Current Status

Within the state of Vermont, Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs) are not currently licensed, certified, or otherwise regulated. SLPAs in Vermont are employed primarily in educational settings, providing services to students from early intervention through PreK–12 programs. Additional employment settings may include private practice clinics, home health services, and less frequently, medical or rehabilitation facilities.

Individual school dstricts have discretion in determining how SLPAs are utilized, compensated, and supervised. As a result, SLPAs themselves are responsible for ensuring that appropriate supervision is provided, that they engage in ongoing professional development, adhere to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Code of Ethics, and practice strictly within their established scope of responsibilities.

The SLPA role is not always well defined within educational settings. Therefore, SLPAs must often take an active role in educating administrators, colleagues, and caregivers about their professional responsibilities, scope of practice, legal considerations, and the valuable expertise they contribute to service delivery.