Multicultural/Multilingual Issues Infused Courses:
Sample Syllabi

Differential Diagnosis

Course Objectives | Required Texts | Recommended Reading | Class Outline | Assignments

Course Objectives

• To review the principles underlying assessment in general and nonbiased assessment in communication disorders.
• To introduce the major clinical activities of a diagnostic process.
• To review and critique the major diagnostic instruments used in the field of communication disorders.
• To examine alternatives to traditional assessment and to gain experience in developing alternative assessment procedures.

Required Texts

Philips, B.J., & Ruscello, D. (1998). Differential diagnosis in speech-language pathology. Boston, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann.

Shipley, K., & McAfee, J. (1992). Assessment in speech-language pathology. San Diego: Singular Publishing.

Tomblin, J.B., Morris, H.S, & Spriestersback, D.C. (2000). Diagnosis in speech-language pathology (2nd ed.). San Diego, CA: Singular.

Recommended Reading

Taylor, O. (1986). Treatment of communication disorders in culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Austin, TX: PRO-ED.

Class Outline

Class 1: Introduction and Overview

Class 2: Nomenclature/Diagnostic Models/Clinical Bias

• Philips & Ruscello, Chapter 1

Class 3: Multicultural Issues/Test Bias

• Philips & Ruscello, Chapter 2
• Taylor, Chapters 2 & 3
• Shipley & McAfee, Appendix A

Class 4: Psychometrics

• CELF-3 Manual
• Shipley & McAfee, Appendix B

Class 5: Case History/Hearing Screening/Oral Mechanism Examination

• Tomblin et al, Chapters 5, 7 &18
• Shipley & McAfee, Chapters 1, 2 and 10

Class 6: Diagnosing Language Disorders in Children

• Philips & Ruscello, Chapter 10
• Shipley & McAfee, Chapters 4 & 6

Class 7: Diagnosing Language Disorders in Adults

• Aphasia/Head Injury/Right Hemisphere
• Philips & Ruscello, Chapter 10
• Shipley & McAfee, Chapter 9

Class 8: Diagnosing Articulation Disorders/Motor Speech Disorders

• Philips & Ruscello, Chapters 5 & 8
• Shipley & McAfee, Chapter 5
• Group Projects Due
• Diagnosing Stuttering
• Philips & Ruscello, Chapter 6
• Shipley & McAfee, Chapter 7

Class 9: Diagnosing Voice Disorders

• Philips and Ruscello, Chapter 7
• Shipley & McAfee, Chapter 8
• Research Paper Due

Class 10: Dysphagia

• Philips & Ruscello, Chapter11
• Shipley & McAfee, Chapter 9
• Exit Conference/Report Writing and Evaluation Team
• Tomlin et al, Chapter 4
• Shipley & McAfee, Chapter 3

Assignments

Group Research Project

Each group will select a clinical area in the diagnostic process. Students will develop a guide for all the diagnostic materials that are germane to one of the following areas: Child Speech (0-6 years), Child Language (0-6 years), School-age Speech and Language (6-18 years), Adult Speech, Adult Language.

Research Paper

Each student will be expected to develop a topic and research hypothesis in a diagnostic area of choice. Students will then develop a five- to 10-page paper designed to address the research questions. Students are expected to abide by the APA manual.

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