Voice | Course Outline

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There are 3 specific topics in this voice course: laryngectomy, velopharyngeal disorders and therapeutic techniques in voice rehabilitation.
The first two topics are guided self-study packages (mainly), the last topic is mainly considered as a workshop.

1) Laryngectomy

After working with this course the student has knowledge about:

Laryngeal cancer: what is it? Classifications?
Laryngectomy: what is it? What are the consequences? What are the functions that are lost? What functions have changed?
The different rehabilitation methods? Which ones? What is the mechanism? What are the advantages and disadvantages?
The task of the S.L.P.: what? How?
Basic outlines for therapy for each of the rehabilitation methods.

The course on Laryngectomy is an online self-study course. You will be guided through a lot of websites of which the content is correct, so that you can get a clear image on what Laryngectomy is. You decide for yourself which information you study, when, where and how you do it.

The online course material is presented in two parts:

Information at patient level: this is a general introduction in order to get a general view on the topic.
Specialised information: as the word says, this is more in dept information for professionals.

Online exercises, tests and feedback are foreseen.
After studying this information there will be a group-session in which students can ask questions, see a video and practice some treatment procedures on laryngectomy.

2) Velopharyngeal disorders

After this course the student has knowledge about:

velopharyngeal disorders: classification and definitions
cleft palate: development, prevalence, types, symptoms and treatment
Assessment and treatment of velopharyngeal disorders and the related compensatory articulation mechanisms.

The course on Velopharyngeal Disorders is a course in which you will have to do some self-study tasks first. Online course material will be available: links to articles, qualitative patient information, exercises,…
After studying this information, there will be two sessions in groups in which you can ask questions and practise the assessment and treatment of velopharyngeal disorders.
These sessions will be given by speech therapists with a lot of experience in this field.

3) Therapeutic techniques in voice rehabilitaion

In this part we will focus on some well known therapeutic techniques in voice rehabilitation: the accent method of S. Smith, the chewing method of E. Froeschels, the nasalising method of J. Pahn, the respirationrhytm adadapted phonation of H. Coblenzer and the therapy approach of D. Boone. For each technique we will discuss the background, the methodology, the different steps to take, the usefulness, the evidence, the suitability, the possible errors …

Practical exercises will be done.

Competences

Generic competences

The students:

have demonstrated knowledge and understanding in the field of laryngectomy, velopharyngeal disorders and presentation techniques;
can communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences;
have developed those learning skills that are necessary for them to continue to undertake further study with a high degree of autonomy;
have the ability to work in an international context

Specific Competences

Area of competence	Roles	Competences
		The student is able to:
Prevention	Therapist	offer information in a conscious, efficient, well-founded and systematic manner (in a multiprofessional context).
Assessment and treatment	Therapist	draw up a therapy plan, to carry out the therapy plan and to assess it in accordance with logopaedic methodology.
Training and Advice	Trainer and advisor	1. draw up an intervention plan with respect to all communicative aspects in order to improve clients communicative skills.
		2. advise a client with respect to all aspects of communication.

Preparatory activities

Basic Knowledge on anatomy and physiology of voice is required.

Educational tools

The topics on Laryngectomy and velopharyngeal disorders are online self-study courses (Blackboard). Students will be guided through a lot of websites of which the content is correct, so that you can get a clear image on what Laryngectomy and velopharyngeal disorders are. Students decide for themselves which information they study, when, where and how they do it. Online exercises, tests and feedback are foreseen.

After studying this information there will be group-sessions in which students can ask questions, see a video and practice some treatment procedures.
The topic on presentation techniques is presented as an optional workshop.
Recommended literature is communicated in the digital courses.

Learning activities