Speech Pathology and Audiology Commons^™

The Picture Exchange Communication System (Pecs) As A Functional Form Of Low-Technology Aided Augmentative And Alternative Communication (Aac): A Systematic Review, Faith K. Curran

Pacific Journal of Health

This systematic literature review was completed with the aim of investigating the functionality of the low-technology aided Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). In this review, functionality was defined by how successful AAC users used PECS. Fifteen peer reviewed primary sources which were published between 2020 and 2025 were selected to provide a current and relevant analysis. There was not enough current research to support the use of PECS across various functions of language. However, PECS is mainly used for one to two language functions, object requesting and commenting. Further research studying the success rates of …

Behavioral Personal Protective Equipment And Staff Safety: A Pilot Study Evaluating Its Impact Among Speech-Language Pathologists, Jennifer J. Bekins

Pacific Journal of Health

This retrospective, exploratory pilot study investigated the preliminary effects of a behavioral safety readiness protocol on speech-language pathologist (SLP) physical safety during outpatient care delivered at neurodevelopmental clinics within a single medical center. During the intervention phase, SLPs voluntarily wore Kevlar sleeves during all patient care interactions, tied long hair back, and maintained accessibility of nitrile gloves for use during behavioral escalations. The behavioral safety readiness protocol was reinforced by the safety slogan, “Sleeves On, Hair Back, Gloves in Pocket.” Safety event data from May – June 2023 and 2024 (pre-intervention periods) were compared with data from May – June …

A Subcortical Model For Auditory Forward Masking With Efferent Control Of Cochlear Gain., Braden N. Maxwell, Afagh Farhadi, Marc A Brennan, Adam Svec, Laurel H. Carney

All Faculty Scholarship

Previous physiological and psychophysical studies have explored whether feedback to the cochlea from the efferent system influences forward masking. The present work proposes that the limited growth-of-masking (GOM) observed in auditory nerve (AN) fibers may have been misunderstood; namely, that this limitation may be due to the influence of anesthesia on the efferent system. Building on the premise that the unanesthetized AN may exhibit GOM similar to more central nuclei, the present computational modeling study demonstrates that feedback from the medial olivocochlear (MOC) efferents may contribute to GOM observed physiologically in onset-type neurons in both the cochlear nucleus and inferior …

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 …

Aac Camp As A Pre- And Post- Service Training Model, Joanne Kim

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of participation in an AAC-based day camp as a pre-service training opportunity for students of speech-language pathology and a post-training opportunity for practicing speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Following the conclusion for the most recent iteration of the AAC Academy hosted by the Diagnostic Center of Central California, students and SLPs who volunteered within the past ten years were recruited via email to participate in semi-structured interviews. Upon thematic analysis of the interview transcripts, the following themes were conceptualized: (1) Many volunteers had some interest, if not experience, with AAC prior to …

Visual Feedback In Voice Therapy For Individuals With Parkinson's Disease, Rachel Brooke Convey

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Parkinson ’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder that affects one’s movement. As the disease develops, individuals begin to present with symptoms that include but are not limited to bradykinesia, rigidity, tremors, and hypokinetic dysarthria. These symptoms affect a person’s entire body, including his/her voice. The Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) program for treating individuals with PD is supported by over twenty-five years of research. It is considered a safe, non-invasive method to improve vocal loudness and speech clarity in individuals with PD. However, simply because LSVT is effective in its current state, it does not mean that the …

Aphasia Couples Therapy: A Case Study Of Conversational Coaching For A Man With Conduction Aphasia, Adriana Joma

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to contribute to the understanding of the effects of aphasia couples therapy (ACT) in a person with conduction aphasia. ACT is a social therapeutic approach that involves facilitating conversations between the person with aphasia (PWA) and their spouse, or caregiver. The participants in this study involved one pair. The dependent variables included conveyance of main concepts, use of intentional gestures, reflections and summary statements per conversation. Miscellaneous measures were also counted and analyzed including the PWA’s frequency of paraphasias, fillers (e.g. um, uh), and disfluencies. Baseline sessions involved the PWA watching a video clip, …

Using The Assessment Process To Improve Evidence-Based Information Gathering Skills For Future Audiologists, Mickel Paris, Jiong Hu, Veronica Koo, Susanna Marshall, Gabriella Musacchia

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

Success of students in Doctor of Audiology programs depends on the ability of the learner to find and evaluate scholarly evidence. The objective of this study is to determine if an information literacy training session on evidence-based information gathering will increase four student measures: (1) Attitudes toward gathering and evaluating scholarly evidence, (2) Knowledge about evidence-base information gathering practices, (3) Perceived value of the training regarding evidence-based searching methods, and (4) Ability to gather evidence for clinical research questions. 23 first-year audiology doctoral students (AuD) at the University of the Pacific in San Francisco participated in this study. Pre- and …

Increasing Confidence In Evidence-Based Information Gathering For First Year Aud Students, Mickel Paris, Jiong Hu, Veronica Koo, Susanna Marshall, Gabriella Musacchia

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Presentations

Success of students in Doctor of Audiology programs largely depends on the ability of the learner to find and evaluate scholarly evidence. The purpose of this study is to measure changes in student information gathering confidence and behavior following training in evidence-based information gathering strategies. Results support the hypothesis that understanding foundational concepts in evidence-based practice (EBP) early in the first year of doctoral education allows the learner to gain confidence in information gathering and produce higher quality scholarly output.

Mining The Csdcas Data: Uses For Admission Tables, Grant Preparation, And Caa Reports, Larry Boles, Jim Tsiamtsiouris

School of Pharmacy Faculty Presentations

No abstract provided.

