This course fosters the development of skills in identification, description and administration of assessments used for the evaluation of communication and/or swallowing abilities in adults. Practical activities in assessment, and analysis and interpretation of data are embedded into the course.
In SPCH2112 you will learn about assessment and management of communication and swallowing disorders in adults, with a focus primarily on the hospital context. This involves the assessment and management of acquired communication and swallowing disorders in adults. Students will gain an understanding of the clinical features, behaviours and characteristics of adults with language, motor speech, and swallowing disorders. Online learning and lecture content is supplemented byﾠtutorials where students develop skills in applying key theories of language and speech processing, learning, and cognition to assess, diagnose and manage communication disorders in adults. Through active participation in tutorials, students will learn to describe assessments and interventions available for use with adults presenting with communication and/or swallowing disorders. Students will also develop skills in applying evidence-based practice to plan speech pathology assessments and management for adults. The tutorial activities will provide opportunities for students to administer assessments for adults, interpret, analyse data and apply clinical reasoning to differentially diagnose communication and/or swallowing disorders in adults. In addition, students will gain experience in planning for intervention of acquired communication and swallowing disorders.
In this course, students are expected to engage in online learning resources before weekly tutorials. In the tutorials, students actively participate in authentic learning experiences with peers and teaching staff through independent, small group and large-group learning activities.
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
ANAT1002, LING1000, LING1005, PSYC1030, SPCH1102, SPCH1101
BSpPath(Hons) students only
Consultation is by appointment only. Please email Dr Packer to arrange an appointment. All questions pertaining to learning activities and assessment pieces should be placed on the SPCH2112 Ed discussion board.ﾠ
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
A detailed course outline is provided on the SPCH2112 Blackboard site within the "Learning Resources" content area.ﾠ
The focus of SPCH2112 is the assessment of communication and swallowing skills in adults. Students will gain understanding of the clinical features, behaviours and characteristics of adults with language, motor speech, and swallowing disorders. Lecture material is supplemented by practical tutorials where students develop skills in applying key theories of language and speech processing, learning, and cognition to assess and diagnose communication disorders in adults.
Through active participation in tutorials, students will gain skills in describing assessments available for use with adults presenting with communication and/or swallowing difficulties. Students will also develop skills in applying evidence-based practice to plan speech pathology assessments for adults. The tutorial activities will provide opportunities for students to administer assessments for adults, interpret, analyse data and apply clinical reasoning to differentially diagnose communication and/or swallowing disorders in adults. Students will gain experience in working with diverse families including First Nations families and families from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds.
In this course, students are expected to engage in online learning resources before weekly tutorials. In the tutorials, students actively participate in authentic learning experiences with peers and teaching staff through independent, small group and large group inquiry-based learning activities. Although this provides students with more flexibility to learn, the associated workload is similar to that of a traditional course.
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Identify and describe the clinical features, behaviours and characteristics of adults with language, motor speech, and swallowing disorders. (SPA PS Domains/Standards 1.3, 2.5, 2.6, 3.2 and 3.3)
LO2.
Apply key theories of language and speech processing, learning, and cognition to assess and diagnose communication disorders in adults.
(SPA PS Domains/Standards 2.5, 2.6 and 3.2)
LO3.
Describe and administer assessments to evaluate the communication and/or swallowing skills of adults.
(SPA PS Domains/Standards 1.3, 2.5, 2.6 and 3.2)
LO4.
Analyse and interpret assessment data to differentially diagnose adults with communication and/or swallowing disorders.
(SPA PS Domains/Standards 1.3, 2.5, 2.6 and 3.3)
LO5.
Create an assessment plan for adults with difficulties affecting communication and/or swallowing abilities who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
(SPA PS Domains/Standards 1.3, 1.4, 1.6, 2.5, 2.6 and 3.3)
LO6.
Create an assessment plan for adults from diverse backgrounds with difficulties affecting communication and/or swallowing abilities.
