SLP 5101  NORMAL FUNCTIONING 1

Modular credits: 6

Co-requisite: SLP 5102

This module provides students with an understanding of the relationship between structure and function of the brain as well as the anatomy and physiology of peripheral organs involved in normal speech production and normal swallowing throughout the lifespan. The content of the PBL seminars, lectures, wet labs, workshops, and skill classes will include the normal central and peripheral nervous system, the oral and nasal cavities, the pharynx, larynx, and lungs, normal voice development, normal vs. abnormal aging.  Students will also be introduced to examples of how anatomical or physiological problems can affect speech production, feeding, swallowing, and communication in children and adults, and be asked to consider the psychosocial impact of these problems.

SLP 5102  NORMAL FUNCTIONING 2

Modular credits: 6

Co-requisite: SLP 5101

This module provides students with an understanding of the linguistic components of communication, functional models of language representation, and the development of oral and written language(s). The content of the PBL seminars, lectures, workshops, and skill classes will draw attention to local linguistic diversity and include a review of language components and related phonetic, acoustic, and grammatical analyses; components of speech fluency; normal first and second language development in bilinguals; life-span changes and individual differences in language and cognitive development; orthography-phonology relationships for local languages and English; reading and spelling development, and the influence of home language(s) on language and literacy acquisition.

SLP 5103 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1

Modular credits: 4

Co-requisites:  SLP 5101 and 5102 or equivalent with the permission of the Programme Director.

This module provides an introduction to professional practice in a community or hospital clinic setting.  This first clinical placement will involve guided and structured observation of experienced clinicians delivering speech pathology services to adult and/or paediatric clients who have communication and/or swallowing impairments.  There will be some opportunity to interact with clients and students will be encouraged to reflect on normal communication processes through interaction with children in mainstream educational settings and the elderly in residential/day-care settings.

SLP 5104 RESEARCH DESIGN & STATISTICS

Modular credits: 4

Pre-requisites:  SLP 5101 - SLP 5103 or equivalent with the permission of the Programme Director.

This compulsory module provides an introduction to evidence-based practice, psycholinguistic variables and the principles of psychometric testing.  Topics will include reliability and validity; single-case and group designs for evidence-based practice; basic parametric and non-parametric statistics using SPSS software; interpreting results; clinical vs. statistical significance; development of assessment tools and discussion of the problems associated with test adaptations for local children and adults; critical evaluation of extant tools including language background questionnaires, vocabulary scales, and psycholinguistic analyses of dysphasia (e.g., PALPA).  Reference will be made to SLP 5101 and SLP 5102 PBL cases that involved outcome research or psychometric testing and assessments observed during SLP5103.

SLP 5105 IMPAIRED FUNCTIONING - CHILDREN 1

Modular credits: 4

Pre-requisites:  SLP 5101, SLP 5102, SLP 5103 or equivalent with permission of Programme Director

This module provides an understanding of how the development of speech and language can be impaired in children. A range of language-based learning difficulties will be covered with a focus on the cause(s) and effect(s) of specific language impairment (SLI) and related developmental disorders of perception, attention and memory. The administration and interpretation of language tests will be discussed in the context of local linguistic diversity and colloquial forms, notably Singapore Colloquial English (SCE). The content of the PBL seminars, lectures, workshops, and skill classes will also include a review of cognitive assessment tools; reading and spelling disorders; assessment of dysfluency and voice production problems in children; counselling families; working in multi-disciplinary teams and schools.   

SLP 5106 IMPAIRED FUNCTIONING - ADULTS 1

Modular credits: 4

Pre-requisites:  SLP 5101, SLP 5102, SLP 5103 or equivalent with permission of Programme Director

This module provides an understanding of acquired speech and language impairments in adults. A range of communication difficulties will be covered with a focus on receptive and expressive dysphasia following damage to the mature brain (e.g., cerebro-vascular accidents, head injury, tumour surgery).  The administration and interpretation of oral and written language tests will be discussed in the context of local linguistic diversity and the importance of memory and attention. The content of the PBL seminars, lectures, workshops, and skill classes will also include exposure to a range of assessment tools.

SLP 5107 IMPAIRED FUNCTIONING - CHILDREN 2

Modular credits: 4

Pre-requisites: SLP 5101, SLP 5102, SLP 5103 or equivalent with permission of Programme Director

Co-requisite: SLP 5105.

This module provides an understanding of how developmental problems with an organic origin have an impact on swallowing and communication in children. The nature, epidemiology and assessment of a range of disorders will be reviewed.  Particular reference will be made to speech difficulties resulting from congenital craniofacial abnormalities (cleft lip/palate), and disorders that may have a genetic basis, such as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The impact of developmental dyspraxia, cognitive impairment, and hearing deficits on the development of communication skills will be discussed, and students will be introduced to methods of Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC).

SLP 5108 IMPAIRED FUNCTIONING - ADULTS 2

Modular credits:  4

Pre-requisites: SLP 5101, SLP 5102, SLP 5103 or equivalent with permission of Programme Director

Co-requisite: SLP 5106

This module provides an understanding of how acquired structural deficits will lead to swallowing and speech production difficulties in adults.  The nature and epidemiology of a range of disorders will be reviewed but the focus will be on diagnostic issues related to swallowing disorders (dysphagia) and speech disorders (dysarthria) of neurological origin.  Students will gain experience of subjective and objective swallowing assessments, and consider the psychosocial impact of dysphagia and dysarthria on the quality of life. Multidisciplinary management of clinical cases and informational counselling will also be discussed.

SLP 5109 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 2

Modular credits: 6

Pre-requisites: SLP 5101 - SLP 5108 or equivalent with permission of the Programme Director

This module provides professional practice experience related to the theoretical foundations on impaired functioning covered in SLP 5105, SLP5106, SLP 5107 and SLP 5108. Students will undertake an intensive block (5-6 weeks) of direct clinical experience in one clinic, either in a hospital or a community setting, under the close supervision of an experienced speech and language pathologist.  The focus of this second placement is on the gradual development of the clinical skills required for assessing, describing, and diagnosing adult and/or paediatric clients with communication and/or swallowing impairments.

SLP 5110 INTERVENTION AND MANAGEMENT - CHILDREN I

Modular credits: 4

Pre-requisites: SLP 5101 - SLP5108 or equivalent with permission of the Programme Director

This module will enable students to understand the principles of treatment for basic communication and swallowing disorders, and to develop practical skills in the therapeutic management of these disorders in children. The major areas covered in this module include the types of treatment available, application of intervention strategies, goal setting in therapy, and service delivery models which apply for each of the range indicators: speech, language, fluency, swallowing and AAC.

SLP 5111 INTERVENTION AND MANAGEMENT – ADULTS I

Modular credits: 4

Pre-requisites: SLP 5101 - SLP 5108 or equivalent with permission of the Programme Director

This module will enable students to understand the principles of treatment for basic communication and swallowing disorders, and to develop practical skills in the therapeutic management of these disorders in adults. The major areas covered in this module include the types of treatment available, application of intervention strategies, goal setting in therapy, and service delivery models which apply to each of the following range indicators for speech and language therapy: speech, language, fluency, swallowing, and voice.

SLP 5112 RESEARCH PROJECT 1

Modular credits: 6

Pre-requisites: SLP 5101 - SLP 5108

This module prepares students for the applied research project that must be submitted in semester 4.  Students will asked to identify a research topic, a client group and two supervisors (one academic and one clinical); review relevant literature, develop a research design and appropriate measurement tools, make a class presentation to teaching staff and students, and then submit a written proposal (max 5,000 words) before obtaining ethics clearance and conducting a pilot study.

