SST 303 Syllabus

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) -- Principles of Screening and Treatment

College: College of Health and Human Services
Department: Department of Health Sciences
Course Title: SLPA: Principles of Screening and Treatment
Course Number: SST 303
Semester: Spring Term
Instructors: Stephanie Christensen, M.A. CCC-SLP, Dennis Tanner, Ph.D.

Cyber Office Hours: To be determined
Office Address: Bldg. 66, Office 227
Credit Hours: 3
Location: Online
Course Level: Undergraduate
Recommended Prerequisites: SST 191, 202, 251, 301, 302
Email: Use VISTA email Feature

Course Description

SST 303 addresses general and specific principles of screening and treatment for the speech-language pathologist assistant (SLPA). This course discusses screening procedures and behavior modification principles used in the treatment of communication disorders. SST 303 consists of lectures, demonstrations, and videos to accompany assigned readings.

Student (Learner) Expectations/Outcomes for this Course

SST 303 is intended to provide the prospective speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) with basic information about speech and hearing screening protocols and procedures. Behavior modification principles are also provided as they pertain to the treatment of articulation and phonology, voice, language, and fluency disorders. The focus of the course is on the role of the SLPA in clinical practice and follows the guidelines and scope of practice for SLPAs established by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

The successful student in SST 303 will comprehend, learn, ascertain, discover, and understand the following as demonstrated in the Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes section (see below):

·  The roles and responsibilities of speech-language pathology assistants

·  Principles of speech, language, voice, and hearing screening

·  Principles of behavior modification and the use of such principles in speech and language treatment

·  Principles of a functional intervention approach and how to implement those principles in the treatment of speech and language disorders

Course Structure/Approach

SST 303 consists of lectures and demonstrations to accompany assigned readings in the required text. Students are also required to read assigned supplemental articles and website sources, and participate in discussions and other course activities.

Course Outline

MODULE 1: THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN SLPA
Lecture 1: ASHA Guidelines for the Use of SLPAs
Lecture 2: ASHA Guidelines for the Supervising SLPAs

MODULE 2: PRINCIPLES OF SPEECH, VOICE, AND LANGUAGE SCREENING FOR THE SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT
Lecture 1: Essentials of Screening for the SLPA
Lecture 2: Child Screening Tools
Lecture 3: Adult Screening Tools

EXAMINATION I (Modules 1 & 2)

MODULE 3: PRINCIPLES OF HEARING SCREENING FOR THE SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT
Lecture 1: Anatomy of the Ear
Lecture 2: Types of Hearing Loss
Lecture 3: Signs of Hearing Loss
Lecture 4: Hearing Screening Protocols

EXAMINATION II (Module 3)

MODULE 4: PRINCIPLES OF BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
Lecture 1: Overview of Operant and Classical Conditioning
Lecture 2: Emotional Learning
Lecture 3: Behaviors and Reinforcements
Lecture 4: Strengthening Behaviors
Lecture 5: Eliminating Undesirable Behaviors and Developing New Ones
Lecture 6: Instructional Objectives
Lecture 7: Examples of Behavior Modification with Adult and Child Clients

EXAMINATION III (Module 4)

MODULE 5: A FUNCTIONAL INTERVENTION APPROACH
Lecture 1: A Functional Intervention Approach
Lecture 2: Allowing the Child to Lead
Lecture 3: Adapting to "Share the Moment"
Lecture 4: Adding Language and Experience

MODULE 6: SPECIFIC INTERVENTION TECHNIQUES
Lecture 1: Remembering the Phonological Approach

EXAMINATION IV (Comprehensive Final Exam)

Textbook and Required Materials

Moore, S., & Pearson, L. (2003). Competencies and Strategies for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants. Thompson Delmar Learning.

It is available at the NAU Bookstore, or from the publisher, Thompson Delmar Learning.

Recommended Optional Materials/References

Tanner, D. (1997). Handbook for the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant . Oceanside, C.A.: Academic Communication Associates. ISBN 1-57503-037-3

Method of Assessment

Students will be graded according to their scores on the four examinations, and their discussions/assignments. The tests are worth 100 points each. The discussions will total 100 points (20 points each). The students' final grade will be computed based on the sum of the total points (500) and the letter grades calculated based on the grading scale provided below.

Approximate Time Line for Assessment (See the Course Calendar for Specific Dates)

Type / Time Period
Examination I: / Fourth week of class
Examination II: / Eighth week of class
Examination III: / Twelfth week of class
Examination IV: / Sixteenth or Seventeenth week of class (NAU’s Final Exam Week)

Grading System

Type / Points Allocation
Examination I: / Open book, multiple choice, two chances, avg. of the 2 tests will be recorded — 100 points
Examination II: / Open book, multiple choice, two chances, avg. of the 2 tests will be recorded — 100 points
Examination III: / Open book, multiple choice, two chances, avg. of the 2 tests will be recorded — 100 points
Examination IV: / Open book, multiple choice, two chances, avg. of the 2 tests will be recorded — 100 points
Discussions/Assignments: / There are a total of 4 discussions and one online assignment/quiz. By the due dates listed on the course calendar, you must complete discussion for Modules 2,4,5, & 6. For Module 3, you must complete the online vocabulary quiz found in the assessment area. Each of these assignments/discussions is worth 20 points each--- 100 points.

The tests will be given on specific days (over a period of three days). If you are unable to take the exam on the days it is administered, you must notify the instructor in advance; with a valid excuse early submissions will be considered. Late submissions will not be accepted and will result in a zero for the student. You will have two opportunities to take each test, however your average grade on your two attempts will be recorded. Therefore, you must prepare for the exam on your first attempt as you would any other exam. While all tests are open book/open notes, you will only have one hour and 15 minutes to complete each exam; you will not have enough time to look up each answer.

Grading Scale

Total Maximum Points Available = 500

450 - 500 = A
400 - 449 = B
350 - 399 = C
300 - 349 = D
Below 300 = F

Course Policies

Retest/Makeup Tests

Students will not be able to submit exams late. Plan for computer difficulties. If you have an "unstable" computer, make other arrangements (library, Kinko's, etc.) for taking your exam. Term papers will be penalized at ten points per day for each day they are late.

Attendance

Attendance for the online discussion groups is required. Not participating in the discussion assignments will significantly alter your grade as they count just like a test.

Statement on Plagiarism and Cheating

Plagiarism: It is understood that in developing any required class projects, that the student cites each reference source and gives the proper credit for an idea, quotation or finding. Failure to cite the source of referenced material is unprofessional and violates the code of conduct for undergraduates. Please read the Academic Dishonesty Policy.

Cheating: Cheating is intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information or study aids in any academic exercise. Cheating on any exam will result in an "F" or "0" points awarded for that exam. You will be expected to do your own work. Any suspicion of the contrary will be fully investigated and possibly result in consequences appropriate for academic dishonesty. In this class, all cases of academic dishonesty will be processed at the maximum penalty level of NAU's policy (see above). Examples of academic dishonesty include but are not limited to: intentional plagiarism (claiming the work of others are your own), unintentional plagiarism (not accurately acknowledging the work of others), using any amount of purchased or borrowed material from services that provide research papers or term papers, submitting the work of a group as that of an individual, using text found on the internet without appropriate citation (very common and very illegal), and others.

University Policies

Policies on Safe Working and Learning Environment, Students with Disabilities, Institutional Review Board, and Academic Integrity Policies are available in the NAU Student Handbook.