Speech & Language Therapy Course In Bangladesh
July 2004 saw the introduction of a Speech and Language Therapy training course at Bangladesh Health Professions Institute (BHPI). This is a 4-year BSc (Hons) degree in Speech and Language Therapy, and is the first of its kind in Bangladesh. Currently there are no fully trained Speech and Language Therapists working in Bangladesh. The first therapists should graduate in 2009, and CRP will then be able to offer a regular service.
The course has involved collaboration between the staff of CRP, BHPI, Dhaka University and foreign Speech and Language Therapists. Melanie Adams from the UK, was involved with much of the initial planning and course development, with Cristy Gaskill from Australia, now involved with training and course development. Several other overseas Speech and Language Therapists have made valuable short-term contributions to the training of the students.
In the first batch of the Speech and Language Therapy course, there are 12 students. These students are from many parts of Bangladesh and have been highly motivated in their study and practical skill development. They have been learning about a wide range of areas that form a basis for Speech and Language Therapy - from linguistics, psychology and anatomy through to disability and development. The students have also seen the work of a range of organisations in the area of disability, and have translated for assessment and therapy sessions.
Speech and Language Therapists work with adults and children who have difficulties communicating with others due to a range of causes. These may be:
· physical (hearing impairment, cleft palate)
· neurological (cerebral palsy, stroke, brain injury)
· cognitive (making it difficult to learn language)
· social/ environmental (neglect, misunderstanding of communication disability)
Speech and Language Therapists also help people who have difficulties chewing and swallowing their food.
Communication difficulties can affect all aspects of a person’s life. Speech and Language Therapists work directly to promote speech and language as well as educating families, teachers and employers about the needs of people who find listening, talking, reading and writing difficult. In many cases, individuals are taught to use a mixture of ways (gestures, picture books, symbol boards as well as speech) to make communication more effective.
The course has involved collaboration between the staff of CRP, BHPI, Dhaka University and foreign Speech and Language Therapists. Melanie Adams from the UK, was involved with much of the initial planning and course development, with Cristy Gaskill from Australia, now involved with training and course development. Several other overseas Speech and Language Therapists have made valuable short-term contributions to the training of the students.
In the first batch of the Speech and Language Therapy course, there are 12 students. These students are from many parts of Bangladesh and have been highly motivated in their study and practical skill development. They have been learning about a wide range of areas that form a basis for Speech and Language Therapy - from linguistics, psychology and anatomy through to disability and development. The students have also seen the work of a range of organisations in the area of disability, and have translated for assessment and therapy sessions.
Speech and Language Therapists work with adults and children who have difficulties communicating with others due to a range of causes. These may be:
· physical (hearing impairment, cleft palate)
· neurological (cerebral palsy, stroke, brain injury)
· cognitive (making it difficult to learn language)
· social/ environmental (neglect, misunderstanding of communication disability)
Speech and Language Therapists also help people who have difficulties chewing and swallowing their food.
Communication difficulties can affect all aspects of a person’s life. Speech and Language Therapists work directly to promote speech and language as well as educating families, teachers and employers about the needs of people who find listening, talking, reading and writing difficult. In many cases, individuals are taught to use a mixture of ways (gestures, picture books, symbol boards as well as speech) to make communication more effective.
