Communication Sciences and Disorders Commons^™

Gender Diversity Cultural Responsiveness Education In Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Programs: A Pilot Survey, Tara E. Dickinson, Molly A. Normandin, Rachel W. Mulheren

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Purpose: Gender-affirming voice therapy aims to align a person’s voice and communication with their gender identity. Historically, transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) individuals have been marginalized and continue to face significant healthcare disparities. The goal of this research was to examine the self-perceived preparedness of recent speech-language pathology (SLP) graduates for working with TGNC clients. A survey was developed to include both multiple choice and open-ended questions. Topics included graduate-level training on working with TGNC individuals, perceived preparedness to work with this client population, educational resources sought by respondents, and suggested improvements for SLP graduate programs. Thirty recent (since 2016) …

Cognitive Processes Used By Graduate Students During Case-Based Aac Assessment And Intervention Think-Aloud Tasks, Allison M. Sauerwein, Jennifer J. Thistle

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Think-alouds are a validated data collection method that have been used across disciplines in the scholarship of teaching and learning. Scholarly teachers in CSD can use think-alouds to uncover the cognitive processes students use when completing case-based learning assignments. The purpose of the study was to identify and describe graduate students’ thought processes when planning for AAC assessment and intervention during think-aloud tasks. A total of 19 CSD graduate students were given cases and completed think-alouds in groups while planning for AAC assessment and intervention. Students’ think-alouds were recorded, transcribed, and then coded using the revised Bloom’s taxonomy. All groups …

A Survey Of Communication Sciences And Disorders Graduate Students' Perceptions Of Critical Appraisal Skills, Amanda S. Mahoney, Kendrea L. Garand, Erin G. Lundblom

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Research shows that prerequisite courses prepare students for participation in more challenging coursework and more advanced future learning. Despite being a field that heavily relies on research evidence to inform clinical decisions as part of evidence-based practice, many undergraduate Communication Sciences and Disorder (CSD) programs do not include prerequisite undergraduate coursework dedicated to research methods. The purpose of the present study was to explore speech-language pathology and audiology graduate students’ experiences with and opinions about critical appraisal of research articles. A total of 201 graduate students from institutions nationwide completed an online survey with questions related to exposure to research …

Establishing Cueing Skills When Treating Bilingual Speech Sound Disorders, Carlos D. Irizarry-Pérez, Mirza J. Lugo-Neris, Andrea Martinez-Fisher

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Purpose: This study sought to train cueing skills in first-year graduate students when working with bilingual children with speech sound disorders to ensure fidelity of intervention of a larger research investigation.

Method: Before explicitly training cueing skills, three students were randomly assigned bilingual clients that had been previously diagnosed with a speech sound disorder and asked to administer trial therapy. During the instructional phase, we gave students a cueing protocol, a scoring template, and feedback. We assessed performance according to challenge-point criteria and adherence to our cueing protocol.

Results: Performance varied per student, but overall scores were higher during the …

“Same But Different”: The Role And Perceptions Of The Simulation Clinical Educator, Bronwyn Davidson, Simone Howells, Rachel Davenport, Sue Mcallister, Emma Caird, Danielle Aldridge, Adriana Penman, Sally Hewat, Joanne Walters, Elizabeth Cardell, Patricia Mccabe, Alison Purcell, Elizabeth Ward, Stacey Baldac, Anne E. Hill

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Simulated learning programs are an important component of allied health education. Although the role of simulation clinical educators has been highlighted as critical for student learning within simulation, their perceptions of their role have not yet been investigated. This study aimed to explore the experiences of simulation clinical educators. Participants were ten simulation clinical educators who had supported speech-language pathology students’ learning during a 5-day simulation program focussed on speech-language pathology practice with adult clients in acute hospital and rehabilitation settings. Educators participated in individual semi-structured interviews exploring their role and their perceptions of the simulation-based learning program. Data were …

