Journal of Clinical Speech and Language Studies - Volume 12_13, issue 1

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/ACS-2003-12-13101

Citation: Journal of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, vol. 12_13, no. 1, pp. i-i, 2003

Authors: Walsh, Irene

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/ACS-2003-12-13102

Citation: Journal of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, vol. 12_13, no. 1, pp. ii-ii, 2003

Authors: Cederman, Kaye

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Until recently the Western model in child language therapy reflected the dominant medical and psycho-scientific regulation of human pathology. Since the turn of the twenty-first century however, poststructural ontology and epistemology increasingly echo the less valorised side of the mind/body divide that is, the body and emotions, affect and ‘feelings’. Where quantitative formalised assessment and intervention in language tended to smother awareness of ‘the body’ (including intentions, passions and emotions), there is now recognition that emotions are the basis of learning . The paper explores ‘Floortime’ (Greenspan & Weider, 1998) as language therapy with a girl classified as autistic, and …argues that a critical health science perspective might generate language as an interactive imbroglio of emotions and sensations. Show more

Keywords: child language, therapy, ‘Floortime’, emotions

DOI: 10.3233/ACS-2003-12-13103

Citation: Journal of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, vol. 12_13, no. 1, pp. 1-8, 2003

Authors: Walshe, Margaret

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The relationship between communication disorders and negative self-concept has been discussed in relation to aphasia, spasmodic dysphonia as well as disorders of fluency. It is unknown whether people with acquired neurological dysarthria also experience changes to self-concept and identity following the onset of this communication disorder. This paper reports the results of a study investigating the impact of acquired dysarthria on the speaker’s self-concept. A semantic differential scale was used to examine changes to self-concept in 31 people with acquired dysarthria. This scale was re-administered after a six-month period to examine whether changes had occurred in self-concept over time. The …results indicate that dysarthria generally has a negative impact on the speaker’s self-concept and that this impact does not change over time. The implications of these findings for clinical practice are discussed. Show more

Keywords: acquired dysarthria, self-concept, head injury self-concept scale

DOI: 10.3233/ACS-2003-12-13104

Citation: Journal of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, vol. 12_13, no. 1, pp. 9-33, 2003

Authors: Geraghty, Anne

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In response to the high demand for speech and language therapy services and the shortage of speech and language therapists in Ireland, the Department of Health and Children has signalled an intention to introduce a grade of speech and language therapy assistant into the Irish health services. This paper reports on the results of a study which examined the issues for speech and language therapists in relation to the possible introduction of such a grade. It describes the views of speech and language therapists concerning the value of an assistant grade; the tasks that speech and language therapists believe could …be appropriately carried out by an assistant; whether they feel ready for the introduction of such a grade, and their opinions in relation to the training and supervision of assistants. Show more

Keywords: speech and language therapy assistants, training, supervision, role of assistants

DOI: 10.3233/ACS-2003-12-13105

Citation: Journal of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, vol. 12_13, no. 1, pp. 34-56, 2003

Authors: Corry, Trina

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The aim of the Galway speech and language therapy (SLT) department is to provide an efficient, effective, quality service for all client groups. In pursuance of this goal, a care pathway was designed for young children with dysfluency using Evidence-Based Practice (EBP). The Government Health Strategy (2001) aims to provide consumer-orientated services that achieve optimum benefits for the clients, the main principles being equity, people-centeredness, quality and accountability. It was decided to use an EBP model to review the intervention being used with young dysfluent children. The need for review was highlighted when members of staff received training to use …the Lidcombe approach (see Onslow, Menzies & Packman, 2001) as a direct intervention model with young dysfluent preschool children. This challenged the established departmental approach of indirect treatment of young dysfluent children through parent group training. This paper discusses the key elements involved in using EBP in a speech and language therapy clinic. These include: (1) Examining current knowledge and research; (2) Auditing current practice; (3) Implementing quality improvements standards and (4) Optimising expert experience available within the SLT department. The paper will also describe how the care pathway has been changed and is now delivered in practice and how it is proving to be effective, efficient and qualitative. Show more

Keywords: dysfluency, stammer, evidenced-based practice (EBP), care pathway, speech and language therapist (SLT), Lidcombe

DOI: 10.3233/ACS-2003-12-13106

Citation: Journal of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, vol. 12_13, no. 1, pp. 57-71, 2003

Authors: Stewart, Trudy

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper will elaborate the nature of metaphor and explore areas of significance. It will then describe the use of metaphor in an educative setting and consider ways in which it may be used to inform clinical supervisors and students.

