SPTH9122 Speech Pathology Skills and Practice 1

This topic focuses on developing and applying skills and knowledge required to provide services to clients who are experiencing communication and/or swallowing difficulties. Content and skill development is addressed through a combination of undertaking aspects of speech pathology practice, working with increased numbers of clients with moderate levels of guidance and support from a speech pathologist clinical educator and participating in clinical skills tutorials. The seven key competencies required for speech pathology practice, and defined by the Competency Based Occupational Standards - Entry Level (CBOS) [SPAA, 2001] document will be targeted. The four core academic abilities will be developed: Reasoning; Professional Communication; Lifelong Learning; and Professional Role.

This topic introduces students to the profession of speech pathology, and the knowledge and skills specific to the practice of the profession. It aims to provide students opportunities to develop their academic abilities in relation to speech pathology practice and their knowledge and practical skills regarding the application of:

• Speech Pathology management of clients who have communication and/or swallowing difficulties
• Generic professional competencies of Communication, Reasoning, Behaviour and Lifelong Learning
• Occupational competencies of Assessment, Analysis and Interpretation, Planning Speech Pathology Intervention, Speech Pathology Intervention, Planning, Maintaining and Delivering Speech Pathology Services, Professional, Group and Community Education and Professional Development

Speech pathology skills will include those required for managing paediatric populations, intervention and assessment strategies, and working in teams.

1. Identify the scope of pathology practice including service delivery models, client groups and professional competencies
2. Describe practical speech pathology skills required for effective teamwork and practice
3. Demonstrate novice level practical speech pathology skills required for effective observation and interaction with paediatric clients, and basic ethical reasoning
4. Demonstrate novice level skills in the administration, scoring and interpretation of formal assessment tools
5. Explain the theory behind language based interventions with children aged 0-5 years
6. Identify factors that impact upon swallowing and communication competence across the lifespan
7. Demonstrate minimum competence in the practical skills taught during tutorials
8. Demonstrate novice level practical skills in generic professional competencies of communication, reasoning, behaviour and lifelong learning
9. Demonstrate novice level practical skills in occupational competencies of assessment, analysis and interpretation, planning intervention and intervention
10. Contribute to the assessment, diagnosis, and general management of a small number of clients under supervision a clinical educator