Alternative Techniques For Amplification: A Capstone Case Series, Toryn Davis, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Abstract 1- Introduction: Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is a rare and chronic hereditary disorder that causes motor and sensory damage to the peripheral nervous system. As the disease progresses, hearing sensitivity may worsen. Case Presentation: A young adult-aged patient presented to the clinic with congenital hearing loss and difficulty with conversational speech in quiet and noisy conditions. Discussion: When encountering a patient with CMT, clinicians should be cognoscente of amplification options, especially if nerve pathways begin to deteriorate. When audiologic testing reveals a progression of hearing loss, alternative amplification may be indicated because conventional hearing aids may not provide enough …

Audiological Intervention For Late-Identified Children And Teenagers With Hearing Loss, Melissa Wiedeman, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Abstract 1 - Introduction: The family of every child referred for definitive care after a newborn hearing screening should follow up with an audiologist to rule out hearing impairment. Early identification, diagnosis, and intervention are crucial for individualized planning and outcomes. Children who need binaural amplification and are not managed appropriately become exposed to sound deprivation, which leads to diminished speech audibility, sound localization, and speech and language development. Case Presentation: A young child presented to the clinic with an unspecified bilateral mild to moderate hearing loss at 500, 2000, and 4000 Hz. Discussion: Children with monaural amplification have shown …

Case Reports On Auditory Deprivation And Audiologic Management, Marysue Koelling, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Abstract 1- Introduction: Long-term follow-up appointments are beneficial for cochlear implant (CI) users. Several factors can influence individual auditory performance, even after years of experience with amplification use. Maintaining routine follow-up appointments with an audiologist can provide verification measures, auditory monitoring, and ongoing counseling to achieve optimal performance with CI technology. Case Presentation: An elderly, female patient with a monaural CI presented to the clinic with a significant decline in speech perception after years of use. Discussion: The goal of CI programming is to effectively convert acoustic input into a usable electric signal for each stimulated electrode to produce adequate …

Ensuring Equitable Treatment For People Of Color Receiving Audiology Care, Isabel Guidotti, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Abstract 1- Introduction: As health care providers, serving patients equitably may require concurrent caring for the concerns and demands of family members as well. When striving to provide equitable care to patients of all backgrounds, familial participation throughout an appointment can play a substantial role. Case Presentation: An older adult male patient who used English as a second language presented with moderate, sloping to severe, mixed hearing loss, bilaterally. Hearing aid options were counseled and discussed in detail with the patient and his spouse. Discussion: The patient’s wife played an active role throughout the appointment and served as a valuable …

Audiological Accommodations For Special Populations: A Capstone Case Series, Hannah Belke, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Introduction: Deaf-blindness is a term that refers to people with dual sensory impairments who, typically, have some residual hearing and usable vision. Individualized attention should be employed when working with these patients to ensure effective intervention. Case Presentation: A young female presented to the clinic with cortical blindness and essentially unilateral (right-sided) sensorineural hearing loss. Discussion: For special populations, such as those with deaf-blindness, audiologists need to be aware of testing and environmental considerations due to challenges presented by comorbidities. Senses, such as touch, may be used when testing these patients. The use of paper material, placement of furniture, and …

The Integration Of The Scholarship Of Teaching And Learning Into The Discipline Of Communication Sciences And Disorders, Jennifer Friberg, Jerry K. Hoepner, Allison M. Sauerwein, Kerry Mandulak

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

McKinney (2018) has argued that for the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) to advance within a discipline, the integration of SoTL must be closely examined and opportunities for growth in SoTL must be recognized and discussed. To that end, this paper reflects on the degree to which SoTL is integrated into communication sciences and disorders (CSD) by examining a variety of topics: perspectives and theories historically valued by our discipline, existing supports for SoTL at various levels (i.e., individual teacher-scholars, departments, institutions, and the CSD discipline as a whole), the application of SoTL findings in teaching and learning. Four …

Partnering With Students To Increase Engagement And Inclusion In An Undergraduate Phonetics & Acoustics Course, Teresa Roberts, Rik Lemoncello

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

An introductory phonetics course provides foundational content for future clinical practice and may serve as a student’s first experience within the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders. The Students as Partners framework (Cook-Sather et al., 2014) offers a model for valuing student assets and experiences in co-creating learning materials to enhance active learning and deepen understanding. Incorporating positive affective feelings around learning complex material, integrating technology, and building a mutually respectful learning community can foster inclusive practices. In this manuscript, the authors share how redesigning an introductory Phonetics and Acoustics course at a large, urban, commuter, public university led to …

