Students

SPH 310 – Developmental Speech and Language Disorders

2017 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Margaret Wood
Linda Buckley
Linda Buckley
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
39cp at 100 level or above including (6cp in LING units at 200 level including (LING210 or LING217)) or admission to (BHumanSc or GDipSphComm or BMedScs)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit examines developmental communication disorders in terms of their relevance to normal speech and language acquisition. Topics include: an overview of typical speech and language development; classification and causes of developmental speech and language disorders; and issues relating to speech and language disorders in children with hearing impairments, stuttering, and developmental disability, such as cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorder. Links are made between theories of developmental disorders and clinical practice. The aim of the unit is for students to gain an understanding of the nature of developmental speech and language disorders. Students will also learn how to analyse linguistic data from children with a communication disorder, and how to access and evaluate the literature related to communication disorders.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Describe typical patterns of speech and language development
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which speech and language development can be impaired
  • Evaluate theories and research relating to typically developing and impaired communication development
  • Analyse, interpret and report on speech and language samples
  • Discuss methods of communication assessment from the perspective of the various health professionals within the Australian Context
  • Demonstrate proficient written language skills across a variety of tasks including academic essay, professional report and critical review.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of children’s communication difficulties on their family and on their own ability to participate in society.
  • Engage in research pertaining to speech and language

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Research Participation 5% No By week 12
Essay 25% No Week 7
Case Report 30% No Friday Week 10
Exam 40% No Exam period

Research Participation

Due: By week 12
Weighting: 5%

Linguistics Department Research Participation

Research Participation is an optional component of some units offered by the Department of Linguistics. This usually involves a choice between either participating in research for credit or completing an alternative assessment task.

Experimental participation is your choice. You are free to choose whether you will participate. If you do not wish to participate you will have a choice of an alternative assessment for the same marks. If you choose to neither participate in one of the available research participation sessions nor to participate in any offered alternative assessment, you will not be awarded the 5% for this component of the unit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate theories and research relating to typically developing and impaired communication development
  • Engage in research pertaining to speech and language

Essay

Due: Week 7
Weighting: 25%

Students will submit a 2000 word essay on a current topic in developmental communication disorders.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe typical patterns of speech and language development
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which speech and language development can be impaired
  • Evaluate theories and research relating to typically developing and impaired communication development
  • Analyse, interpret and report on speech and language samples
  • Discuss methods of communication assessment from the perspective of the various health professionals within the Australian Context
  • Demonstrate proficient written language skills across a variety of tasks including academic essay, professional report and critical review.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of children’s communication difficulties on their family and on their own ability to participate in society.

Case Report

Due: Friday Week 10
Weighting: 30%

Students will be provided with raw data of a speech and language assessment and submit a report based on an analysis of the findings.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe typical patterns of speech and language development
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which speech and language development can be impaired
  • Evaluate theories and research relating to typically developing and impaired communication development
  • Analyse, interpret and report on speech and language samples
  • Discuss methods of communication assessment from the perspective of the various health professionals within the Australian Context
  • Demonstrate proficient written language skills across a variety of tasks including academic essay, professional report and critical review.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of children’s communication difficulties on their family and on their own ability to participate in society.

Exam

Due: Exam period
Weighting: 40%

Students will undertake an examination covering course content.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe typical patterns of speech and language development
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which speech and language development can be impaired
  • Evaluate theories and research relating to typically developing and impaired communication development
  • Analyse, interpret and report on speech and language samples
  • Discuss methods of communication assessment from the perspective of the various health professionals within the Australian Context
  • Demonstrate proficient written language skills across a variety of tasks including academic essay, professional report and critical review.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of children’s communication difficulties on their family and on their own ability to participate in society.

