Dysphagia and Aphasia

At the end of this course, students should be able to: 1. state the characteristics of dysphagia; 2. describe swallowing characteristics associated with dysphagia; 3. explain some feeding strategies for dysphagia; 4. itemise symptoms of aphasia; 5. list language problems associated with aphasia; and 6. discuss some procedures for managing aphasia.

Definitions and nature of dysphagia (swallowing or feeding difficulty). Causes and symptoms of dysphagia. Understanding the brain damage underpin of dysphagia. Speech-language challenges of aphasia. Assessment and classification of motor/neural disorders. Management and treatment of dysphagia patients. Therapies for rehabilitating speech-language skills. Feeding exercise for dysphagia patients. Definitions and nature of aphasia. Causes and symptoms of aphasia. Assessment of aphasia patients. Therapies for aphasia patients.