Student Perspectives On Learning Language Sample Analysis Using Lena, Michelle Flippin

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Language sample analysis (LSA) is valuable clinical tool and an important component of comprehensive language assessment. However, LSA is underutilized in real-world practice. SLPs have identified time constraints, insufficient training, and lack of confidence in LSA skills as barriers to regular LSA implementation. Communication science and disorders (CSD) programs have opportunities to provide LSA instruction to address these barriers and prepare students to reliably, feasibly, and confidently use LSA in clinical practice. This pilot study examined CSD students’ perspectives on LSA instruction using the Language ENvironment Analysis System (LENA). Undergraduate students (n = 38) completed a series of two …

Speech Pathology Student Perspectives On Virtual Reality To Learn A Clinical Skill, Bridget Kelly, Joanne Walters, Rachael Unicomb

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Evidence supports the use of simulation in educating speech pathology (SP) students, however most of the research has centered on low fidelity techniques as opposed to high fidelity and immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR). Whilst there has been research on the use of VR to teach clinical skills to students in other health disciplines (e.g., dentistry, nursing), use of VR in SP has focused mainly on its use in client intervention. There is an opportunity to use VR to teach clinical skills to SP students, particularly in response to barriers to clinical placement opportunities like the COVID 19 pandemic. …

Examining The Item-Level Psychometric Properties Of The Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (Seq) For Students In Communication Sciences And Disorders, Sabiha Parveen, Neila Donovan, Gina Morris, Kristi Dickey

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (SEQ), a self-reported questionnaire using Rasch analysis, a one-parameter logistic probability model based on scientific measurement principles. Rasch analysis was completed using the rating scale model. The various analyses allow researchers to examine the item-level psychometric properties of the SEQ, which result in measures that provide evidence for validity, reliability, and sensitivity of the instrument. Rasch analysis demonstrated that the latent trait established by the SEQ, Perceived Self-efficacy (called self-efficacy from here on), was a unidimensional construct that could be measured on a linear scale. …

Use Of A Living Document To Facilitate Critical Engagement With Social Justice For Undergraduate Audiology And Speech-Languages Pathology Students, Kristen Secora, David H Smith

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Although pedagogy focused on social justice, power, and privilege have been included in teacher preparatory programs for a number of years, such topics are much newer and relatively unexplored within the context of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) preprofessional programs. This reflection provides information on use of a living document assignment to encourage undergraduate CSD students to grapple with these difficult topics (e.g., privilege, oppression, social justice, allyship) early in their professional careers resulting in benefits for the students, their future clients, and the field of CSD.

Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Undergraduate Students Studying Anatomy And Physiology Of Speech And Hearing: A Pilot Investigation, Katelyn J. Kotlarek, Kerry Callahan Mandulak

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

The purpose of this pilot study was to define what changes were experienced in the Fall 2020 semester by students in an undergraduate anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing course and highlight any differences in the experience of first-generation college students (FGCS). An online survey was administered to a single class of undergraduate students. Results indicated that students experienced a variety of challenges related to the pandemic and virtual learning. Differences in the experiences of FGCS compared to traditional students included increased hours worked and feelings of being overwhelmed and spending less time on course content each week. Future …

Transition Class: A Bridge From Early Intervention To Early Childhood Special Education, Jamie Mahurin-Smith, Ciera M. Lorio

Faculty Publications – Communication Sciences and Disorders

Transitions are widely acknowledged to present challenges for young children with special needs. In the US system, the transition from early intervention (EI; services for children aged 0–3) to early childhood special education services (ECSE; services for preschool children) is a process known to cause uncertainty and anxiety for families. This paper describes a transition class offered by a midwestern US EI agency; children receiving EI services are eligible to participate beginning at age 2;6. Agency personnel chart the children’s progress each week. For this study, researchers reviewed de-identified weekly progress reports for the 40 transition class participants who attended …