Keywords: stammering, metaphor, student training

DOI: 10.3233/ACS-2003-12-13107

Citation: Journal of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, vol. 12_13, no. 1, pp. 72-86, 2003

Authors: Lowit, Anja | Miller, Nick | Poedjianto, Ninik

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Previous research has highlighted task-related differences in speech behaviour in normal speakers. Studies investigating speakers with dysarthria in this respect have observed performance patterns that deviate from the norm. A recurrent finding has been that these subjects were unable to alter their speech performance to the same degree as the control group. Various explanations have been put forward to account for this behaviour, which the current study has attempted to investigate further. The findings suggest that performance limitations are the basis for many of the observations. However, it was also noted that some subjects could not achieve the required changes …despite otherwise normal levels of speech behaviour. The results suggest that the flexibility of the speech mechanism can be affected independently to maximum performance ability in speakers with dysarthria. The clinical implications of this finding are discussed. Show more

Keywords: dysarthria, maximum performance, flexibility, speech rate

DOI: 10.3233/ACS-2003-12-13108

Citation: Journal of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, vol. 12_13, no. 1, pp. 87-107, 2003

Authors: Kalf, Hanneke

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: As the literature about evidence-based medicine is growing fast in the medical community, the discussion about evidence-based practice in speech and language therapy seems to have come to the fore only recently. Evidence is needed to prove that speech and language therapy is worthwhile paying for (by patients, employers, and health insurance companies). However, are we sure that our treatments of hearing, voice, speech, swallowing or language disorders are really effective? This article is an attempt to demonstrate the several aspects of evidence-based practice: searching for evidence based upon a clinical question and critically appraise the evidence for validity and …applicability. Questions remain whether there is already enough evidence available and whether it is realistic that every speech and language therapist can practice ‘evidence-based speech and language therapy’. Show more

Keywords: evidence-based practice, efficacy, validity, gold standard, databases, speech and language therapy, critical appraisal

DOI: 10.3233/ACS-2003-12-13109

Citation: Journal of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, vol. 12_13, no. 1, pp. 108-117, 2003

Authors: Walsh, Irene P.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Exposing ability where more usually disability is described in people with communication disorders is by no means a new or groundbreaking idea. Speech and language therapists are ever-cognisant of the need to work through a client’s communication strengths to address weaknesses. But what does revealing competence really mean and are we, as therapists, just paying ‘lip-service’ to the notion, rather than permitting it to positively and realistically influence our practice? This paper shows how the skilled behaviour of conversational sociability can be exposed in conversational interactions with people with chronic schizophrenia – a largely neglected population in terms of …communication research – thus revealing ability where traditionally only disability has been discussed. Through discourse analysis, it will be shown that reconsidering the nature of ordinary, everyday talk can provide useful insights about the nature of so-called ‘disordered talk’. Identifying conversational strengths rather than weaknesses offers an opportunity to re construe the communication possibilities of people with schizophrenia and hence of many other communication-disordered populations. Exposing the positive skill of conversational sociability also forces us to contemplate the power of sociable talk (or small talk) in, and the influence of our own discourse style on, clinical interactions. Show more

Keywords: conversational ability/disability, chronic schizophrenia, small talk, clinical interactions

DOI: 10.3233/ACS-2003-12-13110

Citation: Journal of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, vol. 12_13, no. 1, pp. 118-146, 2003

Authors: Kallen, Jeffrey L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: With increased population movement throughout the world, and with greater awareness that the maintenance of bilingualism – or more precisely, plurilingualism – in the individual is a realistic goal regardless of any level of linguistic disability that the individual may have, there has been a growth of interest among speech and language therapists in the demands posed by plurilingual client populations. This paper focuses not on the structural aspects of plurilingualism and language disability, but on the insights arising from the paradigm of linguistic human rights. When access to language is viewed as a human right, plurilingualism becomes not just …something that might be possible, but something to which the individual is entitled within the legal and social framework of society. From the point of view of speech and language therapy, access to service provision that will facilitate the acquisition, maintenance, or recovery of plurilinguistic skill becomes a question not simply of practical application, but one of civil rights. Speech and language therapists thus have the opportunity to become front line workers in the provision of those human rights which have been guaranteed under appropriate legislation at global, international, national, and local levels. In order to appreciate the role of speech and language therapy within the linguistic human rights paradigm, this paper surveys the relevant legislation arising from the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and the ‘Belfast Agreement’ on Northern Ireland. Show more

Keywords: bilingualism, plurilingualism, linguistic human rights

DOI: 10.3233/ACS-2003-12-13111

Citation: Journal of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, vol. 12_13, no. 1, pp. 147-172, 2003