Department of Speech Therapy and Audiology

History:

 The Speech Therapy and Audiology program at the Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences at King Abdulaziz University is the first program of its kind in a public university in the western region, and the fourth program in the Kingdom. The program offers a strong academic basis in the etiology of hearing, neuroscience, linguistics, human development, and developmental and acquired speech and language disorders.  Most courses include a lab or a practicum component to enrich the student’s experience and to provide hands-on training. The students are trained to diagnose and treat a range of communication disorders. In the internship year, the students will train in medical settings in audiology and speech pathology so they can specialize in one of them after graduation.

 Vision:

 To improve the quality of lives of the individuals with communication disorders in alignment with the Kingdom’s vision 2030.

 Mission:

 The program aims to graduate highly skilled male and female students who can serve as audiologists or speech therapists in clinical, research, and academic settings by providing them with innovative theoretical and clinical training.

 Department requirements:

 Department requires of 66 credit hours of compulsory courses and 12 credit hours of selective courses.

 Compulsory courses

      List of selective courses for speech-audio therapy department:

Total credit hours of selective courses are 12 credit hours out of a total of 137 credit hours throughout the whole program.

Courses Description:

CMDS 221: Phonetics

Course contents include a study of the sounds of language and an introduction to the acoustic analysis of speech.

CMDS 291: Principles of audiology

Course contents include comprehensive knowledge of essentials of hearing science, basic audiological practices, audiometric interpretation, auditory pathologies and associated audiological findings, and management of hearing disorders.

CMDS 292: Introduction of professional and ethical practice in different learning contexts Course contents include an examination of the practice of professionals working with learners with multicultural and diverse needs. It provides a theoretical overview of ethical and professional

practice and observational experience of professionals in action.

CMDS 231: introduction to communication disorders

Course contents include an overview of the biological, psychological and social bases of human communication with a focus on the nature of deviations from, or disruptions to, normal communication development relevant to remediation. Basic principles of prevention, diagnosis and intervention will be addressed.

CMDS 211: Anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing

This course is an introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing systems in humans. The focus will be on understanding normal anatomy and physiology appropriate to the practice of speech language therapy. Bones, muscles, tissues and nerves will be studied as the building blocks for the complex systems that contribute to the production of speech and hearing.

CMDS 251: speech and language development

Course contents include an overview of the knowledge of expected milestones of speech, language, and pragmatic acquisition from birth to adolescence.

CMDS 252: linguistics of speech therapist

This course is an introduction to analyze the formal and functional constituents of simple and complex sentences, in addition to the features of normal speech in order to create a base of knowledge for the study of speech disorders.

CMDS 293: Memory and cognition

Course contents include an overview of the basic knowledge of the methods of experimental psychology, neuroscience, neuropsychology, and cognitive science.

CMDS 232: Neurogenic communication disorders (1)

This course is an introduction to the underlying nature of acquired language disorders that occur following brain damage. The course covers assessment and therapeutic procedures.

CMDS 233: Neurogenic communication disorders (2)

This course is an advanced course that covers acquired speech and language disorders coexisting with different etiologies. The course covers assessment and therapeutic procedures.

CMDS 341: Child language disorders (1)

This course covers language disorders in infants and toddlers children. It discusses the best practices in the assessment and intervention of children with language disorders.

CMDS 322: Articulation and phonological disorders in children

This course is an introduction to knowledge of normal aspects of articulation and how these aspects can be disrupted as a result of an articulation disorder and a phonological disorder. In addition to the role of the speech language therapist.

CMDS 343: Child language disorders (2)

This course covers language disorders in school-age children and adolescents. It discusses the best practices in the assessment and intervention of children with language disorders.

CMDS 353: Motor speech disorders

This course is an introduction to knowledge of the neurological basis for motor speech disorders and application of appropriate assessment principles and design assessment protocols to diagnose different motor speech disorders. In addition to applying appropriate evidence-based practice principles to the remediation of speech problems associated with different motor speech disorders.

