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Supplemental High-Tech Augmentative And Alternative Communication Experiences: A Study On Graduate Student Self-Efficacy, Confidence, And Knowledge With Pre-Service Training, Emily Sikes

Master's Theses

Providing assessment and intervention with high-tech augmentative and alternative communication is within the scope of practice of American Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPS). Therefore, SLPs should be able to properly identify and implement assessment, intervention, and caregiver coaching strategies in this area of practice. Due to the lack of confidence ratings of current SLPs in providing assessment and intervention in AAC that is found in current research, this study was designed to find plausible solutions for which confidence ratings can be increased beginning at the graduate level of a Speech-Pathology Master’s program. The researchers sought to answer the following questions: “Do students …

Parents' Perception Of Speech-Language Pathologists In Secondary Transition, Madelyn Hunt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Speech-Language Pathologists provide services to youth with Down syndrome. The purpose of this study was to (a) determine if parents are aware that speech-language pathologists can provide services to prepare their children for secondary transition; (b) identify the parents’ perceptions of the services provided by speech-language pathologists; and (c) determine if in the parents’ opinion, the speech-language pathologist provided a vital role in preparing their child for transition. Using nonprobability snowball sampling, this cross-sectional mixed-method survey study included 85 parents of youth (ages 14-22) with Down syndrome across the United States. Parents rated their experiences and described their beliefs and …

Exploring Collaboration And Evidence-Based Practice In Speech-Language Pathology, Alyssa K. Kuiack

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Evidence-based practice refers to an integration between one’s clinical expertise developed through professional development and previous experience, the most current and valid scientific evidence and the unique needs of a particular clinical setting. Recently, there has been a growing expectation of speech-language pathologists to engage in the evidence-based practice process despite awareness that real-world implementation is a complex task. Implementation strategies may be helpful in moving complicated research findings into clinical practice, but there is little research examining the practical use of these strategies. The current dissertation examines how four different implementation strategies, explored through two case studies, can be …

The Impact Of Distance Education On Therapy Services For Students With Asd: An Slp Perspective, Andrea Spragg

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused an abrupt change in the day-to-day lives of individuals across the world as adults were forced to work from home and children were forced into virtual school environments. For all students, this disruption in schedule and daily routine been hard, but especially those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (Mumbardo-Adam et al., 2021). For many students with ASD, school is a place in which they receive many essential services and social interactions, such as speech therapy, that they may not receive other places. The purpose of this survey research was to understand the …

Clinical Effectiveness Of Early Intervention Via A Hybrid Teletherapy Model: Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Rylan Ponthier

Honors Theses

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of Early Intervention (EI) provided via a hybrid model of teletherapy and traditional face-to-face therapy for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) compared to children without ASD.

Methods: In total, 10 children were evaluated receiving early intervention via a hybrid model of teletherapy and traditional face-to-face therapy. The children were divided up into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 5 children with ASD and Group 2 consisted of children without ASD. All children were assessed using the Rossetti Infant-Toddler Language Scale (RITLS).

Results: After 20 early intervention sessions, …

Speech-Language Pathology Interventions And Ingredients That Support Social Communication And Language Of Preschoolers With Autism, Amanda Binns

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

One of the best predictors of long-term outcomes for autistic children is development of language and social communication skills. Therefore, it’s not surprising that speech and language therapy is one of the most frequently accessed interventions for children with suspected or diagnosed autism. From a public health and family well-being perspective, identifying effective social communication interventions and better understanding the specific components that contribute to their effectiveness is critical. However, there is a lack of clarity about the most effective interventions. This dissertation addressed this important topic through three studies.

Study 1 examined the literature on interventions provided by speech-language …

The Effects Of Bilingualism In Post-Stroke Aphasia Patients: Clinical Implications Within The United States, Kristen Bennett

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The consistent increase of cultural diversity and immigration within the United States over the last fifty years has contributed to a societal shift towards a growing bilingual population. The growth of this population has generated a need to evaluate current assessment and treatment plans for bilingual post-stroke aphasia patients within the United States to ensure that these individuals are receiving effective healthcare. This study aims to investigate the current knowledge gap surrounding appropriate methods of assessing and treating bilingual post-stroke aphasia patients within the United States and suggest potential approaches based on existing research. In order to synthesize information regarding …

