Texts:   Required:  WKU Communication Disorders Clinic Manual
Recommended:  Treatment Resource Manual for Speech-Language Pathology;
 Froth & Worthington; 1998; Singular/Thompson; ISBN 1-56593-636-1

Course Description:  Advanced supervised clinical practicum, providing experience with more acute or complex communication disorders.  Clients assigned and scheduled only with the permission of the clinic supervisor.  Conferences by appointment.  Syllabus,  calendar, documentation, announcements, etc. will be available on CourseInfo.

Prerequisites:  Completion of undergraduate coursework.  CD 506 and CD 508 are recommended before receiving voice or stuttering clients, respectively.

Co-requisites:  All other graduate courses in Communication Disorders.

Course Requirements:

1.  Graduate students must enroll in CD 590 to receive in-house client assignments.  Clinic
     hours must be summarized and submitted in the term completed in order to
     receive credit toward ASHA requirements.
2.  We must have written documentation of a TB test, medical examination, and professional
     liability insurance on file before any client contact will be permitted.  Contact the graduate
     assistants for insurance forms if needed.
3.  Attend all scheduled therapy sessions punctually and well-prepared.  Reschedule all
     clinician-cancelled therapy sessions with client when possible. Place written memo in
     your supervisor’s mailbox detailing how or when make-up session will take place.  If
     absent, it is your responsibility to obtain a substitute clinician for your client.  Prior to
     absence notify your supervisor about the reason for your absence and who will
     substitute.  No-shows and failure to notify of absences will affect determination of
     final grade.
4.  Students will be notified of mandatory clinic meetings via announcement on CourseInfo
     and posting in materials room.
5.  Transfer students who are experiencing their first clinical experience may attend the clinic
     meetings held by Mrs. Moore for CD 495.  Attendance is recommended for the first few
     weeks at minimum.
6.  Meet with your supervisor as needed to discuss client progress.  Bring questions and
     come prepared to scheduled conferences.
7.  Complete all documentation in timely manner, using a word-processing system.
     Templates of key forms will be available via the internet.  Reports must be signed and
     dated by both clinician and supervisor.  The initial sheet of all reports should be printed
     on WKU letterhead.  Those forms and protocol not on the web should be completed using
     blue or black ink.  The individual treatment plan is due on or before the third
     session.  A rough draft of the diagnostic report is due 3 days after the evaluation is
     complete.
8.  Conduct yourself in a professional manner at all times.  Dress is professional casual.
     Wear your clinician badge when in clinic.  Patient confidentiality is imperative.
9.  Create and implement lesson plans, using measurable goals and objectives, task
     analyses, and therapeutic strategies based on clients strengths and weaknesses.
10. Conduct therapy sessions, interview client and/or caregivers, and maintain close
     communication regarding treatment goals and progress.
11. Create three original materials/systems.  These may include speech sound books,
     communication boards, games to use in therapy, reinforcement systems, home programs
     or carryover activities, etc.  Review ideas in rough draft form with your supervisor prior to
     implementation.
12. Follow through on all administrative responsibilities accurately and within deadlines, as
     established by the clinic manual.  Maintain a current permanent file for each client.
     Client files should never leave the clinic.   Follow the clinic system for checking out
     materials, tests, and folders.  Adhere to a 24 hour loan policy.  Maintain order in the test
     and materials rooms.
13. Meet with supervisor for evaluation conferences.  Bring client’s permanent updated file,
     including contact sheet, permission sheets, case history, release of information,
     diagnostic report, all raw test data and protocols, SOAP Notes, billing data, final summary
     reports, etc.
14. Diagnostic and screening hours will be assigned as they come available, with priority
     based on student’s needs.  Review procedures with your supervisor prior to client
     contact.
15. Accurately maintain and summarize accrued clinical clock hours.  Remember that ASHA
     requires 50 hours for you to use the WKU clinic as a placement site.
16. Alert your supervisor about major problems or concerns.  Solve other problems or
     conflicts with tact and diplomacy.

Core Objectives:

a.  Develop strategies for selecting appropriate assessment tools.
b.  Become proficient in assessment and interpretation of results.
c.  Demonstrate interview techniques for taking a case history, basic counseling, and
     providing information.
d.  Read and interpret reports from other disciplines.
e.  Determine factors affecting prognosis;
f.  Document results in evaluation and/or progress report, demonstrating ability to analyze
     and synthesize results via organization, information selected, length, specificity, and
     clarity.
g.  Develop an appropriate plan of treatment, including goals, objectives, data collection, and
     generalization procedures.
h.  Use multiple therapeutic strategies that are appropriate to client developmental,
     cognitive, social/cultural, and/or physical status.
i.  Communicate specific expectations for learning to clients and/or caregivers.
j.  Use multiple perspectives to facilitate integration of knowledge and experiences across
     disciplines.
k.  Make efficient and creative use of physical and human resources and time.
l.  Incorporate creative and appropriate use of media/technology.
m.  Provide opportunities to practice what has been learned.
n.  Assess, analyze, and communicate effectiveness of instruction and make appropriate
     changes to improve client learning.
o.  Develop lesson plans and document treatment services in SOAP note form at least
     weekly.
p.  Summarize accrued clinical clock hours.
q.  Maintain other relevant documentation as specified in clinic manual.
r.  Explain ASHA Code of Ethics
s.  Describe legal ramifications of service delivery
t.  Obtain quality of assurance data for defining perceptions of service.

KERA Experienced Teacher Performance Standards:

I.    Demonstrates professional leadership:
II.    Demonstrates knowledge of content: a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s , t
III.   Designs/plans instruction:  a, b, c, d, e, f, g, o
IV.  Creates/maintains learning climate:  h, i, j, l
V.   Implements/manages instruction:  h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o
VI.  Assesses and communicates learning results:  a, b, c, d, e, f, i, n
VII.  Reflects/evaluates teaching/learning:  i, n, t
VIII. Collaborates with colleagues/parents/others: i, j
IX.   Engages in professional development:  p, r, s
X.    Technology:  l
 

Course Policies:

1.  Students are responsible for all information covered in meetings and presented
     on CourseInfo.  Those without internet access will be expected to use
     computer terminals on campus.
2.  ASHA requires a minimum of 25% supervision during treatment and 50% during
     diagnostic sessions over the course of the semester.  Degree of supervision will generally
     be more intense at the beginning of the term, reducing as increased competence is
     demonstrated.
3.  Failure to notify client/supervisor of absences or failure to complete required
     documentation will result in reducing grade by one letter grade.
4.  Grading System:  Practicum or summative evaluation forms and completion of written
     client documentation will be used to determine final grade.
     A = Exceptional Performance – Successful completion of all clinic requirements with a
very high level of competence and independent performance by the end of the term.
     B = Above Average Performance – Successful completion of all clinic requirements with
high level of competence and moderately independent performance.
     C = Average Performance – Successful completion of most clinic requirements with
competence given continued supervision.
     D = Unsatisfactory Performance – Failure to complete clinic requirements with minimal
competence.