The Speech and Language Pathology Assistant Program at PCC was a longtime dream of speech pathologist Kathleen Peters. By August 1999, Pasadena City College became the first community college in southern California to offer an established and approved curriculum for training Speech-Language Pathology Assistants. This could include conducting speech and language screenings, helping to implement and continue ongoing therapy and treatment plans, documenting individual progress, assisting during assessment and participating in research projects as well as other duties.
Communication disorders are the nations' leading handicap, affecting one-tenth of the population.
These disorders include childhood speech and language impairments, developmental delays, autism, voice problems, stuttering, language disabilities caused by brain injury and hearing impairment. Speech-Language Pathologists and their Assistants help these individuals recover their ability to speak, understand and interact with others. These communication disorders isolate people from their friends, family and the community and may limit job and educational opportunities. As a SLP- Assistant, you will be part of a dynamic profession in which your services will be increasingly in demand in the new millennium. These professionals work for public agencies as well as in private practices and clinics.