Development Of The Caregiver-Child Auditory Skills Tracking (Cast) Scale: A Pilot Study On Caregiver Implementation Via International Telepractice, Elizabeth Ocampo-Roman

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Parent engagement is a key component during early language development for all children, but particularly for a child with hearing loss. Through the application of technology-based models of service delivery such as telehealth, researchers have found an increase in parent-child engagement during auditory-verbal therapy (AVT) sessions due to the physical absence of the provider and parents becoming the primary language facilitators. However, current measures of parent-child interactions do not have a coding system to monitor facilitation of auditory skills. This present study will discuss the development of the Caregiver-Child Auditory Skills Tracking (CAST) Scale to track progress of caregiver implementation …

The Perspectives Of Speech-Language Pathologists On The Development Of Self-Advocacy In High School Learners With Autism, Jordan Dann

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This qualitative research study described how five speech-language pathologists (SLPs) view the development of self-advocacy in learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The research literature on self-advocacy among the community of individuals with disabilities contained a small collection of studies; little to none of that research regarded learners with autism, specifically, especially within the field of speech-language pathology. Practicing SLPs who have worked with high school students who experience autism were interviewed. It emerged from the study that participants believe there is a need to collaborate with other disciplines and other entities when helping students on the spectrum self-advocate. Other …

A Healthy Subject’S Perspective Undergoing Dysphagia Diets, Carmen J. Meyer

Honors Projects

Because there are only a small number of publications that have examined dysphagia from the perspective of people living with this disorder, the primary purpose of this project is to help expand the clinical knowledge base by systematically recording and analyzing the experiences of a healthy subject placed on modified consistency diets. The first component of this project addresses research pertaining to swallowing disorders, diet levels on which clients with swallowing disorders are placed, medical conditions associated with dysphagia, the process that clinicians follow when making decisions about modified diets, and the emotional effects of being placed on a modified …

Speech-Language Pathologists' Perceptions And Use Of Service Delivery Methods And Models In School-Based Practice, Burgandy Deann Henderson

Online Theses and Dissertations

ASHA (1991c) identifies the value of consultation and collaboration across disciplines in the public school setting. Historically, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have pulled children out of the classroom to provide therapy in individual or small group settings. However, evidence continues to show the merit of consulting and collaborating with other professionals in the school in order to fully integrate classroom curriculum and support service goals (ASHA, 1991c; ASHA, 2010f; Mecrow, Beckwith, & Klee, 2010; Ritzman, Sanger, & Coufal, 2006). The purpose of this study was to explore SLPs' perspectives and use of consultation and collaboration in the public schools. A survey …

A Guide To Functional Communication Training And Autism, Elizabeth M. Connolly

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder have complex communication needs, and many use challenging behaviors to express themselves. This study focused on the effectiveness of the three-step Functional Communication Training process to decrease self-injurious behaviors, when used with a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. After conducting an extensive review of existing studies, the current project focused on areas of weakness in the literature. One case study subject participated in therapy that utilized Functional Communication Training. The participant was taught to functionally communicate via a speech generating device and picture symbols, while the numbers of self-injurious behaviors were recorded. At …

Experiences Of Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students: An Exploratory Phenomenological Study, Anysia J. Ensslen

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

Within the past decade little research has been conducted in the United States to examine the preparedness of beginning speech-language pathologists; the seminal article used for this research study comes from the United Kingdom (Horton, Byng, Bunning, & Pring, 2004). Literature from the past few decades indicates that there may be deficiencies in the way that beginning speech-language pathologists are being trained clinically.

The review of the literature suggests that the field may lack a clear and broadly supported learning theory or framework for the clinical supervision and training of speech-language pathology graduate students. The literature further supports the importance …

A Survey Of Variables Influencing Speech-Language Pathologists' Use Of Evidence-Based Practice In Clinical Settings, Ailbhe Tressan Cormack

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Although the need for evidence-based practice (EBP) in speech-language pathology has been well attested, multiple barriers hamper its implementation. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare variables influencing the use of EBP by practicing speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Method: Eighty-five SLPs based out of different primary work settings in El Paso, Texas responded to a survey addressing: 1. attitudes and perceived barriers toward EBP, 2. exposure to EBP, research methodology and statistics in graduate courses, 3. time in practice, 4. practice setting(s), 5. amount and nature of support for EBP in work settings, and 6. use of research literature …