Chapter 10 Telepractice in adult speech-language pathology during COVID-19

This collection is the first of its kind to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the caseloads and clinical practice of speech-language pathologists. The volume synthesises existing data on the wide-ranging effects of COVID-19 on the communication, swallowing, and language skills of individuals with COVID infection. Featuring perspectives of scholars and practitioners from around the globe, the book examines the ways in which clinicians have had to modify their working practices to prioritise patient and clinician safety, including the significant increase in the use of telepractice during the pandemic. The volume also reflects on changes in training and education which have seen educators in the field redesign their clinical practicum in order to best prepare students for professional practice in an age of COVID-19 and beyond, as the field continues to grapple with the long-term effects of the pandemic. Offering a holistic treatment of the impact of COVID-19 on the work of speech-language pathologists, this book will be of interest to students, researchers, and clinicians working in the discipline

Delivery of Intensive Voice Therapy for Vocal Fold Nodules Via Telepractice: A Pilot Feasibility and Efficacy Study

Objectives. This pilot study examined voice outcomes and patient perceptions after intensive voice therapy for vocal fold nodules via telepractice

Intensive versus traditional voice therapy for vocal nodules: perceptual, physiological, acoustic and aerodynamic changes.

Objectives. To investigate the perceptual, physiological, acoustic, and aerodynamic outcomes of patients with vocal nodules following intensive voice treatment compared with traditional voice treatment

Use of parent report to screen for feeding difficulties in young children

AimsThis study aimed to collect data on Australian children with regard to feeding difficulties using a standardised questionnaire, compare these data to international data collected using the same tool, assess the short-term reliability of this tool and determine the sensitivity and specificity of this tool in detecting feeding difficulties

Language outcomes subsequent to treatment of brainstem tumour in childhood

While the occurrence and management of brainstem tumours in children would not traditionally indicate potential direct structural impact on classical language centres, recent theories have implicated some involvement of the brainstem in a functional language and cognitive neural loop between the cerebellum and the cerebral hemispheres. Thus, the present paper explored the impact of treatment for brainstem tumour on the general and high-level language abilities of six children treated for brainstem tumour, in addition to phonological awareness skills. Group analysis revealed that children treated for brainstem tumour demonstrated intact language and phonological awareness abilities in comparison to an age- and gender-matched control group. Individual analysis revealed only one of six children treated for brainstem tumour revealed evidence of language disturbances, with an additional child demonstrating an isolated mildly reduced score on one phonological awareness task. Language deficits identified in a child treated with a combination of both radiotherapy and chemotherapy were noted in the high-level language area of lexical generation. Findings highlighted that no overt language disturbances were evident in children treated for brainstem tumour. However, further analysis into higher-level language skills in the present study indicated that both general and high-level language abilities require long-term monitoring in this population

Social work as a career choice (a study of selected variables in the choice of social work as a career)

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston Universit

Charting the recovery of dysphagia in two complex cases of post-thermal burn injury: physiological characteristics and functional outcomes

Purpose: This study examined the physiological deficits, recovery pattern, and outcomes observed clinically and instrumentally in two participants with dysphagia post-thermal burn. Methods: Participants were followed prospectively using clinical and instrumental tools of assessment until dysphagia recovery. Clinical swallowing examinations were carried out every 1-2 days, or as clinically indicated. Instrumental assessment using fiberoptic endoscopic examination of swallowing was carried out at fortnightly intervals. Results: Despite variability in the achievement of oral intake milestones, both cases demonstrated protracted recovery from dysphagia contributed to by medical instability and lengthy periods of ventilation and intubation. Instrumental assessment confirmed silent aspiration in both participants, likely owing to decreased laryngopharyngeal sensation. By discharge, participants had returned to their pre-morbid diets. Conclusions: This study highlights the protracted and complex recovery pattern associated with dysphagia following thermal burn injury. The presence of silent aspiration emphasizes the need for instrumental assessment to objectively assess aspiration risk and to facilitate dysphagia recovery within this population

Sustainable Delivery of Speech-Language Therapy Services in Small Island Developing States Using Information and Communication Technology – A Study of the Maldives

Small Island Developing States (SIDS), a subgroup of Majority world countries, face complex challenges providing equitable access to speech-language therapy (SLT) services. Increasing use of information and communication technology (ICT) to enhance SLT services is seen in the Minority world. This study explored the potential of using ICT to provide sustainable SLT services in one SIDS, the Maldives. A mixed method approach was used integrating data from (a) 21 online documents, (b) interview with an ICT official, and (c) surveys of 13 island councillors and 73 parents of children with communication difficulties. Almost 100% of the population had access to mobile phones and mobile broadband internet. Most parents were active and frequent ICT users. The government provided financial aid for people with disabilities which could be utilised to access ICT for services. Asynchronous service delivery using accessible ICT and parents as agents of service delivery can potentially enhance SLT services