Watch "Secret Life of the Brain" (10 points)

PBS televised a 5 part series discussing brain function across the lifespan. Recordings are available through Belk library and through Dr. Clark.To earn full credit, students must watch the entire series and submit an artifact reflecting the knowledge gained from the series. Interested students should see Dr. Clark.

Diversity document review (variable points)

Review up to 3 documents (journal articles, books, or chapters) which describe variations in communication or feeding behaviors related to differences in age, gender, or culture. Summarize and critique the documents you reviewed. If more than one document is reviewed, integrate the information as well as point out inconsistencies across documents while attempting to reconcile any perceived differences.

General guidelines:

• in your summary, state explicitly the differences communication or feeding the document describes
• in your critique, discuss the validity and/or generalizability of the findings, based on the sample study or the analysis method used.
• if you review more than one document, I will look for evidence of analysis and synthesis of the information. Specific features I will look for include:
  • discussion of how the documents related similar or different information
  • attempts to explain similarities or differences in findings
  • discussion of how the information presented in either/both documents relates back to course content, and how you can apply this new knowledge
• A single page for each document reviewed is probably adequate, with an additional one to two pages for additional discussion as indicated above

This project should be completed independently

Review of one document (5 points)
two documents (10 points)
three documents (15 points)
Review of two documents with evidence of analysis and synthesis (15 points)
Review of three documents with evidence of analysis and synthesis (20 points)

Research brain-behavior relationships (10 points)

Research brain-behavior relationships. Review at least 3 research studies examining the relationship between brain location and behavior (e.g., lesion studies, electrical stimulations studies, PET studies). Write a five page report summarizing the information you obtained and the conclusions you drew from your research.

Disorder video tape (20 points)

Develop a video tape demonstrating aphasia syndromes.  The demonstrations are made by you, the student, not by actual patients.  The following disorder classifications should be included in the video:

• one of the following
  • spastic dysarthria
  • flaccid dysarthria
  • UUMN dysarthria
• hypokinetic dysarthria
• ataxic dysarthria
• apraxia of speech
• Broca's aphasia
• Wernicke's aphasia
• right hemisphere syndrome
• dementia

Read a book (10 points)

Read a book written by an individual who experienced an acquired language disorder or by a family member of such an individual. The following are suggested readings--numerous other titles are appropriate as well.

• STROKE
  • Berquist, McLean, & Kobylinksi. Stroke Survivors
  • Collins, E. Unprepared
  • Josephs, A. The Invaluable Guide to Life after Stroke
  • Kasell, P. The Best of the Stroke Connection
  • John Lavin. Stroke: From Crisis to Victory
  • Barbara Newborn. Return to Ithaca
  • Ellen Paullin. Ted's Stroke: The Caregiver's Story
  • May Sarton. After the Stroke: A Journal
  • Paul West. A Stroke of Genius: Illness and Self-discovery
  • David Knox. Portrait of Aphasia
  • Joy Post. I'd a Story One
  • Helen Wulf. Aphasia, My Word Alone
  • James Young. Up from the Ashes: There is Life after a Stroke
  • Fred Johnson. Right Hemisphere Stroke: A Victim Reflects on Rehabilitative Medicine
  • Kirk Douglas My Stroke of Luck
• TBI, TUMORS
• Oliver Sacks. The Man who Mistook his Wife for a Hat
• John Gunther: Death be not Proud
• Claudia Osborne. Over my Head
• DEMENTIA
  • Diana McGowin. Living in the Labyrinth: A Personal Journey Through the Maze of Alzheimer's
  • Alida E. Young. What's Wrong with Daddy?
  • Robert Davis. My Journey in Alzheimer's Disease
  • Lela Knox Shanks. Your Name is Hughes Hannibal Shanks. A Caregiver's Guide to Alzheimer's
  • Nicholas Sparks. The Notebook
  • Art Danforth. Living with Alzheimer's: Ruth's Story
• PARKINSONS, OTHERS
  • Michael J. Fox Lucky Man
  • Jean Dominique Bauby. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Your review should include the following components

• A summary of book, including the general "story," the type of communication disorder the character(s) acquired, and the "point" of the book.
• Discuss how the cognitive and/or communicative behaviors described in the book were consistent or inconsistent with what you've learned in class. Attempt to explain inconsistencies.
• Reflect on your own response to the personal account.
• Discuss how you can incorporate any new insights into your interactions with individuals with acquired language disorders or their families.
• Three to five pages double-spaced is recommended to adequately respond to each of the above items.
• This project should be completed independently.

Interview (10 points)

Interview an individual and/or family who have  participated in therapy for an adult language disorder.  Focus on their impressions of what the goals of therapy were and whether they were appropriate, and if they felt the goals were met. Ask about modifications they have made to their lifestyle to accommodate a new disability or a person with a disability. Write a summary of the interview and include any insights you gained through the process.

Develop an inservice (10 points)

Develop a video inservice for health care personnel.  The content should relate to identifying or managing neurogenic communication or swallowing disorders and may target any number of audiences, including:

• staff nurses
• dietary staff
• medical students or residents
• home health aides
• others

Include a handout and self-quiz for participants.