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This module addresses core knowledge relating to neuroanatomy, neurological disorders, mental health disorders, health in older age, and health psychology. The overall aim of the module is to provide students with a thorough grounding in these topics, incorporating the latest research-led developments, which they can apply to their clinical practice. In addition, the module aims to familiarise students with neuroscientific research modalities, current and emerging neurobiological therapeutic modalities, and the evaluation of experimental therapies in the context of acquired speech and language disorders.

AIMS

• To build upon the basic knowledge and understanding gained during SLAN0005 of the structure and function of the nervous system
• To develop understanding of the basic principles and key elements of the neurological examination.
• To build upon knowledge and understanding gained during the summer teaching block of the basic pathology, key clinical features and general approaches to medical treatment of common acquired and inherited neurological disorders affecting speech, language, communication and swallowing.
• To develop knowledge and understanding of basic neurobiological mechanisms of recovery and rehabilitation of acquired disorders of speech, language and communication.
• To develop knowledge and understanding of the key effects of normal ageing on physical and psychological health, including common age-related health disorders, and key issues relating to end-of-life and palliative care.
• To develop knowledge and understanding of the key clinical features and general approaches to psychiatric treatment for common mental health conditions which may impact upon communication.
• To develop knowledge and understanding of key issues relating to health psychology, behaviour change, and psychosocial perspectives on communication and swallowing disorders.
• To develop the ability to apply knowledge and understanding acquired during this module to clinical scenarios encountered in speech and language therapy practice.
• To develop the ability to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in this module to other Year B modules, particularly Management of Communication Disorders 3: Language and Cognition (acquired), Management of Communication Disorders 4: Speech, Swallowing & Voice, and Professional Studies 2.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge and understanding

At the end of the module students will be able to use context-appropriate terminology to:

• Outline the basic anatomical organisation and key functions of the brain, cranial nerves, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system, and the vascular supply of the brain.
• Describe the basic organisation of the central and peripheral nervous system pathways involved in the control of language, vision, hearing, movement, sensation, learning, memory, emotion and behaviour.
• Describe the key components of the bedside neurological examination, and explain the anatomical basis of common abnormal neurological signs.
• Outline the basic pathology, key clinical features and basic principles of medical management of common acquired and inherited neurological disorders affecting communication and swallowing.
• Outline the key neural mechanisms underlying recovery and rehabilitation of neural lesions.
• Name and briefly describe key research techniques used to investigate impairment and recovery in acquired disorders of speech, language and communication.
• Outline the key changes in health, vision, hearing and cognition associated with normal ageing, and the key characteristics of common age-related health disorders.
• Discuss key issues related to end-of-life and palliative care.
• Describe the key characteristics and general approaches to psychiatric treatment of common mental health conditions which may impact upon speech, language and communication.
• Describe the key psychological consequences of impaired communication and swallowing.
• Describe the key psychological and psychosocial influences on behaviour relating to illness, disability, recovery and rehabilitation, and outline the key principles of effective behaviour change.

Skills

At the end of the course students will have gained experience in:

• Evaluating clinical scenarios involving common neurological disorders and age-related health conditions.
• Applying core knowledge and understanding of neuroanatomy, neurological disorders, age-related health conditions, mental health disorders and health psychology when evaluating clinical scenarios.
• Evaluating evidence relating to research techniques used in the investigation of neurological disorders affecting speech, language and communication.

These outcomes will be achieved through:

• Teaching of the syllabus via face-to-face lectures, interactive teaching sessions and online resources.
• Individual and preparation during self-directed study time for interactive exercises, involving application of taught knowledge to clinical scenarios.
• Student discussion during interactive tasks during teaching sessions.
• Reflective exercises during interactive teaching sessions to encourage students to evaluate their own learning.
• Guidance and formative feedback from lecturers and peers during interactive teaching sessions.
• Formative assessment of recall, understanding and application of factual knowledge through online quizzes.
• Summative assessment of core knowledge taught in Term 1 via a computer-based multiple-choice exam.
• Summative assessment of core knowledge across the module via an assessed piece of coursework based on application of knowledge to clinical scenarios.