Summer 2012
UM RiteCare Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic
COMMUNICATION SCIENCES & DISORDERS 580
Pediatric and Adult Diagnostics for Speech-Language Pathology
Fall 2012
Instructors/Supervisors: Christine Merriman M.S., CCC-SLP and Annie Kennedy,
M.A., CCC-SLP
Email: christine.merriman@umontana.edu; annie.kennedy@umontana.edu
Phone: (406) 243-2377; (406) 243-2375
Office: CSD, Curry Health Center, LL - Room 026; Room 030
Office Hours: By appointment
MOODLE: See Moodle shell for CSD 580 for all documents you will need for course
Mission of Communicative Sciences and Disorders program
The mission of The University of Montana, Department of Communicative Sciences and
Disorders academic and clinical program is to mentor students of strong personal
character and to establish in them a commitment to lifelong learning and interest in the
process of communication. It is to develop, within each student, compassion toward
their clients and a research posture in their service delivery. Through the program’s
emphasis on typical and atypical speech, language, and hearing, students gain
knowledge, skills, and values that foster their individual growth as well as a passion for
contributing to society and improving the lives of others.
Place of Course in Program: The purpose of this two-credit course is to provide
students with theoretical background and practical applications of diagnostics. This
course is intended to broaden your knowledge and skills in the areas of pediatric and
adult diagnostics through in-class and online assignments and discussions, as well as
participation in a variety of diagnostic experiences. The course is required as part of the
master’s degree program in Communicative Sciences and Disorders, and it emphasizes
Knowledge and Acquisition Standards (KASA) required by the American SpeechLanguage-Hearing Association and acquisition of clinical clock hours in diagnostics.
Course Catalog Description: G 580 Pediatric and Adult Diagnostics 2 cr.
Prereq., Graduate Standing, CSD 570. Students will accrue clinical clock hours
with pediatric and adult populations while developing the following skills: using
case history information to form a diagnostic plan; administering various
standardized and non-standardized diagnostic tools; interpreting assessment
results; writing diagnostic reports; and sharing diagnostic results with clients,
caregivers and other professionals. Mandatory weekly class meetings.
Conceptual Framework: This course provides a learning community that a) integrates
ideas, b) encourages cooperative endeavors, and c) respects diversity and individual
worth. These concepts are illustrated through the following activities: a) Following the
diagnostic process through test selection, test administration, and analysis of diagnostic
results to form treatment recommendations; b) Working as a diagnostic team to provide
high-quality services to clients with a variety of speech and language disorders, c).
Writing diagnostic reports that are unbiased and respectful of the cultural, religious, and
socioeconomic diversity of clients.
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Summer 2012
UM RiteCare Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic
Student Outcomes
Student will:
 Plan diagnostic sessions
 Administer standardized assessments
 Administer non-standardized assessments
 Interpret diagnostic results
 Prepare treatment plans
 Counsel caregivers/clients regarding intervention options
Course Policy
Academic Honesty: Students are expected to adhere to academic conduct policies of
the University of Montana as explained in Section IV of your Student Handbook:
http://life.umt.edu/SA/documents/fromWeb/StudentConductCode1.pdf
“Academic misconduct is subject to an academic penalty by the course instructor and/or
a disciplinary sanction by the University. Academic misconduct is defined as all forms of
academic dishonesty, including but not limited to: (1) plagiarism, (2) misconduct during
an examination or academic exercise, (3) unauthorized possession of examination or
other course materials, (4) tampering with course materials, (5) submitting false
information, (6) submitting work previously presented in another course, (7) improperly
influencing conduct, (8) substituting, or arranging substitution, for another student during
an examination or other academic exercise, (9) facilitating academic dishonesty, and
(10) Altering transcripts, grades, examinations, or other academically related
documents.”
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is further defined in the University of Montana’s Student Conduct
Code as “Representing another person’s words, ideas, data, or materials as one’s own.”
Students must acknowledge the work of others using appropriate referencing
procedures as described in the APA Manual. Students may be penalized for plagiarism
under academic misconduct policies, which may include disciplinary sanctions,
suspension, or expulsion.
Special Assistance for Disability: If you are a student with medical, learning, or other
disability, and in need of reasonable course modifications, please contact the Disability
Services Office to assist you in developing a plan to address program modifications
(406) 243-2243, Lommasson Center 154. Next, please schedule an appointment with
me to discuss implementation of modifications in the course. For more information
please visit: http://life.umt.edu/dss.
Tutoring: Two tutoring programs are available to students, one administered by the
TRiO and the other by the Undergraduate Advising Center; both are located in Corbin
Hall. More information on TRiO, visit TRiO at Lommasson Center 154, call 406-2435032, or log on to http://www.umt.edu/triosss/ . The Undergraduate Advising Center is
located in the Lommasson Center 269, or you can visit http://www.umt.edu/uac/ .
Writing Center: The Writing Center is available to help you improve your writing skills.
Writing instructors are available to help you plan and develop your thoughts. For more
information, visit them online at: http://www.umt.edu/writingcenter/, email
growl@mso.umt.edu or call (406) 243-2266.
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Summer 2012
UM RiteCare Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic
Foreign Exchange Students and Scholars: The office of Foreign Student and Scholar
Services (FSSS) is available for general counseling and provides direct support
services, consultation, and liaison. Staff members at FSSS are available to help with
academic advising, cultural adjustment, financial problems, and other issues. The FSSS
office is in the Lommasson Center, Room 219. For more information, contact
fsss@umontana.edu or visit http://life.umt.edu/fsss/.
General Guidelines:
 Enrolled students are expected to attend each diagnostic, regardless of
whether they are an active participant or an observer. Students will also
attend each scheduled classroom meeting.
 You will find the templates for diagnostic reports 596 Moodle shell; be certain
that your supervisor’s name is on the template
 All signatures MUST be in blue ink
 Emailed documents must be devoid of identifying information. This includes
mailing and email addresses, birthdates, phone numbers and names of family
members
 Client hard files may leave the clinic ONLY if you are bringing them to your
supervisor’s office or the Graduate Student Workroom
 Shared Drive: all reports are to be posted to the shared drive in your
supervisor’s folder (e.g., “CHRISTINE MERRIMAN”, “ANNIE KENNEDY”).
DO NOT email reports to your supervisors.
 Typhon: post all clock hours to Typhon; you must enter # of minutes
observed by your supervisor in the “clinical notes” box
 Assignments must be submitted by 5pm on the due date
 You must have another student from 596 edit your report draft before
submitting it to your supervisor. Note that you must indicate your peer editor
on the diagnostic planning form.
 Course grades will be influenced by the following:
-Participation in planning and wrap-up discussions
-Preparedness and professionalism in scheduled diagnostics
-Completion of diagnostic critiques
-Submission of diagnostic planning forms
-Professionalism of written communication
Overall Schedule:
 Classes will meet on select Wednesdays from 1-2:30pm in Room 15
 Evaluations will be scheduled on Wednesdays.
 See below for specific dates for class, evaluations and assignments
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:
WEEK#
1
2
Date
August 27 –
September 3
September 4- 7
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Staffing Items
Reminders

