Communicative Disorders Assistant

Program Overview:

Communicative disorders assistants, under the guidance of speech-language pathologists and/or audiologists, help implement effective treatment plans that will assist people of all ages to communicate more effectively.

This graduate certificate program is designed for students with previous education and/or relevant experience. Communicative disorders assistants (CDAs), under the guidance of qualified speech-language pathologists and/or audiologists, play a variety of roles including providing speech and language therapy to children and adults in addition to carrying out speech/language screenings and hearing screenings and assessments.

Durham College’s CDA program, which is recognized by the Communicative Disorders Assistant Association of Canada (CDAAC) and Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC) will enable you to obtain the knowledge, skills, confidence and credentials needed to deliver a wide range of communication services to clients of all ages with speech, language and/or hearing disorders.

Admission Requirements:

• GPA: 2.5 or above

• IELTS: Overall 6.5 with no band lower than 6.0

• PTE: No band below than 60

Tuition Fee: International - Click here

Learning Outcomes:

1. Interact with others in ways that contribute to effective working relationships.

2. Establish and sustain therapeutic relationships with patients/clients and their significant others/caregivers.

3. Contribute, under the supervision of an audiologist or speech-language pathologist, to the process of undertaking patient/client screenings and assist with assessments.

4. Contribute, under the supervision of an audiologist or speech-language pathologist, to the development, implementation, modification and evaluation of speech/language/hearing programs to achieve the goals of the treatment plan.

5. Promote personal safety and the safety of others in providing effective care.

6. Communicate effectively, through oral, written and non-verbal means with patients/clients, their significant others/caregivers, audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and/or other team members.

Career Outlook:

• Audiometric/hearing technician

• Behavioural therapist

• Communicative disorders assistant

• Communication health assistant

• Infant hearing screener/technician

• Rehabilitation assistant

• Speech language therapy assistant

Program Intake: September