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Unit of study_
CSCD5060: Language 1: Early Development and Disorders
2026 unit information
This unit introduces students to language development disorders from birth to the end of preschool. The nature of language difficulties, disorders and differences together with principles and practices for assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention and different levels of service support are covered for the following paediatric populations: pre-linguistic infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Medicine and Health
| Study level | Postgraduate |
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| Academic unit | Communication Sciences |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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An understanding of basic linguistics including traditional grammatical analysis |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Demonstrate competence in analysis of syntax/grammar
- LO2. Critically apply knowledge of communication development, developmental theories and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health to the assessment and intervention of children 0-5 years old.
- LO3. Demonstrate an understanding of standardised and non-standardised assessment techniques and analysis tools to assess and interpret communication needs.
- LO4. Exercise clinical knowledge in the interpretation of assessment results and implementation of intervention relating to preliteracy and oral language disorders with an emphasis on the preverbal to pre-school stages of development.
- LO5. Describe health information orally and in writing (what DLD is, in addition to the prevalence, impact, potential outcomes, risk and protective factors associated with DLD) in lay terms for parents, in addition to other health and education professionals.
- LO6. Demonstrate the ability to communicate with preschool children with DLD and their family, through suitable play-based activities and appropriate verbal therapeutic dialogue using appropriate English.
- LO7. Select and justify procedures, such as assessments, goal setting, and intervention, related to the child’s communication needs, their cultural and social practices, family centred practice and evidence-based practice.
- LO8. Use information technology to locate peer reviewed research evidence; locate and create clinical resources for children with DLD; and interact with public awareness resources about DLD (e.g., RADLD, twitter).
- LO9. Select innovative, engaging and culturally appropriate clinical resources for children with DLD.
- LO10. Learn about yourself as a cultural being, and how you relate to the world around you (Cultural Competence Online Module 1).
- LO11. Demonstrate knowledge of the recommended best practices for the provision of culturally safe and responsive services to linguistically and culturally diverse children with DLD.
- LO12. Outline the issues, importance and impact of early brain development, screening, intervention and family centred practice on children with DLD within a broader community of practice
- LO13. Operate effectively and ethically as a team member for teaching/learning activities and assessment tasks
- LO14. Learn to identify yourself as a speech pathologist when working in a variety of contexts including schools, clinics, teams with multiple disciplines, and other community contexts
- LO15. Demonstrates the capacity to play a range of roles including being a leader and a valuable member of an interprofessional team in contexts such as schools, clinics, and other community settings.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 1 2026
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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