Overall description / Legal basis

In small Switzerland it is not mainly because of the four official languages but due to a very federalist political system that many differences are to be found between the 26 cantons. This is also the case for Speech and Language Therapy (Logopädie / logopédie / logopedia).

The main responsibility for education and culture lies with the cantons. They coordinate their work at the national level. The 26 cantonal ministers of education form the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK:Schweizerische Konferenz der kantonalen Erziehungsdirektoren / CDIP:Conférence suisse des directeurs cantonaux de l’instruction publique / CDPE:conferenza svizzera dei direttori cantonali della pubblica educazione / CDEP:Conferenza svizra dals directors chantunals da l’educaziun publica). Their main work consists in legislating intercantonal agreements (known as concordats which the individual cantons are free to join). The EDK/CDIP/CDPE/CDEP also defines compulsory regulations regarding the recognition of education and of diplomas for all professions in education (teachers, SLTs, psychomotor therapists).

Nevertheless fundamental cantonal differences will be found in the structures of SLT and in the working conditions for therapists.

The obligation for providing the services is regulated by
- Cantonal laws on public school;
- Intercantonal concordat / cantonal concepts on special education
- Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG) Art. 44; Federal Health Insurance Ordinance (KVV) Art. 50, Federal Ordinance on Health Care Allowances (KLV) Art. 10

Organisation of SLT in the country

For children (age 0-20) SLT is generally financed by the cantonal and local education authorities, for adults (exceptionally also for children) by health insurance.
Speech and language therapists work as employees in public education, special institutions, clinics, rehab centers or free-lance in private practice.
Especially for the latter the situation can vary greatly from one canton to another, structures being changed drastically in many cantons.

Education / training  

The first course of SLT training has been organized in 1946 by SAL, Swiss Association for logopaedics (Schweizerische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Logopädie) now SHLR. The initial education for students is provided in 6 different institutes: 4 in the German-speaking part, 2 in the French-speaking part. Since 1961 French-speaking SLTs have been trained at the University of Neuchâtel, and then since 1964 at the University of Geneva (including a licence in psychology). German-speaking SLTs have been pursuing their studies at the University of Fribourg (HPI) since 1949, in Basel (fhnw/ISP) since 1967, in Zürich (HPS now HfH) since 1973 and in Rorschach (SHLR). Geneva and Neuchâtel have recently started 5-years MA study courses; in the German-speaking part there are only 3-years BA courses for now, MA being discussed as a goal for the future. Quite a number of SLTs do also have a diploma in special education or a licence in psychology with specialization in logopaedics (very few of them also with a PhD).

Authorisation / license / recognition of diploma

In Switzerland SLTs are considered authorized if they have a diploma from an EDK-recognized training institution. In most cantons, membership with a professional association is necessary in order to work in a private practice. In addition, for all treatments which are financed by the health insurance, an individual contract with santésuisse (organisation of health insurances) is required.

The requirements for Continuing Education are generally formulated by the employing authorities. A minimum of 36 hours within 2 years is demanded by the health insurances. The professional associations established quality standards which also include recommendations for CE.

Recognition of professional qualifications obtained abroad

The Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK) represents the authority for recognition of all foreign diplomas.
 

Linguistic competences

Depending on the area of work and the linguistic region profound knowledge in one of the official languages and the spoken dialect are required.

Status of the profession and the professional + income/salary

In most cantons SLT is considered part of special education with the salary of a primary school teacher plus increments, which can vary widely from one canton to another. In private practices the income varies according to the cantonal contracts between SLTs and the financing authority and/or to the wage agreement with santésuisse for the health sector. Salaries in clinics and other institutions vary as well, depending on the canton and service provider.

Professional associations

On the national level there are three associations for SLTs with a recognized diploma:

DLV (Deutschschweizer Logopädinnen- und Logopädenverband) forming the roof organisation of the German-speaking cantonal and regional associations

ARLD (Association Romande des Logopédistes Diplomés) for the French-speaking part and 

ALOSI (Associazione Logopedisti della Svizzera Italiana) for the Italian-speaking part. Members of the Rhaeto-Romanic minority usually join either ALOSI or DLV.

Those three organisations join their politico-professional efforts within a national conference: the K/SBL – C/APSL (Konferenz der Schweizerischen Berufsverbände der Logopädinnen und Logopäden – Confèrence des Associations Professionelles Suisses des Logopédistes).

Further information / Useful links

ARLD: www.arld.ch

ALOSI: www.alosionline.org

DLV: www.logopaedie.ch

HfH Zürich: www.hfh.ch 

HPI Fribourg: www.unifr.ch/spedu

ISP Basel: www.fhnw.ch/ph/isp

SHLR: www.shlr.ch

University Geneva: www.unige.ch

University Neuchâtel: www.unine.ch

EDK/CDIP/CDPE/CDEP: www.edk.ch

Santésuisse: www.santesuisse.ch

Author / reference    

Author: Irène Angela Sprenger
Dipl. Heilpädagogin und Logopädin
Additional delegate of DLV to CPLOL
April 2011