key responsibility for occupational therapy and speech pathologists.
• Treatment Plans:  Both occupational therapists and speech pathologists must use what they have learned from evaluating their patient's ability along with their medical history to create tailored treatment plans. Both professions are highly evidence and research based.
• Family Education:  Most therapy patients have disabilities that require a collaborative approach with their families to continue treatment outside of sessions. Speech Pathologists and occupational therapists both have to educate families on injuries and disorders. This includes what families can do to help patients benefit from therapy as much as possible and develop critical life skills.

Differences between occupational therapy and speech therapy

While both professions work in similar settings and some treatments may overlap, there are some main differences between occupational therapy and speech therapy including:

• A therapeutic focus: Speech pathology is primarily focused on issues and dyabilities surrounding communication. Whereas, Occupational therapy is focused on the big-picture perspective, analysing the individual’s problems as intertwining issues and developing relevant treatment to cater for that.
• Different required education and training: While the training for both occupational therapy and speech therapy is similar there is different education and training required.

The team at Hear and Say is here to help work out which option is best for you.

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Benefits of Speech and Occupational Therapists Working Together

Some children who are referred for speech/language services also have co-existing disorders and symptoms that cross a wide variety of developmental areas. For example, a child who is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder will most likely have sensory processing difficulties, as well as communication difficulties. Articulation disorders may also be linked to fine motor skills since both target the coordination of small muscle movements. For some children, sitting through a speech therapy session may be difficult. This may be due to a sensory processing disorder or attention difficulties, which can both be identified and addressed by an occupational therapist.

There are many great benefits of occupational and speech therapists working together. The multi-disciplinary approach is one of the most effective ways to see results. This approach encompasses therapy from a variety of viewpoints. During therapy, the patient can get exposure to sensory or motor activities while also working on language. For a speech pathologist, the main focus of therapy is language but sensory breaks can be built into make therapy more fun and interactive. This way, many goals can be targeted and the child is exposed to both language and sensory/motor concerns. For an occupational therapist, while working on motor planning, speech commands and cues are incorporated into treatment as well so that the child is getting language exposure outside of speech therapy. Working hand in hand helps increase the child’s exposure to both types of therapy, making the experience holistic and more successful.

Incorporating speech in occupational therapy and vice versa can make therapy more fun! If an occupational therapist knows the child’s speech goals, they know the appropriate set of standards for communication with the child. If the speech pathologist understands that the child has sensory sensitivity or motor delays, they can adjust treatment so that the child is comfortable and comes to therapy excited to learn.

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Our team of therapists creates personalized care plans that target individual occupational therapy goals and incorporate every child’s unique learning style.

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Chicago Occupational Therapy provides in-home and clinic-based therapy, as well as services at CST Academy, the practice’s therapeutic preschool-style program.

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Rehab Select's Therapy Director Explains the Difference between Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy

Posted by Bobby Stephenson

Aug 24, 2021 9:15:00 AM

Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy are three related disciplines in rehabilitation that work together to treat patients as a whole. Each discipline has a different focus, but there are some areas of overlap. For patients with injuries or medical conditions that limit their physical capabilities, a combination of the three therapies can help restore their life.

When a patient walks into the Rehab Select clinic, specialists from all three disciplines will evaluate the patient to understand the areas of opportunity that could be addressed through therapy. Our physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists make up a team with open lines of communication. Together, they formulate a treatment plan for the patient and continuously collaborate throughout the course of the treatment.

“Each of the three different types of therapists guides patients through a developmental sequence to achieve the highest possible level of mobility and functioning possible given their individual circumstances,” says Beth Ann Roseberry, Rehab Select's Therapy Director.

Physical Therapy

“At Rehab Select, physical therapists focus on strengthening the lower extremity, the part of the body from the hip to the toes,” Roseberry said.

Physical therapy helps patients move from restoring the most basic mobility to progressively more challenging types of movement and physical function. Physical therapy focuses on:

• Bed mobility (rolling from side to side)
• Going from laying down to sitting up
• Sitting on the side of the bed
• Weight shifting
• Gate training (putting one foot in front of the other and walking)
• Lower extremity strengthening, including range of motion and muscle strengthening
• Wheelchair independence

Physical therapists also evaluate the patient for needs with adaptive equipment. Patients may need canes, walkers, splints, braces, or other types of adaptive equipment to help them move.

