Unit rationale, description and aim
ACU graduate speech pathologists must be prepared to balance the juxtaposition of rapidly changing policy environments and technology with the unchanging values of the dignity of the human person and service to the common good. Adherence to core values and ethics amid significant industry change is essential for effective speech pathology practice in the disability sector and users of multi-modal communication. Throughout the bachelor of speech pathology, students are introduced to core ethics, values, rights and principles fundamental to working with people with a disability as well as theory and practice in the assessment and implementation of multi-modal communication. This unit builds upon this foundation by exploring disability supports and services in contemporary Australia, assessment, modern high-technology alternative and augmentative communication systems, the provision of multimodal communication for specific populations and the integration of rights, vales and ethics and principles of practice when working with usersof multimodal communication at entry level.
This unit aims to provide students with the opportunity to acquire core knowledge and skills in preparation for work with Australia’s disability support system as a speech pathologist and assess, prescribe and implement high-tech multimodal communication options with individuals across the lifespan who have communication difficulties.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Describe support services and funding for people w...
Learning Outcome 01
Apply knowledge of-tech augmentative and alternati...
Learning Outcome 02
Design collaborative assessment and intervention p...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
Topics will include:
Review of key concepts critical to clinical practice with people with a disability and users of multimodal communication:
- Communication as a basic human right
- Ethical principles, including advocacy and autonomy, central to working in disability and with users of multimodal communication
- Integration of multimodal communication into the community
- Social and psychological impact of utilizing multimodal systems – listening to the individual and their supports
- Principles and best practice in assessment and intervention for Alternative and Augmentative Communication
- Identifying and understanding the needs and wants of the individual regarding multimodal communication
- Assessing capacity and suitability of options (cognitive, language, speech, physical and personal considerations)
- Developing person-centred and functional goals relating to communication and participation
- Contemporary conceptions and definitions of disability
Multimodal communication needs of specific populations
- Congenital, developmental, progressive, and acquired communication disorders that may result in an individual utilizing multimodal communication options.
- Considerations of short-term versus long-term use of multimodal communication.
- Special considerations for AAC for:
- Developmental disorders e.g. autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, social communication disorders
- Acquired disorders e.g. stroke, cognitive communication disorders
- Progressive disorders e.g. Motor Neuron Disease, Palliative care
• Cultural and linguistic considerations in multimodal communication decision making
The disability support services landscape in Australia
• Government and non-government services available for people with a disability.
• Private practice and disability support services
• Contemporary funding support for people with a disability:
- Government initiatives
- Non-government and philanthropic initiatives
- Private insurance schemes
- Applying for funding support for speech pathology support and high-tech multimodal communication.
- Interstate variability.
Working within an inter-professional team to support the individual requiring a multimodal system.
- The role of the speech pathologist
- Principles of teamwork in the inter-professional setting
- The roles of key workers/disciplines including:
- Social work
- Occupational therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Educational professionals
- Medical staff
- Personal carers and allied health assistants.
High-Tech communication:
- Text based devices;
- Semantic Compaction Devices;
- Mobile technologies e.g. iPad)
- Identification and use of appropriate outcome measures
- Special considerations for assessment, implementation and outcome measurement.
Assessment strategy and rationale
Students in Year Four of the Bachelor of Speech Pathology are working towards entry level competency across all Range of Practice Areas as they prepare to enter the workforce. As a result, assessments in this unit are consistent with tasks that an entry level speech pathologist may be required to complete when working in the disability sector. Reflecting the learning outcomes of the unit, the assessments progressively build in complexity beginning with a descriptive task and work towards a higher level, integrative task. The assessments assume that students are developing entry level skills in CBOS Professional Competencies 1-4,Occupational Competencies 1-7 and Range of Practice Principles 1,2, and 5 that can be transferred to thetasks and topics explored in this unit.
Learning outcome 1 is addressed in assessment task 1. Students will be required to work in small groups to develop an information package for families of children or adults with a disability and complex communication needs. The information package will describe government and non-government services that are available to support people with complex communication needs.
Learning outcome 2 is assessed in Assessment 2. Students are to work individually to prepare and present a poster describing a high-tech AAC device. The presentation will include a description of the intended consumer (using the ICF framework) based on an assessment of the Primary, Secondary and Tertiary components of the AAC system.
The final assessment addresses learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3. This assessment requires students to produce a funding application for a client (adult or paediatric) with a disability and complex needs in communication. The application will include description of an assessment and intervention plan and an appropriate plan for the implementation of a high-tech AAC device.
Overview of assessments
Disability services information package group tas...
Disability services information package group task (adult or paed)
Enables students to demonstrate knowledge of funding and services
for people with disability and communicate this information to clients.
20%
Technology seminar. Enables students to investig...
Technology seminar.
Enables students to investigate and assess high-teach AAC.
30%
Funding Application. Enables students to develop...
Funding Application.
Enables students to develop interdisciplinary intervention plans for clients using multimodal communication within the Australian funding context.
50%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit has a flexible, multimodal learning approach to accommodate the varied placement schedules of fourth year students. Key information and resources will be provided online to enable students to engage with the materials asynchronously and while attending professional practice experiences away from campus.
Additionally, students will participate in interprofessional workshops which will develop their skills in the use of assistive technology and working in an interdisciplinary team. These activities will prepare students to complete industry relevant assessment tasks. Students should expect to complete 150 hours of learning in this unit.
Professional Standards for Speech Pathologists in Australia
In connection to the learning outcomes, the Professional Standards for Speech Pathologists in Australia (Professional Standards) detail
- the knowledge, skills and attributes a speech pathologist practising in Australia must demonstrate and apply, at any point in their career, as relevant to their speech pathology role and work context
- the knowledge, skills and attributes a graduating speech pathology student must demonstrate and be able to apply by the time they complete their entry-level degree.
The Professional Standards should not be read in isolation. Speech pathologists should also be cognisant of, and comply with, relevant legislation, Speech Pathology Australia policies and the Speech Pathology Australia Code of Ethics.
Relating to
Provide ethical and evidence-based practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3
Relating to
Comply with legislation, standards, policies and protocols
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3
Relating to
Provide safe and quality services
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3
Relating to
Collaborate with individuals, their supports, our colleagues and the community
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3
Relating to
Maintain high standards of communication, information sharing and record keeping
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3
Relating to
Consider the needs of individuals and communities in clinical decision-making and practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3
Relating to
Advocate for optimal communication and swallowing
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3
Relating to
Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3
Relating to
Engage in learning with colleagues, students and the community
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3
Relating to
Develop shared understanding of speech pathology
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3
Relating to
Assess communication and swallowing needs
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3
Relating to
Interpret, diagnose and report on assessments
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3
Relating to
Plan speech pathology intervention or service response
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3
Relating to
Implement and evaluate intervention or service response
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3