Speech Pathology and Audiology Commons^™

When Students Use Ai Before They Learn To Think Clinically: Cognitive Offloading In Communication Sciences And Disorders Education, Salim Alani

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Generative artificial intelligence is becoming part of how students study, write, summarize, and prepare for coursework in communication sciences and disorders (CSD). Much of the current discussion in higher education has focused on plagiarism, academic integrity, and responsible technology use. Those concerns matter, but they do not fully address what may be a larger educational issue in professional preparation programs. Students can now generate polished explanations, study materials, treatment rationales, and clinical summaries quickly, sometimes before independently developing the reasoning skills those tasks are intended to build. This paper examines cognitive offloading in CSD education, defined here as the shifting …

Targeted Interprofessional Education (Ipe) Curriculum For First-Year Speech-Language Pathology (Slp) Graduate Students, Cody Marie Busch

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

ASHA requires that SLP graduate programs facilitate opportunities for interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP). Research suggests that IPCP initiatives should be integrated throughout the curriculum, rather than isolated interprofessional education (IPE) experiences. 15 first-year SLP graduate students participated in a year-long IPE curriculum focused on the IPEC Core Competencies. Quantitative and qualitative data revealed improved perception of IPCP and appreciation of opportunities to interact with other disciplines. Students noted that SLP graduate programs should integrate IPCP opportunities because they set them up for success with collaboration and help remove the SLP “silo.” Finally, students reported that they plan to use the …

Therapy With Empathy

DePaul Magazine

DePaul's Speech Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy graduate programs, newly aligned in the Department of Rehabilitative Sciences and Professions at the College of Science and Health, employ a community assets-based approach to serving diverse populations and individuals' needs across the lifespan.

Interprofessional Collaboration: A Functional Vestibular Screening Framework For Children With Hearing Loss, Corinne Marascio

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Introduction: The vestibular system is comprised of five organs located in the inner ear that support balance, coordination, and spatial awareness (Cleveland Clinic, 2024). Due to the proximity of the hearing and vestibular organs, children with hearing loss are at an increased risk for vestibular dysfunction (Cushing & Papsin, 2018; Kelly et al., 2021). Early recognition and treatment of vestibular disorders via vestibular rehabilitation therapy can support healthy development throughout childhood (Monshizadeh et al., 2022; Wrobel et al., 2020). While vestibular assessment falls within the audiological scope of practice, barriers preclude routine screening of vestibular deficits in pediatric patients with …

Educating Future Nurse Practitioners And Physician Associates On Pretreatment Of Swallowing In Head And Neck Cancer, Hannah M. Berk, Erin L. O'Bryan, Imran Musaji, Carly A. Thomas, Jamie Harrington

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Head and neck cancer treatment frequently results in long-term severe swallowing deficits, often requiring feeding tube dependency. Patients who have completed swallowing exercise programs before and during cancer treatment experienced more positive swallowing outcomes, but most patients are not referred for swallowing intervention early enough in their care to prevent long-term deficits. This student research project aimed to measure health profession students’ knowledge of swallowing pretreatment for head and neck cancer patients and to investigate the impact of an educational module developed and presented by a Communication Sciences and Disorders graduate student to improve knowledge and awareness of this clinical …

The Role Of Interprofessional Education In Preparing The Next Generation Of Pre-Service Professionals: A Pilot Study, Shannon Wade Salley, Jennifer Cuchna, Tammy M. Hines, Karla Collins, Jennifer Hutchinson

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Interprofessional practice is a growing expectation in health and human services professions, as is collaboration between education professionals, to bring the best care and services to clients and students. Future professionals need to learn about other professions and be taught how to work with others as members of an interprofessional team. This mixed-methods pilot study examined the impact of an interprofessional education experience on future education, health, and human services professionals, including speech language pathologists, teachers, and counselors. Event participants showed an increased understanding of the roles of other professionals and recognition of the benefits of working in an interprofessional …

