Communication Sciences and Disorders Commons^™

Iowa Conference On Communicative Disorders [Program, 2019], Iowa Conference On Communicative Disorders

Iowa Conference on Communicative Disorders Programs

The Iowa Conference on Communicative Disorders provides continuing education activities in speech- language pathology that are acceptable to the State of Iowa and the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. Areas of emphasis include adults and pediatrics.

Examining Sensory Ability, Feature Matching And Assessment-Based Adaptation For A Brain–Computer Interface Using The Steady-State Visually Evoked Potential, Jonathan S. Brumberg, Anh Nguyen, Kevin M. Pitt, Sean D. Lorenz

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

Purpose: We investigated how overt visual attention and oculomotor control influence successful use of a visual feedback brain-computer interface (BCI) for accessing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices in a heterogeneous population of individuals with profound neuromotor impairments. BCIs are often tested within a single patient population limiting generalization of results. This study focuses on examining individual sensory abilities with an eye toward possible interface adaptations to improve device performance.

Methods: Five individuals with a range of neuromotor disorders participated in four-choice BCI control task involving the steady state visually evoked potential. The BCI graphical interface was designed to simulate …

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 …

Automated Speech Recognition In Adult Stroke Survivors: Comparing Human And Computer Transcriptions, Tyson G. Harmon, Adam Jacks, Katarina L. Haley, Gary Bishop

Faculty Publications

Objective: Speech sound errors are common in people with a variety of communication disorders and can result in impaired message transmission to listeners. Valid and reliable metrics exist to quantify this problem, but they are rarely used in clinical settings due to the time-intensive nature of speech transcription by humans. Automated speech recognition (ASR) technologies have advanced substantially in recent years, enabling them to serve as realistic proxies for human listeners. This study aimed to determine how closely transcription scores from human listeners correspond to scores from an ASR system. Patients and Methods: Sentence recordings from 10 stroke survivors with …

Bidirectional Interference Between Simulated Driving And Speaking, Christopher Dromey, Kelsey Simmons

Faculty Publications

Purpose: This study relied on acoustic measures of connected speech and several indices of driving performance to quantify interference between speaking and simulated driving. Method: Three groups of 20 younger (ages 20–30 years), middle-age (ages 40–50 years), and older (ages 60–71 years) adults produced monologues and completed a simulated driving task, which involved maintaining a constant speed and lane position on a freeway. Both tasks were completed separately and concurrently. Results: There were significant divided attention effects, with a reduced speaking time ratio, and increases in vocal intensity, speed variability, and steering wheel adjustments. There was a significant between-subjects age …

Using Real-Time Visual Biofeedback For Second Language Instruction, Shawn L. Nissen, Rebecca Nissen

Faculty Publications

This demonstration will illustrate how using real-time visual biofeedback, through a relatively new type of electropalatographic (EPG) sensor, might facilitate improved pronunciation for learners of a second language (L2). The manner in which the EPG sensor is created and its use to track lingua-palatal articulation patterns will be described to individuals. This presentation will also include an explanation of how a student can visualize the contact patterns of their speech using the associated instructional software. A brief tutorial on the features of the instructional software will also be explained during the “show and tell” presentation.

Assistive Devices For Communication Use With The Elderly, Corrine Koepsell, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Hearing loss is one of the prevalent medical conditions in older adults. Although it has been documented that hearing loss is associated with various aspects of social and physical health, hearing assistive technologies and audiologic rehabilitation have been infrequently tapped clinical solutions. Cost and user problems in background noise are two common reasons why hearing aids are underutilized by seniors, and by younger age groups as well. Alternative tools, such as assistive listening devices, may be helpful for older listeners, even though they are used less frequently than hearing aids. To identify if assistive listening devices are satisfactory, a pilot …

Outcomes Of An Intensive Exercise-Based Swallowing Program For Persons With Parkinson's Disease: A Single-Case Experiment, Jocelyn Jenks

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The leading cause of death in Parkinson’s disease (PD) is aspiration pneumonia, a negative consequence of swallowing impairment. Approximately 80%, and upward of 95%, of persons with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD) will present with progressive dysphagia, or swallowing impairment. Dysphagia may also lead to dehydration, malnutrition, weight loss, reduced quality of life, hospital readmissions, and high financial burden. Recent evidence suggests swallowing exercise is beneficial for PwPD and there is growing evidence that supports intense programs combining exercises, which may provide sufficient treatment intensity to improve swallowing. The present study investigated whether a four-week Intensive exercise-based Swallowing Program (ISP) combining lingual …

