Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Early Educator Awareness Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Preschool Hispanic Populations, Karla Cecilia Vidaurri

Theses and Dissertations

Christensen et al. (2016) highlights how "there are disparities by race/ethnicity in estimated ASD prevalence, particularly for Hispanic children, as well as disparities in the age of earliest comprehensive evaluation and presence of a previous ASD diagnosis or classification, suggesting that access to treatment and services might be lacking or delayed for some children" With an increase in autism prevalence and Hispanic population, there's a crucial demand for effective servicing and referrals for early identification of Autism.

The aim of this study was to analyze how prepared early educators are in identifying children that fall under the category of autism …

Comparison Of Knowledge And Diagnostic Practices Relating To Autism Spectrum Disorder Between The United States And Mexico, Maria F. Valdez

Theses and Dissertations

The present study examined and compared the knowledge, screening, and diagnostic practices of health care practitioners from Mexico and the United States of America (U.S.) as they relate to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The participants included 56 healthcare professionals from U.S. and 16 healthcare professionals from Mexico. Data was collected via an online survey. Overall, participants achieved a mean knowledge accuracy of 0.58 (SD = 0.13). The mean accuracy of knowledge in Mexico was 0.52 (SD = 0.13) and the mean accuracy of knowledge in the U.S. was 0.60 (SD = 0.13). Location, years of experience, patient contact, and comfort …

Aac Device Use In School-Aged Special Education Students, Vanessa Medina

Theses and Dissertations

This investigation analyzes how often AAC users typically utilize their devices throughout their day in their school setting. A survey method was implemented where elementary school educators were asked to report on their special education students use of their device during their school day. To identify special education educators' perceptions regarding the use of AAC devices in the public-school system, special education educators in the public-school system were contacted via email to conduct a survey in regard to current practice in their school setting regarding AAC use.

A letter of consent was obtained from the University of Texas Rio Grande …

Transitioning Adults From A Tube-Feeding To An Oral Feeding In Long-Term Care Facilities, Patricia D. Mejorado

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this investigation is to gain information regarding the transition of adults from a tube feeding to an oral feeding in long-term care facilities. Twelve surveys were administered to the speech language pathologist population from the UTRGV and UTPA communication sciences and disorders alumni via email invitation. The survey consisted of questions regarding: years practiced in long-term care facilities, interdisciplinary collaboration, protocol and/or algorithms for transitioning patients from a tube feeding to an oral feeding, documentation programs, access to meal intakes, the SLP’s role in the transition to oral feedings, and areas of concerns regarding the transition from …

Speech-Language Pathologist's Perspectives On The Efficacy Of Bilingual Education Programs In South Texas Public Schools For English As A Second Language Learners, Alexandra Rosas

Theses and Dissertations

Current research in regard to the assessment and treatment of ESLs is limited. Other problems found within the school setting, is that fact that SLPs have very limited resources and large caseloads. Hence, the fact that previous studies have found that SLPS working the school setting do not feel competent in serving ESL students.

The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of bilingual programs and explore the factors that impact English as a second language learners (ESLs), in public schools across the Rio Grande Valley. School based speech-language pathologists were surveyed for information concerning their perceptions and …

The Effects Of Dance Therapy On Voice In Patients With Parkinson's Disease In A Multicultural Population, Ivon N. Ramirez

Theses and Dissertations

Current literature suggests that dance therapy in individuals with Parkinson’s disease shows noticeable improvement in motor functions, for example gait and balance improvement. Additionally, patients with Parkinson’s disease who participate in dance therapy may perceive positive benefits on their quality of life. Therefore, it is believed that increases in core support and improvements in posture, as a result of dance therapy, will have effects on the voice in patients with PD.

