Stress

There are definitely stressors in this job. Speech-language pathologists who work in a school setting may be overwhelmed by a heavy case load, complicated paperwork, and pressure to have a high rate of success. Other workplace gremlins include insurance paperwork and the financial and bureaucratic barriers which can stand between you and the assistive technology (like hearing aids or computer software) your patient needs.

And that's not even taking the humans into account. Each of your cases brings its own challenges. You might find yourself gritting your teeth when your patient throws a tantrum or dissolves into tears for the tenth time. Or, you could encounter bossy parents and uncooperative medical staff who know way more than you do (or think so, anyway). Patience and understanding are critical, but you also must stick to your guns, and do what you know is best for your patient.