Goals and Competencies

Speech Pathology Knowledge and Skills Outcomes

Applicants for certification will demonstrate knowledge and skills in the following areas:

Standard IV-A

The applicant must have demonstrated knowledge of the biological sciences, physical sciences, statistics, and the social/behavioral sciences.

Standard IV-B

The applicant must have demonstrated knowledge of basic human communication and swallowing processes, including the appropriate biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural bases. The applicant must have demonstrated the ability to integrate information pertaining to normal and abnormal human development across the life span.

Standard IV-C

The applicant must have demonstrated knowledge of communication and swallowing disorders and differences, including the appropriate etiologies, characteristics, anatomical/physiological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates in the following areas:

  • articulation
  • fluency
  • voice and resonance, including respiration and phonation
  • receptive and expressive language (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, prelinguistic communication and paralinguistic communication) in speaking, listening, reading, writing
  • hearing, including the impact on speech and language
  • swallowing (oral, pharyngeal, esophageal, and related functions, including oral function for feeding, orofacial myology)
  • cognitive aspects of communication (attention, memory, sequencing, problem-solving, executive functioning)
  • social aspects of communication (including challenging behavior, ineffective social skills, and lack of communication opportunities)
  • augmentative and alternative communication modalities

Standard IV-D

For each of the areas specified in Standard IV-C, the applicant must have demonstrated current knowledge of the principles and methods of prevention, assessment, and intervention for people with communication and swallowing disorders, including consideration of anatomical/physiological, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates.

Standard IV-E

The applicant must have demonstrated knowledge of standards of ethical conduct.

Standard IV-F

The applicant must have demonstrated knowledge of processes used in research and of the integration of research principles into evidence-based clinical practice.

Standard IV-G

The applicant must have demonstrated knowledge of contemporary professional issues.

Standard IV-H

The applicant must have demonstrated knowledge of entry level and advanced certifications, licensure, and other relevant professional credentials, as well as local, state, and national regulations and policies relevant to professional practice.

Standard V: Skills Outcomes

Standard V-A

The applicant must have demonstrated skills in oral and written or other forms of communication sufficient for entry into professional practice.

Standard V-B

The applicant for certification must have completed a program of study that included experiences sufficient in breadth and depth to achieve the following skills outcomes:

Evaluation

  1. Conduct screening and prevention procedures (including prevention activities).
  2. Collect case history information and integrate information from clients/patients, family, caregivers, teachers, and relevant others, including other professionals.
  3. Select and administer appropriate evaluation procedures, such as behavioral observations, nonstandardized and standardized tests, and instrumental procedures.
  4. Adapt evaluation procedures to meet client/patient needs.
  5. Interpret, integrate, and synthesize all information to develop diagnoses and make appropriate recommendations for intervention.
  6. Complete administrative and reporting functions necessary to support evaluation.
  7. Refer clients/patients for appropriate services.

Intervention

  1. Develop setting-appropriate intervention plans with measurable and achievable goals that meet clients’/patients’ needs. Collaborate with clients/patients and relevant others in the planning process.
  2. Implement intervention plans (involve clients/patients and relevant others in the intervention process).
  3. Select or develop and use appropriate materials and instrumentation for prevention and intervention.
  4. Measure and evaluate clients’/patients’ performance and progress.
  5. Modify intervention plans, strategies, materials, or instrumentation as appropriate to meet the needs of clients/patients.
  6. Complete administrative and reporting functions necessary to support intervention.
  7. Identify and refer clients/patients for services as appropriate.

Interaction and Personal Qualities

  1. Communicate effectively, recognizing the needs, values, preferred mode of communication, and cultural/linguistic background of the client/patient, family, caregivers, and relevant others.
  2. Collaborate with other professionals in case management.
  3. Provide counseling regarding communication and swallowing disorders to clients/patients, family, caregivers, and relevant others.
  4. Adhere to the ASHA Code of Ethics and behave professionally.

Standard V-C

The applicant for certification in speech-language pathology must complete a minimum of 400 clock hours of supervised clinical experience in the practice of speech-language pathology. Twenty-five hours must be spent in clinical observation, and 375 hours must be spent in direct client/patient contact.

Standard V-D

At least 325 of the 400 clock hours must be completed while the applicant is engaged in graduate study in a program accredited in speech-language pathology by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.

Standard V-E

Supervision must be provided by individuals who hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence in the appropriate profession. The amount of direct supervision must be commensurate with the student’s knowledge, skills, and experience, must not be less than 25% of the student’s total contact with each client/patient, and must take place periodically throughout the practicum. Supervision must be sufficient to ensure the welfare of the client/patient.

Standard V-F

Supervised practicum must include experience with client/patient populations across the life span and from culturally/linguistically diverse backgrounds. Practicum must include experience with client/patient populations with various types and severities of communication and/or related disorders, differences, and disabilities.