3.00 Credits
Primary emphasis is placed on several of the major speech and language disorders in adults including fluency disorders, head injury, leaning disabilities, aphasia, dysarthria, apraxia, dementia, and autism/Asperger Syndrome. The student will begin to understand, and/or apply evidenced-based information to form therapeutic strategies related to cognition, communication, emotional/social development, motor development, sensory integration, and adaptation. A major focus is on basic human communication processes including (a) anatomical and physiological bases, (b) the physical and psychosocial bases, and (c) linguistic & psycholinguistic aspects. A major theme in this class is to learn about the characteristics/symptoms of each diagnosis and the therapeutic intervention strategies, materials and resources used with adults with speech and language disorders. Federal entitlements that relate to the provision of specialized service, service options, and equipment for individuals with speech & language disabilities may be introduced as appropriate. Where appropriate, service delivery models (collaboration, co-treatment, integration, pull-out of individuals and groups) will be discussed.