Training Pediatric Audiologists: One Program's Solution

1. Training Pediatric Audiologists:  One Program's Solution Wendy D. Hanks, Ph.D. R. Steven Ackley, Ph.D. Carol LaSasso, Ph.D. Gallaudet University Washington, D.C.

2. Rankings: 13 Obstacles to Quality EHDI ProgramsWhite, 2004

3. Educational Audiology Association Position Statement “The demand for qualified early intervention specialists is rapidly increasing……Training programs are also needed to develop skilled professionals from the ranks of audiology, speech-language pathology, deaf education, and early childhood regular and special education.” • January 2002

4. Curriculum and Faculty Already Overloaded Adding Needed Pediatric Areas Without Adding Resources? Students Need All Areas of Audiology for Licensure / Certification Funding for Students/Making them Marketable Pediatric Audiologists:Training Dilemma

5. Who We Are Definition Pediatric Audiologist AdditionalCoursework Clinical Experience Practical Experience Funding Gallaudet University’s First Steps

6. Child (3-18 years) Infant / Toddler (< 3 years) Educational (0-21 years) Definition

7. Gallaudet University University for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and those programs that support Deafness and Hearing Loss Strong AR component to the curriculum ASL proficiency is required Located in a large metropolitan area with many audiological resources Who We Are…

8. Coursework • Used EAA Competencies as a model • Adapted assignments in 16 existing courses for pediatric/educational emphasis • Added/subtracted content from 4 existing pediatric courses • Took curriculum electives and made formal requirements of appropriate pediatric courses

9. Clinical Experience • Campus Practica (4 Diagnostic & 2 AR) • Added electrophysiology slot for all students each semester • Negotiating contracts with area hospitals for more pediatric diagnostic and AR clients – including cochlear implants • AR includes individual clients or small groups for auditory training, speechreading, CI & amplification adjustment, speech production …

10. Clinical Experience • Off-campus Internships (3 total) • One school internship required • One site at least 50% pediatric required • Externship • Caseload at least 50% pediatric

11. Practical Experience • S.M.I.L.E. Hours – 5 per week • Shared Mentoring / Integrated Learning Experiences • Work with faculty and staff on pediatric projects • Develops clinical, research, presentation, and administration skills

12. Funding • OSEP Personnel Preparation Grant (5 year funding cycle) • Program Aspects • Fund approximately 20 students per year • 5 students per admissions cohort (10 per cohort) • Over the 5 years of the funding • 25 pediatric/educational audiologists will graduate • 15 pediatric/educational audiologists will be in the pipeline

13. Funding • OSEP Personnel Preparation Grant (5 year funding cycle) • Student Aspects • Full tuition waivers for up to 4 years (matching component from Gallaudet University) • $8,000 stipend per year for up to 4 years • Students agree to work as an audiologist in a pediatric/educational setting upon graduation • 2 years for each year of funding

14. Is It Working? • Started in January 2005 • Includes both funded and non-funded • 2005 Graduates - 44% • 2006 Graduates - 84% • 2007 Graduates - 57% • 2008 Graduates - 100% • 2009 Graduates - 89%

15. Start Early and Watch Us Grow!