Increasing Implementation Of The Comfortable Cafeteria Program To Promote School-Age Children’S Mental Health And Well-Being, Reinecka Mondesir, Angela Labrie Blackwell Phd, Otr

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Every Moment Counts (EMC) is a positive mental health promotion initiative that offers several initiatives to create inclusive environments that support student participation and emotional well-being throughout the school day. Comfortable Cafeteria, part of EMC, fosters positive mealtime experiences supporting peer interaction, emotional regulation, and inclusion. Many SBOT practitioners lack the resources to implement Comfortable Cafeteria, despite its benefits. This capstone project addresses the need for practical tools to help school-based occupational therapy (SBOT) practitioners integrate the Comfortable Cafeteria program into daily practice. Using the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, the project developed and disseminated an interactive, evidence-based video …

14-Year Retrospective Review Of Audiology Graduate Admission Data: Comparative Analysis With Other First Professional Health Programs, Alyssa R. Needleman, Patricia A. Gaffney, Erica B. Friedland, Josiah Alamu

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Demographic and cognitive data on students entering audiology programs is incomplete, and there is a lack of comparison among audiology students and those entering other first professional health (FPH) programs. This paper is the first of a multi-part series to provide evidence into the characteristics of the typical audiology student and their graduate outcomes. This is valuable for improving recruiting, admissions, retention, and success rates of audiology programs. A comprehensive descriptive analysis of admission criteria was performed for students who entered the NSU Doctor of Audiology (AuD) program over the last 14 years. Additionally, NSU admissions data was compared …

Self-Reported Audiological And Vestibular Symptoms Associated With Lyme Disease, Daniella A. Bryan

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Background:

Lyme disease, an infectious vector-borne illness, is carried by the deer tick, Ixodes scapularis, which harbor the spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, affecting hundreds of thousands of people in the United States annually. Lyme disease has a multitude of clinical presentations and overlaps with other complex illnesses, making diagnosis and treatment a medical challenge. This distinct bacterium can migrate into any organ system through the mediums of soft tissue, the lymphatic system, and the circulatory system. Despite its prevalence and range in symptomatology, minimal research has been conducted to identify distinct audiological and vestibular symptoms associated with a Lyme …

Practice Patterns In Pediatric And Adult Dysphagia: Implications For Clinical Training, Jane Grothaus, Kaitlyn Hill, Marlee Nebesniak, Anastasia Raymer

Speech-Language Pathology Faculty Publications

Objective: Most speech language pathologists (SLPs) receive training to work with patients with swallowing disorders in graduate school, focusing primarily on adult dysphagia. Although SLPs share common foundational knowledge and skills for adult and pediatric dysphagia populations, there are considerable differences in these two specialized areas of practice. We aimed to query SLPs’ practice patterns for dysphagia assessment and management for adults and pediatric populations to consider differences and guide training efforts.

Methods: We distributed two comprehensive anonymous surveys to explore practice patterns of SLPs who provide assessment and management of dysphagia for adult or pediatric populations. The 118 respondents, …

Emphasizing Interprofessional Education Through A Virtual Case Study In A Medical Nutrition Therapy Course, Natalie B. Allen, Traci A. Garrison, Wendy R. Jackson, Bonnie K. Slavych

Journal of Dietetic Education

This observational research presents multi-year findings of a project using an online case study implemented in an undergraduate Medical Nutrition Therapy class that fostered interprofessional collaboration among students from various healthcare disciplines. The case study focused on a fictional patient with an ischemic stroke and all work was virtual. Students from various allied healthcare fields were represented: dietetics and nutrition, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and social work. Both undergraduate and graduate students participated in developing a virtual care plan for the patient, with an emphasis on helping students explain their role to the team, while simultaneously learning how to collaborate …

Exploring Available Information On The Gut-Brain Axis And Alzheimer’S Disease For Clinicians Making Dietary Recommendations: A Scoping Review, Megan Gibson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract: Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease that requires interprofessional collaboration. Pharmacological options are currently ineffective, increasing the need for preventative strategies to combat the rise of AD. Considerations of gut-targeted interventions have increased as a key component in the prevention of AD, based on the understanding that the state of the gut microbiome can impact cognitive function through the pathway known as the gut-brain axis.