Occupational Therapy

“Occupational therapists at Rehab Select focus on upper body strengthening and coordination, the activities of daily living (ADLs) and the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IDLs),” Roseberry says.

The difference between physical and occupational therapy is that occupational therapy strives to help patients not just with mobility but the functioning of everyday life. There are certain activities that are essential for basic survival and well-being, as well as more complex types of tasks that are important to daily life. This discipline focuses on:

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) – activities that are essential to basic survival and well-being, such as:

• Toilet transfers
• Tub transfers

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) – more complex activities that support daily life such as:

• Care of pets
• Care of others

Occupational therapists also teach patients compensatory strategies, which are techniques or modifications to behavior that make it easier for patients to do a particular activity. For example, an occupational therapist might teach a patient an energy conservation technique such as alternating light and heavy activities to make it possible for the patient to complete various activities during the day.

Identifying adaptive equipment to use is also one of the key compensatory strategies. Adaptive equipment is any tool or device that assists with daily living. An occupational therapist might assess whether the patient needs a bedside commode, an elevated toilet seat, a handheld shower, elastic shoelaces to make it easier to put on their shoes, or a special type of utensil with a different grasp for eating.

Another important area of occupational therapy is safety judgment, which is the ability to make sound judgments about how to safely perform an activity. For example, an occupational therapist might teach a patient with high blood pressure to better understand whether they need to stay still for a minute after standing before walking to make sure that they don’t feel faint.

Speech Therapy

Speech therapy focuses two areas of function: swallowing and cognition. Speech therapists will help patients gain better capacity to swallow food or drink water. This might include making sure the water is going into the stomach and not the lungs or determining whether the patient can’t drink liquids but needs to drink fluids that have a nectar consistency. Speech therapists may do studies such as a FEES (fiber endoscopic esophageal study) by placing a tube up the patient’s nose that contains a tiny camera to view parts of the patient’s throat as they swallow. Through speech therapy, the patient may also undergo electronic stimulation to strengthen the muscles in the throat.

Speech therapy also helps patients that are suffering from problems with cognition, which are the mental processes of gaining information, comprehending it, and making decisions. There are many cognitive skills that could be affected by injury or a medical condition, especially conditions of aging such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. Speech therapists work with patients on key cognitive issues such as:

Orientation – Helping patients understand who they are, where they are, the time and date, and what’s happened to them.

Sequencing – Helping patients with the capacity to understand and execute a set of actions in a particular order.

Memory – Helping patients develop compensatory strategies for memory deficits, such as ways to retrieve the word they can’t remember.

Working As a Team

There are many areas of overlap between the three different disciplines of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Safety judgment is a key component of both speech therapy and occupational therapy. Cognition is a major part of speech therapy but can also be the domain of an occupational therapist. Physical therapy and occupational therapy both deal with mobility, though occupational therapy also has the important added dimension of helping patients function in daily life.

“At Rehab Select, our physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists work together to gain a detailed picture of the patient as a whole person,” Roseberry said. “Throughout the course of treatment, our therapists in the three different disciplines will meet weekly to discuss each patient and their progress, sharing ideas, observations, and strategies that help move the treatment plan forward. These weekly meetings help ensure that our team is both supporting each other and not duplicating efforts, resulting in a team-based care plan that best serves the patient and their families.” Schedule a tour of Rehab Select today.

Topics: Physical Therapy , Occupational Therapy , Speech Therapy

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Physical, Occupational, Speech and Language Therapy

If your quality of life has been diminished by an injury, illness, disability, chronic pain or physical impairments, our team is here to help. Our rehabilitation medicine physicians have partnered the top therapy teams who are dedicated to helping patients maximize physical function, decrease or eliminate pain, foster independence and improve your ability to live the full, active life you want.

The rehabilitation medicine team at Weill Cornell Medicine will carefully assess your situation and prescribe a regimen of physical, occupational, or speech and language therapies that best meet your needs.

Why Choose Weill Cornell Medicine?

Convenient, individualized care:   Our rehabilitation medicine team works closely with physical and occupational therapists to help improve your mobility, flexibility, strength, function and comfort, by designing a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan.

Focus on empowering our patients:  We are passionate about educating our patients. We empower you with information, exercises and other tools so that you can manage and improve your health, as well as make confident decisions about your care.

Conditions We Treat

Our team help patients regain body functions they may have lost due to neurological impairment, a developmental condition, injury or surgery.

