Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

There is no co-requisite because of the novel topic this module introduces

Aims

1.       To provide background knowledge about acquired neurological disorders in children and adults that can result in speech or language impairments
2.       To enhance understanding of the cognitive communication changes that occur in healthy older adults and individuals with various types of dementia
3.       To understand the nature of acquired neuropsychiatric impairments and how these are assessed and how these impact on speech and language performance and therapy.
4.       To gain an understanding of different psychological disorders, their aetiologies and their effects on communication and intervention outcomes.
5.       To understand the impact of communication disorders on psychological and social wellbeing.

In relation to HCPC Standards of Proficiency, this module addresses aspects of the following standards but is not the only module to do so:
2.10 understand and apply policies and guidance relevant to their relevant profession and scope of practice
7.9 recognise the possible contribution of social, psychological and medical factors to service users’ communication difficulties and swallowing status
8.2 recognise the principles and practices of other health and care professionals and systems and how they interact with their profession
8.5 identify anxiety and stress in service users, carers, and colleagues, adapting their practice and providing support where appropriate
12.9 understand psychology as relevant to lifespan development and change, typical and impaired communication and psychological and social wellbeing
13.3 analyse and critically evaluate the information collected
13.14 apply knowledge of communication impairment, linguistics, phonetics, psychology and biomedical sciences to the identification, assessment and differential diagnosis of a range of communication and swallowing impairments
13.17 evaluate the effects of communication difficulties and swallowing status on the psychosocial wellbeing of service users, their families and carers.
15.2 understand how social, economic and environmental factors (wider determinants of health) can influence a person's health and wellbeing

Outline Of Syllabus

Cognitive change in normal ageing
Acquired neurological problems in children and adults (including stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s)
Tumours and infections
Roles of the prefrontal lobes, executive functions and frontal lobe disorders
Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia
Action control and motor control disorders
Seizure disorders
Overview of brain imaging techniques used in diagnosis and to inform treatment of neurological problems
Introduction to concepts in social psychology relevant to communication impairment (including quality of life and the grieving process)
Introduction to psychological/psychiatric disorders relevant to speech and language therapy practice
Introduction to basic concepts in Forensic Psychology relevant to speech and language therapy practice
Classification – issues of ‘normality’
Selective mutism
Depression (including bipolar disorder)
Personality disorders
Psychosis
Speech and language therapy in in-patient mental health settings workshop
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy workshop


In relation to the RCSLT curriculum guidance, this module focuses on a range of clinical areas including: 1. Acquired cognitive communication disorders arising from dementia 2. Acquired language disorders including aphasia and primary progressive aphasia (PPA) 3. Acquired motor speech disorders 4. Acquired neurological disorders and/or conditions 11. Mental health conditions (adults) and 12. Mental health conditions (children). Within 4.4.2 psychological and social science, there is a focus on theoretical frameworks in psychology, psychological development and change and applications of psychology to speech and language therapy practice. Within 4.4.3 biological and medical sciences, areas covered include neurology, psychiatry, gerontology and oncology.
The module provides opportunities for students to develop key graduate capabilities around the use of the evidence base to support clinical reasoning and practice (4.2.4 A) by applying knowledge of a range of disciplines relevant to speech and language therapy practice.There is also a focus on promoting inclusion and access (4.2.1.B), health promotion (4.2.1C) interprofessional practice and teamworking (4.2.2A) working with service users families and carers (4.2.2B) and advocacy (4.2.2C).

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

-       Understanding of clinical neurology and neuropsychology relevant to speech and language therapy clinical practice
-       Understanding of different theoretical perspectives taken from neuro-biology, neuropsychology, experimental psychology
-       Understanding of the possible stages of the grieving process
-       Understanding of psychosocial impact of neurological/neuropsychological impairment on quality of life and wellbeing
-       Familiarity with psychological/psychiatric disorders
-       Understanding of the role of cognitive therapy in the management of mental health difficulties
-       Understanding of the effects of psychological and psychiatric disorders on communication
- Understanding of the cognitive communication changes in healthy older adults and adults with dementia

Intended Skill Outcomes

-       Define cognitive ageing and its consequences for language processing
-       Compare the cognitive communication changes in normal ageing and dementia to the cognitive communication imairments in other clinical populations
-       Recognise presenting signs and symptoms of neurological and neuropsychological disorders
-       Identify signs of mental health difficulties in the context of speech and language therapy
-       Consider mental health difficulties in the delivery of speech and language therapy services

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lecture materials and supported reading and research to provide: introduction to and explanation of different neurological disorder complexes; theoretical perspectives on the selected neuropsychology topics; introduction of ageing, introduction of concepts in Clinical and Social Psychology; and student participation in discussing, interpreting, decision making with clinical data.

Workshops are used to support students to apply the knowledge learned in the lectures with the support of the specialist lecturers and visiting practitioners.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The multiple choice questions present students with questions about aspects of the pathology, presentation and course of the selected neurological disorders in relation to speech and language; with issues from the theoretical underpinnings of neuropsychological disorders and with case scenarios of neuropsychological impairments to test out understanding of differential diagnostic and assessment issues in the selected disorders.

The essay assessment gives the opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of mental health disorders within a clinical context.

General Notes

N/A