Communication Sciences and Disorders Commons^™

Students' Understanding Of Self-Management In Aphasia Treatment, Maryse Azer

Honors College Theses

Aphasia is a neurogenic language disorder caused by damage to the language areas of the brain in the left hemisphere, resulting in speech and language impairments. People with aphasia (PWA) often receive services from speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who provide screening, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment to address communication deficits. Aphasia is a chronic condition and PWA experience symptoms throughout their lives. Healthcare costs related to aphasia account for $46 billion annually. Provider shortages, lack of transportation, insurance constraints, and travel expenses can leave PWA without adequate care. One possible solution to the costs and access issues is the implementation of self-management …

The Effect Of Exercise Interventions On Cognitive Functions In Individuals With Down Syndrome: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Emma Moreland

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Purpose: Previous research showed that exercise positively impacts cognition, specifically executive functioning. This systematic review aims to determine the impact of exercise on cognitive functions in people with Down Syndrome.

Method: A systematic review of the research literature related to the influence of exercise on cognition for individuals with Down syndrome was carried out. Included studies were evaluated for level of evidence and appraised for strength of study design. Post-intervention change score differences between groups were analyzed using effect sizes (Hedge’s g).

Results: Fifteen intervention studies met inclusionary criteria and were included in the systematic review. Levels of evidence for …

Parents' Perception Of Speech-Language Pathologists In Secondary Transition, Madelyn Hunt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Speech-Language Pathologists provide services to youth with Down syndrome. The purpose of this study was to (a) determine if parents are aware that speech-language pathologists can provide services to prepare their children for secondary transition; (b) identify the parents’ perceptions of the services provided by speech-language pathologists; and (c) determine if in the parents’ opinion, the speech-language pathologist provided a vital role in preparing their child for transition. Using nonprobability snowball sampling, this cross-sectional mixed-method survey study included 85 parents of youth (ages 14-22) with Down syndrome across the United States. Parents rated their experiences and described their beliefs and …

Exploring The Interactive, Linguistic, And Conceptual Dimensions Of Parent Input And Their Role In Children's Pragmatic Development, Nickolas T. Day

LSU Master's Theses

The development of children’s pragmatic language, which can be defined as conversational competence in social contexts, has been attributed to variation in the language they hear in their environment. When studying the impact language input has on pragmatic development, it is important for clinicians and linguists to measure both the quantity and quality of this language input. Measures of quality, however, are much more relevant when studying the development of pragmatic language, as discussed in Zhang (2020) and Hirsh-Pasek et al. (2015). Rowe and Snow (2016) discussed three dimensions of language quality: interactive, linguistic and conceptual. There is a current …

Identifying Key Language Research Priorities In Autistic Children According To Parents, Taylor Hale

LSU Master's Theses

The lack of involvement of the autistic community and its stakeholders in autism research has led to a call to action. At present, autism researchers have limited knowledge about stakeholders’ priorities for research. The current study aimed to bridge the disconnect between the extant autism research and the recent neurodiversity movement by surveying key stakeholders – parents of autistic children – on their perspectives on autism research that focuses on language. Twenty-six parents of autistic children completed an online survey on their views on autism language research with an option to participate in a follow-up interview. Six parents participated in …

Muscle Tension Dysphonia In Singers And Professional Speakers With Ankyloglossia: Impact Of Treatment With Lingual Frenuloplasty And Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, Isabella Summersgill, Gloria Nguyen, Cullen Grey, Leyli Norouz-Knutsen, Robyn Merkel-Walsh, Christine Katzenmeir, Benjamin Rafii, Soroush Zaghi

International Journal of Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy

Introduction: Muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) describes a condition affecting the feeling or quality of the voice due to increased muscle tension in and/or around the neck and larynx. Ankyloglossia is a condition of restricted tongue mobility that has been shown to be associated with increased muscle tension. This case series explores outcomes for voice users with MTD who have been treated for ankyloglossia.