Delivery and Resources

Students are expected to attend a single two-hour lecture and a one-hour tutorial each week for this unit. Classes are held in W5A T2 on Fridays 12pm – 2pm. This 2 hour period will be filled with various activities each week including lectures, video clips, and other learning activities. Tutorials will commence in Week 2. It is expected that students in this unit will participate in classroom discussions, small group learning activities, and complete the set readings in advance of each class.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Evaluate theories and research relating to typically developing and impaired communication development
  • Analyse, interpret and report on speech and language samples
  • Discuss methods of communication assessment from the perspective of the various health professionals within the Australian Context
  • Demonstrate proficient written language skills across a variety of tasks including academic essay, professional report and critical review.

Assessment tasks

  • Essay
  • Case Report
  • Exam

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Describe typical patterns of speech and language development
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which speech and language development can be impaired
  • Evaluate theories and research relating to typically developing and impaired communication development
  • Analyse, interpret and report on speech and language samples
  • Discuss methods of communication assessment from the perspective of the various health professionals within the Australian Context
  • Demonstrate proficient written language skills across a variety of tasks including academic essay, professional report and critical review.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of children’s communication difficulties on their family and on their own ability to participate in society.
  • Engage in research pertaining to speech and language

Assessment tasks

  • Case Report
  • Exam

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Describe typical patterns of speech and language development
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which speech and language development can be impaired
  • Evaluate theories and research relating to typically developing and impaired communication development
  • Analyse, interpret and report on speech and language samples
  • Discuss methods of communication assessment from the perspective of the various health professionals within the Australian Context
  • Demonstrate proficient written language skills across a variety of tasks including academic essay, professional report and critical review.
  • Engage in research pertaining to speech and language

Assessment tasks

  • Research Participation
  • Essay
  • Case Report
  • Exam

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Describe typical patterns of speech and language development
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which speech and language development can be impaired
  • Evaluate theories and research relating to typically developing and impaired communication development
  • Analyse, interpret and report on speech and language samples
  • Demonstrate proficient written language skills across a variety of tasks including academic essay, professional report and critical review.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of children’s communication difficulties on their family and on their own ability to participate in society.
  • Engage in research pertaining to speech and language

Assessment tasks

  • Research Participation
  • Essay
  • Case Report
  • Exam

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which speech and language development can be impaired
  • Evaluate theories and research relating to typically developing and impaired communication development
  • Analyse, interpret and report on speech and language samples
  • Discuss methods of communication assessment from the perspective of the various health professionals within the Australian Context
  • Demonstrate proficient written language skills across a variety of tasks including academic essay, professional report and critical review.

Assessment tasks

  • Essay
  • Case Report
  • Exam

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which speech and language development can be impaired
  • Evaluate theories and research relating to typically developing and impaired communication development
  • Analyse, interpret and report on speech and language samples
  • Discuss methods of communication assessment from the perspective of the various health professionals within the Australian Context
  • Demonstrate proficient written language skills across a variety of tasks including academic essay, professional report and critical review.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Participation
  • Essay
  • Case Report
  • Exam

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Describe typical patterns of speech and language development
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which speech and language development can be impaired
  • Evaluate theories and research relating to typically developing and impaired communication development
  • Analyse, interpret and report on speech and language samples
  • Discuss methods of communication assessment from the perspective of the various health professionals within the Australian Context
  • Demonstrate proficient written language skills across a variety of tasks including academic essay, professional report and critical review.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Participation
  • Essay
  • Case Report
  • Exam

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse, interpret and report on speech and language samples
  • Discuss methods of communication assessment from the perspective of the various health professionals within the Australian Context
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of children’s communication difficulties on their family and on their own ability to participate in society.
  • Engage in research pertaining to speech and language

Assessment tasks

  • Research Participation
  • Case Report
  • Exam

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Discuss methods of communication assessment from the perspective of the various health professionals within the Australian Context
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of children’s communication difficulties on their family and on their own ability to participate in society.
  • Engage in research pertaining to speech and language

Assessment tasks

  • Research Participation
  • Case Report
  • Exam