Personal Interviews: Do They Make Sense In 2015?, Larry Boles, Kerry Mandulak

School of Pharmacy Faculty Presentations

No abstract provided.

The Pacific Assessment Of Confabulation, Larry Boles

School of Pharmacy Faculty Presentations

This paper presents data on the Pacific Assessment of Confabulation (PAC), which was designed to accomplish two goals. First, the PAC is intended to quantify confabulation. Confabulation has been described as dichotomous (i.e., present or absent), without attempts to quantify it. A second goal is to test the hypothesis that occurs in the normal population. Literature related to witness testimony suggests this may be true.

Commentary: Orange, J.B. & Purves, B. (1996). Conversational Discourse And Cognitive Impairment: Implications For Alzheimer’S Disease, Larry Boles

School of Pharmacy Faculty Articles

No abstract provided.

A Study Of The Relationship Between Presidential Inaugural Addresses, Socio-Political Ideologies And Presidential Policy, Floyd Samuel Ohler

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Character of Inaugural Addresses. Research concerning the character of the Inaugural Address reveals great diversity of opinion among writers. The New York Herald Tribune, after President Kennedy’s address, concluded that the function of an Inaugural address “to express… the essence of what (the President) proposes to do in the White House.” Dr. Claudius O. Johnson, in his book Government in the United States - after reviewing President Franklin Roosevelt’s first inaugural, wrote that in his address, the President “usually tries to smooth over some of the ill-feeling which recent partisan strife may have caused, appeals to all good citizens to …

An Examination Of Language Rehabilitation For The Cerebro-Vascular Accident, Pauline Elizabeth F. Stone

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

It is the purpose of this investigation to examine the theoretical and methodological developments in the field of aphasia, to examine therapeutic applications of such research and clinical material to the language rehabilitation of cerebrovascular accident patients, and to examine a number of existing language rehabilitation programs in the light of recent developments.

A History Of The Development Of Speech Correction In The San Francisco Unified School District, 1915-1956, Alfred Donald Cross

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Public school speech correction programs have existed for many years throughout the United States. Most of these programs have been involved. in one or more of the following experiences: expansion, enrichment, curtailment, and. withdrawal.

Statement of the problem, It is the purpose of this study (l) to investigate the historical development of the speech correction program in the San Francisco Unified School District; (2) to determine the major factors that influenced the direction of the development of the program; and. (3) to ascertain the positive determinants of improvement in the further development of the San Francisco public school speech correction …

The Correlation Of Various Factors With The Speech Attitudes Of Students Enrolled At Lodi Academy During 1952-1953, Lucile Sherrig-Roth

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

It was the purpose of this study to determine by means of standardized tests and questionnaires which of the following thirteen factors, if any, may have affected the speech attitudes, as evaluated by Knower's Speech Attitude Scale, Form F,³ of students enrolled in Lodi Academy at the time of the testing: Physical--age, articulation, sex; Educational--grade level, oral reading, scholarship, silent reading; Psychological--emotional adjustment, intelligence, residence with parents, size of family, social adjustment, and unity of religious beliefs.

An Investigation Of The Value Of Auditory Training In The Education Of Deaf Children, Martha Yattaw Walker

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

For over a quarter of a century a difference of opinion has existed regarding the relative value of auditory training in the education of the deaf child. The opponents have insisted that in most deaf children there is little or no residual hearing on which to use acoustic stimulation. The proponents have insisted that there are extremely few deaf children who do not have some residual hearing which could be stimulated to promote better speech, to increase speech perception, and to advance better mental health.

The purpose of this study has been (1) to investigate (a) the development of speech …

A Survey Of The Articulation Of The Children Of The Madison School, Stockton, California, James Robertson Mcdearmon

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

It was the purpose of this study (1) to throw light upon specific speech needs of pupils in one of the elementary schools in Stockton; (2) to throw light on the status of speech in a school population among which the factors of low I.Q. retarded academic progress, exceptionally limited economic background, and racial and national differences, and relatively small; (3) by extension, to indicate something more generally regarding the speech needs of such children of whom the pupils surveyed tended to be a representative group; (4) to find indication of the influence of the factor of chronological age upon …

An Investigation Of Parental Influence On The Speech Development Of The Child, Margaret Bradshaw Ropolo

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Relatively little material has been written about teaching a child to speak. That a child does learn to talk seems well supported by most authorities; and this is based upon experimental evidence. Just how a child can be taught to speak is not so widely discussed. Many writers have ignored this aspect of speech development, and the author is inclined to believe that many parents are completely unaware of it. The number of speech defectives in the country today indicates widespread ignorance of this problem.

It is the purpose of this study (1) to show how parents can aid the …

A Study Of The Speech Abilities Of 150 Teacher Credential Candidates, Yvonne Pearson Schoell

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This study is aimed at analyzing the speech adequacy of credential candidates. It is hoped that the results will suggest a type of speech training, in terms of a specific course, which will be beneficial to those candidates who are in need of speech help. If what the candidates as a whole seem to need and what they seem to have acquired through speech training is known, a course designed along the lines of these speech needs can be more easily constructed.

In general, this thesis will attempt to answer the following questions: (1) What type of speech training would …

A Study Of The Relationship Of Speech Ability And Success As A Minister In Northern California, John Edward Baird

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Probably nothing I could write would better serve to introduce this study than the comments of one woman who wrote to me in answer to a questionnaire about her pastor I know nothing of her training in the field and I cannot reveal her nemo here, but some of the advice she gives night well have come from a homiletics textbook. She says: