This project will increase the number of fully credentialed speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who are prepared to provide evidence-based services to improve results for high need children with severe communication disabilities (e.g., children of all ages with autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, multiple disabilities, etc., live in poverty, and/or are English language learners). The aim is to graduate 21 fully credentialed Masters-level SLPs to provide services in high need early intervention or school settings. METHOD: Activities of this project include (a) providing a comprehensive research-based curriculum that integrates coursework and practica requirements that aligns with the certification requirements of the American Speech-Language-hearing Association (ASHA) and state credentialing standards, and additional specialized courses on evidence-based practices for high need children with severe communication disabilities; (b) offering research experiences that extend the evidence on instructional and intervention practice to improve results for these children; and (c) extending practicum experiences in evidence-based practices. The project also will deliver components of the curriculum to additional graduate students in SLP/education and web-based modules on research-based interventions for children with severe communication disabilities that will be freely available for use by trainers across the country.
Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC)
Autism Research Database (AFD)
