SLP 293 Adult Communication Disorders

Lecture Hours: 3
Credits: 3

Explores neurogenic disorders that cause or contribute to communication disorders in adults. Examines speech and language disorders of aphasia, apraxia and dysarthria, and medical conditions of stroke, brain injury and dementia. Provides directed application of speech and language therapy techniques and intervention.

Prerequisite: SLP 180 and SLP 183, each with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
Student Learning Outcomes:

Identify various disorders that cause or contribute to communication disorders in adults.
Describe symptoms of various adult speech and language disorders.
Differentiate characteristics of aphasia, cognitive communication disorder, executive functioning disorder, apraxia and dysarthria.
Discuss various therapy techniques and intervention approaches for aphasia, apraxia and dysarthria.
Integrate specific aspects of cognitive and linguistic development into observational descriptions of communicative behavior in adults.
Follow intervention protocols of varying complexities for intervention sessions and request clarification when needed using clinical terminology.
Prepare appropriate and culturally sensitive treatment materials specific to the targeted focus of an intervention session.
Provide directions and feedback that are clear, concise and appropriate to the individual and presenting disorder in intervention sessions.
Collect and record various types of data using standard clinical procedures as directed by the speech-language pathologist.

Content Outline

Linguistic and Cognitive Changes in the Later Years
- Communication characteristics; individuals 18 years of age and older
- Interconnection of cognition, language, memory, and behavior
Neurologic Structure and Function Related to Adult Communication Disorders
- Nervous system
Neurogenic Disorders that Result in Speech and Language Disorders
- Stroke
- Brain injury
- Right hemisphere injury
- Dementia
- Parkinson’s Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Huntington’s Disease
Adult Speech, Language, and Communication Disorders
- Associated with stroke
- Associated with brain injury
- Related to right hemisphere injury
- Language disturbances in dementia syndromes
Intervention Strategies and Methods
- Focus on aphasia
- Focus on cognitive communication skills
- Focus on executive functioning skills
- Focus on apraxia of speech
- Focus on speech dysarthria
Implementing Intervention Strategies and Setting Up the Clinical Environment
- Physical considerations
- Treatment team members
- Reading and recording therapy notes