What is the employment outlook for SLPAs?
The use of associate-level, licensed SLPAs with a regulated scope of service is new to the speech pathology landscape in the Illinois. Keeping this in mind, the job outlook is not fully predictable at this time. However, several factors indicate positive employment growth for SLPAs in Illinois. For example, the development of the SLPA program at C.O.D. was a result of a 1999 needs-assessment survey of speech language pathology service providers in DuPage County. This survey indicated SLPAs would be a useful addition to the field of speech language pathology as a way to meet an increasing need for these services. In light of constant changes within the health care and educational arenas, the utilization of SLPAs under the supervision of certified SLPs allows for the extension of quality services to children and adults in need.