(SPA PS Domains/Standards 1.3, 1.4, 1.6, 2.5, 2.6 and 3.3)
LO7.
Apply clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice to differentially diagnose communication and/or swallowing disorders in adults.
(SPA PS Domains/Standards 1.1,1.3, 2.2, 2.5, 2.6, and 3.3)
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
Online Quizzes
|
20% |
8:00 am to 6:00 pm 31/03/2025 8:00 am to 6:00 pm 19/05/2025
This is an online, non-invigilated assessment. The quizzes will be completed in Inspera, with access using a link provided on the Blackboard course site.
|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Case Study Assignment
|
40% |
28/04/2025 12:00 pm |
| Examination |
End of Semester Exam
|
40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
8:00 am to 6:00 pm 31/03/2025
8:00 am to 6:00 pm 19/05/2025
This is an online, non-invigilated assessment. The quizzes will be completed in Inspera, with access using a link provided on the Blackboard course site.
This assessment consists of two (2) online quizzes relevant to the content covered on UQ Extend and in tutorials in weeks 1 to 11 of the course. Each quiz is worth 10% for a cumulative total of 20% of the overall grade for SPCH2112.
Once commenced, students will have 60 minutes to complete each quiz within this timeframe. Students may only attempt to complete each quiz once. The quizzes will be made up of multiple-choice questions, multiple-response questions, and questions where you need to complete a diagram or identify information on a diagram.
If students experience any technical difficulties and are unable to complete either quiz, it is important to document the problem and contact the Library AskUs service for advice as soon as possible:
Chat: support.my.uq.edu.au/app/chat/chat_launch_lib
Phone: +61 7 3335 7047
Email: examsupport@library.uq.edu.au
Students should also ask for an email documenting the advice provided so that this can be provided to the course coordinator immediately at: rebecca.packer@uq.edu.au
You may be able to defer this exam.
Deferred exams can be requested for this assessment item. Please apply for a deferred exam if there are exceptional or unavoidable circumstances, or as a one-off discretionary request. Deferred exam requests should be submitted as soon as possible, and no later than five calendar days after the original exam date. Further details, including how to apply, can be found at - Deferring an exam. Please also email the Course Coordinator to advise of the deferred exam request.
Exams submitted after the end of the submission time will incur a late penalty.
28/04/2025 12:00 pm
This is an authentic assessment that allows you to bring together the theory from week 1 to week 8 and to integrate and apply it to a case. You will be provided with case information and case data for an adult hospital in-patient presenting with a communication and/or swallowing disorder. You will be required to 1) introduce the case and present the relevant case information and research literature regarding the client’s medical diagnosis and presenting communication/swallowing disorder; 2) integrate the available information and assessment results to provide a diagnostic summary; 3) outline your recommendations and management plan supported by an integration of case information and research literature; 4) develop an educational handout/resource to support the family’s learning.
Case data and detailed information relating to this assignment will be presented during week 4 of the semester.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
The case report is to be submitted through TurnItIn via Blackboard. Instructions for submitting your assignment through TurnItIn can be found at https://web.library.uq.edu.au/library-services/it/learnuq-blackboard-help/learnuq-assessment/turnitin-assignments/submit-your-turnitin-assignment.
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extensions can be requested for this assessment item. Please apply for an extension request via my.UQ > my.UQ Dashboard > my. Requests and provide evidence of circumstance, as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed, but no later than the assessment item submission date. Further information regarding what constitutes an acceptable reason for an extension is listed on the my.UQ website: Applying for an extension - my.UQ - University of Queensland
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
This exam will be delivered in Inspera Assessment and will be completed on your personal laptop on campus.
The examination will be presented in a case-based and short-answer question format. This examination will require the integration of knowledge to respond to questions relating to a number of clinical cases. This exam will integrate knowledge gained from UQ Extend and tutorial content covered across the whole semester. Further information, including details of the format of the exam, and permitted materials will be provided on the SPCH2112 blackboard site in the second half of semester.
