Our alum Jasmi Aro: Speech therapist works at the heart of humanity

More specialised speech therapists are needed in Finland

Jasmi Aro is a licensed speech therapist who provides assessment and rehabilitation services to a wide range of clients. In recent years, her work has focused particularly on neurological disorders in adults, such as aphasia rehabilitation.

Before setting up her private practice in 2021, Jasmi worked in a variety of clinical settings, including ward and outpatient work in hospitals. Her clients often had voice and swallowing disorders due to various causes. Jasmi says that the work requires multidisciplinary collaboration and strong clinical expertise, regardless of whether one works in primary healthcare, specialised medical care or the private sector.

“A speech therapist’s day-to-day work looks different in different workplaces, but the core task is the same for everyone: improving and maintaining the client’s ability to communicate and function – in other words, making everyday life easier. In addition to speech production, this includes aspects such as speech comprehension, reading and writing, eating and swallowing as well as communication and interaction,” Jasmi lists.

Even though Finland’s recent rehabilitation policy challenges the working conditions, Jasmi says that there is still a need for more specialised speech therapists in Finland. Speech therapists also have excellent employment prospects.

“We work with a wide variety of clients of all ages, and speech therapists’ perspectives are highly valued in hospitals, for example. Logopedics has also developed continuously as a field, to which Tampere University's study programmes have also contributed,” Jasmi says.

Upward social mobility and a valuable study community

Tampere University has offered a study programme in logopedics since 2005. Jasmi heard about the new programme in the news during her final year of upper secondary school and decided to apply in the next intake. She began her studies in 2006.

“Logopedics brings together everything that interests me: linguistics, psychology, medicine and spoken communication. Applying felt like the obvious and natural choice; I didn’t really see any other options,” she says.

Logopedics brings together everything that interests me: linguistics, psychology, medicine and spoken communication. Applying felt like the obvious and natural choice; I didn’t really see any other options."

Jasmi Aro

Coming from a working-class family, Jasmi hopes that every young person can receive support in finding their place in life, regardless of their family background. It is important for young people to see a wide range of opportunities open to them. We may all also need support at different stages of life to reach our full potential.

“So-called upward social mobility was easier in the early 2000s than it is today. At first, I didn’t feel I was in the right place at university, but our close-knit group of students proved to be incredibly valuable in helping me settle in,” Jasmi explains.

She feels that the instruction was of a very high standard during her own student years but says that it has also improved significantly over the years. The students in her class included a wide range of personalities, which she finds beneficial for the working life.

The work in the field requires well-developed interpersonal skills, in particular. Jasmi describes herself as thoughtful and reflective by nature, and feels that these traits have supported her success.

I have only come to realise later in life that the greatest takeaways from my studies were a sense of community, actively listening to one another, the ability to give feedback, and communication that is clear and respectful to others. All of this is highly important for a young adult, and it has also been a valuable lesson for working life. The foundations of collegiality begin to be laid as early on as during studies."

Jasmi Aro

“I have only come to realise later in life that the greatest takeaways from my studies were a sense of community, actively listening to one another, the ability to give feedback, and communication that is clear and respectful to others. All of this is highly important for a young adult, and it has also been a valuable lesson for working life. The foundations of collegiality begin to be laid as early on as during studies,” Jasmi notes.

The results of the work are a reward in themselves

Speech therapists’ clients often require long-term, high-quality assessment, guidance and therapy. The therapists work at the heart of humanity every day, working on people’s basic needs, such as eating and communication.

“The practical work involves systematic analysis, problem-solving and also a bit of detective work. Therefore, it is helpful to have a broad and in-depth education, as well as a comprehensive understanding of people gained through varied work experience. I enjoy providing evidence-based rehabilitation – meaning that I really know what I’m doing,” Jasmi says.

Jasmi’s choice of career is also linked to a very personal motivation. Due to her older sister’s developmental disability, Jasmi was involved with rehabilitation from a young age.

“Even as a child, I was fascinated by the verbal and visual creativity – and the fun – of the work. I saw with my own eyes how therapy genuinely works and helps people,” Jasmi says.

The importance of the work took on a whole new level during Jasmi’s studies when her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The experience was difficult in many ways, but at the same time it sparked an even greater interest in neurology and strengthened her passion for her field. At that time, there were hardly any social or rehabilitation services available for people with memory disorders.

My values guide my work, and it’s wonderful to see them come to fruition for even one person. My work feels rewarding every single week."

Jasmi Aro

“My values guide my work, and it’s wonderful to see them come to fruition for even one person. My work feels rewarding every single week,” Jasmi says.

Text: Tiina Leivo