Aims and Objectives

Aims

To develop globally competent professionals through clinical training in the area of communication disorders, to provide world-class clinical services to individuals with communication disorders, to conduct clinical research, and educate the stakeholders in the relevant areas pertaining to communication disorders.

Objectives

The objectives are to:

• Impart training to undergraduate and postgraduate students in the assessment and management of persons with various communication disorders.
• Conduct short-term training programs, seminars, workshops, conferences, and guest lectures for core and allied health care professionals.
• Provide evaluation, therapeutic services, guidance, and counseling to parents/caregivers and persons with communication disorders.
• Educate the stakeholders about the rights, privileges, and concessions provided by the state and central government.
• Conduct orientation programs for teachers, parents/caregivers, and persons with communication disorders.
• Conduct clinical research and promote evidence-based practice.

Faculty Members / Staff

Photo	Name
	Dr. Swapna N Professor of Speech Pathology & Head - Dept. of Clinical Services Ph Off : 2502263/ 2502500 Email: swapna@aiishmysore.in
	Dr. Sangeetha Mahesh Associate Professor Certified in PROMPT (Level I) Ph Off : 2502503 Email: sangeethamahesh@aiishmysore.in
	Dr. N Hema Assistant Professor Ph Off : 2502502 Email: hema@aiishmysore.in
	Ms. Geetha M.P. Speech Language Pathologist Gr-I, Certified in PROMPT (Level I) Ph Off : 2502517 Email: geetha@aiishmysore.in
	Dr. R Gopi Sankar Research Officer Ph Off : 2502640 Email: gopisankar@aiishmysore.in
	Ms. Seema M. Clinical Supervisor, Certified in PROMPT (Level I) Ph Off : 2502518 Email: seema@aiishmysore.in
	Ms. Rubby Sign Language Teacher Ph Off : 2502668 Email: rubby@aiishmysore.in
	Ms. Prathima S. Speech Language Pathologist - Gr II , Advanced certification in OPT (Level III ), Certified in PROMPT (Level I) Ph Off : 2502505 Email: prathima@aiishmysore.in
	Mr. Pradeep Kumar P. Speech Language Pathologist - Gr II, Certified in PROMPT (Level I) Ph Off : 2502317 Email: pradeep@aiishmysore.in
	Ms. Deepa Anand Audiologist /Speech Language Pathologist - Gr II, Advanced certification in OPT (Level III), Certified in PROMPT & PECS (Level I) Ph Off : 2502518 Email: deepa_anand@aiishmysore.in
	Ms. Neeraja Sunil Audiologist/SLP Grade.II Ph Off : 2502638 Email: neerajasunil@aiishmysore.in
	Mr. Prashanth R Medical Social Worker Ph Off : 2502175 Email: prashanth@aiishmysore.in
	Mr. Keerthi A.R. Public Information Officer Ph Off : 2502119 Email: keerthi1975.aiish@gmail.com
	Mr. Jagadisha S.R Assistant Medical Records Officer Ph Off : 2502555 Email: jagadeesha@aiishmysore.in
	Ms. Radhamani R. Assistant Medical Records Officer Ph Off : 2502555 Email: radhamani@aiishmysore.in
	Mr. Nagaraja K Assistant Grade III Ph Off : 2502555 Email: Nagaraja@aiishmysore.in
	Ms. Nandini P Receptionist Ph Off : 2502100 Email: nandini.aiish10@gmail.com

Activities

Manpower Development

The faculty and staff of the Department are involved in conducting various clinical training to the students enrolled in the courses listed below. They are:

• Ph.D in Speech-Language pathology
• M.Sc. in Speech-Language pathology
• Bachelor in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (B.ASLP)
• Diploma in Early Childhood Special Education (DECSE -HI)
• Diploma in Hearing, Language, and Speech (DHLS)
• B.S.Ed (Hearing Impairment)
• M.S.Ed (Hearing Impairment)

1. Clinical training: The Department of Clinical Services imparts clinical training to diploma, graduate, postgraduate and doctoral students for the diagnosis and management of persons with communication disorders. The students are trained to assess and manage various communication disorders using standardized behavioral tests and state-of-art equipment. In addition to this, their skills are also developed for the preparation of teaching aids, clinical documents such as plans of case progress reports and home training programs. 

• Clinical Practicum Classes are conducted regularly for student clinicians to bridge the gap between theory and practice. To aims to maintain high standards of clinical competence with an emphasis on an outcome-driven education.

• Clinical Training Module: Clinical curriculum for each program is designed based on the Academic Curriculum. To appraise the clinical skills of students, clinical training modules for different programs have been developed on par with the recent developments in the field. The students are provided clinical guidance in completing modules during the assigned postings, which also enhances their clinical competence.

• Student Enrichment and Expansion of Knowledge (SEEK) Gyan

Programs are conducted to enhance clinical knowledge among students. They are appraised about the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches practiced by national and international experts in our discipline.

