Academic Catalogs

SLPA A200: Adult and Geriatric Disorders

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 02/27/2019
Top Code 122000 - Speech/Language Pathology and Audiology
Units 2 Total Units 
Hours 36 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 36)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S)

Course Description

Therapeutic techniques and assessment directed at adult and geriatric conditions. Special emphasis on acquired conditions and specialized application/adaptation of screening, protocols, and therapy. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. List types of adult acquired conditions that affect speech, language and hearing.
  2. Describe the characteristics of fluent and nonfluent aphasias, right hemisphere disorders, and traumatic brain injuries.
  3. List examples of therapy techniques and appropriate strategies for individuals with aphasia, right hemisphere disorders, and traumatic brain injuries.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Describe the effects of aging on the sensory systems including: hearing and sight.
  • 2. Describe the effects of aging on speech production and swallowing function.
  • 3. Describe special considerations in working with the aging population.
  • 4. List types of adult acquired conditions that effect speech, hearing, and swallowing.
  • 5. Explain how each type acquired condition effects speech and/or hearing
  • 6. Describe the characteristic sequelae of Right Hemisphere Dysfunction.
  • 7. List examples of therapeutic techniques and appropriate strategies for Right Hemisphere Dysfunction.
  • 8. Describe the characteristic sequelae of Left Hemisphere Dysfunction.
  • 9. List examples of therapeutic techniques and appropriate strategies for Left Hemisphere Dysfunction.
  • 10. Describe the characteristic sequelae of Traumatic Brain Injury.
  • 11. Explain the Rancho Los Amigos Scales of cognitive functioning.
  • 12. List examples of therapeutic techniques and appropriate strategies for Traumatic Brain Injury.
  • 13. Describe the effects of degenerative conditions on speech, hearing and swallowing.
  • 14. List the types and application of specialized testing utilized on adults.
  • 15. List the types of therapeutic appliances used for acquired or degenerative hearing and speech disorders.
  • 16. Explain the application, setting, and maintenance of therapeutic appliances
  • 17. Describe therapeutic techniques utilized with adult hearing, speech, and swallowing disorders.
  • 18. Describe the different types of aphasias and motor speech disorders.

Lecture Content

Lifespan Issues Neurological changes Hearing changes Motor speech changes Speech pattern alterations Swallowing dysfunction Screening techniques (OPMS, bed-side evaluation) Dysphagia diets Therapeutic techniques Pragmatic changes of aging Acquired conditions Stroke Hemisphere Dysfunction (left and right) Neurophysiology Characteristic sequelae (hemiparesis, pragmatic deficits, impulsivity) Therapeutic techniques and appropriate interaction strategies Aphasia Types Motor Speech Disorders Trauma Traumatic brain injury Characteristic sequelae ( memory, attention, agitation, language/pragmatics) Rancho Los Amigos Scales of cognitive functioning Therapeutic techniques and appropriate interaction strategies Infections Other conditions and dementias Parkinsons Disease Alzheimers Disease AIDS Bells palsy Spasms and tremors Conversion disorders Degenerative and hypokinetic dysarthrias Psychogenic Dementia Specialized testing and therapeutic techniques Hearing aids Augmentative and assisted devices Exercises

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
  • DE Online Lecture (02X)

Instructional Techniques

A combination of lecture, technique demonstration, guest lectures, and computer based information.

Reading Assignments

Reading from text and handouts. (Approximately 2 hours per week)

Writing Assignments

Written examinations, and assignments completing written therapy plans. (Approximately 1 hour per week)

Out-of-class Assignments

Complete textbook assignments, and sample therapy plans.  (Approximately 2 hours per week)

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Student written examinations, students written case reports.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Student written examinations, students written case reports.

Eligible Disciplines

Speech language pathology: Masters degree in speech pathology, speech language pathology, speech language and hearing sciences, communicative disorders, communicative disorders and sciences, communication sciences and disorders, or education with a concentration in speech pathology, OR the equivalent. Masters degree required.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Halpern, H., Goldfarb, R. Language and Motor Speech Disorders in Adults, ed. Jones Bartlett Learning, 2013 Rationale: Textbook required to augment and support lecture information.