Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-3-3-.51
Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024
Section 290-3-3-.51 - Speech-Language Pathology (Grades P-12)(1)Unconditional Admission. Requirements for unconditional admission to a Class A speech-language pathology (S-LP) program shall include a bachelor's degree from an institution that was regionally accredited at the time the degree was earned.(2)Program Curriculum. These standards are based on standards developed by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). To prepare prospective speech-language pathologists, an Alabama EPP must have master's degree level S-LP program accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA). The program must require at least 36 semester hours of graduate credit and satisfactory performance on the CAA-prescribed Praxis test(s). The curriculum shall provide the speech-language pathologist with: (a) Knowledge of: 1. Biological sciences, physical sciences, statistics, and social/behavioral sciences.2. Basic human communication and swallowing processes, including the appropriate biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural bases.3. 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: (iii) Voice and resonance, including respiration and phonation.(iv) Receptive and expressive language (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, prelinguistic communication and paralinguistic communication) in speaking, listening, reading, writing.(v) Hearing, including the impact on speech and language.(vi) Swallowing (oral, pharyngeal, esophageal, and related functions, including oral function for feeding, orofacial myology).(vii) Cognitive aspects of communication (attention, memory, sequencing, problem-solving, executive functioning).(viii) Social aspects of communication (including challenging behavior, ineffective social skills, and lack of communication opportunities).(ix) Augmentative and alternative communication modalities.4. For each area specified in Rule 290-3-3-.51(2)(a)3.(i) -(ix), 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.5. Standards of ethical conduct.6. Processes used in research and the integration of research principles into evidence-based clinical practice.7. Contemporary professional issues.8. 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.(b)Ability:1. With regard to evaluation:(i) Conduct screening and prevention procedures (including prevention activities). (ii) Collect case history information and integrate information from clients/patients, family, caregivers, teachers, and relevant others, including other professionals.(iii) Select and administer appropriate evaluation procedures, such as behavioral observations, non-standardized and standardized tests, and instrumental procedures.(iv) Adapt evaluation procedures to meet client/patient needs.(v) Interpret, integrate, and synthesize all information to develop diagnoses and make appropriate recommendations for intervention.(vi) Complete administrative and reporting functions necessary to support evaluations.(vii) Refer clients/patients for appropriate services.2. With regard to intervention:(i) Develop setting-appropriate intervention plans with measurable and achievable goals that meet clients'/patients' needs, collaborating with clients/patients and relevant others in the planning process.(ii) Implement intervention plans, involving clients/patients and relevant others in the intervention process.(iii) Select or develop and use appropriate materials and instrumentation for prevention and intervention.(iv) Measure and evaluate clients'/patients' performance and progress.(v) Modify intervention plans, strategies, materials, or instrumentation as appropriate to meet the needs of clients/patients.(vi) Complete administrative and reporting functions necessary to support intervention.(vii) Identify and refer clients/patients for services as appropriate.3. With regard to interaction and personal qualities: (i) Communicate effectively, recognizing the needs, values, preferred mode of communication, and cultural/linguistic background of the client/patient, family, caregivers, and relevant others.(ii) Collaborate with other professionals in case management.(iii) Provide counseling regarding communication and swallowing disorders to clients/patients, family, caregivers, and relevant others.(iv) Adhere to the Alabama Educator Code of Ethics and the ASHA Code of Ethics and behave professionally.(3)Requirements for Completion of the Speech-Language Pathology Program. Readiness to serve students with speech or language impairment shall include: (a) An official transcript from a regionally accredited institution documenting an earned master's degree.(b) Satisfactory completion of a State-approved program with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on all courses in the approved program for speech-language pathology. For candidates who meet requirements for unconditional admission to a Class A speech- language pathology program July 1, 2017, and thereafter, a minimum GPA of 3.25 on all courses used to meet the requirements on the approved program checklist for Alabama State Board of Education program.(c) Competence to serve as a speech-language pathologist as demonstrated in a 400 clock hour supervised clinical experience in the practice of speech-language pathology, 25 hours of which were spent in clinical observation and 375 hours of which were spent in direct client/patient contact.(d) A survey of special education course is required. [See Rule 290-3-3-.01(51)] . An individual who completed a survey of special education course prior to the semester when the individual met requirements for unconditional admission to a Class A Speech-Language Pathology program July 1, 2017, and thereafter, must take a course focused primarily on one of the following categories: methods of accommodating instruction to meet the needs of students with exceptionalities in inclusive settings, multicultural education, teaching English language learners, rural education, or urban education. (4)Requirements for Certification of Speech-Language Pathologists. Individuals seeking certification based on completion of this program must apply through the Speech-Language Pathology Certificate Approach or the Speech-Language Temporary Certificate Approach as prescribed in the Educator Certification Chapter of the Alabama Administrative Code.Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-3-3-.51
New Rule: December 19, 1978. Amended: December 13, 1990; effective February 1, 1991. Repealed and Replaced: January 9, 1997; effective February 13, 1997; operative July 1, 1997. Amended: Filed June 14, 1999; effective July 19, 1999. Amended: Filed March 14, 2002; effective April 18, 2 002. Repealed and New Rule: Filed September 11, 2003; effective October 16, 2003. Repealed and New Rule: Filed July 13, 2004; effective August 17, 2004. Repealed and New Rule: April 14, 2005; effective May 19, 2005. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 6, 2007; effective September 10, 2007. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 3, 2009; effective September 7, 2009; operative October 1, 2009. Amended: Filed June 15, 2012; effective July 20, 2012.Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIII, Issue No. 11, August 31, 2015, eff. 9/17/2015.Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVI, Issue No. 12, September 28, 2018, eff. 10/28/2018; operative 6/1/2019.Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIX, Issue No. 11, August 31, 2021, eff. 10/15/2021.Previous Rule.51.02 was renumbered.51 per certification published August 31, 2021; effective October 15, 2021.
Author: Dr. Eric G. Mackey
Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 16-3-16, 16-23-14.