Speech-Language Pathology vs. Occupational Therapy: Which Career Fits You Best?

Across the spectrum of the healthcare industry, empathetic and compassionate individuals work to provide patients with the care they need. In allied health careers specifically, professionals aside from doctors and nurses deliver evidence-based care in order to treat (and prevent) specific conditions.

Occupational therapy (OT) and speech-language pathology (SLP) are two powerful allied health career pathways. When considering your path forward, you may find yourself wondering about the differences between occupational therapy and SLP, given there is some overlap. Knowing the key distinctions between OT careers and SLP careers can help you take strategic steps forward to achieve your goals.

What Is Occupational Therapy (OT)?

Occupational therapy is a specialized form of treatment that equips individuals with the tools and skills needed to navigate daily life. Whether recovering from major injuries or learning to navigate life with a disability, individuals rely on occupational therapy to gain autonomy and independence as well as feel empowered.

Purpose of Occupational Therapy in Daily Living

According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, occupational therapy services promote general well-being and allow people of all ages, stages and backgrounds to participate in daily life. Occupational therapy treatment services are personalized to meet the unique needs of the individual and may focus on:

• Daily habits, such as eating or bathing.
• Utilizing adaptive equipment.
• Developing an effective routine that accommodates all needs.
• Returning to school, work or other daily activities.

How OT Supports Independence, Safety and Quality of Life

Occupational therapists often work closely with patients alongside their caregivers, equipping them with the knowledge and tools they need to live a safe and productive life. The goal of occupational therapy is to enhance mobility, accessibility and engagement in daily tasks.

What Does an Occupational Therapist Do?

Occupational therapists are responsible for evaluating clients and developing an evidence-based treatment plan that helps their patients develop the skills required to participate in everyday life.

Helping Patients Build Everyday Functional Skills

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), occupational therapists:

• Help patients develop the skills necessary for daily self-care tasks, such as eating or bathing.
• Show patients exercises that can improve their physical function and reduce pain.
• Implement interventions that promote independence and autonomy.

Using Adaptive Strategies and Tools to Support Independence

By nature, occupational therapists tend to be empathetic individuals who want to play an active role in helping others achieve a high quality of life. Therefore, they focus on creating personalized strategies and implementing interventions that enable each individual to live as independently as possible.

What Is a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)?

Speech-language pathologists are allied health professionals who work with clients in order to diagnose and treat communication issues. They may work with patients of all age ranges, from infants to adults. 

Overview of the Speech-Language Pathology Profession

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, speech-language pathologists work in hospitals, private practices, schools and other employment settings to provide patients with personalized care. SLP careers are ideal for understanding and passionate professionals who want to improve patients' ability to connect and communicate with those around them.

Conditions SLPs Are Trained to Diagnose and Treat

Speech-language pathologists diagnose and treat individuals who have problems with:

• Making the correct speech sounds.
• Hearing, reading or using language.
• Social communication.
• Literacy and language fluency.

What Does a Speech-Language Pathologist Do?

Speech-language pathologists work closely with individuals who have communication disorders. In some cases, they begin working with infants as soon as a speech delay has been identified. In other circumstances, they work with adults who struggle with communication or literacy issues.

Evaluating and Treating Speech, Language and Social Disorders

According to the BLS, SLPs are primarily responsible for evaluating, diagnosing and treating individuals with communication disorders. Their job responsibilities may include:

• Evaluating level of speech.
• Diagnosing the source of the communication disorder.
• Developing a personalized, evidence-based treatment plan.
• Working with clients to help them build the skills required to make sounds and communicate effectively.

Swallowing, Feeding and Cognitive-Communication Skills

In addition to individuals with communication disorders, SLPs may work with patients who have difficulty swallowing or chewing food. Swallowing disorders not only prevent people from communicating effectively but can also lead to physical health complications.

Difference Between Occupational Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology

Despite some overlap between occupational therapy and SLP careers, there are key differences. When comparing occupational therapy vs. speech-language pathology, these disciplines can be distinguished by:

Roles and Responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities are distinct: Occupational therapists primarily work with individuals to help them regain the ability to function and participate in daily life, whereas speech-language pathologists work with patients who have communication disorders. The scope of their practice focuses on different areas.

