Are you a speech and language therapist? How do I become an assistant?

[OwlFeatures]

I've identified this something I'd like to do but there's a few barriers in my way. Namely, I don't have a degree (in anything!) and I'm knocking on a bit.

So I'd perhaps settle for being an assistant to a therapist. Does anyone have any pointers for me? I've been googling but it's not clear what experience I'd need for this role

Thanks for any advice

Have you worked with people in any form at all? Especially children, adults with learning disabilities,.older adults?

Have you experience of overcoming or helping others to overcome any kind of communication barrier - eg have you lived in a country where you didn't speak the language, had a relative with dementia or head injury or a hearing impairment?

Sorry to say OP but our last two assistants have been qualified slts who couldn't get an SLT job in the area. The ones before that were a dental nurse and a learning disability nurse who wanted a change of path.

@PermanentTemporary yes. I've worked with people with dementia and I'm a volunteer with Age UK. I have experience of caring for a friends daughter for many years with autism which involved me having to communicate with her using visual prompts (for example)

That would be it though, more or less

Thanks for your response

@Luminousalumnus I thought as much. Qualified people!

These skills are all useful though so good luck.

Just apply! And there are apprenticeships now so once you’ve got an SLTA position there are options to progress. You could also look at general rehab assistant jobs, who might work with SLTs as well as physios, OTs etc.

@Luminousalumnus ah thanks! I'd have to be very much bigging up these 'skills' though as they don't compare to actual hard qualifications and proper experience

That all sounds good.

What has made you want to become an SLT assistant? Are you more interested in paediatrics or in adults?

Would you consider a more general therapy, teaching assistant or rehab assistant job? There might be more of those available.

There’s a huge shortage of SLTs nationally so I’m surprised by this.

Shortage doesn't translate to lots of funded band 5 jobs though.

@PermanentTemporary adults I think. That's where my mind immediately goes. I'd like to work in the community assisting stroke patients or those with dementia / brain injuries etc

Not against children of course but when you asked that question, I immediately felt drawn to adults for some reason

I don't know exactly why I want to do it. I think I'd find it interesting and rewarding and I would love to make a difference I suppose

However, my confidence is extremely low when it comes to work. Despite appearing erudite, relatively intelligent and with my shit together, I barely have a qualification to my name and this leaves me wondering if I should just resign myself to lower level jobs