Speech and Language Therapy Diagnosis & Management of Functional Speech & Swallowing Disorders

This course is tailored to meet the needs of Speech and Language Therapists wanting to hone skills in:
- Differential diagnostics of functional speech disorders
- Differential diagnosis of functional swallowing disorders
- Approaches to assessment and treatment of functional speech and swallowing disorders in both acute and chronic patients

Background
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is the 2nd commonest reason to see a Neurologist after headache and around 8000 new diagnoses of FND are made each year in the UK (Bennet et al 2021). Consequently, the referral rate for Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) to assess and treat FND in acute, inpatient rehabilitation and community settings has increased exponentially in recent years. Yet SLTs report not feeling adequately equipped to differentially diagnose or treat these patients (Barnett et al 2021).
The SLT team at The National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery have designed this study day to provide expert guidance on how to differentially diagnose and approach treatment for functional speech and swallowing disorders. There will be an opportunity to discuss barriers to treatment and how to approach these.
The agenda will be supported fully by practical case examples and patient case-studies. There will be opportunities for open dialogue with speakers and time to network with colleagues working with similar client groups.