Methods: Twelve professional or recreational voice users diagnosed with ankyloglossia were surveyed on their symptoms of MTD before and after treatment with lingual frenuloplasty and pre- and post-operative orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT), a multidisciplinary approach known as …

Perceptual And Acoustical Assessment Of Voice In Children With Cleft Lip And Palate, Indu Thammaiah, Meenakshi S, Raghunath N, Ramith Ramu

International Journal of Health and Allied Sciences

BACKGROUND: The speech of individuals with cleft lip and palate is primarily characterized by nasality of oral speech because of cleft and or velopharyngeal dysfunction. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study is to investigate the acoustical assessment and perceptual rating measurements in cleft lip and palate children. METHODS: The study participants included 30 children with cleft lip and palate in the age range of 4 to 12 years. Prior parental consent was obtained for the inclusion of their children in the study. Speech samples of all the l the participants were recorded. Prerecorded speech samples of the individuals of …

Surgical Management Of Velopharyngeal Dysfunction: Major Techniques And Trends For The 21st Century, Dominic Alessio-Bilowus, Sadaf Hashemian, Kylie Nikolli, Ahmed Hashem Md

Medical Student Research Symposium

INTRODUCTION: Surgical management of velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) has become increasingly complex over recent decades with advances in diagnosis, evaluation and technique, and research focus in this area is expected to shift accordingly. This study aims to educate readers on updates in management of VPD and explore changes in surgical methods through the 21st century.

METHODS: A systematic review was conducted of all literature published on surgical treatment of VPD since the year 2000, following PRISMA reporting guidelines. Adult-acquired VPD, any non-surgical management, implants and prosthetic devices, animal or cadaver models, and case series involving less than 10 subjects were excluded. …

Comparing Two Methods Of Clinical Supervision, Heather K. Anderson, Sandra Hayes, Julie P. Smith, Stephanie Currie

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare two methods of clinical supervision, remote and in-person, in group speech-language therapy in a university-based outpatient clinic, in terms of student clinical behaviors that occur with each method. Clinical supervision is an essential part of graduate education programs in speech-language pathology and clinical supervisors in university-based speech and hearing clinics often employ remote supervision. The professional literature concerning the impact of remote supervision on student clinical behaviors is limited. The studies found advantages and disadvantages to in-person and remote supervision and no real preference for one method was noted by participants. …

Audiological Intervention For Late-Identified Children And Teenagers With Hearing Loss, Melissa Wiedeman, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Abstract 1 - Introduction: The family of every child referred for definitive care after a newborn hearing screening should follow up with an audiologist to rule out hearing impairment. Early identification, diagnosis, and intervention are crucial for individualized planning and outcomes. Children who need binaural amplification and are not managed appropriately become exposed to sound deprivation, which leads to diminished speech audibility, sound localization, and speech and language development. Case Presentation: A young child presented to the clinic with an unspecified bilateral mild to moderate hearing loss at 500, 2000, and 4000 Hz. Discussion: Children with monaural amplification have shown …

Alternative Techniques For Amplification: A Capstone Case Series, Toryn Davis, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Abstract 1- Introduction: Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is a rare and chronic hereditary disorder that causes motor and sensory damage to the peripheral nervous system. As the disease progresses, hearing sensitivity may worsen. Case Presentation: A young adult-aged patient presented to the clinic with congenital hearing loss and difficulty with conversational speech in quiet and noisy conditions. Discussion: When encountering a patient with CMT, clinicians should be cognoscente of amplification options, especially if nerve pathways begin to deteriorate. When audiologic testing reveals a progression of hearing loss, alternative amplification may be indicated because conventional hearing aids may not provide enough …

Varied Performance Of Picture Description Task As A Screening Tool Across Mci Subtypes, Joan A. Mefford, Zilong Zhao, Leah Heilier, Man Xu, Guifeng Zhou, Rachel Mace, Kelly L. Sloane, Shannon M. Sheppard, Shenly Glenn

Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Articles and Research

A picture description task is a component of Miro Health’s platform for self-administration of neurobehavioral assessments. Picture description has been used as a screening tool for identification of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), but currently requires in-person administration and scoring by someone with access to and familiarity with a scoring rubric. The Miro Health implementation allows broader use of this assessment through self-administration and automated processing, analysis, and scoring to deliver clinically useful quantifications of the users’ speech production, vocal characteristics, and language. Picture description responses were collected from 62 healthy controls (HC), and 33 participants …

Case Reports On Auditory Deprivation And Audiologic Management, Marysue Koelling, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Abstract 1- Introduction: Long-term follow-up appointments are beneficial for cochlear implant (CI) users. Several factors can influence individual auditory performance, even after years of experience with amplification use. Maintaining routine follow-up appointments with an audiologist can provide verification measures, auditory monitoring, and ongoing counseling to achieve optimal performance with CI technology. Case Presentation: An elderly, female patient with a monaural CI presented to the clinic with a significant decline in speech perception after years of use. Discussion: The goal of CI programming is to effectively convert acoustic input into a usable electric signal for each stimulated electrode to produce adequate …

