Overall description / Legal basis

In Greece, SLTs work in the public sector (hospitals, centres for mental
health, centres for the diagnosis-assessment-support of pupils with specific
learning disorders, schools for the deaf, scools for CP children, municipal
centres, mobile units - these are under the control of the ministry of health
or education) and in the private sector either individually or as members
of an interdisciplinary team.

Organisation of SLT in the country

Depending on catchment area, a child is referred to one of the above mentioned schools/centres or to an SLT in the private sector.
Adults in need of treatment are usually referred to an SLT in the private
sector.
PSL, the Greek association, refers clients to its members taking into account
the area they live in,the communication disorder of the client, the special-ization of the colleague, and the age of the client (child/adolescent/adult).

Education / training  

In Greece, courses are offered at the Technological Educational Institutes
(in Patras and Ioannina). These courses were founded during the last 10
years. Before that, all SLTs were graduates of European (Western and
Eastern) and American universities.

Authorisation and recognition

Graduates of foreign universities submit their degrees to a body - DIKATSA -
responsible for the recognition of foreign degrees. A 4-year course is
considered recognizable but a 3-year one may not be recognized. There may be recommendations for additional training.

Up to this point, SLTs in Greece have no licence to practice; none is issued
by the state.

Status of the profession and the professional + income/salary

The first SLTs came to Greece (after completing their studies abroad) in
the 70's and in 1982 they founded PSL.
SLT is more likely to be considered a paramedical profession than a
pedagogical one.
Salary varies according to employment.

Professional association

The main professional association in Greece is PSL, founded in 1982.
PSL stays in close contact with public authorities and plays an active role
in establishing sound provision of SLT services.
Two other associations have recently been formed.

Further information / Useful links

www.logopedists.gr , info@logopedists.gr

Author / reference    

George Kalomoiris
Representative of PSL to CPLOL

May 2004