Bug-In-Ear Technology As A Clinical Teaching Tool For Au.D. Education: A Pilot Study, Teffany R. Ventura, Diana C. Emanuel, Emily Hildebrand, Amanda Kozlowski

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Traditional forms of clinical pedagogy include post-observation feedback and side-by-side coaching. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate a newer strategy, bug-in-ear technology (BIET), in which clinical supervisors provide live feedback through a discrete earpiece. BIET has the potential to overcome limitations associated with traditional clinical pedagogy. This pilot study compared side-by-side coaching to BIET coaching, using standardized patients in an on-campus audiology clinic. In this study, first-year Au.D. students conducted a case history assessment for two standardized patients. Likert-response ratings and qualitative data from open-set questions indicated BIET coaching was well received by supervisors because it provided …

Student Voices From A Student- And Faculty-Led Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Committee, Mary C. Wofford, Thales De Nardo, Amy Rose, Yelena Carlisle, Nicholas Fasanello, Emma Himelein-Wachowiak, Karis Kerr, Helen Whiteside

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists have recognized an increased need for discussions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the profession. The purpose of this work is to describe one evidence-informed approach to forming a departmental student- and faculty-led committee at a university and to highlight participant student voices from the committee. The committee’s formation, organization, and activities are discussed from the perspectives of its members.

Self-Care With Self-Compassion (Sc2): A Program To Foster Well-Being In Graduate Speech-Language Pathology Students, Laura R. Chapman, Karalee Cole

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

This article describes elements of Self-Care with Self-Compassion (SC²), a novel program designed to foster well-being in graduate speech-language-pathology (SLP) students. Graduate SLP students experience elevated levels of perceived stress, which can ultimately impact their professional competence. University programs, faculty, and staff are uniquely positioned to help students learn to cope with stress. Self-care and self-compassion may buffer some of the effects of stress, and at the same time foster qualities in students that facilitate learning and promote healthy clinical practice. Twenty-five incoming SLP graduate students participated in SC², a required, two-part workshop. Levels of perceived …

Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Student Clinicians’ Self-Perceived Competency In Dysphagia Management, R. Jordan Hazelwood, Erin D. Bouldin, Indigo R. Burford, Emily A. Steffen

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are the preferred healthcare providers for managing the direct clinical care of patients with dysphagia. By assessing self-perceived competency during academic training, SLP graduate student clinicians may increase their understanding of their skills in dysphagia management. We modified the Dysphagia Competency Verification Tool (DCVT) to use a 5-point ordinal scale to explore how SLP graduate student clinicians’ self-perception of competency in dysphagia management changes over time and to determine the impact of clinical practicum experiences. Seventy-two SLP graduate student clinicians rated their self-perceived competency for four DCVT domains. We used Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) models to analyze …

The Development And Implementation Of Align: A Multidimensional Program Designed To Enhance The Success Of Black, Indigenous, And People Of Color (Bipoc) Graduate Students In Communication Sciences And Disorders, Soren Y. Lowell, Stephanie Mcmillen, Anita L. Lightburn, Jamie L. Desjardins, Ellyn A. Riley

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

The critical lack of racially and ethnically diverse healthcare professionals in the field of Communication Sciences & Disorders (CSD) in contrast to the increasing diversity of the U.S. population may contribute to healthcare disparities and negatively impact healthcare outcomes. It is therefore imperative for transformational programs and practices to be enacted to substantially increase the number of CSD professionals representing Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). As training institutions that graduate and contribute to the certification of CSD professionals, universities are fundamental for contributing to this change. Numerous barriers have been identified that limit the number of underrepresented minority …

Problem-Based Learning As A Tool To Facilitate Graduate Students’ Understanding Of Terminology And Evidence-Based Practice In Child Language Disorders, Nicole Magaldi, Kristen Victorino

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

There have historically been a variety of diagnostic terms used to describe children with unexplained language disorders. Recently there has been some consensus around the use of the term developmental language disorder (DLD) however, students, in particular graduate students, need to be aware of the various terms that have historically been used so that they are able to successfully employ evidence-based practice (EBP). The current study used a Problem Based Learning (PBL) approach, based on a teaching module recently published by the authors (see Victorino & Magaldi, 2019), to teach students enrolled in a graduate program in Communication Sciences and …