Rehabilitation Therapy by Leading Experts

Our team at Weill Cornell Medicine collaborates closely with therapists at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and private therapy offices to provide the most advanced and comprehensive rehabilitation options available, including:

●       Physical therapy :  Physical therapy (PT) can help improve your blood flow, help with flexibility, reduce swelling, increase relaxation or manage your pain levels. Your physical therapist will guide you through specific stretches and exercises that are meant to help you move and feel better. Your joints and muscles may be moved through various stretches by the therapist to increase your range of motion and flexibility. They may also use other techniques such as electrical stimulation and ultrasound.

●       Occupational therapy :  Occupational therapy (OT) helps you relearn the skills of daily living, such as taking care of yourself, getting dressed, writing and improving balance and coordination. Your occupational therapist will address the physical, cognitive and emotional challenges brought on by your illness or injury. They will work with you to find ways to help you engage in the things you want and need to do.

●       Speech and language therapy :   Speech and language pathologists treat speech, language, social communication, memory, thinking and learning issues, as well as swallowing disorders. Using the most innovative diagnostic and communication technologies available, your therapist will develop a treatment plan for coping with speech and language barriers.

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The physicians at the Weill Cornell Department of Rehabilitation Medicine offer patients the highest level of safety and care. As a top-ranked academic medical center, you have access to our extensive network of specialists who provide seamless care throughout your treatment — to promote long-term physical and mental health.

How to Choose Between Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy

• September 2, 2021
• Career Guidance

If you are looking for a career in which you can help people, you might be considering occupational therapy or speech pathology (speech/language therapy). The two helping professions are part of a triad of interventions for people with difficulty in movement or in communications and swallowing. As such, they are often complementary approaches. Still, how do you decide the right career path? The first step is understanding the differences between the careers. Let’s find out how to choose between speech pathology and occupational therapy .

Whether it be some combination of physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy or any other medical professional, communication and/or collaboration is a pillar of good health care. The  World Health Organization  states that collaborative practice strengthens health systems and improves health outcomes.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy (OT) is a field that considers a patient “from head to foot” to intervene holistically for more independence in the activities of daily life. Occupational therapists use exercises and adaptions along with devices to assist patients with attaining and keeping independence.

Occupational therapists (OTs) provide job training for the “job of living.” They help train individuals on how to engage in self-care and in basic life skills that might otherwise be difficult or overwhelming due to disability, illness, or injury. Occupational therapists treat a wide variety of patients in various settings.

Where They Work

Occupational therapists work in a broad variety of environments. You would, for example, find them in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation facilities, and even in private practice.

Occupational therapists set meaningful goals. They consider what things are important to the patient and then work to restore independence and quality of life in areas such as mobility and even simple things like brushing teeth and doing daily chores.

Occupational Therapy Tasks

Occupational therapists evaluate patient needs. They develop treatment plans to meet these needs and then assess and document the patient’s progress. 

Sometimes, where restoration of function is not possible, they adapt to the environment. They also educate the patient and family in the use of the equipment and techniques.

Services provided by OTs help individuals improve their ability to perform daily activities and reach their goals and may include:

• Reviewing medical history
• Performing individualized evaluations
• Developing customized interventions
• Demonstrating exercises
• Educating families and employers
• Assessing outcomes

What is Speech Pathology?

Speech/Language therapy is an intervention, or a series of interventions, to help patients swallow and eat and to assist them in communicating. It has a much narrower vision than occupational therapy, though they sometimes work in tandem.

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) , or speech therapists, are practitioners who diagnose, treat, and prevent communication and swallowing disorders. The primary goal of a speech therapist is to use therapeutic approaches to improve a patient’s ability to communicate and/or swallow. They are the communication experts who work with individuals to help provide solutions to communication barriers.

Forty percent of S/L pathologists work in educational facilities. The rest work in residential care or long-term care facilities such as nursing homes.

Speech/Language Therapy Goals

While occupational therapists work with patients to restore general independence and quality of life, speech/language therapists focus solely on the areas of swallowing and communication.

Speech Pathology Tasks

Speech/language therapists, like occupational therapists, first assess patients to determine problems. They then create treatment plans for the patient. They, too, must assess and document patient progress. Plus, they educate patients and caregivers about the techniques they are using.

The primary goal of SLPs is to improve individuals’ ability to communicate using therapeutic practices. SLPs focus on speech-related issues such as:

• Feeding and swallowing
• Social communication
• Speech sounds

Similarities Between Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy

While speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists work with patients on different sets of issues, there are many similarities in the approach to helping patients in both careers:

• Evaluation:  Assessing and evaluating patients for issues and disorders is a key responsibility for both SLPs and OTs
• Treatment and Treatment Plans:  Both OTs and SLPs must use what they have learned from evaluating their patients to come up with treatment plans and execute those plans. Both professions are highly evidenced-based, utilizing research to implement proven treatments
• Evaluate Treatment Effectiveness:  Once speech pathology or occupational therapy treatment plans are in place, it is important to be able to evaluate whether or not they are working, so that those plans can be adjusted to optimize outcomes for patients
• Family Education:  Many therapy patients either have disabilities that require help from caregivers, are young children who need help continuing treatment outside of therapy sessions, or have other needs that require family education. SLPs and OTs are charged with educating families on injuries and disorders, including what families can do to help patients benefit from therapy as much as possible, as well as making patient home environments better for the patient’s condition.

Required Education and Specializations for Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy

Both professions require a master’s degree followed by an exam that leads to licensure. There are also specializations in both. Occupational therapists can specialize in gerontology; mental health; pediatrics; physical rehabilitation; driving and mobility; environmental modification; feeding, eating, swallowing, and low vision, and in school systems. 

Speech pathology therapists can specialize in one or more of four areas: child language and language disorders; fluency and fluency disorders; swallowing and swallowing disorders or intraoperative monitoring.

OETPRACTICE.NET offers OET online preparation tests for nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, radiographers, speech pathologists, veterinary scientists, dietitians, occupational therapists, etc. What more? You get the tutor to support you are looking for. These OET practice tests aptly simulate the difficulty levels which most of the test-takers come across and struggle to overcome.

Speech Pathology vs Occupational Therapy – How Do I Choose?

The focus of this article is choosing between speech and occupational therapy . Which is the right profession for you depends upon whether you prefer narrow-focused speech pathology or the holistic approach of occupational therapy. Pay for occupational therapists is slightly higher. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , occupational therapists can expect to earn a median wage of $86,280, while speech/language pathologists earn $80,480. The job growth rate for occupational therapists, however, is 16%, while speech/language pathologists have a growth rate of 25%. 

The educational requirements are similar, and there are excellent online programs from places like SpeechPathologyGraduatePrograms.org for both that include internships and other opportunities. Online programs allow students to work while pursuing their degrees.

So, if you are interested in a helping profession, the answer to which one probably lies in your personality and interests. Both professions increase the quality of life for patients and job satisfaction rates are high.

Tips for Choosing between Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy

Here are some additional tips you can use when choosing between a career as an occupational therapist and a speech therapist:

• Consider your goals.  When deciding whether you’d like to be an occupational or speech therapist, think carefully about your interests and what you’d like to achieve in your career. Consider the types of conditions and circumstances each professional encounters and how those details fit with your own career objectives.
• Find a mentor.  Consider reaching out to an experienced occupational therapist and speech therapist to find out what they enjoy about their role and the challenges they face. Try to come prepared for your conversation with specific, open-ended questions to help guide your own decision-making process.
• Keep a positive outlook.  Staying positive about your career path as an occupational or speech therapist can help you notice the best aspects of each role. You can then more accurately compare the positive features of both careers as part of your decision-making process.
• Stay flexible.  As you work to decide which career is right for you, you may encounter new information about each role and learn new things about yourself. Try to think flexibly and creatively about career options that will work for you as either an occupational or speech therapist.

Sources: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 .

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Request a HIPPA compliant digital intake packet that is safe to fill out from a computer or phone by calling 410-846-4005 or emailing [email protected] Questions for a Speech or Occupational therapist? Speak with a member of our team by setting up a calendy link to set-up a free 15 minute phone call. *Calendy is not a HIPPAA secure platform). Once an evaluation is completed, an individualized treatment program will be developed to meet your child’s needs.

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"Wonderful place, after two weeks with Emily our daughter is now saying two words. They are so patient with my 22 month old and she loves being there and hates to leave literally. Even my 6 month old son doesn't need services, but he comes with us. He is engaged and loves it as well. I think my lucky stars for Speech Leap even the owner comes out and great and speak to you. '

The Speech Leap team is absolutely fantastic! We have been working with Miss Emily for the past year and our daughter has flourished under her care. The relationship the therapist builds with your child is truly special. I firmly believe that we wouldn't have had the same experience elsewhere. Our journey is about to come to an end as our daughter is now at the level she needs to be for her age. This is an amazing accomplishment and we couldn't be more grateful for Speech Leap.

