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.

Rankings: 13 Obstacles to Quality EHDI Programs White, 2004

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

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

Gallaudet University’s First Steps Pediatric Audiologist Definition Who We Are Clinical Experience Additional Coursework Funding Practical Experience

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

Who We Are… 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

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

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 …

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

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

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

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

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%

Start Early and Watch Us Grow!