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
You may be able to defer this exam.
Deferred exams can be requested for this assessment item. Please apply for a deferred exam if there are exceptional or unavoidable circumstances, or as a one-off discretionary request. Deferred exam requests should be submitted as soon as possible, and no later than five calendar days after the date of the original exam. Further details, including how to apply, can be found at - Deferring an exam. Please also email the Course Coordinator to advise of the deferred exam request.
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 34 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 0 - 34%. |
| 2 (Fail) | 35 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 35 - 44%. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 54 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 45-54%. |
| 4 (Pass) | 55 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 55 - 64%.ﾠ |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 65 - 74%. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 75 - 84%. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 85 - 100%. |
Final marks falling between whole percentages will be rounded to the nearest whole percentage. Tie-breaking will be conducted using the round half up method whereby half-way values are always rounded up, meaning, for example, that 89.5% and above will be rounded to 90% and 89.49% and below will be rounded down to 89%.
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Use of Generative AI in Assessments
Assessment tasks in this course evaluate students' abilities, skills, and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Resubmission/Resit of Assessment Items
A resit or resubmission of assessment items is not available for this course.
Deferred exams
Students may be eligible for a deferred exam if there are exceptional or unavoidable circumstances, or as a one-off discretionary request. Deferred exam requests should be submitted as soon as possible, and no later than five calendar days after the date of the original exam. Further details, including how to apply, can be found at - https://my.uq.edu.au/node/189/0#0. Please also email the Course Coordinator to advise of the deferred exam request.
Submitting assessment in Blackboard and Turnitin
When the assessment is submitted throughﾠBlackboardﾠyou will receive a confirmation page as a digital receipt. This information will also be sent to your student e-mail account. Please ensure you keep this email.
When the assessment is submitted throughﾠTurnitinﾠyou will receive a confirmation page displaying “Submission Complete!” and can then proceed to download your digital receiptﾠfrom yourﾠAssignment inbox.ﾠIt is suggested that you save a copy of the receipt for your personal records.
Instructions on how to submit assignments through Blackboard and Turnitin are available at:ﾠhttps://web.library.uq.edu.au/library-services/it/learnuq-blackboard-help/learnuq-assessment. Please review this information so you understand how to successfully submit your assessment items.
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
A range of learning resources are available on the SPCH2112 UQ Extend site. Other lecture and tutorial materials are available on the SPCH2112 Blackboard site in the "Learning Resources" folder.ﾠ
Students are encouraged to use the SPCH2112 Ed Discussion Board linked through the Blackboard site. This forum will be checked by the Course Coordinator and students are encouraged to respond to each others' queries. All student questions regarding assessment will be addressed in class or on the relevant discussion board.ﾠ
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks |
Not Timetabled |
Online Self-Directed Learning Modules These interactive, self-paced modules will describe the communication and swallowing disorders that can present in adults in hospital settings and will cover key theoretical and practical aspects of the assessment and management of communication and swallowing disorders in the hospital setting. Students are expected to complete online learning activities prior to attendance and participation in the weekly tutorials. |
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Lecture |
Introductory Lecture This introductory lecture will provide an overview of speech pathology practice in hospital settings. It will include an orientation to tertiary healthcare in Australia, common medical conditions that results in communication and swallowing disorders and describe the frameworks and standards that guide speech pathology practice in this setting. |
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 12 |
Tutorial |
Weekly On-Campus Tutorials The tutorials will be conducted from weeks 2-12 of semester and incorporate inquiry-based learning and small group discussion to further explore the assessment and management of communication and swallowing disorders in adults in hospital settings. Tutorials have been designed for experiential learning, therefore students are expected to attend and participate in all tutorials. It is essential that students prepare for weekly tutorials by completing the online, self-directed learning modules and associated preparation activities and bringing this information to their tutorial ready to share. As students will be working small groups during tutorials, tutorial will not be recorded. |
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: