Certificate for Communication Disorders Assistants
ObjectivesThe program is designed to inform students about therapeutic principles and approaches that are applicable to a variety of communication disorders and to prepare them for employment as CDAs. This program was designed to reflect descriptions of training requirements for supportive personnel published by the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA), the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Academic titleCertificate for Communication Disorders Assistants
Course descriptionThe certificate is awarded upon completion of the following courses with an overall average of 60 percent:
- LING 0N30, 0N31, 0N32, 2P99, 4P18, 4P21, 4P27, 4P31, 4P32 and 4P35
- CHYS 2P35
- one of CHYS 3P20, 3P26, 3P35, 3P43, 3P47, 3P60, 3P90
- one-half elective credit (WRIT 1P96 strongly recommended)
LING 0N30
Field Placement Preparation
Framework for the development of learning objectives by students for field practica, including orientation to the field practicum experience, goal setting for behavioural competencies, orientation to the roles and responsibilities of Communication Disorders Assistants, Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists, contemporary practices in health care delivery and documentation, infection control, resume preparation and interview skills preparation.
Lectures, presentations, site visits, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to CODC Certificate students.
LING 0N31
Field Placement I
First field placement under the supervision of a practicing speech-language pathologist or audiologist. Orientation to the roles and responsibilities of Communication Disorders Assistants, Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists.
Restriction: open to CODC Certificate students.
Prerequisite: LING 0N30.
Note: minimum 240 hours. Some field placement sites may require students to commute to/from their place of residence. Transportation to and from, sites is a student responsibility. Proof of vaccination and satisfactory criminal background check may be required. Hospitals, specialized rehabilitation centres, and school boards often require both of these before students are permitted direct contact with patients or pupils.
Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in LING 0N01.
LING 0N32
Field Placement II
Second field placement under the supervision of a practicing speech-language pathologist or audiologist. Continued orientation to the roles and responsibilities of Communication Disorders Assistants, Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists.
Restriction: open to CODC Certificate students.
Prerequisite: LING 0N31.
Note: minimum 260 hours. Some field placement sites may require students to commute to/from their place of residence, or may require them to relocate (within Ontario). Transportation to and from, or relocation near, clinical sites is a student responsibility. Proof of vaccination and satisfactory criminal background check may be required. Hospitals, specialized rehabilitation centres, and school boards often require both of these before students are permitted direct contact with patients or pupils.
Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in LING 0N02.
LING 2P99
Literacy in Childhood and Youth
(also offered as CHYS 2P99)
Exploration of selected issues in literacy development. Topics may include reading, writing, the impact of information technology on literacy development in the Canadian or global context.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite: LING 1F94 or PSYC 1F90.
LING 4P18
Assisting in Speech and Language Assessments
Role of supportive personnel in the evaluation of speech and language disorders. Topics include speech, language and hearing screening, the four-handed assessment model, computer-assisted evaluations and computerized and other record-keeping.
Lectures, lab 4 hours per week.
Restriction: open to CODC Certificate students.
LING 4P21
Clinical Observation of Communication Disorders
Directed observation in the evaluation and treatment of speech, language, hearing and/or swallowing disorders. Observation experience may include videotape analyses and visits to off-campus clinical observation sites.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week; clinical observations.
Restriction: open to HEAR and SPLS (single or combined) majors with approval to year 4 (honours), CODC, HESC and SLSC Certificate students.
Note: clinical observation placements are normally arranged by the course instructor. Transportation to placement sites is a student responsibility. Proof of vaccination and satisfactory criminal background check may be required. Hospitals, specialized rehabilitation centres, and school boards often require both of these before students are permitted to observe.
LING 4P27
Assistive Listening Devices and Aural Rehabilitation
Acoustics and psychoacoustics of hearing. Review of anatomy and physiology of the ear. Electroacoustic characteristics and maintenance of a variety of assistive listening devices. Principles and methods of aural rehabilitation.
Lectures, seminar/lab, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to HEAR and SPLS (single or combined) majors with approval to year 4 (honours), CODC, HESC, and SLSC Certificate students.
Prerequisite: LING 3P97.
Note: Certificate for Communications Disorder Assistant students may participate in clinical practica. Transportation to and from clinical sites is a student responsibility. Proof of vaccination and satisfactory criminal background check may be required. Hospitals, specialized rehabilitation centres and school boards often require both of these before students are permitted direct contact with patients or pupils.
LING 4P31
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Principles and methods of low and high-tech alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) intervention. Psychosocial aspects of severe communication disability and AAC use. Customization of AAC systems to match client goals, needs, and skills, including computer-based approaches.
Lectures, lab/seminar, 4 hours per week.
Restriction: open to HEAR and SPLS (single or combined) majors with approval to year 4 (honours), CODC, HESC and SLSC Certificate students.
Prerequisites: LING 1P92 and 1P93 (1F91) or permission of the Chair.
Note: Certificate for Communications Disorder Assistant students may participate in clinical practica. Transportation to and from clinical sites is a student responsibility. Proof of vaccination and satisfactory criminal background check may be required. Hospitals, specialized rehabilitation centres and school boards often require both of these before students are permitted direct contact with patients or pupils.
LING 4P32
Speech Disorders in Children and Youth
Current therapeutic approaches to common speech disorders. Topics may include treatment approaches for the amelioration of swallowing disorders, articulation/phonological disorders, voice disorders and fluency disorders.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to HEAR and SPLS (single or combined) majors with approval to year 4 (honours), CODC, HESC, and SLSC Certificate students.
Prerequisites: LING 2P50 and 3P61 or permission of the Chair.
LING 4P35
Speech and Swallowing Disorders in Adults
Current therapeutic approaches to common speech disorders of adults, especially older adults, including speech motor control disorders, voice disorders (especially laryngectomy) and fluency disorders. Treatment approaches for the amelioration of swallowing disorders common to older adults.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to HEAR and SPLS (single or combined) majors with approval to year 4 (honours), CODC, HESC, and SLSC Certificate students.
Prerequisites: LING 2P50 and 2P90 or permission of the Undergraduate Co-ordinator, Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences.