How to Answer: What are your experiences working with cognitive disabilities?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Speech Pathology job interview.
21. What are your experiences working with cognitive disabilities?
How to Answer
As a Speech Pathologist, you work with severe patients with autism, Down Syndrome, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and even dementia. Some of your minor cases may involve attention deficit disorder (ADD), dyslexia and dyscalculia. Choose a success story to tell the interviewer about. Tell the interviewer about the situation, how you intervened and what the outcome was.
Written by Heather Douglass
Entry Level
"During my fellowship, I worked with a young Downs Syndrome student that was receiving speech therapy. In working closely with the Special Education teacher in the school, she made the recommendation for speech therapy based on the student's lack of progression in phonology. After an initial assessment, my plan for therapy was recommended to be slower based on his cognitive delay but his parents were very grateful for and on-board with the plan for him. My experience in his therapy was so valuable as I experienced first hand how important an individualized plan was to each child that I worked with."
Written by Ryan Brunner
Answer Example
"These can be some of the most challenging patients to work with, as their inability of effective speech is only one manifestation of a larger deficit. This is where I believe a team approach, one of the multiple specialties, becomes effective. I remain dedicated to the patient's treatment and work with other providers to improve the patient's overall improvement."
Written by Heather Douglass
Experienced
"Recently, I worked with a young woman who had been in a car accident and suffered a brain injury that impaired her both physically and mentally. She was experiencing both dysarthria and dysphagia, making her speech therapy a long process. While working with her, it was important for me to be in continuous communication with her physician team to monitor progress and for me to report back to them as well on a regular basis. After her initial assessment, I put a long plan into place that we are currently still working on. I see this patient three times per week now and she continually is progressing based on our work together."
Written by Ryan Brunner