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Unit of study_

CSCD5061: Speech 1: Phonological Impairment

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Speech 1: Phonological Impairment aims to provide students with the theoretical background to speech development and impairment in children. The nature of speech impairments in children; techniques for assessment, analysis and intervention are considered using a case based approach to learning.

Unit details and rules

Unit code CSCD5061
Academic unit Communication Sciences
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
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None
Corequisites
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None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Phonemic transcription of Australian English; and, normal head and neck anatomy

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Tricia McCabe, tricia.mccabe@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Skills-based evaluation Online Case-based viva
Online Case-based viva - two questions
40% Please select a valid week from the list below 10 minutes
Tutorial quiz hurdle task Phonemic transcription test
Phonemic transcription task
0% Week 01 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3
Tutorial quiz Online Phonological processes quiz
Phonological quiz
20% Week 06 30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO20 LO18 LO11 LO6 LO3 LO2 LO1
Assignment group assignment Paired assessment case study analysis
Completion of phonological analysis on proformas
20% Week 09 Completion of proformas
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO1 LO2 LO6 LO7 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO18 LO19
Assignment group assignment Paired Management Plan Case Study
20% Week 11 10 pages
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Phonemic transcription test: Students will be required to transcribe an adult Australian English speaker talking in connected speech. The passage will be broken up into smaller utterances and each utterance will be repeated. You must pass this the assessment task to pass the entire unit. Failure to complete it will result in you being awarded a Fail grade, regardless of your cumulative marks in the unit of study.
  • Phonological processes quiz: Students will complete a quiz on identification and prediction of phonological processes typically found in the speech of developing children.You must pass this the assessment task to pass the entire unit. Pass mark is 14/20. Resit will be available if you fail the first attempt. Failure to complete it will result in you being awarded a Fail grade, regardless of your cumulative marks in the unit of study.
  • Case study analysis: In pairs you will analyse child speech errors and summarise assessment findings.
  • Case study management plan: Using the previously analysed case, pairs of students will establish a management plan which could be used to guide therapy over a 12 week block of treatment.
  • Case-based viva exam: up to 25 case based questions covering content from weeks 4-13 will be provided in week 11. Students will be required to answer two of these questions in the viva exam. This is a closed book exam.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Subject to timely special consideration application, the standard university late penalties apply to the two case study assignment tasks. Please note that late submission of the case study analysis will not be a reasonable excuse for late submission of the management plan without a special consideration application.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Pre-semester Phonemic transcription Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Phonemic transcription Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 01 Phonemic transcription Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 02 1. Introduction to the unit; 2. Phonological theory and processes Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 03 Causes and consequences of speech disorders in children Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 04 Causes and consequences of speech disorders in children Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 05 Assessment of speech disorders Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 06 1. Classification systems and diagnoses; 2. Speech Analysis Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 07 Target selection Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 08 Therapy planning, goal setting, generalisation, data collection Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 09 Evidence and phonology treatments Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 10 Evidence and phonology treatments Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 12 Objective assessment and articulation intervention Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 13 Childhood apraxia of speech and paediatric dysarthria Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance Requirements: Students are required to attend all lectures, demonstrations and tutorials.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

