In thefield of special education would you choose to be an educational diag. or a speech pathologist?

Question

Trying to decide between the two fields, edu. diag. seems more interesting to me yet speech pathology seems to have many more positions open

Answer 1

Speech pathologists are in demand in most places, so getting a job should not be an issue.  Many places are moving to RTI for special education placements, which has decreased the workload for educational diagnosticians and some places are having to cut some of those positions.  I would prefer speech, as you will see the same students on a regular basis which will allow you to form a relationship with them.  That to me is the best part of working in the schools.

Answer 2

You are correct there are many more positions for speech pathologists. You can work for yourself. You can work at hospitals, do home therapy with preschoolers, etc.

However, I would much prefer to be a diagnostician myself. Life is too short to do something you do not enjoy.

If there is any way to work in both fields, you should do that, or tack on something else onto the one you choose. That way you can have something else to fall back on.