Speech Pathology and Audiology Commons^™

An Exploratory Bayesian Network Analysis Of Weight And Feeding Outcomes In 6-Month-Old Infants With Complex Congenital Heart Disease, Amy Delaney, Mary Taylor, Julie Ann Lavoie, Roger Brown, Karen Pridhame

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose: We aimed to explore with a Bayesian network how clinically important factors related to feeding infants with complex congenital heart disease (CCHD) are associated with each other and influence feeding outcomes. Our goal was to raise questions for further study.

Method: This descriptive study included data from 19 infants on severity of neonatal illness, early oral-motor (OM) and swallowing skills, feeding patterns, liquid and solid intake, and weight-for-age at 2 and 6 months. Bayesian network analysis was used to estimate the conditional probabilities of these variables in relation to each other and predict the 6-month weight-for-age z score and …

Caregivers' Experiences Of Assessment And Treatment For Their Child With Childhood Apraxia Of Speech: An International Questionnaire Study, Donna Claire Thomas, Maryane Gomez, Angela Muis, Nathan Trezise, Eliza Williamson, Julie Case, Elizabeth Murray, Maria Irene Grigos, Jenya Iuzzini-Seigel, Shelley L. Velleman

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose: The aim of this study was to understand caregivers' preferences and experiences with diagnosis and treatment of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS).

Method: Caregivers of children with CAS completed a 70-item online survey that explored demographics, initial concerns, the CAS diagnostic process, speech therapy goals, and preferred and received speech therapy service delivery (session frequency, length, and context). Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively and with inferential statistics; qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis.

Results: One hundred sixty-one caregivers participated, mostly from the United States, Australia, and Canada. A total of 72% of caregivers had concerns about their child's …

Independence Of Spectral Contrast Effects Across Different Frequency Regions In Speech Perception, Christian E. Stilp, Matthew B. Winn

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Identification of speech sounds is influenced by spectral contrast effects (SCEs), the perceptual magnification of spectral differences between successive sounds. SCEs result in the categorization of a target sound being biased away from spectral properties in the preceding acoustic context. Given remarkable consistency in the magnitudes of these contrast effects within the same frequency region, it was hypothesized that they would also show stable relationships across different frequency regions. In this study, normal-hearing listeners’ phoneme categorization and contrast effects were assessed where phonetic contrasts were driven by changes in low-frequency F₁ (“big”-“beg” continuum), mid-frequency F₃ (“dot”-“got”), or high-frequency …

Beyond Mean Length Of Utterance: Novel Measures For Characterizing The Spoken Language Of Autistic Children, Janine Mathee-Scott, Courtney E. Venker

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose:

Mean length of utterance (MLU) is a common measure of expressive language complexity in young children, including autistic children. However, means, by nature, obscure some information about spread and variability in data. Thus, we aimed to examine a new approach to characterizing linguistic complexity in autistic children by investigating the validity of two novel measures—range of length of utterance (RLU), standard deviation of length of utterance (SDLU)—alongside established measures: MLU and total utterances (TU).

Method:

Participants were 40 autistic children (12 girls, 28 boys; M_age = 41.78 months). Children participated in 10-min, play-based language samples with their caregivers. …

A Novel Method For Examining Autistic Children’S Comprehension Of Individual Words Produced Within Delayed Echolalia: A Proof-Of-Concept Pilot Study, Janine Mathee-Scott, Grace Corrigan, Emily Lorang, Zachary Hesse, Jennifer Johnson, Courtney E. Venker

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Delayed echolalia, or the repetition of previously heard speech, is often observed in the expressive language of autistic children. Relatively little is known about how the production of delayed echolalia fits within the overall picture of autistic children’s language ability, including receptive language. To date, no empirical studies have tested autistic children’s comprehension of individual words within their delayed echoes. The present study aimed to establish proof-of-concept for a novel method of examining children’s comprehension of individual words that they produce in their own delayed echoes. Using natural language sampling combined with parent report, we identified instances of delayed echolalia …

A Scoping Review Of Oral Feeding Skill Development In Typically Developing Children Part Ii: Exploring Variability In Oral Feeding Skill Descriptions, Amy Delaney, Anna Flatt, Hannah Koepp, Alissa Fial, Katherine C. Hustad

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose:

This scoping review is the second in a two-part series that aims to synthesize the literature on oral feeding skills development and to create a classification system of observable skills. Building on the findings from Part 1, this article compiles and analyzes the types of feeding skills reported across studies and proposes a framework for standardizing terminology.

