Management Of Communication Disorders Research Articles

Communication service provision and access for people with Parkinson’s disease in Australia: A national survey of speech-language pathologists

Purpose: To determine the clinical practices of Australian speech-language pathologists in the management of communication disorders in people with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD) and their perspectives on service provision.Method: A cross-sectional, mix-methods online survey was conducted. Nonprobability, purposive sampling was utilised to recruit speech-language pathologists who currently work with PwPD. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were employed.Result: Ninety-nine clinicians responded. Most offered services for both motor speech and cognitive-communication disorders, but a greater focus on the motor speech disorder was evident. A range of impairment and functional assessments and interventions were reported. Therapy was most commonly delivered one session a week over 4 or 6 weeks. Service, client and evidence barriers in the management of both communication disorders were identified. Most clinicians felt PwPD accessed communication services at stages later than optimal, they recognised a need to improve their services in varying degrees (92.3%), and believed not enough services exist for PwPD in Australia (78%). Cognitive-communication management was the highest requested area for further research evidence.Conclusion: This study captured the current practices of Australian speech-language pathologists in the management of communication disorders in PwPD. Findings may inform future service planning, research on service effectiveness and new management targets.

Social Media: It’s Different for Professionals

Social Media: It’s Different for Professionals

Late-onset Development of Tachylalia Following a Closed Traumatic Craniocerebral Injury Associated with Bitemporal Gliosis

Tachylalia is defined as extremely rapid output of speech. A case of delayed development of tachylalia 4 years following sustaining a closed craniocerebral injury is reported. We suggest that the management of communication disorders should always be considered as a part of treatment and rehabilitation of traumatic head injury. In a detailed PubMed and Medline search for late-onset tachylalia, development following traumatic craniocerebral injury did not yield even a single report in the literature. The multidisciplinary approach in management of such rare event is highly crucial.

Management of communication disorders: a clinical perspective

This paper examines the role of Clinical Psychologist in the management of Communication Disorders (CDs). Clinical Psychologist applies the science of psychology to clinical problems and is actively engaged in teaching, research, and clinical assessment and management of several disorders, for example behavioural, emotional and mental disorders. An increasing body of evidence demonstrates that psychological factors are key components in the cause of CDs; therefore, needless to say, Clinical Psychologist is actively involved in the assessment and management of CDs. CDs refer to the inability to receive, send, process, and compare verbal or nonverbal behaviour. And it may be evident in the processes of hearing, language, and/or speech and may range in severity from mild to profound. Clinical populations such as individuals with Aphasia, Autism, Cleft lip and palate, Expressive and receptive language disorders, Hearing impairment, Intellectual disability, Specific learning disorders, stuttering etc., show one or the other kind of problems in speech and language. In this paper, I would discuss the psychological aspects and management of various CDs and conclude by suggesting the importance of psychological intervention in conjunction with other approaches/therapies such as speech and language therapy.

UK survey of clinical consistency in tracheostomy management

Many speech and language therapists (SLTs) work with patients who have a tracheostomy. There is limited information about their working practices and the extent to which recent publications and research have influenced the speech and language therapy management of the tracheostomized patient. This study reviews the current patterns of clinical practice for SLTs in the management of adult tracheostomized patients in the UK. An online questionnaire was completed by 106 SLTs with prior experience in tracheostomy management. The information from this was explored to determine patterns of practice across various areas of speech and language therapy tracheostomy management including clinical roles and responsibilities, management of communication disorders, and assessment and management of dysphagia and decannulation. These clinical patterns were then examined with respect to the current literature, emerging patterns in evidence-based practice and national practice guidelines. The results indicate a moderate to high level of clinical consistency in the majority of areas evaluated across the scope of tracheostomy management in speech and language therapy. Consistency in practice areas such as increased utilization of instrumental assessments and conservative use of the Modified Evans Blue Dye Test indicate clinical application in line with current research. Limited clinical consensus or inconsistencies in evidence-based services were identified in aspects of practice that are supported by conflicting or emerging research evidence. Such areas include involvement in cuff deflation regimes, adoption of specific decannulation procedures and participation in multidisciplinary team management. SLTs in the UK provide a moderate to high level of consistent practice in tracheostomy management. This study identifies areas of tracheostomy management that require further research in order to establish clinical practice guidelines and to address discrepancies between research evidence and clinical implementation.

Management of Communication Disorders Using Family Member Input, Group Treatment, and Telerehabilitation

Today, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) practice stroke rehabilitation in environments where they have less time to manage the communication impairments of patients who are more medically fragile than ever before. Many SLPs have creatively adapted their practice to maximize functional outcomes for their patients. This article highlights three techniques designed to enhance functional SLP outcomes: maximizing family member input; providing group treatment; and providing treatment in remote, functional settings via telepractice technology.

The nature and management of communication disorders in a rural area: The role of the community speech and hearing therapy workers

Six hospitals where Community Speech and Hearing Therapy Workers (CWs) are working in Gazankula were visited. Firstly, data were collected from records, reports and case files over an 18 month period to determine the nature and prevalence of the communication disorders seen by the CWs. Secondly, the CWs were interviewed about their work situation, organisation of their time and intervention strategies used with communicatively disordered people in order to evaluate the efficacy of their work. Methodological issues requiring consideration when undertaking this type of research are discussed. The results are discussed in terms of the implications for course modifications as well as policy decisions within the profession of Speech and Hearing Therapy.

An Intervention Framework for Learning Disabled Students with Communication Disorders

This paper presents an intervention framework for the management of communication disorders in learning disabled children. The model is comprised of three major components: communicative intentions, presupposition, and the social organization of discourse. A description of each component is provided along with a review of relevant research. Finally, a set of general instructional guidelines and principles is presented.

The evaluation and management of communicative disorders in preschool children in British Columbia

The evaluation and management of communicative disorders in preschool children in British Columbia