Week 2- Numeracy for Speech Pathology

Numeracy Skills in Speech Pathology

Aims

  • Apply basic numeracy skills to speech pathology.
  • Interpret numerical data in speech pathology.

Inherent Requirements (Numeracy)

  • Accurate processing and reasoning with numbers for patient care decisions.
  • Essential for safe and effective practice.
    • Examples:
      • Calculate assessment results (e.g., count syllables stuttered).
      • Interpret percentages and data for patients.

Measurement in Speech Pathology

  • Assess communication and swallowing needs.
  • Measure individual communication abilities.
  • Use data about normal abilities.
  • Use data about populations and communities.

Assessment & Diagnosis

  • Synthesize assessment findings to formulate a diagnosis.
  • Use evidence to inform understanding.
  • Integrate input from various sources (individuals, families, etc.).
  • Use measurements to describe the severity of concern.

Intervention & Service Response

  • Design interventions informed by evidence-based practice.
  • Measure intervention outcomes.
  • Adjust plans based on assessments and needs.

Implementation & Evaluation

  • Collect, record, and analyze data to evaluate:
    • Fidelity of intervention
    • Appropriateness of goals
    • Progress towards goals
    • Timing and engagement with other services
  • Refine goals and modify implementation to meet needs.

Examples of Measurements

  • Age (relevant to norms).
  • Number of stuttered syllables (baseline for improvement).
  • Syllables spoken per minute.
  • Instances of stuttering per minute.
  • Intelligibility of speech (rated).
  • Quality of voice (rated).
  • Duration of voicing (pre and post treatment).
  • Pitch of voices (e.g., Bass: 90−12090-120 Hz, Countertenor: 200−550200-550 Hz).

Swallowing Disorders

  • International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI).

Evidence-Based Practice

  • Evaluate statistics to determine best therapy.

Outcome Measures

  • Track correct/appropriate responses.
  • Assess therapy effectiveness.
  • Measure progress against expectations.

Finance and Business Planning

  • Demonstrate outcomes for funding.
  • Prove cost-effectiveness of speech pathology.
    • e.g., Improving dysphagia can reduce malnutrition.
  • Justify the need for additional therapists.