Unit Outline

This unit introduces students to the speech pathology role supporting every individual's right to optimal communication and swallowing, and the foundational speech pathology theoretical, clinical reasoning and practice frameworks that will be applied and integrated throughout the Master of Speech Pathology course. The unit also develops students' foundational knowledge of how communication (including speech, language, voice, fluency and multimodal communication) and swallowing develop and change across the lifespan and the ways we assess and describe communication and swallowing.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Identify the scope of speech pathology practice and the speech pathology role, including the provision of speech pathology services, prevention and promotion strategies, and advocacy for people’s rights.
2.	Demonstrate foundation knowledge of typical communication and swallowing development and change across the lifespan.
3.	Apply theoretical, clinical reasoning, and practice frameworks, including the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, to describe and evaluate communication and swallowing across the lifespan.
4.	Plan assessment to gather information from a range of sources to understand the communication and swallowing needs of the individual and community in partnership with others.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Co-requisite	CXA725 Speech Pathology Practice 1

Alterations as a result of student feedback

No alterations have been made as a result of student feedback.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Adult Case Study Assignment	See the MyLO site for the due date	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Speech pathology role	Week 3	20 %	LO1
Assessment Task 3:	Paediatric Case Study Assignment	Week 11	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Adult Case Study Assignment

Task Description:

In this case-based assessment you will apply your theoretical understanding of typical changes in communication and swallowing in older age and knowledge of assessment principles in response to case information you will be given. You will describe and analyse an older person’s communication and mealtime and swallowing skills.
Your assessment submission will comprise several components, including written and video tasks. Tasks may include analysis and interpretation of case data within the context of a theoretical model, identifying gaps in case information required to plan further assessment, scripting feedback, responding to cultural considerations, identifying roles and responsibilities of team members, and reflecting on the process of gathering and interpreting information. Some of the tasks may require you to film role-play videos and demonstrate clinical and interactional skills.
The tasks align with the Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards and will contribute to your professional portfolio and evidence of competency development across the course. Templates will be provided to help you structure your responses to each of the component tasks.

Task Length:

1500 words and 10 minutes video content

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Analyse and interpret adult case assessment and observation data applying the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.	LO2, LO3
2	Analyse and interpret adult case assessment and observation data in terms of communication (e.g., speech, language, voice, fluency, multimodal communication, literacy) and feeding or swallowing.	LO2, LO3
3	Identify gaps in case information required and plan further assessment applying the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.	LO2, LO3, LO4
4	Script feedback on the assessment process and interpretation for family members.	LO1, LO2, LO3
5	Respond to cultural and linguistic diversity considerations in terms of assessment interpretation and planning.	LO2, LO3
6	Identify roles and responsibilities of relevant people including interprofessional team members.	LO1, LO3, LO4
7	Demonstrate reflective practice skills regarding the process of gathering and interpreting case information.	LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 2: Speech pathology role

Task Description:

In this assignment you will develop an infographic or social media campaign defining and explaining the role and scope of the speech pathology profession to the public. The explanation should be comprehensive, yet easy to understand.

Task Length:

500 words for infographic or social media campaign and 500 words reflection on the product.

Due Date:

Week 3

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Create an engaging, concise and clear way of communicating the role and scope of the speech pathology profession to the public using an infographic or social media campaign.	LO1
2	Explain the scope of the role of speech pathologists towards optimising communication and swallowing.	LO1
3	Describe the different services speech pathologists provide and the ways they work across the lifespan.	LO1
4	Identify key principles, qualities and processes that inform the work of speech pathologists.	LO1

Assessment Task 3: Paediatric Case Study Assignment

Task Description:

In this case-based assessment you will apply your theoretical understanding of typical development and knowledge of assessment principles in response to paediatric case information you will be given. You will describe and analyse a child’s development across developmental domains, communication and feeding.
Your assessment submission will comprise several components, including written and video tasks. Tasks may include analysis and interpretation of case data within the context of a theoretical model, identifying gaps in case information required to plan further assessment, scripting feedback, responding to cultural considerations, identifying roles and responsibilities of team members, and reflecting on the process of gathering and interpreting information. Some of the tasks may require you to film role-play videos and demonstrate clinical and interactional skills.
The tasks align with the Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards and will contribute to your professional portfolio and evidence of competency development across the course. Templates will be provided to help you structure your responses to each of the component tasks.

Task Length:

1500 words and 10 minutes video content

Due Date:

Week 11

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Analyse and interpret paediatric case assessment and observation data in terms of the developmental domains (e.g. motor, cognitive, social behaviour and play, self-regulation and attention, attachment).	LO2, LO3
2	Analyse and interpret paediatric case assessment and observation data in terms of communication (e.g., speech, language, voice, fluency, multimodal communication, literacy) and feeding or swallowing.support the child’s communication.	LO2, LO3
3	Identify gaps in case information required and plan further assessment.	LO2, LO3, LO4
4	Script feedback on the assessment process and interpretation for family members.	LO1, LO2, LO3
5	Respond to cultural and linguistic diversity considerations in terms of assessment interpretation and planning.	LO2, LO3
6	Identify roles and responsibilities of relevant people including interprofessional team members.	LO1, LO3, LO4
7	Demonstrate reflective practice skills regarding the process of gathering and interpreting case information.	LO3, LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.