The Racial Diversity Lag In Audiology: Improvement Of Recruitment And Retention Of Black Doctor Of Audiology Students, Jacquelyn Jouett, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

The racial composition of the Audiology workforce is, by no means, a reflection of the US population. Black and African American audiologists are disproportionately represented in the United States. Diverse audiologists are significantly underrepresented in clinical and academic fields. Inversely, students in the racial majority are overrepresented in Audiology and most medical specialties for that matter. This disparity may limit access to hearing-healthcare for some populations in the country. Several factors that contribute to this condition must be more fully understood before this issue can be corrected. Recruitment and retention must be improved to increase diversity, particularly students of color, …

Intercampus Health Care Simulation Model For Development Of Students’ Interprofessional Socialization And Competency, Cody Marie Busch, Lynn Gilbertson, Colleen Gullickson, Elizabeth Laessig

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Clinical education standards for speech-language pathology and nursing programs indicate the need for students to gain experience with interprofessional collaborative practice (ICP). However, colleges not affiliated with hospitals struggle to offer experiences between healthcare disciplines. The purpose of this paper is to present a case study as a model for interprofessional healthcare simulation that can be applied to schools that have limited access to a variety of professional programs and few complimentary medical specialties at their home institution. The partnership of a masters in speech-language pathology (MS-SLP) program at a public state sponsored institution and a bachelors of science in …

Perceptions And Effects Of Online Clinical Preparation Modules For First-Semester Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students, Elizabeth M. Leatherman, Kris Pedersen

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Students begin graduate school with varying backgrounds and experiences from their undergraduate program, which can result in different degrees of competence as they begin clinical work. This study investigated the effects of a series of seven online modules designed to review foundational clinical skills and enhance students’ clinical success. A cohort of 39 incoming graduate students at a midwestern university participated in the study and completed the modules during program orientation. Mixed methods were used to evaluate the effects and perceptions of the modules, including surveying students and the clinical faculty, comparing students’ clinical evaluations to those of previous students …

The Blended And Online Learning Design Fellows Program: Developing Teacher-Researchers In Communication Sciences And Disorders, Laurel Teller, Jena Mcdaniel, C. Melanie Schuele, Cynthia J. Brame

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Developing skills in the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) represents an important gap in doctoral training in Communication Sciences and Disorders. This study describes the Blended and Online Learning Design Fellows Program (BOLD) as a model for infusing SoTL into doctoral studies and for teaching graduate students how to develop online instructional modules. We first describe the structure of the yearlong BOLD Program. We then provide a case example of the development and SoTL evaluation of an online instructional module on the topic of intentional communication. We conclude with a discussion regarding how our study results inform future instructional …

The Use Of Interprofessional Education (Ipe) To Address Collaboration For Individualized Education Plans (Ieps): A Retrospective Study Of Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, And Special Education Students’ Perceptions, Kristina Curro, Lisa Shooman, Sue Foo

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

The purpose of this project is to measure the effects of interprofessional education (IPE) on the perceptions of preservice professionals’ development of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The preservice professionals (PSPs) participants included master’s students from speech language pathology (SLP), occupational therapy (OT) and special education (SPED) programs (N = 78). The primary project goals were to examine the perceptions of the participants’ roles and knowledge on a multidisciplinary education team, their perceptions of the collaborative process, and their familiarity with the IEP development process. A mixed-methods, retrospective, cross-sectional investigation was used to obtain quantitative and qualitative outcomes. A …

A Proposed Framework For Peer Reviews, Sarah M. Ginsberg, Colleen F. Visconti

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Journal manuscripts are peer reviewed with the hopes that the peer review will facilitate an editor's decision regarding the disposition of the article and that the feedback will be helpful to the authors in improving their manuscript. However peer reviews may not achieve these goals if they lack sufficient analysis and feedback. This article presents a domains of language for peer review (DoLPR) framework to improve depth and quality of peer reviews conducted on journal manuscripts. The framework was developed in hopes of improving the quality of peer reviews.