Speech-Language Therapy
Program Overview
At ÎÚÑ»ÊÓƵ Children’s Hospital, Delaware, our goal is to provide quality care to our patients while helping students gain skills to become a competent therapist. We promote education by modeling and hands-on experiences. We encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning and to take initiative in gaining knowledge and experience.
As a student, you’ll receive guidance and tools to enhance the learning process. You may have the opportunity to observe the following:
- Diagnostic observation (including ICU, NICU, developmental evaluations, gait lab and others)
- Hospital-sponsored seminarsÌý
- Vendor demonstrations
- Research/applied scienceÌý
- Specialty clinics (including Down syndrome, AMC, seating, CP, prosthetics, cleft palate and others)
- Surgery observation
- Curriculum
- Requirements
- Location & Living
Details for Speech-Language Pathology
Speech-Language Pathology graduate student clinicians are required to have completed at least one full-time off student placement prior to an affiliation at ÎÚÑ»ÊÓƵ.
Completion of a course in dysphagia is required for most placement opportunities. Completion of a course in pediatric dysphagia is highly recommended.
Tests and measures you may be expected to participate in include:
- Preschool Language Scale-5 (PLS-5)
- Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals — 5th Edition (CELF-5)
- Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals Preschool — 2nd Edition (CELFP-2)
- Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation — 3rd Edition (GFTA-3)
- Ross Information Processing Assessment-Primary (RIPA-P)
- Ross Information Processing Assessment — 2nd Edition (RIPA-2)
- Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM)
- Communication Function Classification System (CFCS)
- Eating and Drinking Ability Class System (EDACS)
- Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL)
Student Requirements: Therapeutic Services
The Therapeutic Services Department of ÎÚÑ»ÊÓƵ Children’s Hospital, Delaware accepts students for clinical rotations in:
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Speech-language pathology
Before proceeding, please verify with your academic institution that that they are an affiliated program andÌýthen follow the instructions below carefully. You’ll need to gather a series of required screening and immunization documents and have your academic advisor certify that you have completed all steps outlined below.
Your fieldwork coordinator will receive a form to complete, sign and return to us to verify that you have obtained all required immunizations and clearances.
Gather Your Required Screening & Immunization Documents
We recommend starting to gather the required documents as early as possible — 4 to 6 months before your preferred affiliation start date.
You’ll need:
Delaware Child Abuse Screening Report
Instructions:
- Please download the following document: Delaware Child Protection Registry Request Form.
- Fill out Part I of this form, sign and date.
- Email your completed form to therapystaffing@nemours.org
Things to Note:
- Allow at least 15 working days for results to be processed.
- The form must be submitted within 90 days of signature date in order to be processed.
Training at ÎÚÑ»ÊÓƵ in Delaware Valley
ÎÚÑ»ÊÓƵ Children’s Hospital, Delaware, sits on a scenic, 300-acre estate in Wilmington’s Brandywine Valley. It’s the largest pediatric training site in our system, big enough to offer nearly every specialty, yet close-knit enough that faculty know their learners well. From the start, you’ll notice a culture built on collaboration, mentorship, and curiosity.
Hospital & Training Environment
Most of your training takes place at our children’s hospital in Wilmington, a nationally recognized destination for complex pediatric care. It’s the state’s only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and home to a Level IV NICU, so you’ll see the full range of high-acuity cases. Families come from across the region, giving you exposure to diverse conditions and hands-on learning in a true referral hub. Take a video tour of the hospital now.Ìý
Along with ÎÚÑ»ÊÓƵ, you may also spend time at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia and other partner hospitals. These rotations bring variety in community pediatrics, rehabilitation care, and patient populations you won’t see every day in Wilmington.Ìý
Living in Wilmington & Delaware Valley
Wilmington is easy to settle into. It’s affordable, manageable in size, and just a short train ride from Philadelphia. Baltimore and Washington, D.C. are also close by. Need fresh air? The Brandywine Valley has trails, rivers, and historic gardens. Want more energy? Philly has food, arts, and sports at a world-class level. Here, you get the best of both worlds.Ìý
Research Opportunities
Research is part of daily life here. Some trainees work in the lab, others join clinical trials, and many focus on quality improvement. Supported by faculty mentors and dedicated resources, trainees may also present at national meetings or publish in peer-reviewed journals.Ìý
Resident & Fellow Life
Training here isn’t only about rotations and research. It’s also about having the space and support to enjoy the journey.
Community & CultureÌý|ÌýColleagues quickly become friends. Alumni talk about the camaraderie, the sense that you’re part of something bigger, and the ease of finding mentors who genuinely care.
Wellness & Support |ÌýWellness is built into the experience. From apps and peer networks to professional counseling, resources are there when you need them. There's also a free 24/7 gym on campus and regular wellness programming.
Everyday Perks |ÌýFree parking. Meals at noon conference. On-site child care center. Call rooms and quiet spaces when you need rest. These make a difference in the rhythm of daily training.
Questions About Applying?
J. Heather Northam, MA, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathology
jamie.northam@nemours.org