Cranial Nerve Exam for Assessment of Bulbar Functioning for the Medical Speech-Language Pathologist: A Clinical Specialty Course

 A cranial nerve examination is an essential part of the speech-language pathologist’s evaluation. When performed intentionally, it is useful in supporting a diagnosis of motor speech and swallowing disorders, which is critical for development of a targeted, individualized treatment plan. This comprehensive course provides an overview of the neuroanatomy and physiology of the cranial nerves critical for supporting speech and swallowing functions. This course will provide detailed instructions for testing and interpreting findings of the cranial nerve examination. The course also describes common abnormalities observed for patients with impairment of cranial nerve function. Templates for data collection and clinical report writing will also be provided.

Undecided? Consider First, Checking Out Dr. Garand's Podcast Episode on the Topic!




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Learning Objectives:

  • 1. Describe the name, type, upper motor neuron innervation, and primary functions of the cranial nerves involved in bulbar functioning.
  • 2. Explain how to assess the cranial nerves involved in bulbar functioning. 
  • 3. Interpret clinical observations from the cranial nerve examination for comparison against normative data. 

To earn a certificate, and ASHA CEUs if desired, eligible learners must do the following:

1. View the entire course recording.
2. Complete a short learner assessment with a score of 80% or higher (you may retake as needed).
3. Complete required items in a learner survey.
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Partial credit is not offered for this course.

Schedule

Intro & disclosures

0:00 - 4:52

Overview of the nervous system

 4:52 - 39:37

Anatomy and physiology of the cranial nerves involved in bulbar functions, as well as associated lesion impairments

39:37 – 1:21:15

Examination of cranial nerves and associated lesion impairments 

1:21:15 – 2:53:04

Pediatric suggestions and summary 

2:53:04 – 2:54:17

Documentation 

2:54:17 – 2:56:12

Summary & outro

2:56:12 – 3:01:18

Instructor:
Kendrea L. (Focht) Garand, PhD, CScD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S

Kendrea Garand is an Associate Professor within the Department of Communication Science and Disorders (CSD). She also serves as Director of CSD Student Awards. She completed her clinical doctorate (CScD) in medical speech-language pathology at the University of Pittsburgh and earned her PhD in health and rehabilitation sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Dr. Garand's post-doctoral fellowship was completed within a joint appointment at the Veterans Affairs (VA) and MUSC’s Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Her interests include how healthy aging, motor neuron disease (e.g., ALS), and sleep-related breathing disorders (e.g., OSA) impacts swallowing function and respiratory-swallow coordination. She has been a practicing speech-language pathologist for approximately 15 years and supervises graduate student clinicians in the CSD master’s program in speech-language pathology within the UPMC Swallowing Disorders Center. Dr. Garand holds Board Certification in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (BCS-S). Part of her current professional service responsibilities include Editor-in-Chief of ASHA Perspectives of the Special Interest Groups journals and is the Chairperson of the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders. Her work has been supported through NIH, VA and ASHFoundation, in additional to internal funding awarded through her previous faculty employment as an Assistant Professor at the University of South Alabama.

Disclosures:
⦁ Financial — Yes:
-Gap Education: Speaker fees for webinar recording & royalties for recorded course purchases
-University of Pittsburgh: Salary for employment
⦁ Non-financial — No relevant disclosures

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