Communication Sciences and Disorders Commons^™

Assessing Language Abilities In School-Age Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Practices Of Speech-Language Pathologists, Mckayla M. Sprague, Cassandra Callahan, Tyrell Perrigo, Ran An

SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Through an online survey conducted with 64 certified speech-language pathologists (SLPs) from 23 U.S. states, this study sheds light on the complex process of assessing language skills in school-aged children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The responses gathered reveal the significant challenges SLPs face, stemming from the vast diversity within the ASD spectrum. These insights strongly suggest a need for adopting assessment strategies that are not only more adaptable and thorough, but also deeply mindful of neurodiversity and the distinct communication skills present in children with ASD.

Early Intervention Speech-Language Pathologists’ Knowledge, Beliefs, And Practices Surrounding Culturally And Linguistically Responsive Assessment Practices For Dual Language Learners, Rebecca Lynne Jarzynski

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Early intervention (EI) speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are required to provide culturally and linguistically responsive assessments for dual language learners (DLLs) within an increasingly diverse population. Previous research has documented gaps between SLPs’ beliefs related to assessments for DLLs and their implementation of best practices within school-based and pediatric outpatient settings. The purpose of this present research study was to better understand the current knowledge, beliefs, and practices of EI SLPs in relation to the use of culturally and linguistically responsive assessment practices within the context of EI programs. A total of 134 EI SLPs completed a nationwide survey in which …

Aphasia Beyond The Western Aphasia Battery Cutoff: What To Do?, Sarah Schuckmann

2023 SLP Posters

Aphasia is a complex language disorder that can vary in severity dependent upon the amount of damage in specific areas of the brain responsible for language expression and comprehension. Typically, the extent of the disorder, and prediction for successful treatment is assessed and confirmed by a set of comprehensive language tests conducted by a speech-language pathologist. The Western Aphasia Battery-Revised (WAB-R) is commonly used to assess the linguistic and non-linguistic skills most frequently affected by aphasia. A score of 93.8 or above distinguishes an individual as normal or non-aphasic; however, many people with aphasia score above this cut-off and still …

Engaging Clinical End Users In The Development Of An Outcome Measurement Protocol For Pediatric Communicative Health Systems, Victoria Sherman, Danielle Glista, Barbara Jane Cunningham

PRECISe Preschool Speech and Language Publications

Purpose: To develop a conceptual framework of the factors likely to influence clinicians' use of a new participation-focused outcome measurement protocol in a large paediatric speech-language pathology program.Method: A convenience sample of 27 end users (clinicians, managers) were recruited from Ontario, Canada's Preschool Speech and Language Program. Participants engaged in one virtual concept mapping session in groups of five to six during which they learned about the new protocol, and generated statements in response to a prompt asking them to identify factors that would influence their use of the protocol. Following all sessions, participants asynchronously sorted and …

Assessment And Diagnostic Practices Relating To Autism Spectrum Disorder In The United States And Mexico, Maria Valdez, Jessica R. Stewart, Wan-Lin Chang, Ruth Crutchfield, Ralph Carlson

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The present study examined and compared professional assessment and diagnostic practices relating to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Mexico and the United States (U.S.). This information is of great importance because there is an extremely limited amount of information pertaining the assessment and diagnostic practices for ASD in Mexico and little is known about how these practices compare to those in the U.S. Methods: Archival data from a survey investigating ASD in the U.S. and Mexico was used for this study. Participants included 29 professionals from the U.S. and 7 professionals from Mexico. Professionals were from a variety of …

Telepractice-Based Assessment Of Children Who Are Deaf/Hard-Of-Hearing: Focus On Family-Centered Practice, Kristina M. Blaiser, Lauri Nelson, K. Todd Houston

Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

Ongoing assessment and progress monitoring is considered best practice to serve children who are Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) yet logistics related to provider shortages, distances between families, and illness make regular assessment difficult if not impossible. In the last ten years, telepractice has become a more commonly used service delivery model for serving children who are DHH and their families, however, many providers lack the training needed to adequately assess this population (Behl & Kahn, 2015). With explicit planning of the assessments and tools needed on both sides of the camera, providers can create a shared framework to collect the information needed …

Responses To Partner Comments And Acknowledgements In Students With And Without Autism, Kaitlyn Bresette

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Some children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) initiate and respond less frequently than neurotypicals (NT) during language sampling tasks. More information is needed regarding how partner behaviors, such as comments and acknowledgements and the sampling context, influence the types of responses provided by children with ASD. This research study examined responses to adult comments and acknowledgments in two language sampling tasks, a traditional Share and Tell sample and a Double Interview sample (Garcia-Winner, 2002).

Participants. Fifty-eight participants, between the ages of 10 and 17 years, were recruited across two labs. The sample consisted of 28 adolescents with ASD …

Assessment And Treatment Of Childhood Apraxia Of Speech: The Perspective Of Current Speech-Language Pathologists, Sabrina White

Rehabilitation, Human Resources and Communication Disorders Undergraduate Honors Theses

“Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a neurological childhood (pediatric) speech sound disorder in which the precision and consistency of movements underlying speech are impaired in the absence of neuromuscular deficits (e.g. abnormal reflexes, abnormal tone)” (ASHA, 2007b, Definitions of CAS section, para. 1). The role of speech-language pathology in conjunction with childhood apraxia of speech is the treatment of whichever speech sound disorders exist. The variable nature of CAS creates challenges for SLPs. Presently, “there are no validated diagnostic features that differentiate CAS from other childhood speech sound disorders.” (ASHA, 2007b, Signs and Symptoms, para 1). Due to this …

The Lived Experiences Of Transmasculine Speakers: A Phenomenological Investigation Of Vocal Quality And Function In Relation To Gender, Micah Wylie

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to learn how transmasculine individuals perceive the quality and function of their voices, and how those perceptions influence how they experience gender identity and communicate with others. This qualitative study adopted a hermeneutical phenomenological approach that involved using content analysis and thematic analysis to describe and interpret phenomena. This approach assumes that the researcher is not biased, but is a part of the world being studied and, therefore, understands the phenomenon by interpretive means. Saturation was achieved when all relevant information was introduced, and patterns of information had been identified. Sixteen interviews were conducted. …

Current Practices, Supports, And Challenges In Speech-Language Pathology Service Provision For Autistic Preschoolers, Amanda V. Binns, Barbara Jane Cunningham, Allison Andres, Janis Oram Cardy

PRECISe Preschool Speech and Language Publications

Background: Speech-language pathology services are among the most frequently accessed services for young autistic children. Therefore, understanding the nature of these services, what challenges these clinicians face, and what supports they value is critical for developing appropriate policies and practices that can maximize positive outcomes for children and families. This study had two primary aims. The first was to examine the self-reported assessment and intervention practices of community-based Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) and communicative disorders assistants (CDAs; who provide services under the supervision of a SLP) in supporting preschool children with suspected and diagnosed autism. The second aim was to …

Hearing And Other Factors Influencing Memory Performance In Remote Assessment, Erika Squires

Wayne State University Dissertations

With the revitalization of aural rehabilitation (AR) and increased use of telepractice services, there is a paucity of research examining factors that have the potential to affect remote assessment. An assessment of memory is commonly included in a comprehensive AR assessment because recently developed auditory-cognitive training programs include auditory-based cognitive activities, such as auditory memory tasks. This investigation explored the effect of presentation modality on speech discrimination performance and whether self-reported hearing ability correlated with remote memory assessment in older adults.Older adults self-reported their hearing abilities and completed speech discrimination and memory tasks. Data were collected remotely via a telephone …

Conversation As An Outcome Of Aphasia Treatment: A Systematic Scoping Review, Jamie H. Azios, Brent Archer, Nina Simmons-Mackie, Anastasia Raymer, Marcella Carragher, Shriya Shashikanth, Eleanor Gulick

Communication Disorders & Special Education Faculty Publications

PURPOSE: Conversation-focused speech-language pathology services are a top priority for people living with aphasia, but little is known about how researchers measure conversation as an outcome of treatment. This scoping review was undertaken to systematically review the evidence regarding the measurement of conversation in aphasia studies and to identify current practices and existing gaps.