It is no wonder that Speech Leap receives 5 star reviews! Samara is a dedicated clinician and oversees a wonderful team of individuals who deliver high quality services for children. I highly recommend families and staff to check out their clinic conveniently based in Pomona Square right off the 695!

My son has received services for almost 5 years and the results are amazing. Ms. Sammy and Ms. Avery have provided our family with comprehensive evaluations, direct techniques, engaging sessions (both in person and virtual) and flexible availability. We are proud of the progress and observable achievements. My son is equipped with unique techniques in his internal toolkit to use whenever needed. I am now more confident in partnering with providers to address my child’s needs, and I can only thank Speech Leap for that. Three words to highlight the best of Speech Leap: Cooperation, Consistency and Care!

My son was 3 when we went to Speech Leap. He only said “mom” and “dad”. He has been working with Mrs. Dorna for a few months now and he is now talking sentences! He loves Mrs. Dorna and she genuinely loves him. She is amazing at working with him. She understands how to keep him engaged and she pushes him to do his absolute best even on the days where he is a challenge. The love she has for Landon and the care she shows for him and all of my children is remarkable and I would recommend Speech Leap to anyone!

We started with Samara for our oldest about a year ago, and now use her for both our children. We are so thrilled with their progress! They both adore her and look forward to seeing her! She is so sweet, amazing to deal with, and by far the best speech therapist I’ve seen. 5 stars!

Both my children have received services for the past few months from SpeechLeap. I loved that Ms. Sami specializes in Autism and Literacy. She is very dependable, a joy to work with and very detailed with the end of session notes. I loved that my daughter would get assignments to bring home to work more on her literacy goals. SpeechLeap has been a blessing and I would highly recommend this place.

Yittel works with my daughters' as their speech therapist and she is amazing! She makes them feel comfortable and knows exactly what to help them with. Both my girls look forward to their sessions with her.

Samara Shalom, the SLP at Speechleap, has been such a blessing for my family. She has worked with all three of my children on a range of issues, and we have seen incredible results. They are excited to see her for their sessions, and work hard thanks to Samara's warm and nurturing nature, and the motivating activities she provides. After working with my oldest for short time, Samara figured out that he had an auditory processing disorder. She knew the resources that would best help him, and implemented the Fast ForWord program. After every session, I am debriefed on what occurred and how my child performed during their time with her. I can not say enough about what a difference she has made in all of our lives.

My child has been receiving speech services through this company. We are really happy with the services. The owner Mrs. Sami is really involved and check in with the parents.

Mrs. Sammy is AMAZING! My son loved her and he looked forward to the visits. She taught my family many techniques to help us communicate without words! We still use these techniques for my younger child!

• Meet The Team
• Little Leapers Program
• 1 Click Referral
• Patient Portal

Code of Values

Telepractice, testimonials, help is on the way, does my child have a problem.

• Speech and Language Checklists
• Motor and Self-Help Checklists
• Articulation Disorder
• Childhood Apraxia of Speech
• Voice Disorders

Feeding and Swallowing Disorders

• Acquired Childhood Aphasia
• Specific Language Impairment
• Social Communication Disorder
• Cognitive Communication Disorder
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Intellectual Disability
• Handwriting and Dysgraphia
• Motor Disorder
• Sensory Integration Disorder
• Dyslexia and Dysgraphia
• Reading Disability

Pronouncing English

Early intervention, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, applied behavior analysis, social communication groups, reading therapy.

