Neurologically Based Comunicative Disorders (REK_231)
About Study Course
Objective
Within the course, students acquire theoretical knowledge and practical experience regarding acquired neurological communication and language disorders in adults. During the study process, students develop an in-depth understanding of communication, speech, and language disorders, as well as other disorders associated with brain damage, including aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, cognitive impairments, and others. Using an evidence-based approach, students develop the ability to assess, analyse, and interpret acquired communication, language, and speech disorders in adults. They also acquire the ability to analyse and integrate assessment results in order to plan appropriate intervention or therapy (targeting language, communication, and cognitive skills), while respecting the individual’s functional level and needs.Within the framework of the course, students develop scientific research skills through the preparation of a course paper and further enhance their ability to formulate and practically demonstrate intervention options and methods in collaboration with the client both in face-to-face settings and remotely (in a telemedicine environment), working individually or in groups.
Prerequisites
Neurology. Anatomy and histology. Normal physiology and neurophysiology.
Learning outcomes
1.Students will be able to:
*list the etiology, risk factors, clinical signs, and types of acquired neurological communication disorders;
*describe the types of aphasia classification, the characteristics of different forms of aphasia, and their clinical manifestations;
*list the types of agnosia and apraxia and explain their impact on a person’s functioning and communication;
*describe communication and language disorders associated with cognitive impairments;
*identify the principles and methods for assessing communication, speech, and language disorders based on scientific literature and an evidence-based approach;
*describe intervention and therapy options for acquired neurological communication disorders;
*interpret communication strategies used in working with adults with acquired communication disorders;
*determine possibilities for organizing intervention both in face-to-face settings and remotely (telemedicine), working individually and in groups.
1.Students will be able to:
*demonstrate an evidence-based approach in the assessment and diagnosis of acquired communication, language, speech, as well as agnosia and apraxia disorders;
*analyse and integrate assessment results and other relevant clinical information in order to determine appropriate intervention and therapy goals;
*apply appropriate evidence-based restorative and compensatory communication and language therapy methods, using critical thinking and creatively developing the necessary therapeutic materials;
*integrate practical skills into their professional practice through the analysis and management of clinical cases;
*demonstrate research skills in both professional and academic environments by conducting a study within the framework of a course paper.
1.On successful acquisition of the course the students:
*Using the theoretical knowledge acquired during the course on acquired neurological communication disorders and the developed practical skills, students will be able to assess signs of communication and language disorders, as well as agnosia and apraxia, identify and diagnose the respective disorders, and plan appropriate evidence-based therapy.
*Based on the analysis of the obtained information and taking into account the patient’s individual level of functioning and needs, students will be able to set professional goals and implement them by applying various therapeutic approaches and methods.
*Students will be able to integrate the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired during the course into their professional practice as audiologopedists during clinical practice. By using various communication strategies and digital competencies in the organization of healthcare services, students will be able to effectively address problem situations encountered in professional practice.
Study course planning
| Study programme | Study semester | Program level | Study course category | Lecturers | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audiologopaedics | 6 | Bachelor | Required | Ilze Blūmentāle, Svetlana Stepane, Līga Savicka, Zane Liepiņa, Tince Strazdiņa |