Method:

The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Of the 14 studies identified in Part 1 that focused on feeding skill development, 11 included unique skill descriptions. These skills were coded and …

A Scoping Review Of Oral Feeding Skill Development In Typically Developing Children Part I: Methodologies, Populations, And Normative Data, Amy L. Delaney, Anna Flatt, Hannah Koepp, Alissa V. Fial, Katherine C. Hustad

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose:

This scoping review is the first in a two-part series aimed at synthesizing literature on oral feeding skills and informing the development of a classification system of observable skills. This article consolidates research on feeding skill development in typically developing children. The second paper analyzes individual skills identified. This review addresses three questions: (a) What methods have been used to study feeding skill development? (b) What populations of typically developing children without feeding disorders have been studied? (c) What normative data on feeding skills are available?

Method:

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for …

Clinician And Caregiver Perspectives On A Community-Based Dynamic Temporal And Tactile Cueing Treatment Trial For Childhood Apraxia Of Speech: Exploring Perceptions Of Research And Routine Clinical Practice, Donna C. Thomas, Geraldine Bricker-Katz, Elizabeth Murray, Shelley L. Velleman, Jenya Iuzzini-Seigel

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose:

Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) is an evidence-based treatment for children with childhood apraxia of speech. In clinical practice, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) frequently use an eclectic approach incorporating aspects of DTTC, for reasons that are not well understood. This research note describes a qualitative investigation of the experiences of SLPs and caregivers who participated in protocolized research DTTC for a 24-session treatment efficacy study. Specifically, we sought to understand the perspectives of these SLPs and caregivers regarding (a) DTTC treatment, as provided during the study, and (b) participating in a treatment research study.

Method:

Four SLPs and three …

A Pathway To Research-Reliable Dynamic Temporal And Tactile Cueing For Children With Childhood Apraxia Of Speech: A Multiphase Process For Training Community Clinicians, Julia Case, Maria I. Grigos, Shelley L. Velleman, Elizabeth Murray, Donna C. Thomas, Shelby Anumandla, Jenya Iuzzini-Seigel

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose: Mounting research supports the use of motor-based intervention (e.g., Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing [DTTC]) for children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), but large randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to better understand optimal treatment conditions. Partnering with community clinicians may help support recruitment and data collection for large groups of participants with CAS. However, to achieve this, rigorous training is needed to ensure high-fidelity treatment and adherence to research protocols. This work presents a multiphase process for training community clinicians to implement high-fidelity DTTC. We then examined whether clinician factors predicted their performance on assessment tasks used …

A Developmental Texture Framework For Food Texture Progression: Implications For Feeding Development, Oral Motor Skills, And Pediatric Feeding Disorder, Amy L. Delaney, Sarah Staskiewicz, Suzanne Evans Morris, Sarah Smith-Simpson, Praveen S. Goday

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

The introduction of food textures in a child's first 2 years of life plays a vital role in growth, nutrition, and feeding development. However, the absence of a standardized texture framework for studying texture progression limits both pediatric feeding research and the ability to diagnose pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) based on age-appropriate expectations. To address this gap, authors Delaney and Goday proposed data sharing from the Nestlé Feeding Infant-Toddler Study (FITS) to explore texture progression and define age-appropriate texture expectations. In response, Nestlé assembled a multidisciplinary panel of feeding experts to create standardized textures but did not provide financial or …

What Of It? Coding The Unmarked Of-Preposition In Language Samples From Young Aae Speakers, Denise A. Finneran, Maura J. Moyle, Alaina Nash, Sixia Chen

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

We examined the of-preposition in language samples because it is a highly variable feature that can be marked or unmarked (e.g., “out [of] the door”) depending on context. Children who speak African American English (AAE) produce unmarked of-prepositions in contexts that are universal across AAE and General American English (GAE; e.g., “out [of] the window”) and in contexts specific to the AAE dialect (e.g., “out [of] the car”). Guidance in the literature on this variability is limited for language sample analysis. Participants included 113 children who spoke AAE. We examined contexts with unmarked of-prepositions in narrative language samples in a …

Dr. Audrey Holland's Crazy Patchwork Quilt: A Thematic Analysis, Jessica D. Richardson, Sarah Grace Hudspeth Dalton, Honey Isabel Hubbard, Maya Henry

