ERIC Number: EJ1003982
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Jan
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0161-1461
EISSN: N/A
Autism Spectrum Disorders: Experience, Training, and Confidence Levels of School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists
Plumb, Allison M.; Plexico, Laura W.
Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, v44 n1 p89-104 Jan 2013
Purpose: To investigate the graduate training experiences of school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) working with children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Comparisons were made between recent graduates (post 2006) and pre-2006 graduates to determine if differences existed in their academic and clinical experiences or their confidence in working with children with ASDs. Method: A 46-item, web-based, national survey was used. Participants were recruited through e-mail and listservs for American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Special Interest Divisions 1 (Language, Learning, and Education) and 16 (School-Based Issues). Results: Recent graduates reported a greater amount of graduate coursework relating to ASDs than pre-2006 graduates. However, the pre-2006 graduates reported significantly greater confidence in the areas of counseling parents of children who exhibit "red flags" of ASDs and addressing social communication, literacy, and academics in intervention. Conclusion: Results of the current survey indicated an increase in the amount of preprofessional training that SLPs receive relating to ASDs. Nonetheless, the majority of SLPs reported that they could have benefitted from additional clinical experience and training working with children with ASDs. The greater degree of confidence reported by the pre-2006 graduates highlights the importance of experience and continuing education for professionals in the field of speech-language pathology.
Descriptors: Speech Language Pathology, Allied Health Personnel, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Allied Health Occupations Education, Clinical Experience, Graduate Study, College Graduates, Self Esteem, Comparative Analysis, National Surveys, Graduate Surveys
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). 10801 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852. Tel: 800-638-8255; Fax: 301-571-0457; e-mail: subscribe@asha.org; Web site: http://lshss.asha.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A