Communication Disorders Exam 5

What are the core cognitive dimensions of Executive Function?

• Working memory

• Inhibitory control

• Cognitive flexibility​

What is metacognition?

The ability to consider one’s own thought process, including self-awareness and self-monitoring​

What are potential consequences of an executive function deficit?

Difficulty following schedules, completing assignments, meeting deadlines, planning, navigating social situations, managing medications, and overall life participation

What happens to executive function deficits as children get older?

EF deficits in children often continue into adulthood​

What does the SLP’s role in swallowing encompass?

Evaluate, diagnose, and treat swallowing disorders as part of an interprofessional team

*What is a “family centered care approach”?*

While the slides don’t use the exact term, they describe a patient-centered approach where care is provided by an interprofessional team (SLPs, dietitians, OTs, doctors, social workers). This reflects a family-centered care model because it focuses on the individual’s needs and includes collaboration across professionals, which likely involves the patient’s family in decision-making and support.

What is the meaning of the term “dysphagia”?

Difficulty swallowing due to problems in one or more stages of the swallow​

 

In what order do the 4 stages of swallowing occur (Hint: Think of the anatomy)?

• Oral Preparatory Stage

• Oral Stage

• Pharyngeal Stage

• Esophageal Stage

What are common symptoms of dysphagia?

Coughing, holding food, refusing to eat, food falling from lips, aspiration pneumonia, weight loss, drooling

Know what happens in each of the 4 stages of swallowing.

• Oral Prep: Chewing, forming bolus

• Oral: Moving bolus to back of mouth

• Pharyngeal: Airway protection, bolus through pharynx

• Esophageal: Bolus moves into stomach via peristalsis​

What is the meaning of the term “aspiration”?

When food or liquid enters the airway below the vocal folds

What is a sensorineural hearing loss?

Damage to inner ear, auditory nerve, or brain’s processing centers; most common type​

What is a conductive hearing loss?

Sounds can’t pass through outer/middle ear; soft sounds are hard to hear, louder ones may be muffled

*What do the symbols (i.e., the x, o, [, ]) on an audiogram mean?*

• "X" = left ear (air conduction, unmasked)

• "O" = right ear (air conduction, unmasked)

• "[" = right ear (bone conduction, unmasked)

• "]" = left ear (bone conduction, unmasked)

What are the 5 aspects of a normal voice?

• Loudness

• Hygiene

• Pleasantness

• Flexibility

• Representation

Know the definitions of each of the voice and resonance disorders, and how they impact the voice (i.e., breathy, hoarse, etc.). Try to relate the description of the voice with the anatomy & physiology of phonation to determine how the voice would sound different from “normal”.

• Disorders:

  • Breathy Voice:

    • Anatomy/Physiology: Vocal folds do not close completely during phonation, allowing excess air to escape.

    • Voice Impact: Sounds soft, airy, and weak.

  • Harsh Voice:

    • Anatomy/Physiology: Excessive muscle tension or damage to the vocal fold tissue interferes with the smooth vibration (mucosal wave).

    • Voice Impact: Rough, strained, or raspy sound.

  • Hoarse Voice:

    • Anatomy/Physiology: Combo of incomplete closure (breathiness) and irregular vibrations (harshness).

    • Voice Impact: Raspy, unclear, and inconsistent quality.

  • Diplophonia:

    • Anatomy/Physiology: One vocal fold may have added mass (like a polyp), causing it to vibrate at a different rate.

    • Voice Impact: Two simultaneous pitches; voice sounds “double.”

  • Phonation Breaks:

    • Anatomy/Physiology: Temporary loss of vocal fold vibration, often due to fatigue or tension.

    • Voice Impact: Sudden dropouts in the voice mid-sentence.

  • Pitch Breaks:

    • Anatomy/Physiology: Sudden, uncontrolled changes in vocal fold tension.

    • Voice Impact: Voice suddenly jumps higher or lower in pitch.

• Resonance Disorders:

  • Hypernasality:

    • Anatomy/Physiology: Soft palate (velum) does not close off the nasal cavity properly during speech.

    • Voice Impact: Too much air comes through the nose, especially on sounds like /b/ and /d/ – sounds “nasally.”

  • Hyponasality:

    • Anatomy/Physiology: Blocked nasal passages (due to congestion or structural issues like enlarged adenoids).

    • Voice Impact: Sounds like a stuffy nose; nasal sounds like /m/, /n/, and /ng/ may sound more like /b/ and /d/.

  • Mixed Resonance:

    • Anatomy/Physiology: Both hypernasal and hyponasal features may occur due to inconsistent velopharyngeal function.

    • Voice Impact: Unpredictable shifts in nasal quality; voice may sound inconsistent or disorganized.