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Dr. Audrey Holland was a friend to people with aphasia and related disorders, care partners, community advocates, students, clinicians, educators, researchers, and more. Her profound impact extended across these diverse communities within aphasiology and speech-language pathology. Through her words and deeds, Audrey established a rich legacy that continues to guide and inspire countless individuals. A careful examination of her contributions reveals a roadmap for those seeking to embark on a similar journey of compassion and influence. To pay tribute to our mentor and friend, we conducted a thematic analysis of her solo works to identify enduring themes, laugh-out-loud anecdotes, and …

Clear Masks Do Not Prevent Gains During Dynamic Temporal And Tactile Cueing Treatment: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Pilot Study, Jenya Iuzzini-Seigel, Elizabeth Murray, Shelley L. Velleman, Geraldine Bricker-Katz, Donna Thomas

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose:

This study aimed to determine the outcomes and impact of Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) treatment when clear vinyl masks were worn. DTTC is one of the few evidence-based treatments for children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). Given that DTTC relies on visual, auditory, and tactile cues, it was unknown if treatment gains would be demonstrated when masks were worn and how masking would impact the therapy experience for clinicians and caregivers.

Method:

A sequential mixed methods design was used to study the efficacy of DTTC treatment in children with CAS when clear masks were worn. The …

Standardizing Attention Process Training-Iii For A Multisite Clinical Trial Of Neuromodulation, Jessica D. Richardson, Honey Isabel Hubbard, Sarah Grace Dalton, Sloan Davidson, Tiana Maple, Tyler B. Smith, Mo Chen, Rebecca Hiltner, Thomas Jones, Andrew R. Mayer, Orrin Myers, Cassandra Nelson, Sarah Pirio-Richardson, Cidney Robertson-Benta, Scott R. Sponheim, Joel Upston, Lindsay Worth, Nicholas Davenport, Davin K. Quinn

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction

The Control Network Neuromodulation to Enhance Cognitive Training in Complex Traumatic Brain Injury (CONNECT-TBI) study is an ongoing randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled multisite clinical trial to determine the enhancing effects of noninvasive neuromodulation when paired with cognitive training in military participants (Veterans and active duty) with mild TBI. Attention Process Training-III (APT-III) was selected for its strong evidence base, manualized procedures, and computerized program. However, many aspects of APT-III that make it ideal for personalization make it less ideal for reliable implementation across participants, clinicians/technicians, and sites. The purpose of this feature article is to highlight APT-III procedures that require …

Acceptance Of Bite Presentations And Feeding Behaviors Of 8 To 12-Month-Old Infants: A Reflection Of Typical Feeding Development, Amy Delaney, Ericka Diestler, Parama Sridevi, Arafat Mahmood, Sheikh Iqbal Ahamed

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose

The lack of age-appropriate expectations for feeding acceptance patterns in early childhood is a barrier to early and accurate identification of pediatric feeding disorder (PFD). The objective of the study was to describe the process by which typically developing children 8–12 months of age accept or refuse bite presentations and their corresponding feeding behaviors, aiming to establish age-appropriate normative data for feeding acceptance.

Method

Using cross-sectional methodology, we studied the proportion of bite presentations accepted, the type of feeding behaviors-passive, disruptive, expulsion, feeding concerns- observed at presentation and acceptance or refusal, and the duration between presentation to acceptance or …

Research Priorities For Childhood Apraxia Of Speech: A Long View, Jenya Iuzzini-Seigel

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

This article introduces the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research Special Issue: Selected Papers From the 2022 Apraxia Kids Research Symposium. The field of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) has developed significantly in the past 15 years, with key improvements in understanding of basic biology including genetics, neuroscience, and computational modelling; development of diagnostic tools and methods; diversity of evidence-based interventions with increasingly rigorous experimental designs; and understanding of impacts beyond impairment-level measures. Papers in this special issue not only review and synthesize the some of the substantial progress to date but also present novel findings addressing critical research …

Professional Development In Phonological Awareness For Early Childhood Educators In Low-Income, Urban Classrooms: A Pilot Study Examining Dosage Effects, Jayne E. Jaskolski, Maura Jones Moyle

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Providing high-quality literacy instruction in early childhood may positively affect the long-term outcomes of children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Previous research has shown that educators are generally lacking in their own phonological awareness knowledge and skills which could negatively impact the provision of effective instruction in code-focused early literacy skills. The purposes of this pilot study were to examine the effects of differing dosages of professional development in phonological awareness on early childhood educators’ (ECEs) own phonological awareness skills and instructional practices, and to examine the effects on child outcomes. The comparison group consisted of 10 ECEs who were receiving professional …

