[Dysphagia] Re: Qualifications

[justjanetlynn at msn.com (Janet Finger)]

I went to Northwestern for grad school. Took both the general (mostly adult) course in dysphagia, as well as the separate course in "Infant Toddler Feeding" I think it was called. I completed several clinical internships in both pediatric dysphagia (including 0-3 & NICU stuff, also did student teaching) & both a part-time (acute care) & full-time (acute rehab) placements with adults. I also took separate courses in adult neuromotor disorders & pediatric neuromotor disorders. I had separate courses in aphasia (actually 2 courses in aphasia to be exact), Right hemisphere disorders, as well as separate courses in dementia & TBI. That is all in addition to the regular neurology course & all the other stuff (child language, artic, voice-2 courses offered, fluency-2 courses offered, etc etc). We also had a separate course in multicultural issues which I took as well. I felt that Jeri Logemann, Marty Burns, and the other instructors I had did a fabulous job of preparing me for the real world. A great balance of all the necessary foundation of information as well as providing clinical information. Because I am that type of person, I have continued my training with a great deal of continuing ed. BUT I felt I was absolutely ready for my CFY (I was also lucky enough to have a great CFY supervisor to continue my learning). I have since been a clinical supervisor to graduate students from several universities. I have not found them to be as prepared as I believe I was at that point (many of them did not know the difference between aphasia/language disorders & cognitive disorders).

SO - we all only know what our own experiences have been as a student &/or educator. Don't assume that just because your education was not good, everyone else also received a bad education. I certainly did not.

Janet Finger

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Rose310@aol.com<mailto:Rose310@aol.com> 
  To: dysphagia@b9.com<mailto:dysphagia@b9.com> 
  Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2006 12:00 PM
  Subject: [Dysphagia] Re: Qualifications


  I am a graduate student.  My college offers a course in Dysphagia in adults, 
  as well as, a course in  Dysphagia in children. I am currently in the adult 
  course and have learned and  will learn according to the syllabus what is listed 
  by  ASHA:
  -American  Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2002). Knowledge and skills
  needed by  speech-language pathologists providing services to individuals  
  with
  swallowing and/or feeding disorders. - Our clinical practicum placements  are 
  in a variety of setting which include areas in Swallowing and Feeding  
  Disorders. Educational background paired with hands on training is  much needed when 
  working with this population. We also must meet ASHA's  knowledge and skill 
  level standards in order to work with this  population.
   
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