Objective observation is an essential skill for assessing and treating diverse clients in professional settings. This hands-on, participatory course examines the nature of observation; factors that influence interpretation; and the impact of biases, expectations and observer influence; while watching clinical care. Students will learn to recognize forms of assessment and therapy strategies across a variety of communication disorders.

This course focuses on the development of speech sound perception and production in young children who are learning to speak English and how sounds are influenced by culture and growing anatomical structures. Problems that lead to communication disorders will be explored, along with corresponding etiologies. Fundamental principles of assessment and treatment of articulation and phonological disorders in young children will be introduced.

Independent Study

Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

A lecture-discussion and clinical study of development and disorders of phonology and articulation. Etiology, evaluation, and treatment are discussed. Prerequisite: EDHS 5010, 5050 (or concurrent enrollment), or instructor permission.

A clinical-methods course focusing on clinical decisions as they relate to prevention, screening, history taking, and current models of evaluation, intervention and counseling across (a) service-delivery sites in the continuum of care and (b) clinical populations. Additional emphases include culturally diverse populations, professional ethics, and clinical writing.

Autism is a life-long neuro-developmental disorder substantially impacting an individual's ability to communicate. This class explores the history, etiology, assessment, and intervention strategies for working with people of all ages in developing communication skills necessary for daily living.

Permits students to work on individual study topics, under close faculty guidance, when particular needs cannot be met by registration in regularly scheduled courses. May be repeated for credit; however, only six credits of EDHS 7993 may be included in an M.Ed. degree program. The independent study topic must be listed on the student's degree application. Section 1: Letter Grading Section 2: S/U Grading Prerequisite: Approval of advisor and instructor, and an approved plan of study.

Coverage includes language differences, language delays, language deviancies, and specific language impairment with topics ranging from language sampling to linguistic analysis, to intervention and counseling. Topical coverage also include linguistic diversity, bilingualism, early intervention, literacy acquisition, dyslexia and hyperlexia. Prerequisite: Language development course or instructor permission.

Section 1: Clinical Education Seminar in Speech Pathology I: A clinical seminar accompanying clinical practice. The seminar focuses on professional issues and the diagnosis and rehabilitation of children and adults with communication disorders. Practicum assignments are individually structured to provide clinical and field work experience with a variety of ages, patients, and rehabilitation settings, or in a particular aspect of professional specialization. Close individual supervision is maintained by clinical instructors, and each case is discussed in weekly conference. Section 2: Clinical Education Seminar in Speech Pathology II: A clinical seminar accompanying clinical practice in medical settings. The seminar focuses on professional issues and the diagnosis and rehabilitation of children and adults with communication disorders. Practicum assignments are individually structured to provide clinical and field work experience with a variety of ages, patients, and rehabilitation settings, or in a particular aspect of professional specialization. Close individual supervision is maintained by clinical instructors, and each case is discussed in a weekly conference. Section 3: Clinical Practice in Speech and Language Pathology: Clinical practice focusing on the diagnosis and rehabilitation of children and adults with communication disorders. Practicum assignments are individually structured to provide clinical and field work experience with a variety of ages, patients, and rehabilitation settings, or in a particular aspect of professional specialization. Close individual supervision is maintained by clinical instructors, and each case is discussed in a weekly conference. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

Clinical practice in the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of children and adults with communicative disorders. Programs are individually structured to provide experience with a variety of clinical populations, age groups, and specializations. The sites are off-grounds, and usually within a two hour driving distance of the University. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

Clinical Practicum for Graduate Communication Disorders students

This is a full-time semester-long clinical internship at an affiliating agency that may be located in Virginia or across the United States. Affiliating agencies include public schools and healthcare institutions in Virginia and throughout the U.S. Interns practice all aspects of Speech-Language Pathology under the direct supervision of one or more certified and licensed speech-language pathologist(s) employed by the affiliating site.

Designed to give masters students experience conducting research in professional settings appropriate to their disciplines. Prerequisites: Permission of Advisor.

Designed to give doctoral students experience conducting research in professional settings appropriate to their disciplines. Prerequisite: Advisor permission required.