Due 9/7: Diagnostic
Planning Form to CM
Class Meeting – discuss
and plan first pediatric
diagnostic
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Summer 2012
UM RiteCare Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic
3
September 1014

Pediatric Diagnostic TBA PM
DUE 9/13: Diagnostic
Critique 1
4
September 1721

Class Meeting – review
9/12 diagnostic; plan for
9/26 diagnostic
DUE 9/17: Draft of 9/12
evaluation report;
Diagnostic Planning
Form to CM
5
September 2428

Pediatric Diagnostic TBA PM
DUE 9/24: Final draft of
9/12 evaluation report
DUE 9/27: Diagnostic
Critique 2
6
October 1-5

Class Meeting – review
9/26 diagnostic; plan for
10/10 diagnostic and 10/17
diagnostic
DUE 10/1: Draft of 9/26
evaluation report
DUE 10/5: Diagnostic
Planning Form to CM
7
October 8-12
 Pediatric Diagnostic TBA AM and PM
DUE 10/8: Final draft of
9/26 evaluation report
DUE 10/11: Diagnostic
Critique 3
DUE 10/12: Diagnostic
Planning Form to AK
8
October 15-19
 Adult Diagnostic TBA - AM
and PM
DUE 10/15: Draft of
10/10 evaluation report
DUE 10/18: Diagnostic
Critique 4
9
October 22-26
10
October 29November 2
11
November 5-9
12
November 1216
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
Class Meeting – review
10/17 diagnostic; plan for
11/7 diagnostic
DUE 10/22: Final draft of
10/10 evaluation report;
Draft of 10/17 evaluation
report
DUE 10/29: Final draft of
10/17 evaluation report
DUE 11/2: Diagnostic
Planning Form to AK

Adult Diagnostic TBA AM and PM
CLASS TO BE
RESCHEDULED
DUE 11/8: Diagnostic
Critique 5
DUE 10/12: Draft of 11/7
evaluation report
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Summer 2012
UM RiteCare Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic
DUE 11/16: Diagnostic
Planning Form to CM
13
November 1923
14
November 2630
15
December 3-7
16
December 1014
NO CLASS –
THANKSGIVING BREAK


Pediatric Diagnostic
TBA - AM and PM
Possible Pediatric
and/or Adult
Diagnostic/Class
DUE 11/19: Final draft of
11/7 evaluation report
DUE 11/29: Diagnostic
Critique 6
DUE 12/3: Draft of 11/28
evaluation report
DUE 12/5: Videotaped
Diagnostic Summary
DUE 12/10: Final draft of
11/28 evaluation report
ASSIGNMENTS
Diagnostic Critique
Following each diagnostic session you observe (i.e. you are not actively
participating in the diagnostic), you will submit a diagnostic critique via Moodle.
Please see the 596 Moodle shell for the critique form.
Videotaped Diagnostic Summary
You will select a report from one of the evaluation reports that you wrote, and
videotape yourself providing a “mock” summary of the report to the client and/or
family member/caregiver, using client-friendly language and providing visual
supports. See the 596 Moodle shell for a more specific description of the criteria
and grading rubric.
Syllabus is subject to change
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