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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Pediatric Audiology Specialty Certification –A New Resource for Locating Qualified Audiologists for Young Children'
Track: 2 - Audiological Services
Keyword(s): pediatric audiology, certification
Learning Objectives:
  1. Discuss two parent benefits of Pediatric Audiology Specialty Certification
  2. Discuss one strategy for expanding the number of audiologists with pediatric specialization.
  3. Discuss two tips for parents to identify a competent pediatric audiologist.

Abstract:

Parents have a new tool to help them locate a pediatric audiology specialist. The American Board of Audiology implemented the Pediatric Audiology Specialty Certification (PASC) program in April of 2011. Just like looking for physicians with specialty expertise, parents will benefit from this new program because they will be able to identify clinical audiologists with pediatric specialization. The rigorous program requires meeting specific pre-test qualifications including one year of successful experience as a pediatric audiologist and obtaining a passing score on a national board examination. This voluntary program is designed to elevate professional standards for pediatric audiology, enhance individual audiology performance, and designate those who demonstrate knowledge essential to the practice of pediatric audiology. This certification recognizes the expertise that is necessary for audiologists who are diagnosing and treating infants and children with hearing loss. The comprehensive examination covers laws and regulations, general knowledge about hearing and hearing loss, child development, screening and assessment procedures, counseling, communication enhancement technology, and habilitation/rehabilitation strategies and educational supports. States may adopt the certification within their EHDI system to help insure that families access audiologists with appropriate training and experience. Moreover, families should be confident in the diagnostic and intervention recommendations that are being made by their audiologist. Pediatric specialty certification is evidence that your pediatric audiologist has the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the required audiology services and guide your son or daughter’s intervention. Since Pediatric Audiology Specialty Certification is new, many well-qualified pediatric audiologists do not yet have this specialization. Strategies for increasing the number of pediatric audiologists with this certification in states will be discussed. In addition tips will be suggested to help parents identify an audiologist who is appropriately trained to provide services to infants and young children.
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PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
Alison Grimes - Primary Presenter
Audiology, RR UCLA Medical Center
     Credentials: AuD, ABA-Bd Cert- Pediatric Aud.
      Alison Grimes, AuD, is Head of the Audiology Clinic at Ronald Reagan-UCLA Medical Center, Director of the UCLA Newborn Hearing Screening Program, and an Assistant Clinical Professor in Head and Neck Surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. She is also a Past-President of the American Academy of Audiology, and continues to serve on a variety of Task Forces and Committees for the Academy. As one of the representatives to the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing since 2006, Alison participated in the writing of the 2007 Position Statement and on the upcoming 2012 Early Intervention document. Currently, Alison chairs the Pediatric Amplification Task Force for the American Academy of Audiology. In addition to serving as AAA President, Alison has been on the Executive Board of the American Auditory Society, and serves on the California State Speech Language Pathology and Audiology Licensing Board since 2000.
      ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist.

Nonfinancial - Has a Professional,Bias (I'm certified by ABA and PASC) (I'm certified by ABA and by PASC) relationship for Other volunteer activities.  
Cheryl DeConde Johnson - POC,Co-Presenter,Author
ADEvantage Consulting
     Credentials: Ed.D., Board Certified Audiologist with Pediatric Audiology Specialty Certification
     Other Affiliations: National State Leaders Summit,Hands & Voices, University of Colorado, University of Northern Colorado, University of Arizona
      Cheryl DeConde Johnson is a former consultant with the Colorado Department of Education where she was responsible for deaf education and audiology services from 1998-2006. Prior to that time she was an educational audiologist and program coordinator for the public school deaf and hard of hearing program in Greeley, Colorado, and was a parent facilitator and regional coordinator for the Colorado Home Intervention Program. She is currently a lecturer in AuD programs at the University of Colorado, Boulder, University of Northern Colorado, and Salus University as well as adjunct faculty in the deaf education program at the University of Arizona. She is an active consultant regarding systems development in deaf education and is a co-founder and President of the Board of Directors for Hands & Voices. Dr. Johnson has a grown daughter who is deaf.
      ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist.

Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Stacy Claycomb - Co-Presenter
University of Colorado Hospital
     Credentials: AuD, Board Certified Pediatric Audiology Specialty Certification
     Other Affiliations: Colorado EHDI Program, Audiology Regional Coordinator
      Stacy Claycomb is clinical audiologist at University of Colorado Hospital with a focus on newborn hearing screening programming as well as pediatric assessment and amplification. She obtained her AuD from the University of Northern Colorado in 2006. Her experience ranges from major hospital settings to rural private practice. Stacy is currently working to extend pediatric training opportunities to 4th year doctoral students as well as post-graduate audiologists practicing in rural communities.
      ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist.

Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.