Official Program Outline
Program description
The Communicative Disorders Assistant (CDA) program prepares graduates to work in an adjunctive capacity as supportive personnel to qualified Speech-Language Pathologists and/or Audiologists in a variety of treatment settings. Emphasis is placed on preparing graduates to conduct remediation programming after the Speech-Language Pathologist or the Audiologist has completed the assessment and determined the treatment plan.
Based on a thorough understanding of physiological and functional speech/language and hearing disorders, students develop programming skills and learn intervention techniques to evoke and sustain communication behaviours. In addition students become aware of vital behaviour and environmental factors that can potentially support or erode the efficacy of treatment.
Why choose Georgian?
We offer state-of-the-art clinical labs that enable students to observe and participate in speech-language and audiological treatment sessions and programming.
Placement opportunities
Placed between the fall and the spring academic semesters are two seven-week competency-based field practica (January-February, March-April). These provide students with opportunities to develop and practise intervention and programming skills in clinical settings. They often provide invaluable exposure to multi-disciplinary teams and service delivery processes for adults and/or children. Students have had wonderful internship experiences throughout Ontario as well as inter-provincially and internationally.
Employment
Graduates from the program find employment as CDAs (or other terms used in the field are speech and learning technicians, speech aides, and therapy assistants) serving children and adults with communicative disorders and delays. They work in a variety of settings including children’s treatment centres, school boards, public health units, Community Care Access Centres (CCACs), hospitals, early years centres and private speech and/or audiology clinics. They work under the auspices and direction of qualified Speech-Language Pathologists and/or Audiologists.
Entry-level salary: $20-$31/hr