• Seminar /Workshops

Seminars and workshops are also organized to enhance the clinical skill of students.

iii. Clinical Services    

Speaking, hearing and understanding are essential to human communication. Any impairment in these domains can affect the way a person interacts with others, resulting in a communication disorder. This can even interfere with their social, educational, and vocational success. A disorder in communication can result from conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Learning Disability, Intellectual Disability, Hearing Impairment, Cleft Lip and Palate, Stroke, Head injury, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimers disease etc., which can affect voice, articulation, fluency, and language. The Department of Clinical Services (DCS) caters to the speech-language and hearing needs of individuals with communication disorders by enhancing the quality of their communication skills. High-quality multidisciplinary clinical services in the field of communication disorders are provided under one roof. The multi-disciplinary team includes Speech-language pathologist, Audiologist, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Clinical Psychologist, Otorhinolaryngologist, Paediatrician, Neurologist, Phonosurgeon, Plastic surgeon, Orthodontist, Dietician, Oncologist, Orthopaediacian and Social worker. The Clinical Services focus on evaluation, diagnosis, and therapeutic services for persons with various communication disorders. Diagnostic and therapeutic services are provided by graduate and post-graduate student clinicians under the supervision of experienced and certified SLPs. State-of-art equipment and standardized test materials are available for  the diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders.

The Department offers these clinical services to infants, children, adults, and older individuals with communication disorders across and outside the country from Monday to Friday between 9 AM to 5.30 PM. Various Clinical services available at the Department are as follows:

Registration Services

Persons who wish to avail the clinical services at the Institute need to register at the medical records housed in the DCS. The medical records section creates, manages, and retrieves all the records of persons who register here. Each person will be provided with  a unique ID card and will be directed to the concerned OPD.                                                                           

The registration can be done offline on the ground floor of the Department of clinical services till 4.30 pm from Monday to Friday. Clients who visit for follow-up consultations will collect their previously registered manual files indexed in the medical records.

Approximately 20,000 new clients are registered every year with various types of Speech, Language, Hearing, and Swallowing Disorders. Also, approximately 30,000 case files are retrieved for follow-up visits for various evaluations.

Appointment services through Online Registration System (ORS)

The Digital India initiative aims to provide online access to hospital services for patients. Since July 2017, AIISH has been enrolled under the ORS portal to obtain appoint for consultation. The following link facilitates appointments through online mode. 

https://ors.gov.in/copp/frm_mobileNo_registration.jsp?NICSecurityORS=85OG-5XN2-RQJ5-DPVM-KVJ3-NOV8-SFUU-TN8W 

OPD services:

Persons registered are directed to two primary OPD services, viz. Speech-Language OPD and Audiology OPD for the initial consultation, based on the complaint with respect to speech or hearing problems. From these OPDs, they are further referred to ENT, Clinical Psychology, Physiotherapy, and Occupational therapy services on a need-based manner. They are also referred for detailed speech, language, hearing, or swallowing assessments.  

Speech–Language Evaluation Services

Detailed evaluation involves assessing speech and language abilities using various standardized tests and equipment. A detailed assessment is carried out for Child Language Disorders, Adult Language Disorders, Speech Sound Disorders, Fluency Disorders, Voice disorders, and Swallowing Disorders. An evaluation report is also provided to the clients on a request basis.

Medical/Non-Medical Consultancy services:

Professionals including a Pediatrician, Neurologist, Phonosurgeon, Plastic surgeon, Orthodontist, Oncologist, Orthopedician, and Dietician visit the Department on allotted day/s in a week. Consultation with these professionals can be availed on an appointment basis at the registration desk. The visit schedule is as follows:

Counseling and guidance services:

Patients or their caregivers are informed about the diagnosis, nature, and extent of the problem, possible etiology, the importance of speech and Language therapy, and various clinical services at AIISH or outside AIISH after completion of evaluations. Extended counseling services are also provided for needy individuals. The  Medico social service officer provides guidance to the parents/caregivers about the government facilities/concessions, disability certificates/funding sources for the purchase of aids/appliances available for persons with communication disorders.

Therapeutic Services

The Department of Clinical services offers various therapeutic services on an individual and group basis for short (Demonstration therapy sessions) and long-term (Regular therapy sessions) periods. A discharge report is also provided along with home training programs.

Speech-Language Therapy Services

Various communication disorders, which occur as a consequence of the conditions listed below, are treated at the Department through Speech-Language Therapy.

• Hearing Impairment
• Specific Language Impairment
• Intellectual Disability
• Cerebral palsy
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Learning Disability
• Aphasia
• Dementia
• Misarticulation
• Phonological Disorders
• Apraxia
• Cleft lip and palate
• Dysarthria
• Voice disorders
• Stuttering
• Cluttering
• Swallowing Disorders

           Approximately 5000 clients with 28,000 sessions are provided every year.    

Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy Services: 

Gross motor, fine motor, sensory issues and activities of daily living are managed by physiotherapists and occupational therapists for individuals with communication disorders.

Approximately 2,000 clients with 8,000 sessions are provided every year.

• Services at school setup 

This service is offered by Speech-Language Pathologist who identifies the problems faced by the child in the school environment. Guidelines are given to the teachers for handling the child effectively in the classroom. The caregivers are also counseled about the continued educational and Speech-Language support required.