SLP 5113 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 3

Modular credits:  6

Pre-requisites:  SLP 5101 - SLP 5112 or equivalent with permission of the Programme Director

This module provides professional practice experience related to the theoretical foundations of intervention and management covered in SLP 5110 and SLP 5111 and previous modules. Students will undertake an intensive block (5-6 weeks) of direct clinical experience in one clinic, either in a hospital or a community setting, under the supervision of an experienced speech and language pathologist.  The focus of this third placement will be on the continued development of clinical skills in planning and carrying out intervention with adult and/or paediatric clients with communication and/or swallowing impairment with minimal guidance. If considered appropriate by their supervising clinician, students may progress to independent management of one client by end of placement.

In addition, students will participate in a 3-day intensive fluency training programme with adults and children who stutter, and attend 3 subsequent follow-up sessions, in total around 30 hours.

SLP 5114 INTERVENTION AND MANAGEMENT - CHILDREN 2

Modular credits:  4

Pre-requisites:  SLP 5101 - SLP5110 or equivalent with permission of the Programme Director

This module will enable students to understand the principles of treatment for complex communication and swallowing disorders, and to develop practical skills in the therapeutic management of these disorders in children. Students will be required to extend and apply the knowledge developed in SLP 5110 to the therapeutic management of children with multi-faceted problems.

The major areas covered in this module include the types of treatment available, application of intervention strategies, goal setting in therapy, and service delivery models which apply for each of the range indicators: speech, language, fluency, swallowing, voice and AAC

SLP 5115 INTERVENTION AND MANAGEMENT -  ADULTS 2  

Modular credits:  4

Pre-requisites:  SLP 5101 - SLP 5111 or equivalent with permission of the Programme Director

This module will enable students to understand the principles of treatment for complex communication and swallowing disorders, and to develop practical skills in the therapeutic management of these disorders in adults. Students will be required to extend and apply the knowledge developed in SLP 5111 to the therapeutic management of adults with multi-faceted problems.

The major areas covered in this module include the types of treatment available, application of intervention strategies, goal setting in therapy, and service delivery models which apply for each of the range indicators: speech, language, fluency, swallowing, voice and AAC.

SLP 5116 RESEARCH PROJECT 2

Modular credits:  8

Pre-requisites:  SLP 5101 - SLP 5112 or equivalent with permission of the Programme Director

This module helps students prepare a final draft of the main applied research project that should be submitted in semester 4.  Using feedback on the detailed proposal presented and submitted for SLP 5112 students received from their academic and clinical supervisors, teaching staff, and peer group, students will make appropriate modifications to the planned design, complete data collection and analyses, prepare and revise drafts after consultation, and then submit a written report (<20,000 words) in APA style prior to a presentation and oral examination on the content.

SLP 5117 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE ISSUES

Modular credits:  4

Pre-requisites:  SLP 5101 - SLP 5111 or equivalent with permission from the Programme Director

This module prepares students for professional practice problems and issues beyond single case clinical work.  It will include discussion of caseload and resource management, waiting lists and consumer issues; triadic work with families and teachers; importance of support, post-qualification mentorship, and continuing professional development; avoiding burn-out; working with groups of clients and organisations; making referrals and working with other professions; cultural differences and expectations; working through interpreters; advanced ethical and legal principles; promoting the profession through evidence-based practice and outcome research.

SLP 5118 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 4

Modular credits: 6

Pre-requisites:  SLP 5101 - SLP5117 or equivalent with permission of the Programme Director

This module provides professional practice experience related to the theoretical foundations of intervention and management covered in previous modules. Students undertake an intensive block (5-6 weeks) of direct clinical experience in one hospital or community clinic, under the supervision of an experienced speech-language pathologist.  The focus of this final placement is on the continued development of clinical skills in planning and carrying out intervention with adult and/or paediatric clients with communication and/or swallowing impairment. Students progress to independent management of one client by end of placement.