Required Education, Training and Skills

Both occupational therapy and SLP careers require graduate-level education. To become an occupational therapist, you need to complete a master's degree in occupational therapy and earn a license to practice in the state where you plan to work. To become a speech-language pathologist, you need a master's degree in speech-language pathology and a license to practice.

Available Specializations

There exists a wide range of specializations in both fields, allowing aspiring allied health professionals to focus on a career path that aligns with their personal interests and strengths.

Some common specialty areas in occupational therapy include:

• Pediatrics
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) occupational therapy
• Mental health and social-emotional disorders
• Hand therapy

Examples of specialty areas in SLP include:

• Language and fluency
• Pediatrics and school-based SLP
• Augmented and alternative communication

Treatment Approaches and Therapeutic Goals

Both occupational therapists and SLPs leverage scientific, evidence-based approaches to support their patients’ goals. Occupational therapists focus more on therapeutic interventions that enable individuals to participate in daily life, while SLPs work with patients to help them communicate clearly and effectively.

Patient Populations and Work Settings

In both OT careers and SLP careers, professionals will work with patients at all ages and stages of life. Occupational therapists and SLPs may work with individuals from infancy through adulthood. The work settings vary based on specialty area but may include hospitals, private practices and schools.

Advantages of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is a rewarding career that presents the opportunity to work directly with patients while supporting them in achieving their goals. Consider the following specific benefits of pursuing a career in occupational therapy:

Assist Daily Function and Independent Living

Occupational therapists have a direct impact on their patients' lives. They collaborate closely to elevate their ability to function and participate in daily life — which allows occupational therapists to see progress in real time.

Fine Motor and Sensory Integration

Along with helping their clients learn the skills necessary to live independently and enjoy a high-quality, productive life, occupational therapists focus on strengthening fine motor skills and sensory integration. These targeted interventions help patients feel more comfortable and confident in their surroundings.

Holistic Functional Support

In many ways, occupational therapy supports whole-person care. Individuals who require occupational therapy treatment services may be managing chronic health conditions, recovering from a surgery or navigating life with a physical or emotional disability. Through holistic support, occupational therapists can empower all individuals to play an active role in their communities.

Advantages of Speech-Language Pathology

Speech-language pathology is a fulfilling career path in which you can choose a specialty area, work with a targeted patient population and ultimately make a positive impact on the lives of others. Benefits of considering a career in speech-language pathology include:

Focus on Cognitive and Memory Support

Most speech-language pathology treatment incorporates interventions that cultivate cognitive growth and memory improvement, thereby enabling SLPs to support whole-person care techniques.

Assist With Swallowing and Feeding Disorders

SLPs blend physical healthcare with allied health, as they are often involved with diagnosing and treating swallowing and feeding disorders. Through targeted interventions, SLPs can help their patients nourish themselves while learning how to communicate better with others.

Specialized Treatment of Disorders

Many SLPs pursue a specialty area and focus on specific disorders for their practice. This gives you the ability to identify your passion within speech-language pathology and develop concentrated expertise.

Final Takeaway: Which Career Fits You Best?

If you are an empathetic person who believes in the importance of patient well-being and wants to ensure all people have the chance to enjoy a high quality of life, you could be well-suited to a career in occupational therapy or speech-language pathology. The key to choosing the right career path is to evaluate your personal strengths and professional goals. You might consider a career in occupational therapy if you want to help people overcome physical limitations or emotional challenges in order to participate in daily life. If you prefer to focus on helping people tackle communication barriers, then a career in speech-language pathology may be a better option for you.

Explore the Allied Health Degrees at Nebraska Methodist College (NMC)

There are countless opportunities in the realm of allied health careers, and many who are interested in this dynamic field find themselves comparing occupational therapy vs. speech-language pathology. 

At NMC, the Master of Occupational Health is designed for empathetic individuals who strive to begin a rewarding career in allied health. This graduate degree program equips graduates with the technical and therapeutic skills needed to help patients live high-quality, independent and productive lives — ultimately opening the door to a variety of OT careers.

Learn more about our allied health degrees today, and apply today.

Sources

https://www.methodistcollege.edu/allied-health/master-degree/occupational-therapy 

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/occupational-therapy-vs-speech-therapy 

https://pubs.asha.org/doi/abs/10.1044/2020_PERSP-20-00122 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38044543/ 

https://www.aota.org/about/what-is-ot 

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm 

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm 

https://www.asha.org/public/who-are-speech-language-pathologists/