METHOD: A systematic literature search was conducted for studies published between January 1995 and September 2019 in multiple electronic databases. Covidence software was used to manage search results, study selection, and data charting processes. Data were extracted from each study and then collated and organized to …

Filling The Gap: Development Of Best Practice Guidelines To Support Speech-Language Pathologists Working With Autistic Clients, Lauren Choi

Undergraduate Student Research Internships Conference

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are among the most important clinicians involved in providing assessment and therapy services for autistic children. Yet, a study found that 60% of graduate students in speech-language pathology only had one week of coursework that focused on autism. Our project aims to address this gap, by working with SLPs working in the community to create a best-practice-guidelines web-based tool SLPs can use to supplement their learning and inform their decision-making when assessing and providing support for autistic individuals. We used three phases to incorporate research and expert opinions to answer the question “What are considered best-practices when …

Implementing Evidence-Based Assessment Practices For The Monitoring Of Spoken Language Outcomes In Children Who Are Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing In A Large Community Program, Barbara Jane Cunningham, Janis Oram Cardy, Olivia Daub University Of Western Ontario

PRECISe Preschool Speech and Language Publications

The purpose of this quality improvement pilot was to evaluate the effectiveness of an online learning module for (a) changing speech-language pathologists’ perceptions about outcome monitoring and assessment protocols for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and (b) supporting speech-language pathologists’ understanding of evidence-based protocols to be implemented in their community-based program. Using principles of integrated knowledge translation and the Ottawa Model of Research Use, an online learning module was designed to support the implementation of evidence-based assessment protocols for these children in a large publicly funded program in Ontario, Canada. A pre–post study was then conducted with …

Aphasia In Multilingual Patients, Mira Goral, Zahra Hejazi

Publications and Research

Purpose of Review

We summarize recent published work concerning assessment and treatment of aphasia in bilingual and multilingual people and review current related models of treatment outcomes. As well, we discuss studies that address the recently debated topic of cognitive processes in bilingual individuals with aphasia, with a focus on the effects of bilingualism on aphasia recovery and its potential protective effects.

Recent Findings

Providing assessment and treatment tools that best serve multilingual individuals with aphasia and unpacking the variables and mechanisms that underlie response to treatment have emerged as goals of several recent studies. Additionally, while findings are still …

Effect Of Sound Source Location And Spatial Hearing On The Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (Vor), Mary Easterday

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Accurate measurement of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) is imperative in differential diagnosis of vestibular disorders and balance function. However, the assessment protocol faces a number of limitations, including the need to control for extra- vestibular sensory factors such as hearing. Previous research has shown that the use of an auditory stimulus can have a significant effect on functional measures of balance, and many have contributed effects to be the result of spatial hearing. However, no studies have directly assessed the effect of speaker location on the VOR nor investigated correlations of functional spatial hearing with the VOR. Therefore, the aims …

Assessing Outcomes Of Simulation In Communication Sciences And Disorders, Erin S. Clinard

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Assessment is an ongoing process that is necessary at every stage of designing, implementing, and evaluating simulation-based learning experiences (SBLEs). Designing and aligning a high-quality assessment process provides instructors and researchers with valuable data to understand if students have met the desired simulation learning objectives, where students are in their learning, and opportunities to enhance the SBLE. This reflection discusses the importance of assessing student learning outcomes as well as the effectiveness of all simulation-based learning experiences (SBLEs) in communication sciences and disorders (CSD). While the benefits and effectiveness of simulation have been demonstrated in other health professions, simulation research …

Beliefs And Self-Efficacy Of Parents Of Young Children With Hearing Loss, Sophie E. Ambrose, Margo Appenzeller, Alexandra Mai, Jean L. Desjardin

Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

The purpose of this study was to learn more about the beliefs and self-efficacy of parents of young children with hearing loss. Seventy-two parents completed the Scale of Parental Involvement and Self-Efficacy - Revised (SPISE-R), which queries parents about their child’s hearing device use and their perceptions of their own beliefs, knowledge, confidence, and actions pertaining to supporting their child’s auditory access and spoken language development. Two beliefs were identified that related to parents’ action scores and one belief was identified that related to children’s hearing device use. Knowledge and confidence scores were significantly correlated with action scores and children’s …

