Speech Pathology: Short Answer Questions and Strategies for Communication Needs

Running head: SPEECH PATHOLOGY
Speech pathology
Name of the student:
Name of the University:
Author’s note

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Unit 1: Short answer questions
1. Firstly, the type of speech or language impairment that the client is experiencing is to be
known. Further, the communication needs of the client are to be well understood since
the work as an assistant would be guided by the extent to which the client such
impairment. The strategies that can be implemented for meeting the communication
needs of the client are then to be identified. This entails the assistant to get information
on how to implement that identified strategies, including time frame, resources needed
and involved stakeholders. Lastly, the expected outcomes of the program are also to be
identified.
2. As a support practitioner the scope of practice is primarily related to engaging in
professional practice in the areas of swallowing and communication across the life span.
Service delivery areas encompass different aspects of swallowing and communication
such as speech production, language, fluency, resonance, voice, cognition, hearing and
swallowing. Assistants play crucial role in screening, diagnosis, treatment and health
literacy to enable better client outcomes. The exact scope of practice might be varying as
per the jurisdiction in which one practices. The employment body guides the professional
on the scope of practice. One must confer with the speech pathologist if there are any
program requirements or ambiguities outside the particular scope of practice of the
professional.
3. Communication programs are time-consuming and treatment might be continuing over a
considerable time frame. This might be several months or even years at time depending
on the client condition. Continuity of a program is essential if best outcomes are to be
achieved. This entails that the program’s implementation is in a logical and steady

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manner. It is vital that the speech pathologist and assistant, and the client are engaged in
the program and show commitment over the whole time frame. This is the reason why
one must be determining the availability of the client to take part in the program. If the
program is designed as per the availability of the client the chances of its success is more.
4. An interpreter is required when either the client or the health personnel is facing
challenges in communicating messages to the personnel or the client. Further, an
interpreter might be needed when initial evaluations of the client are carried out since the
information is vital for therapy prescription. In addition, an interpreter is helpful when
client is supposed to engage in decision making regarding care to be delivered. Lastly,
situations when client is supposed to provide legal consent might also need the
involvement of an interpreter.
5. A wide range of equipment would be needed for delivering a speech pathology program.
Some examples are a personalized communication book that has different range of object
symbols; an alphabet board for making out spellings; an assisted and augmented (AAC)
communication device; other speech pathology equipment like to that assist with
positioning of tongue at the time of speech. Different equipment might be necessary for
using the communication systems such as power source, mounting system and software.
All of the mentioned equipment is essential for making the program targeted at the
specific needs of the client.
6. Consent is the specific term used for describing the permission given by the client to
receive a certain procedure or treatment. Before starting with the program it is essential to
inform the client about the need of the consent and obtain the same. In cases where the
client is not able to provide the consent, a third party is to provide the consent. When the

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patient is a minor or has a disability affecting the capacity to understand the applicability
of informed decisions and cognitive abilities, a third party, such as a legal guardian or a
parent is to provide the consent.
7. It is essential to confirm the therapeutic outcomes of a speech pathology program. It is
practical and rational that the therapeutic outcomes of a speech pathology program would
depend on a number of factors such as the communication disorder suffered by the client,
the communication needs, preferences, goals, the extent to which the organization is able
to meet the explained goals, preferences and needs, and the strategies for measuring the
outcomes. For ensuring that one is aware of the reason why a program is being
implemented, it is crucial that the therapeutic outcomes of the program are known.
8. It is important that the speech assistant is familiar with the speech therapy methods and
activities commonly used in the organization. Further, it is also important to be familiar
with the speech pathologists one is working for. For this purpose one needs to engage in a
clear communication with the supervising speech pathologist. Further, communication is
also to be done with the clients and their care giver or guardians about the activities and
methods and the theories that underpin them. Further, one can conduct an independent
research on the subject with the help of useful resources such as books and reports.
9. For determining the best suited motivator for a client, one needs to carry out an
assessment of the readiness or motivation demonstrated by the client in relation to getting
engaged in a speech pathology program and achieving substantial changes in the
language, speech and communication capabilities. Further, it is also necessary that one
has a robust understanding of the models of change such as trans-theoretical model. Such