1. An Overview of Higher Education in Communication Disorders in Thailand Lertsukprasert K. Dechongkit S. Dept. of Communication Sciences &Disorders Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY LAOS MYANMAR CAMBODIA MALAYSIA

2. THAI Education of Communication Disorders was FOUNDED in 1976 Prof. Dr.Poonpit Amatayakul & Assoc.Prof.Dr.Rochana Dardarananda The FIRST & ONLY School in Thailand Master of Arts (Communication Disorders)(1976-2000) Master of Science (Communication Disorders) (AUDIOLOGY & SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY)

3. 1976 MA.(20) 1979 Certificate(14) 1999 Diploma (4) 2000 M.Sc. (3) 2004 B.Sc. (7) 2012 M.Sc. (resume) Development of Com. Dis. at Ramathibodi Hospital Mahidol University. 1997 TSHA 2002 Registration of health professionals

4. Current educational programs Bachelor Degree Entrance examination 4 yrs. Study ( 130 cr.) 350 practice hours. Number of students :  15 Au. students  15 Sp. Students Master Degree Entrance examination 2 yrs. Study ( 39 cr.) English thesis. Number of students : – 4-6 Au. students – 4-6 Sp. students

5. Number of instructors Bachelor program – 5 SLP – 4 AU Graduate program – 3 SLP – 1 AU – 1 Sp. Ed. – 1 Otoneuro + SLP

6. Professional Services Professional Degree AudiologySpeech Pathology B.Sc. Audiometry (adults) Immittance measurement Hearing aid fitting (adults) Newborn screening Aural rehabilitation Articulation defects Delayed speech &language Aural rehabilitation M.Sc. Evoked potentials Hearing test for children Hearing aid fitting in children Cochlear implant Vestibular disorders Cleft palate Voice disorders Stuttering Neurogenic speech disorders Swallowing disorders

7. ProfessionalsB.Sc.M.Sc.Total Audiologist 315283 Speech Language Pathologist 4167108 Total 7211 9 191 Number of Licensed Audiologists & Speech Language Pathologists (March,2012)

8. Distribution of Au. & SLP in Thailand (March, 2012) Au. (83)SLP (108)

9. Forecast Demand for CD Professionals (Calculation by population ratio1 : 70000 ) Year PopulationForecast demand 2009 67,774, 000 968 2010 68,559, 000 979 2011 69,135, 000 988 2012 69,617, 000 995 2013 69,999, 000 1000 2014 70,311, 000 1004 2015 70,630, 000 1009 2016 70,902, 000 1013 2017 71,250, 000 1018 2018 71,679, 000 1024

10. PlacePopulationProfessional S Ratio Bangkok10,326,0931321 : 78,227 North11,720,600121 : 976,716 Middle15,300,900271 : 566,700 North east21,230,300121 : 1,769,191 South8,424,30061 : 1,404,050 Whole country63,395,7001911 : 331,914 Distribution of professionals & population ratio S ( 2012) Institute of population and social research, MU.

11. Shortage of personel Quit Few promotions Not well known Inappropriate work load Fatigue Few outstanding research studies CYCLE OF OBSTACLES Less productivity Role taken by non- professionals Questionable of quality & standard ?????

12. BREAKING CYCLE OF OBSTACLES Establish international network connections – Better productivity Increase innovations and the number of research studies – Better professional recognition Increase motivation – more positions in government settings – Promotion of professional advancement opportunities