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Location Domestic International
Gold Coast Session 1 N/A

Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

7

Level of learning

Introductory

Former School/College

Former School of Health and Human Sciences

Pre-requisites

3007306 - Bachelor of Speech Pathology OR 2207273 - Associate Degree of Allied Health

Unit aim

Introduces communication as a construct, its purposes, alteration across the lifespan and use in different contexts. Essential characteristics of disorders of communication and swallowing and the associated impact are explored. Students examine the Scope of Practice (populations, services, purposes, approaches) in Speech Pathology and how this is situated in relation to other allied health professions.

Unit content

Topic 1: Dimensions of communication and context dependant changes.
Topic 2: Changes in communication across the lifespan.
Topic 3: Disorders of communication and swallowing.
Topic 4: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and Children and Youth version (ICF and ICF-CY) frameworks (World Health Organization, 2001 and 2007).
Topic 5: Impact of communication disorders within the ICF and ICF-Y frameworks.
Topic 6: The Scope of Practice in Speech Pathology and the Code of Ethics.
Topic 7: Competency- based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists (CBOS).
Topic 8: Roles within Speech Pathology and Inter Professional Practice settings.
Topic 9: Behaviours that constitute appropriate professional behaviour within allied health practice.
Topic 10: Basic skills for Speech Pathology clinical practice (observation, recording, sampling and report writing).
Topic 11: Reflection and learning.
Topic 12: Multimodality and Interprofessional Practice

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 Explain the characteristics of communication across the lifespan and in different contexts
2 Describe (with examples) disorders of communication and swallowing and compile a glossary of related terminology.
3 Describe the general impact of disorders of communication and swallowing, using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and Children and Youth version (ICF and ICF-CY) frameworks (World Health Organization).
4 Reflect upon the Scope of Practice in Speech Pathology, the Code of Ethics and the Competency- based Occupational Standards (CBOS).
5 Demonstrate professional behaviour and describe the role of the Speech Pathologist within inter-professional practice.
6 Demonstrate skills in oral and written communication and beginning practices for lifelong learning (such as developing a reflective journal).
7 Describe notions of multimodality and interprofessional practice

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Explain the characteristics of communication across the lifespan and in different contexts
    • GA5:
    • GA6:
  2. Describe (with examples) disorders of communication and swallowing and compile a glossary of related terminology.
    • GA3:
    • GA5:
  3. Describe the general impact of disorders of communication and swallowing, using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and Children and Youth version (ICF and ICF-CY) frameworks (World Health Organization).
    • GA3:
    • GA5:
  4. Reflect upon the Scope of Practice in Speech Pathology, the Code of Ethics and the Competency- based Occupational Standards (CBOS).
    • GA3:
    • GA5:
    • GA6:
  5. Demonstrate professional behaviour and describe the role of the Speech Pathologist within inter-professional practice.
    • GA3:
    • GA5:
    • GA6:
  6. Demonstrate skills in oral and written communication and beginning practices for lifelong learning (such as developing a reflective journal).
    • GA3:
    • GA5:
    • GA6:
  7. Describe notions of multimodality and interprofessional practice
    • GA2:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
    • GA7:

Prescribed texts

  • Gillam, RB, Marguardt, TP & Martin, FN, 2011, Communication sciences and disorders: From science to clinical practice, 2nd edn, Jones & Bartlett Publishers, San Diego.
  • Speech Pathology Association of Australia, 2000, Code of Ethics, The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Ltd, Melbourne.
  • Speech Pathology Association of Australia, 2003, Scope of Practice, The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Ltd, Melbourne.
  • Speech Pathology Association of Australia, 2011, Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists: Entry Level, The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Ltd, Melbourne.
  • Speech Pathology Australia, 2006, Competency Assessment in Speech Pathology (COMPASS Assessment Resource Manual and COMPASS Assessment Booklet), The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Ltd.
Prescribed texts may change in future teaching periods.