Gwynedd Mercy University 2025-2026 University Catalog 263
• Communicate accurately, professionally, and intelligibly with clients, families, colleagues, supervisors, and other professionals.
• Communicate professionally, effectively, and legibly on client documentation, reports, and scholarly papers required for course work and professional practice.
• Utilize a communication style that meets the needs of patients, students, caregivers, and other persons served and demonstrates cultural sensitivity.
2. Motor— A student must possess adequate motor skills to:
• Participate in classroom, laboratory, and other professional activities for four-hour periods of time with one or two breaks.
• Move independently to, from, and within the work and educational / clinic setting.
• Access transportation to academic and clinical placements.
• Manipulate materials used in the assessment and treatment of individuals with speech, language, or hearing disorders and complete all documentation needed( e. g., SOAP notes, reports).
• Provide a safe environment for others in responding quickly to emergency situations including fire, choking, etc., and in application of universal precautions.
• Access and use technology for education and clinical management( e. g., distance learning courses, billing, charting, therapy programs).
3. Intellectual / Cognitive— A student must possess adequate intellectual / cognitive skills to:
• Understand, retain, integrate, synthesize, evaluate and apply written & verbal information in order to meet the curricular & clinical demands of the program and profession.
• Utilize a computer for searching, storing, recording, and retrieving, information
• Understand and comply with administrative, legal and regulatory policies in the classroom and clinic.
• Integrate information from client files, evaluations, observations, and treatment to diagnose and develop assessment and intervention plans appropriate for clients with speech and language disorders.
• Adapt evaluation and intervention activities in response to the client ' s abilities and cultural needs both in the clinic and classroom.
• Engage in self-analysis of one ' s own knowledge and skills and identify and access appropriate methods for improving areas of identified deficit.
4. Sensory / Observational— A student must possess adequate sensory / observational skills to:
• Visually and auditorily identify normal and disordered speech, language, hearing, cognition, and swallowing.
• Evaluate and identify the need for alternative modes of communication with clients, families, and other professionals.
• Visualize, identify and discriminate anatomic structures and function during real time / live examinations and imaging tests( e. g., MBSS, FEES, etc.).
• Make accurate judgements about speech, language, and other communication signals such as sign language, and augmentative and alternative communication modes.
5. Behavioral / Social— A student must possess adequate behavioral and social to:
• Display mature empathetic and effective professional relationships by exhibiting compassion, collaboration, responsibility, integrity, and concern for others.
• Follow the ASHA Code of Ethics as well as department, university and federal policies.
• Dress appropriately and professionally as outlined in graduate student handbook.
• Maintain appropriate professional behavior, including punctuality, regular attendance and adherence to semester schedule, and timely completion of responsibilities.