Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE CMT3049

 
TITLE Neurogenic Disorders

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 6

 
DEPARTMENT Human Communication Sciences and Disorders

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit addresses acquired neurogenic communication disorders in adults and includes a small component on paediatric neurogenic disorders. It focuses on both theory and practice in the assessment of and intervention for aphasia, apraxia of speech, dysarthria and dysphagia in adults with acquired neurogenic disorders such as stroke and other progressive degenerative diseases. The study-unit also addresses dysphagia and communication disorders associated with paediatric neurogenic disorders, such as cerebral palsy.

Study-Unit Aims:

This study-unit aims to provide sound theoretical knowledge of the nature of different neurogenic communication disorders in comparison with typical communication skills in children, adults and ageing persons.

It also aims to provide a full overview of the theoretical and practical tools necessary for carrying out assessment, diagnosis and intervention which may be designed for individual patients/clients and which are in line with evidence based practice.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- Define and describe the features associated with aphasia, apraxia of speech, dysarthria and dysphagia;
- Describe different approaches to aphasia (including a historical review of the way aphasia approaches have evolved, different classification systems and theories of aphasia);
- Describe the concept and patterns of recovery and plasticity in aphasia;
- Utilise knowledge of patterns of aphasia recovery when planning intervention;
- Differentiate between formal and informal assessment methods;
- Outline different approaches to intervention in aphasia;
- Utilise the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and A-FROM (Kagan et al 2008) models during assessment and intervention;
- Describe the cognitive neuropsychological approach to assessment and intervention in aphasia;
- Utilise the cognitive neuropsychological approach to assess and treat disorders of auditory comprehension, spoken word production, written comprehension and reading, and written word production;
- Describe assessment and management techniques for disorders of sentence processing;
- Recognise the clinical features of acquired apraxia of speech;
- Recognise the clinical symptoms associated with the dysarthrias;
- Describe assessment and intervention techniques for apraxia of speech;
- Describe assessment and intervention techniques for dysarthria;
- Differentiate the clinical characteristics of apraxia from aphasia and dysarthria;
- Differentiate the clinical characteristics of aphasia from cognitive communication disorders;
- Outline the key concepts associated with a quality of life approach to intervention, and the psychosocial impact of communication disorders;
- Describe the nature of cognitive and communication disorders associated with traumatic brain injury, and their assessment and intervention procedures;
- Describe the nature of progressive neurological diseases and their impact on motor speech;
- Define and describe the nature of dysphagia, its causes and basic principles of assessment and intervention;
- Illustrate the neuro-developmental treatment approach in relation to intervention with paediatric neurogenic conditions; and
- Demonstrate outcomes associated with the use of the neuro-developmental treatment approach in Speech Language Pathology practice.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- Differentiate between typical communication and communication disorders in children, adults and ageing persons;
- Make a differential diagnosis in terms of the specific speech, language and/or communication disorder/s exhibited;
- Make essential clinical decisions regarding appropriate assessment strategies; and
- Plan and implement intervention strategies in line with evidence based practice.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Brookshire, R. H. & McNeil, M. R. (2014). Introduction to Neurogenic Communication Disorders (8th ed.). St. Louis: Elsevier – Health Sciences Division.
- Duffy, J. R. (2013). Motor Speech Disorders: Substrates, Differential Diagnosis, and Management. Missouri: Mosby.
- Papathanasiou, I. & Coppens, P. (eds.). (2017). Aphasia And Related Neurogenic Communication Disorders. (2nd ed.) Burlington, MA: John & Bartlett Learning.
- Whitworth, A., Webster, J. & Howard, D. (2013). A Cognitive Neuropsychological Approach to Assessment and Intervention in Aphasia : A Clinician's Guide. UK: Taylor & Francis Ltd.

Supplementary Readings:

- Bayles, K., & Tomoeda, C. (2014). Cognitive-communication disorders of dementia. San Diego, CA: Plural Publishers.
- Bayles, K. A. & Tomoeda, C. K. (2013). MCI and Alzheimer's Dementia : Clinical Essentials for Assessment and Treatment of Cognitive-Communication Disorders. US: Plural Publishing Inc.
- Chapey, R. (ed.). (2011). Language Intervention Strategies in Aphasia and Related Neurogenic Communication Disorders. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
- Enderby, P. & John, A. (2015). Therapy outcome measures for rehabilitation professionals. (3rd ed.). Emsworth, UK: J & R Press Ltd.
- Swigert, N. B. (2010). The Source for Dysarthria. Illinois: Linguisystems.
- Hallowell, B. (2015). Aphasia and Other Acquired Neurogenic Language Disorders: A Guide for Clinical Excellence.US: Plural Publishing Inc.
- Kagan et al. (2008). "Counting what counts: A framework for capturing real-life outcomes of aphasia intervention" in Aphasiology, 22 (3), 258–280.
- Roddam, H. & Skeat, J. (Eds.). (2010). Embedding Evidence-Based Practice in Speech and Language Therapy: International Examples. United States: John Wiley and Sons Ltd.
- Simmons-MacKie, N., King, J., Beukelman, D. (eds.) (2013). Supporting Communication for Adults with Acute and Chronic Aphasia. US: Brookes Publishing Co.

 
RULES/CONDITIONS Before TAKING THIS UNIT YOU MUST TAKE ANA1010 AND TAKE CMT2021 AND TAKE CMT2022 AND TAKE PHB2015 AND TAKE MED2104

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Fieldwork

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM2 Yes 50%
Clinical Report SEM2 Yes 50%

 
LECTURER/S Deidre Leavy
Ritienne Grima (Co-ord.)
Rita Micallef
Rosario Mizzi

 

 
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The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

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