Developing The Rapid Assessment Of Problem Solving For Kids (Raps-K), Emily Phillips

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The Rapid Assessment of Problem Solving (RAPS) was created by Dr. Robert Marshall in order to assess an individuals’ problem solving abilities. This assessment is set up like the popular twenty-questions game and is used to assess adults with cognitive impairments. An administrator chooses a picture from a board of thirty-two pictures and the subject must ask yes or no questions in order to guess the target picture in as few questions as possible. Analysis assesses integration planning scores, question asking efficiency scores, and question types to determine a level of problem solving abilities.

Smith and Jones (2018) used the …

Assessing Bilingual Children With A Language Disorder, Ana Franco, Tricia Larkin, Ann Beck

Graduate Independent Studies - Communication Sciences and Disorders

The population in the United States is rapidly diversifying, and it is estimated that 4.9 million English-Language Learning (ELL) students are currently in the United States (National Center for Education Statistics, 2019). ELL students come from diverse linguistic backgrounds and have varying proficiencies in English and their native language. The linguistic and cultural differences bilingual ELL students present when they attend public schools have created challenges for the current assessment and treatment services available for those bilingual children with communication disorders. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are required to assess bilingual children suspected of having a language disorder, one of the most …

Toward The Development Of A Quick, Reliable Assessment Tool For Reflective Journals, April Garrity, Casey Keck, Janet L. Bradshaw, Keiko Ishikawa

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Reflective practice, including reflective writing, can facilitate enriched learning, especially when implemented as part of a service-learning (SL) experience. Reflection is a central component of service-learning (SL) experiences. Students’ reflective abilities are often measured through reflective journaling; however, assessment of students’ reflective journals is not always efficient and straightforward. The goal of the present study was to establish a simple, reliable, and relatively quick tool for use by busy college instructors seeking to encourage students’ deep learning through reflective writing. A total of 258 reflective journals from 43 graduate students in speech-language pathology were evaluated by three raters using a …

The Feasibility Of Standardized Cognitive Assessments For Vestibular Patients, Brynn Morales

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Vestibular dysfunction, or impairments in the inner ear and/or brain structures that process sensory information and help control balance, has a high correlation with cognitive deficits, or problems with mental processes. This relationship negatively affects daily activities and quality of life in persons that live with vestibular dysfunction. Though there is sufficient research proving the relationship, few studies have applied that information in ways to better help the population with vestibular dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of a cognitive assessment battery (a set of correlated assessments delivered in one session) tailored to measuring performance …

Rapid Assessment Of Problem Solving For Kids (Raps-K), Hannah Perdew

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The Rapid Assessment of Problem Solving (RAPS) is a clinical assessment of verbal problem solving skills created by Dr. Robert Marshall and colleagues (Marshall, 2003). The assessment, originally developed for adults, is based on the well-known twenty questions game. The clinician administering the assessment chooses a target picture and the participant asks yes or no questions to eliminate incorrect answers and, eventually, identify the target picture. Question asking efficiency, indicated by the number of choices eliminated, is considered to reflect levels of cognitive functioning, specifically problem solving. Recently, the RAPS has been utilized with typically developing children and children with …

Implications Of Dual Language Scoring Of The Preschool Language Scale-Fifth Edition Spanish For Bilingual Preschool-Aged Children, Callie Mae Mathis

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: Spanish versions of standardized tests used in language evaluations are not well studied. The purpose of this study is to further examine the appropriateness of the Preschool Language Scale, Fifth Edition Spanish (PLS-5S) in a U.S./Mexico border community by comparing the Dual language scores versus the Spanish only scores and comparing the normative sample of the PLS-5S to the population of El Paso, TX.

