[ Contents | Search | Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Nan Ratner
Date: 06 Oct 2006
Time: 11:40:45 -0500
Remote Name: 129.2.25.203
ASHA has decided in its widened scope of practice NOT to define a minimum number of contact/clinic hours in fluency, OR coursework hours. Some of us are obviously distressed by this. For programs with good staffing and a good referral base, one can always use the old standards, since they are more stringent - thus we require a full 3-credit class, and 20-25 hours of supervised practicum in fluency. But many programs do not have such luxuries. They don't have a faculty member with expertise in fluency (and railroading someone without talent or interest is a bad idea), and no client base to work with, which partially stems from the lack of faculty (circular problem). It will be good if we can develop some sort of web- or DVD-based course for such places, which allows students to get content and some degree of "practice" through observation, simulations, exercises, etc. I do think this may be the future. Additionally, some wise programs without faculty have begun to contract outside people to either visit to teach a class or provide a distance learning course via live hook-ups. But the programs need to step up. Left to their own set of challenges, I do not see ASHA toughening rules for training in any disorder, and I do not see most students loudly complaining about things they are not required to do. Nan