• Choosing Great Toys for Your Child
• How Does Therapy Work
• Prompting Hierarchy: Part 1
• Prompting Hierarchy: Part 2
• Prompting Hierarchy: Part 3
• Top 12 Things to Know About Raising Your Child Bilingually
• Observing and Participating in Your Child’s Therapy
• The Clinician-Parent Partnership
• Children with Delayed Speech
• Children Who Stutter
• Children with Vocal Abuse
• Children with Word Finding Problems
• Frequently Asked Clinical Questions
• Separation from Parents
• Transitioning from Early Intervention to School Services
• Creating and Using Picture Icons for Communication
• Ear Infections and the Development of Language
• Gestures, Signs, Pictures, and Words: How Does It All Work? Part 1
• Gestures, Signs, Pictures, and Words: How Does It All Work? Part 2
• Gestures, Signs, Pictures, and Words: How Does It All Work? Part 3
• Gestures, Signs, Pictures, and Words: How Does It All Work? Part 4
• Language and Play
• Language and Reading
• The Role of Joint Attention in Early Communication
• Pediatric Occupational Therapy Movement and Sensory Integration
• Self-Care Skills
• Sensory Enriching Activities
• What Dressing Skills Should My Child Have?
• What Fine Motor Skills Should My Child Have?
• What Play Skills Should My Child Have?
• Interpreting Your Child’s Behaviors
• Managing Challenging Behaviors: Part 1
• Managing Challenging Behaviors: Part 2
• Managing Challenging Behaviors: Part 3
• Managing Challenging Behaviors: Part 4

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Glossary of terms.

• Adult Appointment Form
• Child Appointment Form

Headquarters

Preparing for the first visit, resources for payment.

Since 1980, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and behavior therapists from the Center for Speech, Language, Occupational Therapy, and Applied Behavior Analysis (CSLOT) have been serving the communication, movement, and behavior needs of children and adults in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

CSLOT's staff is comprised of clinical and administrative team members who work together to provide the best possible services for our clients.

The mission of the Center for Speech, Language, Occupational Therapy, and Applied Behavior Analysis is to provide communication and movement to those who have lost or have not yet acquired these skills.  We are committed to service, professionalism, and creativity, and we are driven by these commitments to fulfill our mission.

One of the ways in which CSLOT serves our clients is through the use of telepractice.

"CSLOT staff is the friendliest and most helpful staff I have ever encountered, not to mention their professionalism.  I have been here nine months and would highly recommend CSLOT to all my friends.  Thank you so much for the help and support you have given me and my daughter.  She has grown and developed because of your staff and therapists.  I am so very grateful for your center."

Determine if you or your family member have a problem and find out the many ways we can help.

Developmental Milestone Checklists

Areas we assess and treat, speech disorders, language disorders, behavior disorders, motor and sensory disorders, reading disorders.

For infants and toddlers with developmental delays and impairments, we offer individual and group services.

Communication services for infants, toddlers, children, teens, and adults in individual and group sessions.

Motor and sensory services for infants, toddlers, children, and teens in individual and group sessions.

Behavior services using principles of ABA and other therapeutic techniques in individual and group sessions.

Children ages 5-14 building social communication skills with their peers in a fun group setting.

Targeting the neurobiological roots of reading disorders using computer-based technology and multi-sensory reading instruction.

Supporting non-native English speakers learn to pronounce clearly and confidently.

Informative Handouts

A critical aspect of therapy is providing education and resources to parents so that they may know the most effective ways to support their children.

We want to make sure you have the information you need about our services. If your question is not answered here, please call one of our offices and a staff member will further assist you.

Understanding therapeutic terminology can help parents and caregivers better understand written and verbal reports from a variety of service providers. 

Supporting Literacy Development from Birth to Age 5

Turning the terrible twos into the terrific twos, make an appointment.

To make an appointment, you may complete an appointment form or call and speak to our front office staff. 

How to speak with us to ask questions and get information.

Welcome to CSLOT! We have been preparing for your first visit with us and we want you to be prepared as well.

CSLOT has established contracts with several insurance companies; find out more here.

Welcome to CSLOT

Since 1980, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and behavior therapists at the Center for Speech, Language, Occupational Therapy and Applied Behavior Analysis (CSLOT) have been serving the communication and movement needs of people in the San Francisco Bay Area.

For infants and toddlers, our early intervention program offers individual and group treatment services focusing on development in five areas: communication skills, fine and gross motor skills, cognition, socialization, and self-help skills.

We provide a wide variety of speech and language services for infants, toddlers, children, teens, and adults.  Services include evaluation and treatment of articulation; fluency; voice; receptive, expressive, and social language; and feeding and swallowing disorders. 

Our occupational therapists serve a range of movement and sensory disorders in infants, toddlers, children, and teens. Services include assessment and treatment of gross motor skills, fine motor skills, sensory skills, handwriting, feeding, and other self-care skills.

Our Behavior Therapy program uses principles of Applied Behavior Analysis provided by qualified ABA service professions as well as traditional therapeutic techniques from the fields of speech and occupational therapy.

CSLOT's reading therapy program uses a combination of computer-based home therapy, in-person multi-sensory reading instruction, and speech and language therapy to target the neurobiological roots of reading disorders.

