Occupational Therapy Vs. Speech-Language Pathologist
625 Words3 Pages
Many health care careers are closely related and work as a team to accomplish one ultimate goal, the betterment of people. However, while certain fields work side by side, they all have differences. These variations help people decide which career path is suitable for them. Often times it is helpful to research career options simultaneously in order to make a decision. Occupational therapy and speech language pathology are two comparable Allied Health careers.
The overviews of the two professions differ. An occupational therapist’s goal is to help patients achieve the best quality of life possible. They use everyday tasks to help injured or disabled patients improve their everyday life skills. For example, an occupational therapist may help an elderly person who suffers from arthritis effectively tie their shoes. An occupational therapist’s duties include evaluating patients’ conditions, creating a treatment plan, carrying out that plan using a variety of methods, demonstrating exercises, recommending equipment and teaching how the equipment works, and recording patients’ progress. A speech-language pathologist’s main goal is to help prevent and…show more content… These places include hospitals, nursing care facilities, therapy offices, and schools. In 2012, 41% of speech-language pathologists worked in schools, ranking as their most popular work environment according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (citation). The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reported that hospitals were occupational therapists’ most common workplace, ranking at 28% in 2012 (citation). Very few employees in either profession work part-time. Sometimes occupational therapists are required to work nights and weekends to accommodate patients’ schedules. Speech-language pathologists often work in multiple locations and must spend time traveling between jobs. (citation,