Speech Language Assistant (SLA) CPSO
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Read more about the courses within this subject prefix in the descriptions provided below.
SLA 500 - Role of the Speech-Language Assistant
Credits: 4
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the profession of a Speech-Language Assistant. Topics include professional ethics, an introduction to the American Speech-Language Hearing Association's (ASHA) guidelines for becoming a registered Speech Language Assistant (SLA), and the roles and responsibilities of a SLA. Observing, documenting, defining, and writing goals and objectives in educational and medical settings is also addressed. Acknowledging the difference between immediate and long-term accommodations, working as part of a team, recognizing appropriate health and safety precautions, and working effectively with cultural differences in diverse populations are core aspects of the course.
Attributes: Writing Intensive Course
Equivalent(s): COMM 511G, INST 511G
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- Examine the roles and responsibilities of the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) across different clinical and educational settings.
- Explain how the American Speech Hearing Association (ASHA) guidelines for SLPA professional practice are applied to the roles and responsibilities of the SLPA.
- Apply ethical decision-making strategies to various SLPA scenarios.
- Explain how Universal Precautions are applied to ensure safety in clinical and educational settings.
- Describe the impact of culturally responsive practices when working with diverse populations, including clients in inclusive settings, and evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies.
- Describe how to apply evidence-based procedures for intervention activities and data collection to support client progress.
SLA 501 - Survey of Communication Disorders
Credits: 4
This course provides students with knowledge of the basic components and development of speech and language. Historical aspects of Speech-Language and Audiology are addressed. Various disorders including language, articulation, voice, fluency, and hearing are explored.
Prerequisite(s): SLA 500 with a minimum grade of D- or COMM 511G with a minimum grade of D-.
Equivalent(s): COMM 512G, INST 512G
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- Describe common speech, language, and hearing disorders across the lifespan.
- Categorize the signs and symptoms of various communication disorders based on severity, type, and age of onset.
- Describe how communication disorders affect individuals' ability to communicate and connect the role of therapy in improving outcomes.
- Summarize fundamental assessment, therapy techniques, and procedures used for speech, language, and hearing disorders or differences.
- Discuss the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity in diagnosing and treating communication disorders or differences, and how these factors may impact therapy techniques and outcomes.
SLA 502 - Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing
Credits: 4
This course is designed to provide students in the speech-language concentration with knowledge of the basic anatomy and physiology of the speech production and perception systems to support understanding of directions from a Speech-Language Pathologist. The focus is on those aspects of anatomy and physiology that are critical for clinical implementation. Measurement tools and instrumentation used in the field are discussed.
Prerequisite(s): SLA 500 with a minimum grade of D-.
Equivalent(s): COMM 513G, INST 513G
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- Define the role of each of the five subsystems (respiration, phonation, articulation, resonance, and prosody) responsible for speech and hearing.
- Explain the basic anatomical and physiological components of respiration, phonation, articulation, neurological, and auditory systems in speech production.
- Analyze theories of speech production and perception.
- Evaluate the underlying mechanisms of speech and hearing to recommend evidence-based solutions.
SLA 503 - Articulation and Phonological Disorders
Credits: 4
This course introduces phonetic principles, categorization of sounds, and various applications of these concepts. Students become familiar with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), learn to read a Speech-Language Pathologist's transcription, and develop their own transcription skills. Articulation and phonological disorders are presented and distinctions and direct connections discussed, with the primary emphasis on intervention and remediation strategies. Additional topics include children and adults for whom English is a second language, and individuals with dialectic and/or cultural differences.
Prerequisite(s): SLA 500 with a minimum grade of D-.
Equivalent(s): COMM 514G, INST 514G
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- Analyze how sounds are distributed and classified regarding place, manner, or voicing.
- Interpret the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).
- Accurately analyze sample transcriptions completed by a Speech-Language Pathologist.
- Differentiate articulation disorders from phonological disorders in various case studies.
- Explain various articulation therapy techniques to implement tailored intervention plans.
- Explain various phonological therapy techniques to implement tailored intervention plans.
SLA 504 - Introduction to Audiology and Aural Rehabilitation
Credits: 4
This course is designed to equip Speech-Language Assistant students with knowledge of the hearing process, symptoms of hearing impairment, basic methods by which an audiologist diagnoses hearing difficulties, and elements of rehabilitative approaches for persons with hearing impairment. An overview of various causes of hearing impairment is explored.
Prerequisite(s): SLA 500 with a minimum grade of D-.
Equivalent(s): COMM 515G, INST 515G
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- Describe the different types of audiological tests and which component(s) of the auditory system they test.
- Interpret basic audiological evaluation reports.
- Summarize the effects of a given hearing loss on a person's academic, speech/language, and psychosocial capabilities.
- Summarize common signs of a central auditory processing disorder.
- Identify appropriate interventions for children with hearing impairment.
- Identify cochlear implant candidacy requirements for adults and children.
SLA 506 - Language Acquisition
Credits: 4
This course introduces research, theory, and practical applications pertinent to first language acquisition. The development of language is explored through its five major components: phonology, pragmatics, semantics, morphology, and syntax. Stages of acquisition are traced from pre-linguistic communication in infancy through adolescents' use of abstract thinking and expressions. Distinctions between language disorders and developmental differences are considered, as are relationships between language and literacy skills (reading and writing).
Attributes: Writing Intensive Course
Prerequisite(s): SLA 500 with a minimum grade of D-.
Equivalent(s): PSY 521G
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- Describe the stages of language development from infancy through adolescence, and the factors contributing to language development.
- Explain the primary tenets of the major theories of language development.