Patient Perspectives Of An Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program For Stroke Survivors, Anya A. Leyhe, Catherine A. Off, Carolyn R. Baylor, Jenna R. Griffin, Kirsten W. Murray

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Introduction: Persons with aphasia (PWA) who participate in intensive comprehensive poststroke language rehabilitation programs make a variety of significant investments. While intensive aphasia programs and intensive comprehensive aphasia programs (ICAPs) are becoming increasingly prevalent across health care settings, patient perspectives of ICAPs have not been explored. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine patient perspectives about the experience of participating in an ICAP at the University of Montana. The primary research question of this study was: “what is it like to be a PWA in an ICAP?” Methods: Researchers used an interpretive phenomenological approach to conduct …

Speech-Language Pathology And Psychology Students' Perceptions Of An Interprofessional Autism Intervention: An Exploratory Case Study, Haley Marie Nelson

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand how the interprofessional collaboration (IPC) experience of Youth Engagement Through Intervention (YETI) changes perceptions and knowledge regarding scope of practice of pre-service professionals in the Communicative Sciences and Disorders (CSD), School Psychology, and Clinical Psychology programs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with pre-service professionals participating in YETI as student clinicians at three different time periods. The results contribute to the existing literature base affirming that interprofessional experiences during pre-professional programs are beneficial. For the Departments of Communicative Sciences and Disorders and Department of Psychology at University of Montana, findings have the …

Reflections On Changing Pedagogy Of Augmentative And Alternative Communication, Kelly Kleinhans, Lauren E. Bland, Richard Dressler

Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

Augmentative and alternate communication (AAC) is a service delivery area in the field of speech-language pathology. Individuals with significant and complex communication impairments benefit when a speech-language pathologist develops a communication system that either replaces or augments traditional speech. AAC includes the use of assistive technology designed to represent language and produce voice output. The profession's credentialing body, the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, requires university training programs to document student's knowledge and skills in AAC for working with clients across the lifespan. The authors reflect on how pedagogy associated with AAC has been transformed over time by external influences like …

Barriers To Change For Augmentative And Alternative Communication, Lauren E. Brown

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of counseling training on speech language pathologists’ (SLPs) perceived competency to address Attitude Barriers within the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) assessment process as presented by Beukelman and Mirenda (2005). Counseling techniques, such as the use of the Readiness to Change© tool, are within the scope of practice for SLPs. Unfortunately, there is a lack of research on how to apply these tools and techniques with individuals who use AAC .

A training seminar was conducted to educate participants in the use of the Readiness to Change© tool. Data was …

The Effect Of The Cycles Phonological Remediation Approach: A Case Study, Elizabeth A. Packard

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The speech-language pathologist has many options regarding the course of action they deem the most efficient in remediating a phonological disorder. The purpose of this case study was to research the efficacy of using the Cycles Phonological Remediation Approach (Cycles Approach) as written by Hodson and Paden (Hodson & Paden, 1983; Hodson & Paden, 1991; Hodson, 2006; Hodson, 2007) on a six-year-old child with a moderate-to-severe phonological disorder with low intelligibility. This study included three phases: initial assessment, intervention, and the final assessment. One cycle of intervention over the course of approximately two semesters was administered to target three of …

Communication Sciences And Disorders Graduate Students' Strengths And Vulnerabilities Related To Resilience: A Survey Of Graduate Programs, Janet Tilstra, Megan Coffman, Teresa Gonia, Caroline Koziol, Ellen Liebe

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Burnout in health care professionals may pose a threat to the quality of care provided in any setting. The purpose of this project was to examine dimensions related to future resilience in CSD graduate students. METHODS: In this project, 146 master’s degree students from Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) programs in the Midwest completed an online survey regarding lifestyle stresses affecting resilience, and patterns in five areas correlated with resilience. RESULTS: Top lifestyle stresses affecting academics were general stress, maintaining mental health, and sleep difficulties. Notably, more than half of the participants reported feeling rested three or fewer days …