SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT

SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT (SLPA)

DIVISION: Social Sciences

SLPA 018  INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION DISORDERS  
3 unit  

Transfer Credit: CSU

Overview of the field of communication disorders. Survey and classification of communication disorders; identifying assessment and treatment of speech, language, swallowing and hearing disorders. Includes guided observation of 3 hours of speech therapy sessions. Total of 54 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.

Grade Mode: Letter Grade
SLPA 107  PHONETICS, ARTICULATION, AND PHONOLOGY  
3 unit  
Prerequisite(s): SLPA 018
Enrollment Limitation: Admission to the SLPA program

Speech sound production and disorders, including a study of the International Phonetic Alphabet for classification, analysis, and transcription. Consideration for cultural and linguistic variations. Approaches and procedures for screening and intervention of speech sound disorders. Includes guided observation of 3 hours of speech therapy sessions. Total of 54 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.

Grade Mode: Letter Grade
SLPA 115  CHILD LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND DISORDERS  
3 unit  
Prerequisite(s): SLPA 018
Enrollment Limitation: Admission to the SLPA program

Typical speech, language and hearing development including acquisition of phonology, morphology, semantics, syntax, and pragmatics; communication development in bilingual populations; and differentiation of typical from disordered communication. Study of prevention, assessment and intervention practices for language and literacy disorders in children and adolescents. Includes guided observation of 3 hours of speech therapy sessions. Total of 54 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.

Grade Mode: Letter Grade
SLPA 119  SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY: PROFESSIONAL ISSUES  
3 unit  
Prerequisite(s): SLPA 018
Enrollment Limitation: Admission to the SLPA program

Professional issues in the field of communication disorders with emphasis on practice as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant. Regulatory and ethical considerations, scope of responsibilities, and supervision. Practice issues including cultural and linguistic diversity, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), documentation, data collection, objectives, and treatment implementation. Total of 54 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.

Grade Mode: Letter Grade
SLPA 123A  COMMUNICATION DISORDERS: ASSESSMENT AND REMEDIATION  
3 unit  
Prerequisite(s): All of the following; SLPA 107, SLPA 115, and SLPA 119
Enrollment Limitation: Admission to the SLPA program

Screening, assessment and intervention practices and procedures for communication disorders. Examination of learning theories, lesson/session planning, behavioral modification, and reinforcement techniques. Includes guided observation of 3 hours of speech therapy sessions No credit if taken after SPCH 123. Total of 54 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.

Grade Mode: Letter Grade
SLPA 123B  ADULT DISORDERS: REMEDIATION  
3 unit  
Prerequisite(s): SLPA 123A
Enrollment Limitation: Admission to the SLPA program

Speech, language, and hearing disorders of the adult population. Assessment and Intervention practices for adult acquired neurogenic communication disorders. Includes guided observation of 3 hours of speech therapy sessions. Total of 54 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.

Grade Mode: Letter Grade
SLPA 126  SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT FIELD WORK  
2 unit  
Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in or completion of SLPA 123B
Corequisite(s): SLPA 126S
Enrollment Limitation: Admission to the SLPA program; At their own cost, students must pass a health/safety and background check for the college and /or the off-campus site, as necessary, and must purchase Malpractice Insurance as an SLPA student to cover the duration of the semester; Requires instructor approval to ensure that each student enrolled in the course has an approved contracted fieldwork site as well as an approved Clinical Supervisor; An approved Clinical Supervisor is a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) with a valid, current California license as an SLP, and with a current Certificate of Clinical Competence as an SLP (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; Student must meet with the on-campus Instructor prior to semester of enrollment for: a) fieldwork orientation (date to be announced in SLPA 123A or SLPA 123B); b) establishment of a signed contract of understanding of all requirements for the off-campus experience; c) completion of the application indicating intent to enroll in SLPA 126 (available following orientation)

Supervised fieldwork experience assisting with the clinical management of persons with communicative disorders. Opportunities to interact with clients/patients while implementing prescribed treatment plans, assisting with screening or assessment under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist, record keeping and managing of clinical data, setting up clinical equipment and materials, and performing various clerical duties as needed. Students must work 75 paid hours or 60 non-paid hours per unit earned. Total of 120 hours unpaid or 150 hours paid field practice.

Grade Mode: Pass/No-Pass
SLPA 126S  SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT FIELD WORK SEMINAR  
1 unit  
Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in or completion of SLPA 123B
Corequisite(s): SLPA 126
Enrollment Limitation: Admission to the SLPA program

Investigation of critical-thinking and decision-making skills related to technical proficiency of a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA). Examination of requirements for state licensing and national certification. Total of 18 hours lecture.

Grade Mode: Letter Grade