- Differentiate between the five major aspects of language (morphology, phonology, syntax, pragmatics, and semantics).
- Describe how the five major aspects of language influence receptive and expressive language.
- Summarize pre-linguistic communication, intentional communication, and early language development.
- Analyze the relationship between language acquisition and the development of literacy skills.
SLA 550 - Clinical Practicum I
Credits: 2
This course offers supervised clinical experience in speech-language pathology. Students gain practical experience in techniques and theories as applied in a therapeutic setting. Requires students to be on-site at an approved setting for a minimum of twenty-five hours during the term.
Prerequisite(s): SLA 500 with a minimum grade of D- and SLA 501 with a minimum grade of D-.
Equivalent(s): COMM 516G, INST 516G
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- Discuss best practices for planning speech-language pathology therapy sessions, preparing materials, and choosing appropriate documentation methods.
- Identify appropriate therapy techniques for various clinical settings and speech-language disorders or differences.
- Reflect on observation and clinical experiences to deepen understanding of both disorders and therapy approaches to improve client outcomes.
- Examine evidence-based practices for speech-language pathology to curate competency-based SLPA tools for a clinical portfolio.
SLA 551 - Clinical Practicum II
Credits: 2
This course provides students in the Speech-Language Assistant concentration with a series of introductory fieldwork experiences during which they will observe Speech-Language Pathologists as they provide speech and language therapy to clients. Students gain practical experience in observing techniques and theories as applied in a therapeutic setting. Twenty-five hours of observation are required for each two-credit practicum, in settings approved by the clinical faculty.
Prerequisite(s): SLA 550 with a minimum grade of D- or COMM 516G with a minimum grade of D-.
Equivalent(s): COMM 516AG, INST 516AG
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- Observe and discuss procedures and best practices involved in planning, preparing materials, and choosing forms of documentation for therapy sessions.
- Identify and evaluate appropriate therapy techniques for use in varying clinical settings and situations.
- Choose, plan, and implement specific therapy techniques for individual clients with differing speech and language impairments.
- Utilize the Observation Check List Form and the Clinical Therapy Check List Form to document observation sessions, to better understand specific disorders, and to analyze what therapy techniques work best to improve outcomes.
- Complete a portfolio that documents their observations and experiences and includes appropriate supporting materials such as all observation and clinical therapy forms and checklists.
SLA 552 - Clinical Practicum III
Credits: 2
This course provides students in the Speech-Language Assistant concentration with a series of introductory fieldwork experiences during which they will observe Speech-Language Pathologists as they provide speech and language therapy to clients. Students gain practical experience in observing techniques and theories as applied in a therapeutic setting. Twenty-five hours of observation are required for each two-credit practicum, in settings approved by the clinical faculty.
Prerequisite(s): SLA 551 with a minimum grade of D- or COMM 516G with a minimum grade of D-.
Equivalent(s): COMM 516BG, INST 516BG
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- Observe and discuss procedures and best practices involved in planning, preparing materials, and choosing forms of documentation for therapy sessions.
- Identify and evaluate appropriate therapy techniques for use in varying clinical settings and situations.
- Choose, plan, and implement specific therapy techniques for individual clients with differing speech and language impairments.
- Utilize the Observation Check List Form and the Clinical Therapy Check List Form to document observation sessions, to better understand specific disorders, and to analyze what therapy techniques work best to improve outcomes.
- Complete a portfolio that documents their observations and experiences and includes appropriate supporting materials such as all observation and clinical therapy forms and checklists.
SLA 553 - Clinical Practicum IV
Credits: 2
This course provides students in the Speech-Language Assistant concentration with a series of introductory fieldwork experiences during which they will observe Speech-Language Pathologists as they provide speech and language therapy to clients. Students gain practical experience in observing techniques and theories as applied in a therapeutic setting. Twenty-five hours of observation are required for each two-credit practicum, in settings approved by the clinical faculty.
Prerequisite(s): SLA 552 with a minimum grade of D- or COMM 516BG with a minimum grade of D-.
Equivalent(s): COMM 516CG, INST 516CG
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- Observe and discuss procedures and best practices involved in planning, preparing materials, and choosing forms of documentation for therapy sessions.
- Identify and evaluate appropriate therapy techniques for use in varying clinical settings and situations.
- Choose, plan, and implement specific therapy techniques for individual clients with differing speech and language impairments.
- Utilize the Observation Check List Form and the Clinical Therapy Check List Form to document observation sessions, to better understand specific disorders, and to analyze what therapy techniques work best to improve outcomes.
- Complete a portfolio that documents their observations and experiences and includes appropriate supporting materials such as all observation and clinical therapy forms and checklists.
SLA 555 - Clinical Practicum II
Credits: 6
This course offers supervised clinical experience in speech-language pathology. Students gain practical experience in techniques and theories as applied in a therapeutic setting. Requires students to be on-site at an approved setting for a minimum of seventy-five hours during the semester.
Prerequisite(s): SLA 500 with a minimum grade of D- and SLA 501 with a minimum grade of D- and SLA 502 with a minimum grade of D- and SLA 503 with a minimum grade of D- and SLA 504 with a minimum grade of D- and SLA 506 with a minimum grade of D- and SLA 550 with a minimum grade of D-.
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- Employ best practices for planning speech language pathology therapy sessions, preparing materials, and choosing appropriate documentation methods.
- Identify appropriate therapy techniques for various clinical settings and speech-language disorders or differences.
- Reflect on clinical experiences to deepen understanding of both disorders and therapy approaches to improve client outcomes.
- Examine evidence-based practices for speech-language pathology to curate competency-based SLPA tools for a clinical portfolio.