Sri Lanka: Clinical Elective Programme in Child Neurodevelopment & Disability

Stellenbeschreibung

This programme is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students in Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Audiology, Psychology, Special Education and Development Paediatrics. Students work within a genuinely multidisciplinary team, under the direct supervision of experienced academic clinicians and researchers.

It represents one of the only dedicated paediatric neurodevelopment and disability clinical electives available in South Asia, and offers a case volume, diagnostic diversity and multidisciplinary model that cannot be replicated in a high-income country clinical setting.

Aufgaben

Available Elective Disciplines

• Development Paediatrics and Disabilities
  Students observe and participate in the assessment and management of children with developmental disabilities including Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, intellectual disability, and developmental delay. Clinic sessions, multidisciplinary team meetings and community outreach components are available.
• Speech and Language Therapy
  Students work alongside qualified Speech and Language Therapists managing a high-volume paediatric caseload including Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), speech sound disorders, fluency disorders, feeding and swallowing difficulties, and communication needs associated with Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is a key component of the clinical programme.
  
  
• Occupational Therapy
  Students observe and assist with occupational therapy assessments and interventions for children with physical, developmental and sensory disabilities. Access to Sri Lanka\'s first sensory room provides a unique learning environment for sensory processing and integration. Activities of daily living, fine motor development, assistive technology and environmental modification are key themes.
  
  
• Physiotherapy
  Students work with physiotherapists providing assessment and treatment for children with motor disabilities including Cerebral Palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy and acquired neurological conditions. Exposure includes individual therapy, group sessions, hydrotherapy where available, and community-based rehabilitation outreach.
  
  
• Audiology
  Students observe and assist in the specialist audiology unit, one of the most advanced paediatric audiology facilities in Sri Lanka. Clinical activities include pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, auditory brainstem response (ABR), newborn hearing screening, hearing aid fitting and auditory rehabilitation for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Psychology
  Students gain experience in developmental and educational psychology within the context of childhood disability. Activities include psychometric assessments, behavioural observation, consultation with families, and participation in multidisciplinary case discussions. Students interested in child neuropsychology, ASD assessment and early intervention will find the Ayati caseload particularly relevant.
  
  
• Special Education
  Students observe and participate in structured educational and early intervention sessions for children with learning disabilities, intellectual disability, ASD and sensory impairments. Inclusive education practices, individualised education planning and curriculum adaptation in a low-resource setting are key learning themes.

Qualifikationen / Voraussetzungen

• 18+
• Good command of English
• Undergraduate and postgraduate students in allied health, medicine, psychology and education
• No prior clinical qualification required for observational placements. Students at any stage of training are welcome