Dialect Density, Language Abilities, And Emergent Literacy Skills Of Prekindergarten Children Who Speak African American English, Erika Baldwin, John J. Heilmann, Denise A. Finneran, Chi C. Cho, Maura Jones Moyle

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Background Numerous studies have observed a significant and unique relationship between children's use of nonmainstream dialect and reading outcomes. We aimed to examine the relationship between nonmainstream dialect and reading at its roots by completing a preliminary evaluation of the relationship between African American English (AAE) dialect and multiple dimensions of emergent literacy skills in young African American children enrolled in Head Start. Methods Seventy-eight African American preschoolers completed the Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening-PreK (PALS-PreK) and a narrative retell of the wordless picture book, Frog, Where Are You? The narratives were used to generate three measures of narrative productivity and …

A Tool For Differential Diagnosis Of Childhood Apraxia Of Speech And Dysarthria In Children: A Tutorial, Jenya Iuzzini-Seigel, Kristen M. Allison, Ruth Stoeckel

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose:

While there has been mounting research centered on the diagnosis of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), little has focused on differentiating CAS from pediatric dysarthria. Because CAS and dysarthria share overlapping speech symptoms and some children have both motor speech disorders, differential diagnosis can be challenging. There is a need for clinical tools that facilitate assessment of both CAS and dysarthria symptoms in children. The goals of this tutorial are to (a) determine confidence levels of clinicians in differentially diagnosing dysarthria and CAS and (b) provide a systematic procedure for differentiating CAS and pediatric dysarthria in children.

Method:

Evidence …

Prologue To The Forum: Care Of The Whole Child: Key Considerations When Working With Children With Childhood Apraxia Of Speech, Jenya Iuzzini-Seigel

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose: This prologue introduces the LSHSS Forum: Care of the Whole Child: Key Considerations When Working With Children With Childhood Apraxia of Speech. The goals of the forum are to provide (a) an overview of several co-occurring conditions and challenges that may affect children in this population and (b) methods and materials to enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy to help children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) to thrive.

Method: The prologue provides an overview of what it means to care for the whole child and introduces the five articles in the forum, including research and clinical focus articles …

Retrospective Case–Control Study Of Communication And Motor Abilities In 143 Children With Suspected Childhood Apraxia Of Speech: Effect Of Concomitant Diagnosis, Jenya Iuzzini-Seigel, Amy Delaney, Ray D. Kent

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose:

This study sought to determine if children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) plus another major diagnosis (CAS+) are equivalent in communication and motor profiles to those with a primary diagnosis of CAS and no indication or report of any other diagnosis (CAS-Primary).

Method:

This retrospective case–control study included a chart review of 143 children who were suspected of having CAS at Children's Hospital-Wisconsin between 1998 and 2004. Participants were between 30 and 127 months old and included 107 males. Participants were assigned to the suspected CAS-Primary group (n = 114) if they had characteristics of CAS but …

The Effects Of Singing Vs. Speech On Joint Engagement In A Young Child With Phelan-Mcdermid Syndrome, Marllys Banks, Hannah Kinney, Bridget Valla, Maura Jones Moyle

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) is a rare genetic disorder typically caused by loss or disruption of the distal long arm of chromosome 22. Children with PMS exhibit severe to profound communication deficits, and the majority meet the criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). To date, no language or communication intervention studies focused on children with PMS exist in the literature despite a steady increase in diagnosed cases. Anecdotally, it has been reported that music facilitates learning and engagement in children with PMS. The purpose of this clinical case study is to investigate the effects of singing vs. speaking on joint engagement, …

Moving Toward Non-Transcription Based Discourse Analysis In Stable And Progressive Aphasia, Sarah Grace Dalton, H. Isabel Hubbard, Jessica D. Richardson

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Measurement of communication ability at the discourse level holds promise for predicting how well persons with stable (e.g., stroke-induced), or progressive aphasia navigate everyday communicative interactions. However, barriers to the clinical utilization of discourse measures have persisted. Recent advancements in the standardization of elicitation protocols and the existence of large databases for development of normative references have begun to address some of these barriers. Still, time remains a consistently reported barrier by clinicians. Non-transcription based discourse measurement would reduce the time required for discourse analysis, making clinical utilization a reality. The purpose of this article is to present evidence regarding …