Methods: This scoping review explored information on the gut-brain axis in persons with AD. A comprehensive search was conducted in November 2023. Forty reviews and 13 human studies were analyzed.

Results: There …

Unlocking The Power Of Experiential Learning: Student Reported Changes Following Combined Nicu Instruction, Megan M. Black, Natalie A. Perkins, Valerie F. Mcdaniel

Pacific Journal of Health

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the impact of in-person observation, in conjunction with didactic lectures, on students' perceived knowledge of speech-language pathology's (SLP) role and the roles of other healthcare professionals within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Method: Data for this study were initially collected for educational purposes and were later retrospectively analyzed with Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. Ten participants who met the inclusion criteria underwent a didactic lecture on SLPs in the NICU followed by observing an SLP in action at a local NICU. Participants completed multiple surveys, allowing for a comparison of their perceived knowledge …

Development Of Interprofessional Socialization In A Multifaceted Live Action Clinical Role-Play Simulation For Speech-Language Pathology And Social Work Students, Cody Marie Busch, Jennifer Anderson, Lynn Gilbertson, Sarah Hessenauer

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Live action clinical role-plays are one of many types of simulated learning experiences that can be crafted for undergraduate and graduate students alike when learning to collaborate interprofessionally. This mixed methods exploratory research project partnered four academic instructors from the disciplines of speech-language pathology and social work, with several additional community members adding their expertise to enrich the experience of a live-action clinical role-play. Students (N = 32) participated in a two-part multifaceted interprofessional education (IPE) experience with the first part consisting of eight hours of online asynchronous training and the second part consisting of eight hours of a multifaceted …

Key To Success: A Comprehensive Examination Of Support Personnel In School-Based Speech-Language Telepractice, Hannah Douglass

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

In the school setting, the telepractice team primarily consists of the clinician and a support person known as a telefacilitator. Though telepractice is an accepted method for delivering school-based speech-language therapy, many barriers to the integration of telepractice as routine care persist. A major barrier is clinicians' acceptance of telehealth. However, there has been limited investigation of factors that influence clinician acceptance. Another barrier is related to support personnel. Telefacilitators have been shown to be an integral part of the telepractice program. Yet there are significant gaps in knowledge regarding the roles and responsibilities, staffing and management, and barriers/facilitators to …

Implementation Of Prognosticator Algorithm For Initiation Of Serious Illness Discussions And Improving The Rate Of Palliative And Hospice Referrals, Joy Isebor

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Context: Early serious illness conversations related to end-of-life and goals of care with seriously ill patients have been associated with improving patients' outcomes and quality of care (Bernacki et al., 2015). However, initiating these serious illness discussions has been challenging in the home-based primary care setting.

Objectives: To train and support home-based primary care clinicians in integrating best practices in serious illness discussions and decision-making engagement among patients sixty-five and older with serious illnesses, optimize the alignment between patient goals and the medical care they receive, improving their quality of life and the rate of palliative care and hospice referrals. …

Paths To Equity: Parents In Partnership With Ucedds Fostering Black Family Advocacy For Children On The Autism Spectrum, Elizabeth H. Morgan, Benita D. Shaw, Ida Winters, Chiffon King, Jazmin Burns, Aubyn Stahmer, Gail Chodron