CMDS 342: Assessment methods for speech and language disorders

This course is an introduction to knowledge of the clinical assessment and diagnosis of clients with communication disorders according to international best practice guidelines.

CMDS 432: Technology in communication disorders

This course is an introduction to knowledge of the use of technology and instrumentation in current Speech Language Therapy research, education and clinical practice.

CMDS 461: Fluency disorders

Course contents include an overview of the basic knowledge of the fluency disorders in children and adults. An understanding of differential diagnosis of fluency problems in children and adults. In addition to the ability to identify based on research, approaches likely to be successful in instruction and remediation of fluency in children and adults.

CMDS 494: Field work and clinical skills (1)

Students undertake structured and supervised treatment of a variety of clients with different speech and language performance in infant and children from diverse etiological, cultural and ethnic groups.

CMDS 495: Research project for speech and language therapy

The course content includes basic elements of research, review of various research methods and procedures, interpreting the research literature and to educate student how to write a medical paper for publication.

CMDS 481: Aural rehabilitation, assessment and intervention

This course is an introduction to knowledge of the diagnostic evaluations for the comprehension and production of speech and language in oral, signed, written or augmented form. In addition, methods to assist in the remediation of expressive and receptive communication problems.

CMDS 393: Dysphagia

This course is an introduction to knowledge of the assessment techniques for dysphagia and understand how to distinguish dysfunction at different stages of the swallowing process. Comprehend different approaches to the management and treatment of dysphagia.

CMDS 471: Voice disorders, assessment and treatment

This course is an introduction to knowledge of the different types of assessments and treatment approaches to voice disorders and apply them independently during clinical placements.

CMDS 497: Field work and clinical skills (2)

Students undertake structured and supervised treatment of a variety of clients with different speech and language performance in adult from diverse etiological, cultural and ethnic groups.

CMDS 396: Acoustics and psychoacoustics in audiology

Course contents include an overview of the basic knowledge of the basic principles underlying the nature, analysis and perception of sound and speech.

CMDS 394: Deafness and hearing impairment

Course contents include an overview of the language and literacy development which can underpin pedagogy and practice in both early learning (early intervention) and classroom environments with deaf and hard of hearing children.

CMDS 392: Speech disorders

Course contents include an overview of the basic knowledge the anatomy and physiology of speech production as it relates to speech disorders and their treatment. Assessment techniques for a variety of speech disorders. Ethical considerations and professional issues and their impact on assessment and treatment of individuals with speech disorders.

CMDS 491: Audiological rehabilitation

This course is an introduction to knowledge of the diagnostic evaluations and methods of intervention for people with hearing loss, including consideration of psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates if the disorders.

CMDS 492: Evaluation process in speech language pathology

This course is an introduction to knowledge of the clinical assessment and diagnosis of clients with Speech-Language Pathology according to international best practice guidelines.

CMDS 493: Auditory diagnostics

This course is an introduction to knowledge of the diagnostic evaluations for people with hearing disorders, including differential audiological protocols for diagnosis of hearing loss and/or impaired auditory system.

CMDS 395: Disorders of oral\vocal tract

Course contents include an overview of the current information on theories of vocal fold vibration, pathogenesis of laryngeal pathologies, impact of neurological deficits on voice production and the role of psychogenic factors in causing/maintaining voice disorders. Assessment/evaluation of vocal parameters and design appropriate intervention programs in a variety of medical, school and community- based settings with emphasis on collaboration with ENT departments/offices as part of a comprehensive vocal rehabilitation.

CMDS 498: Assessment and management of voice disorders

This course is an introduction to knowledge of the diagnostic evaluations and methods of intervention for people with voice disorders, including consideration of psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates if the disorders.

CMDS 499: Pediatric and adult motor speech disorders

Course contents include an overview of the basic knowledge of the etiologies and basic characteristics of motor speech disorders in children and adults. Assessment techniques for a variety of motor speech disorders in both children and adults. Ethical considerations and professional issues and their impact on assessment and treatment of individuals with motor speech disorders.