Speak Out June 2017

Could this be motor neurone disease? SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS, WHO ARE AT THE FRONTLINE OF IDENTIFYING EARLY DYSPHAGIA AND DYSARTHRIA, NOW HAVE ACCESS TO A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL DEVELOPED FOR GPS AND OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONALS BY MND AUSTRALIA.

MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE (MND ), a progressive and ultimately fatal neurodegenerative disease, is often clinically difficult to diagnose with insidious onset and different combinations of upper and lower motor neurone findings including changes in speech and swallowing. Speech pathologists, who are at the frontline of identifying early dysphagia and dysarthria, now have access to a diagnostic tool developed for GPs and other health professionals by MND Australia. Painless, progressive weakness – Could this be motor neurone disease? , highlights MND “red flags” and aims to prompt early recognition of potential MND symptoms during health examinations and treatments. There is no single investigation specific to MND (also referred to as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS) and no sensitive disease- specific biomarker, so diagnosis is based on symptoms, clinical findings and the results of electrodiagnostic, neuroimaging and laboratory studies (Anderson et al., 2012). In reaching a confirmation of MND, the diagnostic period is often lengthy. On average, the time from first symptoms to diagnosis is 14 months while, for people diagnosed with MND, the time from diagnosis to death is just 2.5 years. Rapid and accurate diagnosis is crucial in ensuring the needs of people living with MND are met from the earliest possible stage. Painless, progressive weakness – Could this be motor neurone disease? aims to assist health professionals in their referral to a neurologist thereby speeding up the time to an accurate diagnosis. There are a proposed handful of key clinical features on examination which, in the presence of a history of progressive weakness, should prompt suspicion for a diagnosis of MND. These include widespread fasciculations that may be visible as brief twitching under the skin or in the tongue and wasting of the tongue margins. Lower motor neurone weakness affecting bulbar muscles may present as slurred, nasal or hoarse speech, dysphagia or drooling while upper motor neurone involvement may present as slow and spastic dysarthria (Huynh & Kiernan, 2016). Painless, progressive weakness – Could this be motor neurone disease? outlines MND signs and symptoms including bulbar and limb features, respiratory and cognitive features as well as supporting factors that point towards a diagnosis of MND. Allied health professionals can download the red flags diagnostic tool from the MNDcare website www.mndcare.net.au. All MND enquiries can be made via the toll-free number: 1800 777 175 References Andersen P.M., Abrahams, S., Borasio, G.D., de Carvalho, M., Chio, A., Van Damme, P., Weber, N. (2012). EFNS guidelines on the clinical managment fo amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (MALS): Revised report on an EFNS task Force. European Journal of Neurology , 19(3), 360-375. doi:10.1111/j.1468-1331.2011,03501,z let al. Eur J Neurol 2012;19:360-375.

Multisensory Instruction in Language Arts 1 Teacher Training Course Gain the skills to teach writing, spelling and reading to primary school students.

July and September Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Brisbane and Perth Additional courses organised by demand

Contact Robyn Grace 03 9889 4768 robyn.grace@spaldingaustralia.com.au

Huynh, W., & Kiernan, M., Motor neuron disease. Australian Doctor, 29 April 2016: 17-24.

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June 2017 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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