Experience needed for SALT course.

[Asvan]

Hi.

I am 35 years old. I last studied over 14 years ago. I did A Levels in psychology, history and economics. My degree was in history and social science.

After doing my degree, I worked in various jobs before I had my first child. I have never known to what I wanted to do, but recently I have become very interested in becoming a speech and language therapist. I currently work as a teaching assistant and I have worked with various therapists who come in to work with the children I work with.

I have looked at doing the two year postgraduate course but when I called a few of the universities that offer the course they said my degree isn't relevant and because it was over 5 years ago, it can't be counted. They did say that as I'm a mature student work experience would be considered, so now I am at a loss as to what type of work experience is actually required? Apart from the minimal experience I've had whilst working as a teaching assistant.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty course?

Go to a local SALT Dept and ask to volunteer, observe etc. My friend did this, now in final year of post grad.
He also volunteered to help in local school ASD unit and a Nursing Home.

You could look at whether theres any work available as an slt assistant anywhere locally to you? Apart from that I'd consider all the different areas slt work in and see if you can get a bit of shadowing opportunity in each of them. You could contact your slt team at the local hospital to shadow them.. also the local slt team that will provide input into your school. Schoole for those with Ld could also be a good place to look ie helping with summer schools. Charaties as well - stroke association and headway often want volunteers. Also Look on the real college of speech and language therapists page for info about the profession in general. PM me if you want if you need anymore info.

Thanks for that.

I'm also wanting to know what the postgraduate timetable tends to be like? Is it very intense? And does it require attendance from 9-5 every day? I have 3 children so need to consider childcare options.

I'm not sure on the postgraduate course personally, but colleagues that did it have said it's very intense with a full timetable. You will also have placements and these could be a fair distance away from your uni - I take students who travel up to an hour or so to come to me, some allowance may be given to those with children, but I still wouldn't expect that placements will be really local. Placements can be up to around 8 weeks long, so thats another thing to consider from a childcare perspective as you could be on placement 5 days a week.

Honestly OP you need to speak to the universities concerned rather than asking on AIBU. We have no information on the requirements of whichever courses at whichever universities you're looking at. Most admissions departments are very helpful and will be able to tell you what is required.