NEW PROGRAM:
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY ASSISTANTS

The Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) Program is an exciting new technical health career program that trains SLPAs to assist Speech Language Pathologists in the treatment of a variety of speech language disorders in children and adults.

Imagine not being able to communicate simple thoughts like "Thank you" or "Tell me a story".  For millions of Americans with speech and language disorders, this is a reality.  For them, words don't come easily.  Speech and language disorders range from stuttering or extreme hoarseness to an inability to speak or remember words or simple sounds.  Over 14 million Americans have some type of speech or language disability.  These problems can affect anyone of any age, at any time.  Young children can have a language delay that limits early learning.  Older people can suffer a brain injury or have aphasia following a stroke, leaving them unable to express their thoughts.  People of all ages can stutter or have problems with their voice.

Speech and language problems are serious and can isolate us from other people and frustrate our efforts to learn and grow.  SLPAs are a part of the solution.  Under the supervision of a credentialed/licensed speech language pathologist, SLPAs can provide proper treatment that will eliminate or minimize the effect of speech and language disabilities.  Tasks performed by SLPAs may include speech language screenings, following specified treatment protocol, documentation of client's treatment progress and communicating with members of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team in a school, skilled nursing facility or hospital.

Grossmont Community College, located in El Cajon, California is launching the first Speech/Language Pathology Assistant program in San Diego County.  Established in 1961, Grossmont Community College offers a variety of degrees and certificates from its outstanding Health Professions Programs that include Cardiovascular Technology, Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Respiratory Therapy, Disabilities Services Management and Orthopedic Technology.  The addition of a SLPA Program seemed to be a natural progression for the department toward offering exciting, cutting edge career opportunities to students in San Diego County.  Dr. Lois Knowlton, Dean of the Business and Professional Studies Department, provided seemingly untiring support to the program.  She facilitated the implementation of the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at GCC and shares speech pathologist Donna Swanson-Perrelet's vision of this dynamic new career option.

Grossmont's SLPA program offers an Associate of Science degree and include a strand specifically designed for the bilingual student.   Students will be prepared for successful careers that will include placements in public schools as well as clinics, hospitals and rehab facilities.  General education courses for the A.S. degree are selected to supplement SLPA courses, fulfill the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's guidelines and conform to California Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology Board licensure requirements.

SLPA courses include normal speech/language development, communication disorders, articulation and phonetics, screening and therapeutic procedures for pediatric, adult and geriatric populations, as well as administrative procedures and ethics.  Laboratories will provide 'hands-on' practice.  Required field placements in a wide variety of actual work settings will provide students with extensive practical experience.  The program is intended to offer a career ladder to students.  Upon completion of GCC's program, students can either enter the work force as SLPAs, continue their studies at one of the California State University campuses, or use their new career to support their choice of higher education while greatly enriching their understanding of the field of speech-language pathology.  Grossmont College boasts the fifth highest transfer rate to four-year colleges and universities among the 107 community colleges in California.

The excitement generated by this newly GCC program, both on campus and throughout the community, has been exceptional.  The program has been received it's accredidation by the State!