Perspectives : Global and Local Issues in Speech and Language Therapy & Audiology by Prof.Lilly Cheng and Prof. Sumalai Maroonrage

Prof. Lilly Cheng is attached to the School of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences and Director of the Chinese Studies Institute at San Diego State University, USA. She is a former Chair of the Multicultural Issues Board for the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) and Chair of the Education Committee for the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP). Prof. Cheng is on the editorial board of numerous major professional journals and has many publications to her name

Prof. Sumalai Maroonrage is attached to the College of Education at the Texas A&M International University, USA.  She specializes in electro-physiology assessment, vestibular testing and rehabilitation. Her current research interests include hearing loss and diabetes, resonance and tympanic membrane, Deaf culture and ethical practice in Audiology

The Department of Disability Studies organised an afternoon of lectures in Speech and Language Therapy and Audiology by Prof. Lilly Cheng and Prof. Sumalai Maroonrage titled "Perspectives: Global and local issues in Speech and Language Therapy & Audiology" on 12 August 2015. The lectures covered the following topics:

• Bilingual multicultural issues related to speech language pathology
• Global perspectives on speech language pathology
• The effects of diabetes on the audio and vestibular systems
• Vestibular assessment: technology and outcomes

The audience had an opportunity for Q & A at the end of the lectures.

The lectures were organised as part of the 'Communication + Project' of the Department of Disability Studies.

"COMMUNICATION +" PROJECT 2015

June

By  Prof  Barbara Shadden

The United States-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission together with the Department of Disability Studies, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya organized a lecture by Prof. Barbara Shadden (Emeritus Professor of Communication Disorders at the University of Arkansas, USA and Senior Fulbright Fellow) on 'The Many Faces of Dementia: Understanding the Signs and Differences' at the Fulbright Commission in Colombo.

While many know that advanced age places individuals at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease, the exact nature of Alzheimer's disease and its progression are less well understood. In addition, there are numerous other forms of dementia, each with unique characteristics. This lecture provided an overview of the different forms of dementia, including a checklist of warning signs. Memory and communication problems associated with dementia were compared to the behaviors of normally aging adults and of those with Mild Cognitive Impairment. The audience had an opportunity for Q & A at the end of the lecture.

Opening of the Centre for Disability Studies

The Centre for Disability Studies was officially opened this month. It is a partnership with colleagues from the Department of Linguistics and researchers and disability-rights activists from Disabled Persons Organizations. The main aim of the Centre is to develop local, culturally-sensitive and linguistically-relevant research to inform policy and practice. The Guest of Honor at the opening ceremony was Prof. Barbara Shadden (Emeritus Professor of Communication Disorders at the University of Arkansas, USA and Senior Fulbright Fellow). Prof. Nilanthi de Silva (Dean) is the Director of the Centre.

INTROSPECTION

This event offered a platform for students from Batch 1,2 and 3 to share their reflections of undertaking their student research projects and the experience of presenting their research at international conferences. The event was held on the 28th of July at the Department of Disability Studies Lecture Hall with the participation of final year and first year B.Sc SHS students. The event highlighted the importance of evidence based practice within Speech and Language Therapy and the contribution made by each individual research project towards effective clinical practice. The event included "introspection" on the following research areas.

1.  "A comparison of errors in languages spoken by Sinhala-English bilingual persons with aphasia post-stroke"(Authors:-Isuru Dharmarathna, Dinushee Atapattu-Bakmeewewa)- Presented by Isuru Dharmarathna at the annual American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) convention 2014 in Florida.
2. "Self-among reporting voice symptoms and knowledge on vocal hygiene among Sri Lankan occupational voice users" (Authors:- Oshin De Saram,Thilanka Wijesighe, Prof.M.A. Toner,Nalini Dhanayake, Lalani Choolarathne,Dilini Madhubhashini and Kalu Arachchige Samadhi) Presented by Oshin De Saram at the annual American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) convention 2014 in Florida, USA.
3. "The Development of Language-Specific Speech Norms for Sri Lankan Tamil" (Authors: Shyamani Hettiarachchi, Shakeela Saleem, Ajeema Wahid) Presented by Shakeela Saleem at the annual American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) convention 2013 in Chicago, USA.
4.  "Validating an Assessment for Sinhala Phonological Development in Children Age 3 to 5 Years" (Authors: ShyamaniHettiarachchi, MahishiRanaweera, DinushaNonis ,Shakeela Saleem , Thilini Lokubalasuriya) Presented by Shakeela Saleem the annual American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) convention 2014 in Florida, USA.
5. "Ready to Include? Perceived Training Needs Among Mainstream Teachers in Sri Lanka" (Authors:- Shyamani Hettiarachchi, Ajay Das , Thilini Lokubalasuriya, Dinusha Nonis, Shakeela Saleem) Presented by Thilini Lokubalasuriya at the annual American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) convention 2014 in Florida, USA.
6. "Assessing Articulation Skills in Sinhala-Speaking Children With Cleft Lip &/or Palate" (Authors:-ThiliniLokubalasuriya , SakunthalaUdangamuwa, MayuriBandara) Presented by Thilini Lokubalasuriya at the annual American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) convention 2014 in Florida, USA.
7. "Communication Interventions that Influence the Employment of Persons with Disabilities (pwD)" (Authors:-.Samanmali Sumanena, Nadini Perera.) Presented by Nadini Perera at the Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity 2015 in Hawaii USA. There was an informative interactive Q & A session at the end of the individual presentations

"COMMUNICATION +" PROJECT 2015

APRIL

With the aim of creating closer links with our local community and pushing forward an agenda of 'participation for all', our Batch 7 students organized an inclusive 'Singithi Bak Maha Ulela', which was attended by children accessing our community clinics and pre-school children from the Ragama area. The event was held on the 28th of April from 8.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. at the Dambuwa grounds. It included many Sinhala and Tamil-Hindu rituals and games to be enjoyed by all.