Simulation is a valid pedagogical tool used to teach students, observe student clinical skills, and to assess clinical competencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a lack of medical speech-language pathology placements required graduate programs to re-examine clinical training. Simulation has proven useful in providing an alternative and safe…

Standardized patients (SPs) are increasingly being used with students in the field of communication sciences and disorders (CSD). The purpose of this paper is to describe the use of SPs with CSD students. Challenges to the clinical education of students are described, and a call is made to expand the use of SPs to facilitate student learning of…

To prepare graduate students to implement evidence-based practice effectively, educators must integrate instruction on rational clinical decision-making into course curricula. Three faculty members at different universities adopted an educational approach derived from the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System (RTSS) to teach and assess…

Assessment is an ongoing process that is necessary at every stage of designing, implementing, and evaluating simulation-based learning experiences (SBLEs). Designing and aligning a high-quality assessment process provides instructors and researchers with valuable data to understand if students have met the desired simulation learning objectives,…

Purpose: Huntington's Disease (HD) is a fatal, hereditary neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by a triad of motor, cognitive and psychiatric symptoms that impact on both communicative effectiveness and the treatment techniques used to maximize communicative participation. The purpose of this article is to describe the application of…

A language diagnosis model which reverses the traditional model of testing first and assessing later is described. The 11-step approach is explained to allow for the incorporation of new information as it becomes available. (CL)

The Communication Record is described as a system for gathering and sharing critical information concerning the communication impaired student's sign language performance. Sharing information on specific sign system, instructor mode, concept content, response mode, and key environmental variables can ease the transition into new placements.…

Questionnaires were used to evaluate 59 parents' reactions and understanding of diagnostic information from written reports and conferences in a clinic for speech, learning, language, and hearing problems. (Author/CL)

The paper notes the difficulties with most formal tests of language skills when applied to the assessment of communication and precommunication skills in individuals with severe and multiple handicaps. General principles for assessment and a flexible assessment device are summarized. The Functional Communication Assessment is offered as a basic…

Current assessment models in communication disorders are reviewed, factors involved in meeting the demands of P.L. 94-142 are addressed, and recommended practices as well as future considerations are noted. (CL)

The article analyzes software for assessing language, noting advantages and disadvantages of such programs as Computerized Language Sample Analysis and Lingquest 1 Language Sample Analysis. In addition, software for assessing phonetic and phonological performance is also considered. (CL)

The Iowa Severity Rating Scales are designed to provide general guidelines which may be used as a part of the clinical speech and language program to obtain uniform identification of preschool children with communication disabilities. Section 1 contains definitions, an explanation of the severity classification (a 5 point scale ranging from 0 for…

This article describes a nonstandardized method used to assess the degree to which school-aged children with communication disorders are competent with the pragmatic skill of referential communication. Results with six children (ages 8-12) with communication disorders revealed that subjects possessed at least some referential communication…

The notion of "linguistic profile" as an alternative to standardized testing for speech and language disorders is discussed in this tutorial. Two specific examples of profiles, both for disordered phonology, are described, and readers are guided through their use. Finally, their relative strengths and weaknesses are assessed. (Author/CR)

This paper discusses the knowledge, skills and understandings of Foundation Stage teachers in relation to children's speech and language development. Results from a questionnaire to 294 teachers reveal limited initial and post qualification training. Teachers' knowledge of specific aspects of children's language revealed that key areas for…