Greater independence through speech and language therapy

She has realised that speech and language therapy is so much more than just teaching children to speak. Although it was her enthusiasm for children that led her into the profession. She graduated from BAFEB Oberwart and worked for three years as a nursery teacher in Vienna. Hannah had also received speech and language therapy as a child. Now, in her job, she came into contact with the field again. This sparked in her a desire to support people professionally on their journey towards greater language skills, independence and quality of life.

The University of Applied Sciences Burgenland was her first choice for her degree. She prepared for the admissions process and was immediately offered a place.

“So far, I’ve particularly enjoyed the teaching practice and the work placements. I’ve already had the chance to work in various fields, such as paediatrics, paediatric neuropaediatrics, with hearing aid specialists, and at a clinic in Graz specialising in audiology and neurology,” she explains. Next on the agenda for her is a placement at a rehabilitation clinic.

Although her enthusiasm for children led her to choose this programme, she does not yet wish to commit to a specific career path.

For her Bachelor’s thesis, Hannah is researching biofeedback in speech and language therapy. This method involves attaching electrodes to visualise, for example, how effectively the swallowing movement is working. For her, this once again highlights just how important and versatile speech and language therapy is. What she values most about her profession is that there is a place for everyone within it, and that speech and language therapy supports people on their journey towards greater independence and self-efficacy. She finds it particularly fulfilling to help others regain the ability to speak or eat.