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Problem Solving Of Typically Developing Children On An Adaptation Of The Twenty Questions Task, Janice Carter Smith

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

This cross sectional study examined problem solving by typically developing children on the Rapid Assessment of Problem Solving test (RAPS). The RAPS, a modification of Mosher and Hornsby’s 20Q task, requires the examinee to solve three problems. Each problem involves asking yes/no questions to identify a target picture from a 32-picture array with as few questions as possible. Participants were 73 young (ages 7-9), 79 early adolescent (ages 10-13) and 77 adolescent (ages 14-17) children residing in Kentucky. Children were seen in the summer months and administered the RAPS on a single occasion, with 22 of the children being testing …

A Clinical Case Study Exploring The Impact Of Bilingual Support In Speech-Language Intervention For A Child With Autism, Zaynab Taei

Theses and Dissertations--Communication Sciences and Disorders

Managing language choice in speech-language intervention is increasingly an issue for speech-pathologists treating bilingual children. Frequently L2 approaches only are implemented, resulting in negative effects on L1 acquisition, familial ties, and cultural transmission. This study examined the impact of a bilingual intervention on a school-aged child and her family. Providing intervention and therapy activities in the L1 resulted in increased parental engagement, increased L1 use by the child, and increased awareness of strategies for treating bilingual children among SLPs at the study site.

Parent/Caregiver Knowledge And Satisfaction Of Information And Referrals Related To Speech-Language Pathology Services For Children With Down Syndrome, Erin K. Salmons

Theses and Dissertations--Communication Sciences and Disorders

Down syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21, is the most commonly occurring chromosomal abnormality present at birth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are approximately 6,000 diagnoses of Down syndrome per year in the United States, further indicating that 1/700 infants are born with Down syndrome. A diagnosis of Down syndrome can be made either prenatally or postnatally. Early intervention services will be warranted to address underlying deficits associated with the syndrome, (i.e., speech-language/feeding/swallowing). Communicative disorders are among the most prominent concomitant deficits associated with Down syndrome. Therefore, it is critical that parents/caregivers of children with …

Dialect And Word Learning: Are Phonological Properties Maintained When Dialectal Influence Changes Word Meaning?, Heather C. Iwinski

Theses and Dissertations--Communication Sciences and Disorders

Word learning requires the accurate encoding and decoding of a word’s phonological and semantic properties. Errors in establishing an accurate phonemic-semantic connection can hinder accurate word comprehension and use. Geographical location, culture, and ethnicity can affect the phonology used by a speaker referred to as dialect. African American Vernacular English (AAVE) is one of the most commonly used dialects in the United States. In addition to grammatical changes AAVE is characterized by phonemic changes. The current study sought to determine the effects of AAVE use on the receptive and expressive learning of nonsense words that differ in meaning as noted …

Perception And Use Of Communication Care Plans By Certified Nursing Assistants In Nursing Homes: The Role Of Professional Support, Christen G. Page

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

The majority of individuals in nursing homes have cognitive-communication impairments which impact quality of care because direct care providers, certified nursing assistants, (CNAs) are unsure how to respond to resident’s communication behaviors. One intervention that facilitates staff-resident communication in nursing homes is communication plans; however, the research to date about communication plans has not specifically involved CNAs.

The purpose of this study, using a grounded theory qualitative approach, was to describe development, implementation and evaluation of communication care plans (CCPs) for residents with cognitive-communication impairments in nursing homes by CNAs who did and did not receive professional support. Communication care …

Effects Of An Online Training In The Ziggurat Model On The Autism Knowledge Of School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists (Slps), Wendy L. Wilkerson

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a low-incidence disorder with high impacts on individuals, families, and society. School-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have tremendous responsibilities toward individuals with ASD, but pre-service SLPs are not adequately trained to fulfill these expectations. In order to reduce the widespread financial and social impact of ASD, school-based SLPs need to complete effective training to prepare them for the selection of established social-communication practices. One framework for the selection of individualized intervention is the Ziggurat Model (Aspy & Grossman, 2008). The following study used mixed methods to investigate the research question: “Does the ASD knowledge base of …