You will be provided with case information pertaining to an individual (child or adult) with complex communication needs. For this assessment task you will need to:

1. Review the background information provided.
2. Identify two assessment procedures you would complete and justify why these are needed/appropriate with reference to the three pillars of evidence-based practice and the participation model.
3. Outline two referrals to other professional's that are required and justify this decision including a description of the person's role on the team.
4. Identify one opportunity barrier and one access barrier (based on the participation model) and outline a strategy or recommendation to reduce or overcome this barrier with reference to the literature.

The word limit for this assessment task is 1500 words including in-text referencing but not the reference list or appendixes. Therefore the assessor will not read or mark past 1500 words.

APA 7th edition formatting and referencing style must be used accurately and in accordance with the CQUniversity’s Academic Misconduct Procedure. The CQU APA 7th edition referencing style must be adhered to for this assessment task.

Students are required to paraphrase information from sources rather than include direct quotations. Paraphrasing ensures the content is well integrated into the context of the text and provides students better opportunity to explain the significance of the information to their assessment task. If direct quotes are used, that information will not be considered in the grading of the work.

Criteria one will assess your ability to develop a holistic and client-centered assessment plan for an individual with complex communication needs including referrals to other professionals.  You will also be assessed on your ability to justify your assessment plan with reference to the three pillars of evidence-based practice and the participation model. Criteria one is worth 90%. 

Criteria two will assess your writing style including use of appropriate word choice and grammar. You will also be assessed on your use of APA 7th edition style conventions, formatting and referencing. Criteria two is worth 10%. 

For this assessment task you will be provided with background information and assessment results pertaining to a child or adult with complex communication needs. If you were allocated a child case for assessment one, you will receive an adult case for assessment two and three (and vice versa). For this assessment task you will be required to review the background information and assessment results for the case. You will then be required to create and record a presentation outlining your assessment analysis and plan for an augmentative and alternative communication system trial. Your presentation will need to include:

1. An analysis of the assessment information which demonstrates your ability to integrate and interpret assessment information with reference to the participation model. 
2. A description of two pertinent gaps in information and how to source this information in a realistic manner while applying the principles of ethical practice. 
3. A description and justification of the most appropriate AAC system to trial taking into consideration assessment data, individual information, the principles of Multi-Modal Communication, evidence-based practice, and the participation model. 
4. A description of the steps you would take to trial the AAC system for the client taking into consideration appropriate outcome measures and data that would need to be collected to inform an AAC prescription. Steps taken need to take into consideration evidence-based practice in MMC and AAC. 

Your recorded presentation needs to be professional and engaging. Therefore, you are encouraged to utilise recording software that will allow use of visuals such as PowerPoint in addition to a video of you as the presenter. For this reason, Zoom is recommended as it is a free tool. Your recorded presentation must be no longer than 15 minutes. While the length of your presentation is not included in the marking rubric, the marker will not watch or mark any content that exceeds 15 minutes.

Criteria one will assess your ability to analyse and interpret assessment information, recommend an augmentative and alternative communication system and trial that system in a way that aligns with evidence-based practice. You will also be assessed on your clinical reasoning i.e., your ability to justify your assessment interpretation, system recommendation and the way in which your conduct your trial. Criteria one will be worth 90% of your grade for this assessment task. 

Criteria two will assess your ability to communicate logically and effectively throughout the presentation including the use of appropriate terminology. This criterion will also assess your ability to create a presentation that is professional in appearance including the use of effective multi-media tools, correct spelling and grammar in the visual presentation as well as correct use of APA 7th edition referencing. This criterion will be worth 10% of your grade for this assessment task. 

For this assessment task, you will be required to complete a viva (an oral assessment in the form of an interview) based on the same individual as assessment task 2. The steps of the viva process have been outlined below:

• Step one: 48 hours before your scheduled viva you will be provided with additional information about the individual which will impact upon management planning. In preparation for your viva, you are expected to research your case, and prepare to answer questions in relation to the areas outlined in the following steps. You are permitted to bring an A4 (one-sided) page of notes with you to your viva (size 11, Calibri font, 1.5 spacing).
• Step two: At the time of your viva you will report to the allocated room at the time outlined on Moodle. You will wait on a chair outside of the room and wait until you are asked to enter by the examiner.
• Step three: Your examiner will ask questions in relation to the ‘planning of evidence-based speech pathology practices’. As part of this section you will be expected to explain your management of the case including goal setting and intervention strategies. You will also be expected to discuss how you utilised transferability of existing knowledge to develop your intervention plan. You will be given 15 minutes to respond to questions in these section. 
• Step four: Your examiner will set out two scenarios that may relate to community-centered practice, advocacy, or training. You must outline how you would respond to each scenario as part of holistic care for the individual. You will be given 15 minutes to consider and respond to both scenarios. 

Criteria one will assess your ability to create a comprehensive and holistic management plan for an individual with complex communication needs and justify this management plan with reference to the client and evidence based practice. You will also be assessed on your ability to explain how transfer of knowledge (or transferability) was used to create your management plan. Criteria one is worth 50%. 

Criteria two will assess your ability to critically problem solve when supporting an individual with complex communication needs. Your problem solving will need to take into consideration (and not breach) the Speech Pathology Australia Code of Ethics, Disability Discrimination Act 1992, Human Rights Act 2019, evidence-based practice as well as the needs of the individual and their family. Criteria two is worth 40%.

Criteria three will assess your professionalism and communication throughout the viva. This will include your use of appropriate, respectful and professionally acceptable language when referring to individuals with disabilities and their families. Criteria three is worth 10%.