COSD 454: Speech-Language Disorders: Prevention and Assessment
Credit Hours: (3)
Introduction to clinical practice in communication disorders. Emphasis on prevention, ethics, and assessment measures. A minimum of 5 hours of supervised clinical observation is required.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
The purposes of this course are to:
1. Equip the student with basic knowledge in prevention, assessment, and prognostic aspects of speech-language disorders
2. Inform the student of professional and ethical issues related to prevention and assessment in speech-language pathology.
3. Provide the knowledge towards meeting the following American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Knowledge and Skills Acquisition competencies (required for clinical certification following the attainment of a Master’s degree in an ASHA-accredited graduate program): III-A; III-C; III-D; III-E; III-F; III-G; IV-B; IV-C; IV-F-3; IV-G-1; IV-G-3.
Major topics will include
1. Professional Information
a. Code of Ethics
b. Requirements for the Certificate(s) of Clinical Competence
2. Development of critical observation and description skills
3. Cultural Considerations in Assessment
4. Principles of Assessment
b. Interviewing
c. Assessment Procedures
· Articulation/phonology
· Language
· Fluency
· Voice, alaryngeal speech, and resonance
· Neurologically based communicative disorders
· Alternative/augmentative communication
d. Interpreting Assessment data
e. Report writing
5. Causation and Prevention
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
This course emphasizes application of knowledge about normal communication processes to the observation and assessment of communication disorders. Current diagnostic principles, methods, and materials used by the speech-language pathologist to assess communication disorders will be presented. Issues related assessment, formal and informal testing, dynamic assessment, interview techniques, administration, scoring, and interpretation of test results, report writing, and related issues will be covered. Tests, projects, and writing assignments will emphasize case studies, review of professional journal articles and clinical applications.
Standards for the Certificates of Clinical Competence require that students complete a minimum of 25 supervised clinical observation hours. Students are to complete five (5) hours of observation of diagnostic and/or screening sessions in the Radford University Speech And Hearing Clinic, as a requirement for COSD 454.
Goals and Objectives of Course
The goals of COSD 454 are for students to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of
a. professional ethics
b. requirements for professional credentials
2. Complete 5 hours of observation of clinical practice
3. Describe the purposes, procedures, and possible outcomes of diagnostic speech-language-hearing assessment
4. Demonstrate an understanding of cultural and linguistic factors to be considered in prevention and assessment of communicative disorders
5. Plan appropriate speech-language assessment procedures
6. Demonstrate the ability to administer, score, and interpret formal and informal assessment tools
7. Develop accurate observation and description skills
8. Demonstrate the ability to collaborate and share assessment findings with parents, caregivers, and professionals
9. Develop a professional writing style for diagnostic reports
10. Identify issues and policies related to prevention of speech-language disorders
Assessment Measures
Student performance will be assessed on a variety of assignments, including reports of clinical observations; examinations which cover lecture material, readings, and test analyses; and a final group presentation of intervention strategies described in the professional literature.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
4-3-09 New Course Proposal Claire Waldron, Chair