  • McLeod, S. & Baker, E. (2017) Children’s Speech: An Evidence‐Based Approach to Assessment and Intervention. Pearson: Boston, MA.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. apply phonological and phonetic theory to understanding of speech sound disorders
  • LO2. demonstrate knowledge of speech sound disorders in children including aetiology, prognosis, assessment, analysis, diagnosis and intervention
  • LO3. transcribe typical and disordered speech
  • LO4. conduct an oral musculature assessment
  • LO5. administer or interpret a standardised single-word speech sampling test
  • LO6. collect, analyse and report speech observations as part of a speech pathology report
  • LO7. differentially diagnose paediatric speech sound disorders
  • LO8. plan and evaluate treatment for phonological and paediatric motor speech and articulation impairments
  • LO9. demonstrate the ability to work with others to complete a clinically related written task
  • LO10. describe orally, and in writing, the management of a child with a phonological, articulation, or motor speech impairment
  • LO11. use information technology for professional tasks (e.g., phonological sampling tools and analysis software)
  • LO12. evaluate the quality of the literature reporting the management of phonological and articulation impairments
  • LO13. plan for data collection within clinical settings in relation to phonological, articulation, and motor speech impairments including treatment, control and generalisation data
  • LO14. demonstrate ethical understanding and professional integrity in all aspects of managing speech sound disorders including understanding the international classification of functioning, disability and health: children and youth version, informed consent, privacy and child protection
  • LO15. implement evidence based practice in relation to paediatric speech disorders, balancing the evidence from the literature, clinician skills and data, and clients
  • LO16. accommodate personal, cultural and linguistic difference in clinical decision making in relation to speech sound disorders
  • LO17. acknowledge personal responsibility for value judgements and ethical behaviour towards others
  • LO18. exercise critical judgement in the assessment, analysis, diagnosis and planning of intervention for speech impairments
  • LO19. use rigorous independent thinking when evaluating published literature on speech acquisition, assessment, analysis, diagnosis and intervention
  • LO20. account for clinical decisions in the management of speech impairments
  • LO21. adopt a problem solving approach to the management of speech impairments (e.g. identify solutions to a variety of clinical scenarios).

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9
Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
1.1 A Investigate and document the client’s communication and/or swallowing condition and explore the primary concerns of the client.
1.2 A Identify the communication and/or swallowing conditions requiring investigation and use the best available scientific and clinical evidence to determine the most suitable assessment procedures in partnership with the client.
1.4 A Undertake assessment within the ethical guidelines of the profession and all relevant legislation and legal constraints, including medico-legal responsibilities.
2.1 A Analyse and interpret speech pathology assessment data.
2.2 A Identify gaps in information required to understand the client’s communication and swallowing issues and seek information to fill those gaps.
2.3 A Determine the basis for or diagnosis of the communication and/or swallowing condition and determine the possible outcomes.
2.4 A Report on analysis and interpretation.
2.5 A Provide feedback on results of interpreted speech pathology assessments to the client and/or significant others and referral sources, and discuss management.
3.1 A Use integrated and interpreted information (outlined in Unit 2) relevant to the communication and/or swallowing condition, and/or the service provider’s policies and priorities to plan evidence-based speech pathology practice.
3.2 A Seek additional information required to plan evidence-based speech pathology practice.
3.3 A Discuss long-term outcomes and collaborate with the client and/or significant others to decide whether or not speech pathology strategies are suitable and/or required.
3.4 A Establish goals for intervention in collaboration with the client and significant others.
3.5 A Select an evidence-based speech pathology approach or intervention in collaboration with the client and significant others.
3.6 A Define roles and responsibilities for the management of the client’s swallowing and/ or communication condition.
3.7 A Document speech pathology intervention plans, goals and outcome measurement.
4.1 A Establish rapport and facilitate participation in speech pathology intervention.
4.2 A Implement an evidence-based speech pathology intervention according to the information obtained from speech pathology assessment, interpretation and planning (see Units 1, 2, and 3).
4.3 A Undertake continuing evaluation of speech pathology intervention and modify as necessary.
4.5 A Identify the scope and nature of speech pathology practice in a range of community and work place contexts.
4.6 A Undertake preventative, educational and/or promotional projects or programs on speech pathology and other related topics as part of a team with other professionals.
5.3 A Manage own provision of speech pathology services and workload.
5.4 A Update, acquire and/or develop resources.
5.5 A Consult and coordinate with professional groups and services.
5.6 A Adhere to professionally accepted scientific principles in work practices.
6.1 A Develop, contribute to, and maintain professional and team based relationships in practice contexts.
6.2 A Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practices of supervision applied to allied health/teaching assistants and in parent/caregiver education programs.
6.3 A Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practices of clinical education.
7.1 A Uphold the Speech Pathology Australia Code of Ethics and work within all the relevant legislation and legal constraints, including medico-legal responsibilities.
7.2 A Participate in professional development and continually reflect on practice.

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit is usually well received. Previous students have liked the relevance of the unit, the academic rigor of the unit, the accompanying podcast and the case based pedagogy. Negative comments in 2020 were about the size and complexity of one of the assessment tasks. This task has been broken into two tasks with feedback on the first task now being provided before the second task is submitted.

Disclaimer

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