Method: Twenty-three bilingual preschool aged children in the El Paso area completed the Spanish Edition of the PLS-5S. The parents and teachers of the participants completed two language proficiency questionnaires (Bilingual Input Output Survey; BIOS …

Mainstream Tablets As Speech Generating Devices: Considerations In Decision Making, Kaylee Sienza, Ann R. Beck, Amy L. Yacucci

Graduate Independent Studies - Communication Sciences and Disorders

In the last several years, the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) has seen significant technological advances that are both innovative and exciting. One of the main advances in technology comes in AAC applications on mainstream tablet devices like iPads. Tablet devices with AAC applications are being explored as an alternative to dedicated speech generating devices due to cost and convenience. But, before choosing between a mainstream tablet AAC device and a dedicated AAC device, there are several foundational elements of AAC to be understood. All of the AAC basics and considerations should be part of the assessment process …

Evaluation Of Oral Function Before And After Frenectomy In Breastfed Infants Diagnosed With Tethered Oral Tissue, Cindy L. Parr

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Assessment and treatment of tethered oral tissue, or tongue tie, vary within and across providers, resulting in inconsistent surgical and therapeutic outcomes. Assessment and treatment have historically focused on the anatomical (structural) underpinnings of tongue tie, as opposed to the physiological (functional) aspects that can affect daily activities. This is particularly noteworthy in the infant population in regards to breastfeeding. Clinical findings, however, suggest that connections exist between tongue tie and a variety of other oral functions that go beyond breastfeeding. The goal of this research was to examine a relatively small group of breastfed infants with tethered oral …

Comparing Two Naturalistic Pragmatic Assessments: The Celf-5 Pragmatic Activities And The Yale In Vivo Pragmatic Protocol (Yipp), Rebecca Reid

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Pragmatics, or the social use of language, is a dimension of communication skills that is very difficult to assess due to its dependence on cultural norms, situational context, and speaker differences. Of the current methods for evaluating pragmatic language skills in children, the literature most frequently recommends naturalistic assessment because it allows the clinician to most closely simulate a real-life interaction. Despite these recommendations, limited information exists to guide clinicians in making decisions about which activities yield the most representative pragmatic language sample. This preliminary study compared two naturalistic pragmatic assessments, the Pragmatic Activities from the Clinical Evaluation of Language …

Assessment Of Single-Word Production For Children Under Three Years Of Age: Comparison Of Children With And Without Cleft Palate, Nancy J. Scherer, A. Lynn Williams, Carol Stoel-Gammon, Ann Kaiser

A. Lynn Williams

Background. This study reports comparative phonological assessment results for children with cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) to typically developing peers using an evaluation tool for early phonological skills. Methods. Children without clefts (NC = noncleft) and 24 children with CLP, ages of 18–36 months, were evaluated using the Profile of Early Expressive Phonological Skills (PEEPSs) [1]. Children interacted with toy manipulatives to elicit a representative sample of target English consonants and syllable structures that are typically acquired by children between 18 and 27 months of age. Results. Results revealed significant differences between the two groups with regard to measures of …

A Proposed Holistic Model Of Assessment For Children With Cleft Palate Within The Icf-Cy Framework, Rabia Foreman, Jamesa Ewing, Olivia Hawley, Mariana De Cassia Macedo, Naiara Rodrigues Carlota Do Nascimento, Brenda Louw, Luciana Maximino

Brenda Louw

The purpose of this project is to describe a proposed model for the assessment of children with cleft palate within the framework of the ICF-CY (WHO, 2007). Suggestions for clinical application and cleft palate curricula are made, and future research needs are identified.

Exploring Associations Between Language And Working Memory Abilities In Children With Specific Or Combined Impairments In Language And Working Memory, Laura J. Pauls

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Children with disproportionate deficits in language, known as Specific Language Impairment (SLI), often demonstrate deficits in nonverbal cognitive abilities, such as working memory. Such findings have prompted much debate on the association between language and working memory functioning. The primary aim of this thesis was to examine the connection between working memory and language abilities among children with specific or combined impairments in these domains. Study 1 examined the potential of narrative retell performance to indicate impairment in language or working memory among 17 children with specific or combined impairment in language or working memory as well as 9 controls. …