Students

SPTH8824 – Lifelong Disability and AAC

2021 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Scott Barnes
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MSpchLngPath
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

In this unit, students consider the nature of lifelong disability for populations within the scope of speech pathology practice. It employs multiple, and socially-oriented models of communication disability. Cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, and autism are addressed, as are issues related to speech pathology practice with alternative and augmentative communication. Quality of life and psychosocial issues across multiple populations are also discussed in detail.

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:

  • ULO1: Describe and analyse the prevalence, aetiology, neurology and physiology of the health conditions that underpin complex communication disability.
  • ULO2: Discuss issues related to living with persistent and multifaceted disability, and its impact upon well-being and participation in society.
  • ULO3: Evaluate and explain the role of augmentative and alternative communication strategies in speech pathology management of complex communication disability.
  • ULO4: Describe and evaluate the communication needs of those with complex communication disability, including those with challenging behavioural and mental health concerns.
  • ULO5: Select and justify appropriate evidence-based speech pathology assessment and intervention procedures that integrate the views of those with complex communication disability and their family and/or carers.

General Assessment Information

Word limits

Assessment submissions with excessive word counts will receive a penalty commensurate with the amount the submission has exceeded the word limit stated in the assessment description. Excessive word counts will result in the following penalties:

  • From 11 to 20% over the word limit = reduction by one grading band.
  • More than 20% over the word limit = reduction by at least two grading bands, with further penalties applied at the discretion of the unit convenor.

For example: Word limit = 2000 words; Submission word count = 2240, i.e., 12% over the limit, and therefore a penalty is applied as follows:

  • Initial grade = D
  • Penalty = reduction of one grading band
  • Final grade = C 

Penalty for late submission

Late submission of assessments will result in the following penalties:

  • 1 day late = reduction by no more than one grading band, at the discretion of the unit convenor
  • 2 days late = reduction by no more than two grading bands, at the discretion of the unit convenor
  • 3 or more days late = reduction by at least two grading bands, with further reductions at the discretion of the unit convenor

For example: A submission is two days late, and therefore a penalty is applied as follows:

  • Initial grade = HD
  • Maximum penalty = reduction of two grading bands
  • Final grade = C 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Case based assessment - children with complex communication needs 50% Yes Week 7
Case based assessment - adults with complex communication needs 50% Yes Week 13

Case based assessment - children with complex communication needs

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 38 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 50%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

In this assessment task, students will be provided with case details relating to children who have complex communication needs, and may be appropriate for AAC systems. They will be also be provided with clinical scenarios, and asked to develop plans relating to speech pathology management for these cases. The assessment task will require them to integrate and synthesise case information, case data, theory, research evidence, and routine speech pathology practices in order to formulate plans.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe and analyse the prevalence, aetiology, neurology and physiology of the health conditions that underpin complex communication disability.
  • Evaluate and explain the role of augmentative and alternative communication strategies in speech pathology management of complex communication disability.
  • Describe and evaluate the communication needs of those with complex communication disability, including those with challenging behavioural and mental health concerns.
  • Select and justify appropriate evidence-based speech pathology assessment and intervention procedures that integrate the views of those with complex communication disability and their family and/or carers.

Case based assessment - adults with complex communication needs

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 39 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 50%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

In this assessment task, students will be provided with case details relating to adults who have complex communication and/or swallowing disorders. They will be also be provided with clinical and life scenarios, and asked to develop plans relating to speech pathology management for these adults. The assessment task will require them to integrate and synthesise case information, case data, theory, research evidence, and routine speech pathology practices in order to formulate plans.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Discuss issues related to living with persistent and multifaceted disability, and its impact upon well-being and participation in society.
  • Describe and evaluate the communication needs of those with complex communication disability, including those with challenging behavioural and mental health concerns.
  • Select and justify appropriate evidence-based speech pathology assessment and intervention procedures that integrate the views of those with complex communication disability and their family and/or carers.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Students will participate in 2 hour seminar classes blending teacher-fronted delivery with small group activities. Students will be expected to engage with learning materials before attending and participating in weekly classes, and then to complete learning activities following class. All learning and teaching activities will occur over the standard 13 teaching weeks of the session.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.


Unit information based on version 2021.01 of the Handbook