Aphasia and Cognitive Communication disorders PG (11982.1)

Please note these are the 2023 details for this unit
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Aphasia and Cognitive Communication disorders PG
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods Intensive
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Health
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Discipline Of Speech Pathology Post Graduate Level Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit will focus on assessment, differential diagnosis, and clinical management of adults with acquired language and cognitive-communication disorders associated with stroke, traumatic brain injury and progressive neurological conditions such as dementia in different cultural contexts. Students will understand the nature of acquired language disorders using current theoretical perspectives and develop holistic, client centred and evidence-based approaches to assessment and management. The impact of acquired language disorders on quality of life and participation in community contexts will be explored.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Understand the changes in neuroanatomy and brain function after acquired brain injury;
2. Apply theoretical frameworks to identify the nature of the communication impairment in individuals with acquired brain injuries;
3. Select and evaluate formal and informal speech pathology assessments using a holistic and client centred approach for adults with complex communication issues after acquired brain injury, considering cultural and linguistic diversity;
4. Apply evidence-based practice and ICF principles to the treatment of adults with acquired language or cognitive communication disorders to optimise functional communication and quality of life within a collaborative, client-centred model of treatment;
5. Understand the nature of the interdisciplinary team involved in the management of individuals with acquired brain injury; and
6. Modify assessments and interventions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways


Prerequisites

10266 Foundations of Communication Science PG.

Corequisites

10272 Clinical Speech Pathology 2 PG.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 Intensive Dr Helen Southwood
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 Intensive Dr Helen Southwood
Not available

Required texts

Required Textbooks:

Whitworth, A., Webster, J., & Howard, D. (2014). A cognitive neuropsychological approach to assessment and intervention in aphasia (2nd Ed). Hove, East Sussex: Psychology Press.  https://web.s.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=1a0378cf-9afe-4b72-a997-e227ba369073%40redis&bdata=#AN=685326&db=nlebk 

Kimbarow, M. L. (2021). Cognitive Communication Disorders (3rd Edition). San Diego: Plural Publishing. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/canberra/detail.action?docID=5839404

Recommended Textbooks

Helm-Estabrooks, N., Albert, M. L. & Nicholas, M. (2014.) Manual of Aphasia and Aphasia Therapy (3rd Ed.) Austin Texas: Pro-ed.

Lehman Blake, M. (2018). The right hemisphere and disorders of cognition and communication: Theory and clinicalpractice. San Diego, USA: Plural Publishing.   https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/canberra/detail.action?docID=5589470 

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Artificial Intelligence

Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in assessments for this unit, except for Studiosity Writing Feedback Plus.

GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at UC. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment when:

  1. the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment

  2. the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow

  3. the student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line with the assessment instructions.

Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment. Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.

The GenAI for Students Library Guide provides further information, including how to reference GenAI.

Moderation: Assessments are moderated according to the University Assessment Policy before being returned to student.

Supplementary assessment

Students are not entitled to a supplementary assessment for any assessment for this unit.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

Students are required to attend either face-to-face or online synchronously 80% of the workshops.

Required IT skills

This unit involves online meetings in real time using the Virtual Room in your UCLearn teaching site. The Virtual Room allows you to communicate in real time with your lecturer and other students. To participate verbally, rather than just typing, you will need a microphone. For best audio quality we recommend a microphone and speaker headset. For more information and to test your computer, go to the Virtual Room in your UCLearn site and 'Join Course Room'. This will trigger a tutorial to help familiarise you with the functionality of the virtual room.

In-unit costs

N/A

Work placement, internships or practicums

None