Explanations and Updates

Thank you Suzanne, who reminded me that I'm not the only reading this and I can't just throw around dorky speech terms without explanation!

What is Aphasia?
(This is good practice because I have my first test on Thursday)
Aphasia is an acquired language disorder that affects selective language modalities and functions (i.e. language comprehension and/or speech production).  The cause is a focal brain lesion in the language dominant hemisphere (typically the left) and can have lasting affects on the person's communicative & social functioning and the quality of life of his or her relatives and caregivers.

What is Dysphagia?
(This is good review because because I had my first exam last Thursday - still waiting for the results)
Generally speaking, dysphagia is a swallowing disorder.  
Here is the definition we were told to memorize, "An impairment in any of the behavioral, sensory, or preliminary motor acts in the preparation for the swallow, including cognitive awareness of the upcoming eating situation.  This can involve visual recognition of food, and all the physiological responses to smell and the presence of food."

What is Fluency?
Fluency is the current term for 'stuttering'.  We use 'fluency' instead of 'stuttering' because it's positive and focuses the clinician and the client on the goal-which is not to decrease stuttering, but to increase fluency.

Since I'm writing I thought I would give a brief update on my clinical experiences, too:

The client I see Monday mornings does not have aphasia.   This client is mid-90's and seems only to have age related, short-term memory loss.  We're working on recalling details of a short story.  It's a very nice way to start the week!

The audiology hours have been very interesting so far.  Last week we saw a woman who had an unexplained, overnight severe hearing loss in the left ear.  I learned quite a bit during that visit.

My fluency client is my favorite!  A young adult with an intellectual challenge who has a wonderful personality.  I've had four sessions and I'm still carrying out the assessment, trying to piece together what's going on.  Because of the challenges this client has, traditional fluency techniques are not appropriate.  It's been fun and fascinating discovering the strengths and skills this client has.

Note: 
"Intellectually Challenged" is the new term in the U.S. for "Mentally Retarded". However, I have one Prof who says he can never remember the new term so don't be offended-nice.

I've picked up another assignment which is to co-run an Aphasia group on Friday mornings. This group has been fantastic so far, it's a conversation group and the student clinician role is to facilitate conversation amongst the participants.  We help them with their word finding issues, support them when they struggle with difficult words, and offer choices when they're stuck.  We've had two sessions so far and I think my hardest challenge will be to let my fellow student lead once in awhile.  LOL! I can't help it!  I have this aweful habit of taking over sessions when I'm paired with another student.  Next week will be her first session of running the group and my role will be to provide visual support through writing key words on a wipe board.  Wish me luck!

Spring Semester

This semester is shaping up to be very busy in the clinic and pretty intense with the courses.  I'm taking Aphasia, Dysphagia, and Voice this semester and in all three courses we're currently 'reviewing' all of the anatomy and neurology involved in the areas.  The profs keep saying, "I'm going fast because this is a review for you".  I wonder if they realize I took anatomy 15 years ago!  Strangely, it's all bubbling to the surface - you must have done a good job Dr. Rick Welland!

Although they've loaded me with clients, I'm quite excited about the clinical opportunities I have this semester.  Last semester, I worked with all children and requested only adults this semester.  I got what I asked for, I hope I don't regret it!  Monday mornings I'll be working with a woman who has Aphasia for an hour and then SLP students and OT (Occupational Therapy) students will come together to carry out a group activity - that should be interesting.

In the the afternoons, I'll be gathering data for an Audiology study by carrying out hearing evaluations - meh.  Tuesdays and Thursdays I have a 25 year old Fluency client and I'm surprisingly psyched and not too terrified about this.   And, on Fridays I'll be co-running an Aphasia group.  Oh, and, I'll be going to the voice and swallowing clinic for one afternoon sometime in April. I can't wait to get into the sessions and do some hands on learning!! (such a nerd)

Last semester, I kinda felt like clinic got in the way of classes, now I'm feeling like classes are getting in the way of clinic.  It's only been two weeks of classes and clinic hasn't even started...it's probably the neuro and anatomy that are turning me off classes...I better get back to studying for my Aphasia quiz...blah to neurotransmission and the cerebrovascular system!