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Racism and ableism have doubly affected Black families of children with developmental disabilities in their interactions with disability systems of supports and services (e.g., early intervention, mental health, education, medical systems). On average, Black autistic children are diagnosed three years later and are up to three times more likely to be misdiagnosed than their non-Hispanic White peers. Qualitative research provides evidence that systemic oppression, often attributed to intersectionality, can cause circumstances where Black disabled youth are doubly marginalized by policy and practice that perpetuates inequality. School discipline policies that criminalize Black students and inadequate medical assessments that improperly support Black …

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 …

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 …

Comparison Of Maintenance Gains From Two Treatment Approaches For Patients Diagnosed With Apraxia Of Speech And Broca’S Aphasia: A Critically Appraised Topic, Kalli B. Whiting

The Graduate Review

Three peer-reviewed research articles demonstrated benefits in using the articulatory-kinematic approaches of sound production treatment (SPT) and speech motor learning (SML) for intervention of patients diagnoses with apraxia of speech (AOS) concomitant with aphasia over the age of 50. This CAT was intended to review and compare the treatment maintenance between the two approaches using a specific search question; however, there was limited evidence for the specified population in that question. Although both approaches warranted positive outcomes, the SML approach may demonstrate a stronger linkage to the underlying features of apraxia of speech based on the method’s rationale. Through the …

Development And Implementation Of Computer-Based Learning Modules On Alternative Communication For Pediatric Nurses And Nursing Students, Amanda Kaye Simmons

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Purpose and Rationale. To develop, implement, and assess computer-based learning modules (CBLs) on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) with pediatric nurses and nursing students for knowledge outcomes, self-efficacy, and perceived relevance and effectiveness. Effective communication ensures all parties can understand and express themselves clearly, through any means necessary, often including AAC tools, supports, and strategies. Communication is essential in healthcare but there is limited research with pediatric nurses. Previous research with a single hospital indicated a need for nurse education on AAC. This research used focus groups and interviews to understand pediatric nurse and nursing student knowledge about AAC. The …

Comparing In Vivo Versus Simulation Training For Transnasal Endoscopy Skills, Laura L. Wolford, George W. Wolford

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluations of swallowing (FEES) is as important of a swallowing evaluation as the videoflouroscopic swallow study, but far fewer speech-language pathologists are competent in its use (Ambika, Datta, Manjula, Warawantkar, & Thomas, 2019; Brady & Donzelli, 2013; Pisegna & Langmore, 2016). One hurdle in FEES training is the necessity of practicing transnasal endoscopy on volunteers. The primary aim of this study was to compare the learning effectiveness of practicing transnasal endoscopy via simulation with practice in vivo for a student’s first passes of the endoscope. The end goal of this study was to determine the most cost-effective and …

Assisting Children With Velocardiofacial Syndrome Who Have Developmental Disabilities And Delays Associated With Speech, Communication, And Education, Mckenzie K. Holty

Honors Thesis

Children with velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS) have a variety of complex needs. Research shows that VCFS is characterized by a combination of medical problems, developmental delays, and learning disabilities, which vary from child to child. This syndrome also puts adolescents at a higher risk for developing psychiatric and psychotic disorders. The complexity of symptoms that can arise from VCFS can influence the ability of these children to communicate, socialize, and learn effectively. This literature review aims to discuss literature for caregivers, educators, and physicians to aid children effectively and understand their challenges relating to speech, communication, and education. This topic is …

Qualitative Survey Of A Collaborative Team Approach To Treating Autism Spectrum Disorder, Theresa Duff

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

PURPOSE: To examine a unique interdisciplinary approach to ASD care that is utilized at KidsLink School/Neurobehavioral Center through a qualitative survey. This study determines the role of each interdisciplinary team member, the advantages and disadvantages of KidsLink’s approach, what is unique about their approach, and how a collaborative approach affects individual team members. METHODS: An online qualitative survey was distributed to KidsLink’s professional staff who are members on the interdisciplinary care teams. The survey results were read over three times in order to identify common themes and conduct a frequency analysis of codes across all participant responses. RESULTS: There were …