This thesis pulls from literature supporting treatment approaches in the field of speech-language pathology for voice patients with Parkinson’s disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the …

Increasing Awareness Of Autism Spectrum Disorders In Law Enforcement In Hispanic Communities, Annette M. Cano

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of the present study was to study autism awareness amongst law enforcement officers (LEO) and first responders (FR) serving the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). A 17-question survey was conducted to collect demographic data, knowledge, and level of training that officers and responders have when serving individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The Role Of The Speech-Language Pathologist When Working With Clients Who Are Transgender: A Guide Of Gender Identity And Cultural Competency, Brett Welch

Theses and Dissertations

It is within the scope of practice of a speech-language pathologist to work with a client who is transgender for voice. However, regardless of the setting, a speech-language pathologist is likely to encounter a person who is transgender on their caseload. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association mandates that all of its members be culturally competent when working with clients from different cultural backgrounds, including those from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community.

This thesis pulls from sociological, linguistic, and queer theory literature to provide an in-depth understanding of identity, gender, and transgender identity formation. With this nuanced understanding of …

The Formal Approaches And Multicultural Considerations Of Assessing Aphasia For The Neurogenic Population From The Perspective Of A Monolingual Clinician, Lauren C. Carter

Theses and Dissertations

Aphasia is a neurogenic disorder, most commonly caused by stroke, which affects speaking, listening, reading, and/or writing skills. Persons with aphasia are typically left with communication limitations despite unaffected cognition. Many of the standardized assessments available for aphasia examination are not realistic instruments. Formal assessments are time consuming and rarely include multicultural or multilingual materials. The clinician must allow every opportunity for the PWA to demonstrate their communicative abilities during an aphasia assessment. This requires providing stimuli materials relevant to the PWA’s culture, assessing in the PWA’s primary language, and conducting the exam quickly to prevent fatigue. The ECLS-B is …

Four Case Studies Of Hispanic Children's Responses To A Videotaped Language Sampling Procedure, Adelaida E. Saenz

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This investigation was an examination of four Hispanic children's responses to a videotaped language sampling procedure, and was designed to determine bilingual (English/Spanish) and monolingual (English) children's expressive language development. Participants consisted of four normally developing Hispanic monolingual and bilingual males from the Rio Grande Valley between the ages of 8–6 and 9–2 years. Language samples were evoked using a videotape appropriate for children entitled Frankenweenie © . Following viewing of the videotape, children participated in a controlled conversation to explain what they had seen and to complete a twenty-one-item survey to measure their attitude toward the videotape. Total word …

Wordless Picture Books Versus Standard Stories For Language Assessment Of Spanish-Speaking Children, Yvonne De Anda

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Narrative samples from Spanish-speaking children will be analyzed using a wordless picture book and standard storybook. Ages of participants will be between 6.0 and 7.11 years and demonstrate: normal hearing and vision, no familiarity with books used in study, and receptive and expressive language skills 1.5 to 2 standard deviations below the mean as predetermined by a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. The first story will be orally presented. Afterwards, children will respond to questions and retell the story. A silent presentation of the second story will follow, along with retelling of story and questions. Utterance length, sentence complexity, and vocabulary will …

A Case Study Of A School-Age Stutterer's Response To Delayed Auditory Feedback, Marcia Lynn Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Stuttering is a multidimensional disorder that is influenced by hereditary factors, as well as environmental. Numerous methods of treatment exist that address stuttering. However, the Smooth Talking Program (Radford 2001) is unique in its inclusion of mediated learning and delayed auditory feedback. The purpose of this study was to conduct a retrospective analysis of treatment data for a child with moderate to severe dysfluency that was gathered over three summer, five-week sessions with the inclusion of speech motor repatterning exercises during the last summer. The purpose of the analysis is to determine the effects of mediated learning combined with DAF …

Case Studies Of Selective Mutism In Hispanic Children, Colleen Anne Gittins

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Selective mutism is a consistent refusal to use spoken language in specific social situations. This can occur in a particular environment or with specific individuals. A collaboration of four case studies was used to study the possible etiologies, characteristics, and intervention strategies associated with selective mutism. Four children from public school campuses in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas were subjects in this investigation as well as teachers and parents.

A questionnaire was used to gather data along with informal interviews. Results concluded that prevalence rates for selective mutism are relatively high in the area surveyed. Furthermore, many professional …