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COURSE OUTLINE

This module addresses applied knowledge in the description, assessment, treatment and management of disorders of motor speech, swallowing and voice. Delivered in year B, the module spans terms 1 and 2.

The module begins with an introduction to the three core topics: motor speech, swallowing and voice. Foundation knowledge relating to anatomy/physiology and neurology is also provided. Learning topics in term 1 include the aetiology, assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of neuromuscular and structural speech and swallowing disorders across the lifespan.

Term 2 focuses on voice, structural abnormalities and complex case management.

Face-to-face learning takes place through lectures and workshops. Learning for each lecture is supported by online resources and consolidation activities requiring the application of knowledge to clinical case scenarios. This module has links with a number of modules including: Brain and Behaviour, Management of Communication Disorders 2: Speech & Hearing, Management of Communication Disorders 3: Language and Cognition (acquired), Phonetics & Phonology, and Professional Studies 1 & 2.

AIMS

• To develop knowledge and understanding of the range and nature of structural & neuromuscular disorders of motor speech, swallowing and voice across the lifespan.
• To enable comprehensive description of dysarthria, dysphagia and dysphonia, together with those disorders arising from structural changes to the vocal tract.
• To enable accurate differential diagnosis between and within the disorders known as dysarthria, dysphagia, and dysphonia together with those disorders arising from structural changes to the vocal tract.
• To enable integration with, and application of, knowledge from other modules, particularly: Brain and Behaviour, Management of Communication Disorders 2: Speech & Hearing, Management of Communication Disorders 3: Language and Cognition (acquired), Phonetics & Phonology, and Professional Studies 1 & 2.
• To develop understanding of collaborative working with clients, carers, professionals and other agencies relevant to vocal tract disorders.
• To develop an appreciation of the functional and psychosocial impact of these disorders.
• To develop a critical appreciation of the evidence base relating to structural & neuromuscular disorders of speech, swallowing, and voice.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge and understanding

At the end of the module students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• The aetiology and features of neuromuscular and structural disorders of motor speech, swallowing and voice,
• A range of assessment and treatment methods, and outcome measures, appropriate for neuromuscular and structural disorders of motor speech, swallowing and voice,
• The evidence base that supports the use of different assessment and treatment methods covered in this module,
• The functional, psychosocial and ethical implications of structural and neuromuscular speech, swallowing and voice disorders and their management,
• Appropriate referral to and liaison with other professionals, and agencies relevant to structural and neuromuscular speech, swallowing and voice disorders,
• The integration of relevant knowledge from earlier and concurrent modules with the information available in this module.

Skills

At the end of the course students will have learned to:

• Listen to, observe, classify and analyse the speech, swallowing and voice of people with neurogenic and structural disorders,
• Plan and design informal clinical assessments for people with structural and neuromuscular speech, voice, and swallowing,
• Differentially diagnose people with neuromuscular and structural disorders of speech, swallowing and voice, including psychogenic elements of voice,
• Develop appropriate speech and language therapy management and treatment plans for people with neuromuscular and structural disorders of speech, swallowing and voice (including the use of formal and informal assessments).

All skills apply to clients across the lifespan.

These outcomes will be achieved through:

• Teaching of the syllabus
• Ongoing formative assessment through small group and online activities
• Guidance and formative feedback from lecturers and peers on non-assessed exercises within the lectures (e.g. description of clients on video, interpretation of presenting conditions of clients on video, practice of oro-motor examination)
• Opportunities for self-reflection within lectures and other learning activities
• Guidance and formative feedback from the module coordinator on assessed coursework
• Discussion of integration of theory and practice during lectures and small groups
• Linking the taught knowledge with the students’ and lecturers’ clinical experiences (i.e., the integration of theory and practice).