Pediatric Feeding Disorder: Consensus Definition And Conceptual Framework, Praveen S. Goday, Susanna Y. Huh, Alan Silverman, Colleen T. Lukens, Pamela Dodrill, Sherri S. Cohen, Amy Delaney, Mary B. Feuling, Richard J. Noel, Erika Gisel, Amy Kenzer, Daniel B. Kessler, Olaf Kraus De Camargo, Joe Browne, James A. Phalen

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Pediatric feeding disorders (PFDs) lack a universally accepted definition. Feeding disorders require comprehensive assessment and treatment of 4 closely related, complementary domains (medical, psychosocial, and feeding skill-based systems and associated nutritional complications). Previous diagnostic paradigms have, however, typically defined feeding disorders using the lens of a single professional discipline and fail to characterize associated functional limitations that are critical to plan appropriate interventions and improve quality of life. Using the framework of the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health, a unifying diagnostic term is proposed: “Pediatric Feeding Disorder” (PFD), defined as impaired oral intake that is …

Jaw Rotation In Dysarthria Measured With A Single Electromagnetic Articulography Sensor, Jeffrey J. Berry, Andrew Kolb, James Schroeder, Michael T. Johnson

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose This study evaluated a novel method for characterizing jaw rotation using orientation data from a single electromagnetic articulography sensor. This method was optimized for clinical application, and a preliminary examination of clinical feasibility and value was undertaken.

Method The computational adequacy of the single-sensor orientation method was evaluated through comparisons of jaw-rotation histories calculated from dual-sensor positional data for 16 typical talkers. The clinical feasibility and potential value of single-sensor jaw rotation were assessed through comparisons of 7 talkers with dysarthria and 19 typical talkers in connected speech.

Results The single-sensor orientation method allowed faster and safer participant preparation, …

Speech Inconsistency In Children With Childhood Apraxia Of Speech, Language Impairment, And Speech Delay: Depends On The Stimuli, Jenya Iuzzini-Seigel, Tiffany P. Hogan, Jordan R. Green

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

The current research sought to determine (a) if speech inconsistency is a core feature of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) or if it is driven by comorbid language impairment that affects a large subset of children with CAS and (b) if speech inconsistency is a sensitive and specific diagnostic marker that can differentiate between CAS and speech delay.

Language Variation: What's An Educator To Do?, Maura Jones Moyle

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Parallel Reference Speaker Weighting For Kinematic-Independent Acoustic-To-Articulatory Inversion, An Ji, Michael T. Johnson, Jeffrey J. Berry

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Acoustic-to-articulatory inversion, the estimation of articulatory kinematics from an acoustic waveform, is a challenging but important problem. Accurate estimation of articulatory movements has the potential for significant impact on our understanding of speech production, on our capacity to assess and treat pathologies in a clinical setting, and on speech technologies such as computer aided pronunciation assessment and audio-video synthesis. However, because of the complex and speaker-specific relationship between articulation and acoustics, existing approaches for inversion do not generalize well across speakers. As acquiring speaker-specific kinematic data for training is not feasible in many practical applications, this remains an important and …

The Role Of Candidate-Gene Cntnap2 In Childhood Apraxia Of Speech And Specific Language Impairment, Tracy M. Centanni, J. N. Sanmann, J. R. Green, Jenya Iuzzini-Seigel, Christopher W. Bartlett, W. G. Sanger, Tiffany P. Hogan

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a debilitating pediatric speech disorder characterized by varying symptom profiles, comorbid deficits, and limited response to intervention. Specific Language Impairment (SLI) is an inherited pediatric language disorder characterized by delayed and/or disordered oral language skills including impaired semantics, syntax, and discourse. To date, the genes associated with CAS and SLI are not fully characterized. In the current study, we evaluated behavioral and genetic profiles of seven children with CAS and eight children with SLI, while ensuring all children were free of comorbid impairments. Deletions within CNTNAP2 were found in two children with CAS but …

Reliance On Auditory Feedback In Children With Childhood Apraxia Of Speech, Jenya Iuzzini-Seigel, Tiffany P. Hogan, Anthony J. Guarino, Jordan R. Green

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) have been hypothesized to continuously monitor their speech through auditory feedback to minimize speech errors. We used an auditory masking paradigm to determine the effect of attenuating auditory feedback on speech in 30 children: 9 with CAS, 10 with speech delay, and 11 with typical development. The masking only affected the speech of children with CAS as measured by voice onset time and vowel space area. These findings provide preliminary support for greater reliance on auditory feedback among children with CAS.

Learning outcomes: Readers of this article should be able to (i) …