Our Social Communication Groups are for children and adolescents, ages 5 and up. These therapy groups offer a safe and fun environment for children to engage with others, try new things, and build social communication skills.

CSLOT is a complete diagnostic and therapeutic center for disorders of communication, movement, sensory, behavior, and accented English. We offer intensive short-term programs as well as ongoing programs for the treatment of all speech, language, voice, movement, sensory, and behavior disorders at all levels of severity. Services are provided via telehealth or in person based on clinical recommendations.

We know your time is valuable!  Complete the appropriate form below and a member of our office staff will speak with you within 24 hours, Monday-Friday, to set up an appointment.

We look forward to serving you!

Our Services

Connect With Us

What People Say About Us

CSLOT SF Bay Area: 510-794-5155

Work with a lively and creative team dedicated to improving the lives of those we serve.

Don't miss out on CSLOT's updates! Connect with us to receive the latest information from CSLOT.

• Employee Email Access
• Employee Training Access
• Privacy Policy

Clinic Based Speech Therapy Services

We have five beautiful facilities where we provide clinic based speech and language services for individuals from birth to adult. Our offices are located in Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Palmdale, Santa Fe Springs, and West Covina. We provide the personalized therapeutic intervention plans to address your child’s specific deficit.

School Based Speech Therapy Services

DV Therapy is a NPA-approved provider since 2015. Each of our office locations vendor separately to provide both in-clinic and school-based support services.  We offer consultations and IEE evaluations for speech, OT, AAC, mental health and behavioral health services.

Occupational Therapy

DV Therapy provides occupational therapy services to work on challenges associated with developmental disabilities to maximize the individual’s potential with sensory integration therapy and daily functioning.

ABA Services

Offering evidence-based ABA therapy, recognized as the most effective treatment for Autism disorders.  We design a treatment plan that is individualized and gives your child the tools to cope with challenging behaviors and that teaches communication, social and adaptive skills to maximize their potential.

Accent Reduction

A foreign accent is simply evidence of learning American English as a second or additional language.

A regional American English accent is a set of pronunciation patterns consistent with the speaker’s native regional dialect.

Social Skills Group

Our mission is to help clients develop social competencies to build stronger relationships with their peers.  Our social skills groups range from age 3 to young adults.

Teletherapy

We use teletherapy to support and deliver speech, occupational therapy, and behavioral services at a distance by linking a clinician to client for intervention, evaluations and/or consultations.

Assistive Technology

Do you or your loved one have difficulty talking? There are options that might help. There are two main types of AAC—unaided systems and aided systems. You may use one or both types. Most people who use AAC use a combination of AAC types to communicate.

We aim to bring the adaptation needs to the community.  It is an important reminder that children with autism are not born with a disability – they are born different.  We just need to support them differently than the everyday norms and expectations.

DV Therapy is Hiring! Be part of our team!

Book an Appointment with us and find out Why DV Therapy is the best!

THE 10 BEST Krasnoyarsk Sights & Historical Landmarks

Krasnoyarsk landmarks.

• Monuments & Statues
• Architectural Buildings
• Historic Sites
• Points of Interest & Landmarks
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.

1. Paraskeva Pyatnitsa Chapel

2. Prospekt Mira

3. 350-Year Anniversary Square

4. Monument to the painter Andrew Pozdeev

5. Krasnoyarsk Big-Ben

6. Holy Dormition Monastery

7. Monument White Horse

8. Intercession Cathedral

9. Monument to Nikolay Petrovich Rezanov

10. Catholic Cathedral of the Transfiguration

11. Vynogradovskiy Bridge

12. Sculpture Uncle Vasya - A Drunkard

13. Fountain Reki Siberi

14. Railway Station Square

15. Sculpture Volk

16. Sculpture Uncle Yasha and Trainee

17. Monument to Pushkin and Goncharova

18. Fountain and Sculpture The Bremen Town Musicians

19. Monument to the Leader of Band Korol i Shut Mikhail Gorshenev

20. Monument Governor Andrew Dubensky

21. The Sculptural Composition Children of War

22. Lenin House

23. Eiffel Tower

24. Church of the Nativity

25. Triumphal Arch

26. Post Military Hospital

27. Revolution Square

28. Holy Trinity Cathedral

29. Vetluzhanka

30. Holy Annunciation Monastery

What travelers are saying.