• Client Welfare Services:
  • Financial assistance is provided under Client Welfare Fund (CWF)
  • Unique Disability ID (UDID) card (Disability certificate for Speech, Language, and Hearing Disorders only) is also provided. AIISH is recognized as the center for the Issue of disability certificates for Speech, Language, and Hearing Disorders. The Department processes the Unique Disability ID using the swavlamban portal. The Department started issuing UDID cards for Mysore districts on 01 July 2022.   
• Disability certificates for NEET aspirants are provided. AIISH is recognized as the center for the issue of disability certificates for NEET aspirants with Speech, Language, and Hearing Disorders. The Department has initiated issuing the certificates from May 2022.

• Certificates for Attendance, School Admission, and Language Exemption are also provided.

PUBLIC EDUCATION

Rehabilitation of persons with communication disorders involves teamwork. Orientation and guidance are provided to different groups of professionals such as post-graduate ENT doctors, Nurses, Anganawadi Workers, Medico Social Workers, PHC medical officers, Special Educators, Teachers of Special and Regular Schools, Parents/ Caretakers etc.

Resource Exchange and Education through Care and Hope (REECH): Parents/caregivers play an important role in nurturing their child’s development. The objective of the program is to emphasize their role in nurturing the speech-language, cognitive, motor abilities, and behavioral skills in their children. The parents are sensitized about the disorders and their impact and the role they have in reducing their impact. They are provided with the confidence and skill to care for their children with communication disorders so as to improve their quality of life.

DCS in social media: Staff of the Department are involved in creating awareness among the general public through various platforms like Facebook live, Phone-in programs, Doordarshan programs, and publishing articles in newspapers etc.,

Awards and Honours

Best clinician Award: The award is instituted by Mrs. Indira Prakash, former Itinerant Speech Therapist, AIISH, in the year 1996. The award is presented to the student clinician excelling in their clinical skills in the post-graduation program at AIISH. The best clinician award is presented to the selected clinician during the Annual Day celebrations every year.

Best Mother: Best mother Award is instituted by Dr. Prathibha Karanth, former professor in Speech Pathology, AIISH in the year 1996. This award was instituted to recognize the empowered parent achiever, and identify their journey of hard work and success, which is a great inspiration for many parents of individuals with disabilities.

Special Achievers Award: On the occasion of the commemoration of  International Day of Persons with Disability, AIISH honors special achievers who have showcased their excellence or talent in academics, sports, cultural events etc. Empowered achievers’ journey is a great inspiration for many parents of individuals with disabilities. As social entrepreneurs, they have been a crusader in achieving heights, an asset to our society in spite of barriers in life.

Events:

Commemoration of Special Days:

The Department of Clinical Services organizes the commemoration of certain important days as described below:

a. International Stuttering Awareness Day   The objective of the program was to orient the teachers, the public, and persons with stuttering on nature, causes, myths, facts, and the role of teachers/others in the management of stuttering. This was organized in the month of October 2022 and is conducted annually.

b. Workshop on “Understanding Communication Disorders and Govt. Schemes”

The objective of the program was to create awareness of different communication disorders, identification of children with communication disorders in classroom settings, and classroom adaptations, facilities, and concessions available from the Government.

c. The International Day of Persons with Disabilities 

The aim of the program was to promote awareness regarding disability issues, the fundamental rights of persons with disabilities, in all spheres of society and development and in every aspect of political, social, economic, and cultural life. The day is commemorated every year in the month of December. On this day, five mothers were presented with the prestigious Best Mother Award. Further, six special achievers were felicitated on this day.

Statistics

2022-2023

2021-2022

Resources and Infrastructure

Building: The Department of Clinical Services consists of 200 and odd rooms (66000sq.ft) for providing diagnostic and therapeutic services, counselling, for clinical training to student clinicians, and parent/caregiver education programs along with labs for carrying out specialized assessment procedures. The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Sri Shatrughan Sinha formally inaugurated the building on 25 January 2003.

Barrier -friendly environment:

The Department has facilities such as sign boards, color-coded stickers, wheelchairs, ramps, elevator, etc. for easy access and movement of persons with disabilities.

Battery operated vehicle

Battery-operated vehicle is an initiative to provide an eco and disabled-friendly environment at the campus. It facilitates the easy movement of needy individuals with communication disorders across departments within the Institute.

Staff: Apart from the staff in the Department mentioned above, faculty and clinical staff from the Departments of Audiology, Speech-Language Sciences, Speech-Language Pathology, ENT, and Clinical Psychology provide clinical services in the OPDs and consultations full time. Consultancy services are also available from allied professionals like Neurologist, Dietician, Paediatrician, Plastic surgeon, Prosthodontist, Phonosurgeon, Physiotherapist and Occupational therapist on a part-time basis for effective team management of these disabilities.

Equipment: State-of-the-art equipment and software programs are available for the assessment and training of clients with various types of voice, phonology, fluency and language disorders.

Child care/feeding room & Retiring room for senior citizens:

To provide a comfortable environment for mothers and senior citizens, these rooms have been provided.