REHA 2017 Communication Changes Across the Lifespan

This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au.

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 401423

Coordinator Belinda Kenny Opens in new window

Description This unit discusses communication disorder in children and adults arising from physical, sensory, cognitive, linguistic, psychosocial, functional and environmental changes that occur across the lifespan. The unit focuses on assessment of communication skills, interpretation and reporting of findings, diagnosis, and planning of treatment and management priorities within holistic, person-centred frameworks. Students will have the opportunity to explore disordered presentation of speech, language, voice, and fluency and build on emerging clinical reasoning, critical reflection skills, and strategies for working effectively in partnership with individuals, families and communities.

School Health Sciences

Discipline Speech Pathology

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 2 subject

Pre-requisite(s) REHA 1006

Restrictions Students must be enrolled in the 4763 Bachelor of Speech Pathology or 4764 Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours).

Assumed Knowledge

To successfully undertake this subject students are expected to have a sound understanding of the scope of practice and professional activities of a Speech Pathologist.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  1. Describe communication changes that can occur across the lifespan including possible aetiologies, presentation, prognosis and impact on activity and participation
  2. Examine disorders of speech, language, voice and fluency in children and adults using appropriate assessment and diagnostic approache
  3. Synthesise, appraise and integrate best available evidence on the principles of early intervention in speech pathology
  4. Execute beginning level competency in communication assessment, analysis and interpretation (encompassing speech, language, voice and/or fluency) across the lifespan
  5. Critically reflect on emerging clinical skills and their influence on the development of effective therapeutic relationships

Subject Content

1. Assessment and diagnosis of speech sound disorders in children
- Articulatory disorders
- Phonological disorders
- childhood Apraxia of speech
2. Assessment and diagnosis of acquired motor speech disorders in adults
- Dysarthria
- acquired Apraxia of speech
3. Analysis of typical and disordered speech across the lifespan
4. Assessment and diagnosis of language and literacy disorders in children
- Developmental language Disorder
- language disorders secondary to other conditions
- social communication Disorder
- Dyslexia
5. Assessment and diagnosis of acquired language and cognitive communication disorders in adults
- Aphasia
- cognitive communication disorders
6. Analysis of typical and disordered language across the lifespan
7. Assessment and diagnosis of voice disorders in children and adults
- Functional voice disorders
- organic voice disorders
- introduction to cancer of The head and Neck
- Laryngectomy
8. Analysis of typical and disordered voice across the lifespan
9. Assessment and diagnosis of stuttering in children and adults
- preschool stuttering
- school Age stuttering
- adolescent and Adult stuttering
10. Analysis and rating of stuttering severity
11. International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health
12. Person and family- centred practice and models of care
13. Principles of Early Intervention

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Item Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Case Study 1,500 words 30 N Individual
Discourse Analysis 2,000 words 40 N Individual
Simulation 60 minutes 30 N Individual
Participation Participation in 1-hour Screening Assessment S/U Y Individual
Reflection Reflection - 500 words S/U Y Individual

Prescribed Texts

  • Branski, R.C., & Molfenter, S.M.(Eds.). (2020). Speech-Language Pathology Casebook. New York, United States: Thieme Medical Publishers Inc.
  • Owens, R., & Farinella, K. A. (2019). Introduction to communication disorders: A lifespan evidence-based perspective (6thed.). NY: Pearson.

Teaching Periods

Autumn

Campbelltown

Day

Subject Contact Belinda Kenny Opens in new window

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