The Impact Of Active Learning In A Speech-Language Pathology Swallowing And Dysphagia Course, Rebecca H. Affoo, Justin L. Bruner, Angela M. Dietsch, Ciara Nellenbach, Theresa M. Jones, Mark E. Lehman

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

The signature pedagogy in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) higher education programs has been criticized for its instructor-centric lecture format and emphasis on the lower tiers of Bloom’s taxonomy (simply memorizing knowledge) at the expense of helping students develop the clinical problem-solving skills required for a lifetime of practice and learning. The purpose of this study was to examine the responses of a cohort of graduate speech-language pathology students to an active learning-oriented swallowing and dysphagia course design. A potential relationship between student perceptions of the active learning pedagogy and academic performance was also explored. The results suggest that active learning positively …

Improving The Interprofessional Relationship Between Nurses And Speech-Language Pathologists: A Pilot Study, Christina Hamling, Kristy Weissling

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The research presented in this thesis explores the impact of interprofessional education on undergraduate nursing and speech-language pathology students with an overall goal of improving the interprofessional relationship between the two fields. Utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods in the form of a pre-test, educational materials, live guided observation, and post-tests, the researchers found an increase in the nursing students ’ ability to identify the role of the speech-language pathologist in a medical setting (knowledge). There was also an increase in the speech-language pathology students’ ability to understand how and when to communicate with nurses in a medical setting (knowledge).

Impact Of Virtual Simulation And Coaching On The Interpersonal Collaborative Communication Skills Of Speech-Language Pathology Students: A Pilot Study, Jacqueline A. Towson Ph.D., Ccc-Slp, Matthew S. Taylor Ph.D., Jennifer Tucker Pt, Dpt, Pcs, Claire Paul Ph.D., Bcba, Patrick Pabian Pt, Dpt, Scs, Ocs, Richard I. Zraick Ph.D., Ccc-Slp

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Communication between clinicians, teachers, and family members is a critical skill when addressing and providing for the individual needs of patients. However, graduate students in speech-language pathology (SLP) programs often have limited opportunities to practice these skills prior to or during externship placements. The purpose of this study was to explore the use of virtual-reality based rehearsal with coaching on the interpersonal collaborative communication skills of SLP graduate students when delivering information regarding a singular patient to different stakeholders. Three graduate students completing their third semester in a SLP program participated in the study. Each participant was provided a clinical …

Otologic Blast Injuries, Michelle Singer

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The otologic system functions as a highly sensitive pressure transducer. Because of this, the ear is the most commonly affected organ in primary blast injury. Frequently encountered symptoms include hearing loss, tinnitus, and tympanic membrane perforations. The ear is repeatedly overlooked during triage and easily forgotten in subjects with multiple injuries after major catastrophic events such as explosions. This systematic review provides an overview of the most common otologic injuries observed after blast exposure in a variety of settings and populations. An analysis of 35 studies and an additional 23 reviews was performed in attempt to uncover patterns of otologic …

Improving The Interprofessional Relationship Between Nurses And Speech–Language Pathologists: Expansion Of A Project, Christina Hamling, Kristy Weissling, Jan Tubbs, Jenna Dubas

UCARE: Research Products

The research presented on this poster explored the impact of extraprofessional education on undergraduate nursing and speech-language pathology students with an overall goal of improving the interprofessional relationship between the two fields. Utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods in the form of a pre-test, educational materials, live guided observation, and post-tests, the researchers found an increase in the nursing students ability to identify the role of the speech-language pathologist in a medical setting. There was also an increase in the speech-language pathology student’s ability to understand how and when to communicate with nurses in a medical setting.

We Are The Medicine, Madalynn Wendland, Toni Speed

Interprofessional Education

We are all healers— to ourselves, each other and the world around us. Whether you are on the path of becoming a health professional, or have been in practice for a long time, this half-day workshop will help you to view healing from a holistic perspective that draws from the ancient traditions while respecting contemporary science.