Ensuring Equitable Treatment For People Of Color Receiving Audiology Care, Isabel Guidotti, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Abstract 1- Introduction: As health care providers, serving patients equitably may require concurrent caring for the concerns and demands of family members as well. When striving to provide equitable care to patients of all backgrounds, familial participation throughout an appointment can play a substantial role. Case Presentation: An older adult male patient who used English as a second language presented with moderate, sloping to severe, mixed hearing loss, bilaterally. Hearing aid options were counseled and discussed in detail with the patient and his spouse. Discussion: The patient’s wife played an active role throughout the appointment and served as a valuable …

Advancing Health Equity In The Us Military, James D. Mancuso, John Young, Jennifer Rusiecki, Shauna Stahlman, Natasha Schvey, Toya Randolph, Candy Wilson, Catherine Witkop, Patrick Hyde, Althea Green, Patcho Santiago, Donald Shell, Tracy Sbrocco

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Eliminating health disparities and achieving health equity are central to US national health objectives and the Military Health System’s “quadruple aim,” which has readiness as its core aim. Because military service members enjoy universal eligibility for health care, it is sometimes assumed that health disparities do not exist in the Department of Defense (DoD). However, while some studies have shown that disparities have been attenuated or eliminated in the DoD, others suggest that significant disparities remain. Reasons these disparities may remain include that universal eligibility for care does not necessarily result in equal to access to care, and that equal …

Audiological Accommodations For Special Populations: A Capstone Case Series, Hannah Belke, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Introduction: Deaf-blindness is a term that refers to people with dual sensory impairments who, typically, have some residual hearing and usable vision. Individualized attention should be employed when working with these patients to ensure effective intervention. Case Presentation: A young female presented to the clinic with cortical blindness and essentially unilateral (right-sided) sensorineural hearing loss. Discussion: For special populations, such as those with deaf-blindness, audiologists need to be aware of testing and environmental considerations due to challenges presented by comorbidities. Senses, such as touch, may be used when testing these patients. The use of paper material, placement of furniture, and …

Speech-Language Pathologists’ Barriers To Providing Services To The Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Children Ages 2–9, Irene S. García-Benavides

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study explored the knowledge and experiences of 12 speech-language pathologists (SLPs) regarding the culture and linguistic processes of the Deaf culture when assessing and treating deaf and hard of hearing children ages 2 to 9. Data analysis has resulted in identification of the following main themes: (a) The Scope of Practice, (b) Barriers Regarding Culturally and Linguistically Informed Practices, and (c) Awareness of Similarities and Differences in Language Acquisition and Structures in English and American Sign Language (ASL). The findings of this study underscored the importance of knowledge that SLPs have to acquire in order to provide …

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 …

The Integration Of The Scholarship Of Teaching And Learning Into The Discipline Of Communication Sciences And Disorders, Jennifer Friberg, Jerry K. Hoepner, Allison M. Sauerwein, Kerry Mandulak

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

McKinney (2018) has argued that for the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) to advance within a discipline, the integration of SoTL must be closely examined and opportunities for growth in SoTL must be recognized and discussed. To that end, this paper reflects on the degree to which SoTL is integrated into communication sciences and disorders (CSD) by examining a variety of topics: perspectives and theories historically valued by our discipline, existing supports for SoTL at various levels (i.e., individual teacher-scholars, departments, institutions, and the CSD discipline as a whole), the application of SoTL findings in teaching and learning. Four …

Partnering With Students To Increase Engagement And Inclusion In An Undergraduate Phonetics & Acoustics Course, Teresa Roberts, Rik Lemoncello

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

An introductory phonetics course provides foundational content for future clinical practice and may serve as a student’s first experience within the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders. The Students as Partners framework (Cook-Sather et al., 2014) offers a model for valuing student assets and experiences in co-creating learning materials to enhance active learning and deepen understanding. Incorporating positive affective feelings around learning complex material, integrating technology, and building a mutually respectful learning community can foster inclusive practices. In this manuscript, the authors share how redesigning an introductory Phonetics and Acoustics course at a large, urban, commuter, public university led to …