Communication Sciences and Disorders Commons^™

Teaching Bilingual Features To A Young Augmentative And Alternative Communication User With Autism, Paola Gallegos

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This study examines how a minimally verbal, young Spanish-English bilingual child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) uses translanguaging toggle features on an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device to produce multi-word picture descriptions. The study employed a Rapidly Alternating Treatments Design (RATD) to analyze AAC performance under language-controlled Spanish-only and English-only conditions. A quantitative analysis examined the frequency and patterns of bilingual AAC feature use during aided modeling and instruction, while qualitative methods explored the related challenges and benefits. This study highlights the potential for bilingual AAC systems to enhance communication effectiveness and underscores the importance of incorporating user and …

Peer-Led Support Groups For People With Early Onset Parkinson's Disease, Linnea Tabaka

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Early onset Parkinson’s Disease (EOPD) is a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease when diagnosed between the ages of 21 and 50. This population faces unique challenges due to family, social, and career demands that correlate with the age of diagnosis. Support groups have been utilized frequently for people with traditional PD and their caregivers but may not meet the unique needs people with EOPD face. This study explores the existing benefits of a peer-led support group (group led by members of the group) for persons with EOPD. Methodology: This is a qualitative case study of an established support …

Advancing Speech Intelligibility Assessment: Comparing School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists, Laypersons, And Speech Recognition Software., Hannah Stewart

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This non-experimental study utilized a convenience sample (N = 86) to investigate the comparability of school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs), laypersons, and speech recognition software in the assessment of speech intelligibility for children with phonological disorders. Eighty-nine percent of participants were female, and 92% were white. All participants completed a survey comprised of 25 audio recordings of single-word utterances from an AI-generated voice of a four-year-old male with a phonological disorder and were asked to select what word they believed was heard from a pool of 12 options. The survey also included a passage read by the same AI-generated voice, and …

Long-Term Changes In Bolus Parameters During Swallowing Post-Chemoradiation Treatment., Brittany Rebecca Smiley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Current treatment for oropharyngeal cancer involves chemoradiation, which can have profound effects on swallowing function. Submental muscle activity is critical for airway protection and bolus transit but is highly susceptible to radiation-related swallowing impairments. This study examined whether chemoradiation targeting the submental muscles leads to measurable changes in esophageal distension during swallowing in a rodent model. We hypothesized that rats receiving chemoradiation would exhibit aberrant esophageal distension compared to chemotherapy-only controls. Twenty male rats underwent four cycles of cisplatin concurrently with either radiation or sham radiation. High-speed videofluoroscopy swallow studies were conducted pre- and post-treatment with thin liquids to analyze …

Empowering Through Technology: An Internship Report On Augmentative And Alternative Communication Devices, Olivia G. Macdonald

Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy Undergraduate Honors Theses

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices play a crucial role in supporting individuals with communication challenges, particularly children with developmental disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This paper provides a comprehensive review of the literature on AAC and offers a detailed report of an internship experience at the University of Arkansas WE CARE Summer Camp. During the internship, firsthand experiences provided valuable insights into how AAC technologies can be applied to enhance communication, foster social connections, and support behavioral regulation.

The literature review explores the different types of AAC systems, including both aided and unaided options, and discusses the …

Language Sample Analysis In Preschool-Age Children At-Risk For Speech Sound Disorders, Hannah Spear

Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction: Language sample analysis is a highly beneficial tool that speech-language pathologists can utilize to provide a more accurate diagnosis and treatment plan for their client. This method is particularly valuable because it assesses a child’s speech in a naturalistic form, allowing therapists to observe how the child communicates in real-world settings. Speech sound disorders account for the highest number of cases treated by speech-language pathologist in the pediatric population. This thesis aims to investigate two different types of language sample analysis software, CLAN and SALT, as well as their benefits and limitations in diagnosing speech sound disorders. Understanding the …

Adaptation, Reliability, And Validity Of The Auditory Skills Checklist (Asc) For Bengali Speaking Children With Severe To Profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss With Hearing Aids, Istiak Rahman, Mahedi Hasan

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: The audiologic assessment guidelines of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) encouraged functional auditory skills assessment, appropriate for age. The Auditory Skills Checklist (ASC) assessment tool was developed from the necessity to assess the auditory skills of young children with Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL). The aim of this study was to adapt a Bengali version of the ASC checklist from the original English version and then to test its reliability and validity.

Methods: The method of forward-backward translation and cognitive debriefing was employed to produce a culturally sensitive Bengali version of the checklist. The data was analyzed for …

Association Between Speech Perception In Noise And Sentence Comprehension In School-Age Children, Naveen K. Nagaraj

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Player Age And Reporting Injuries To Coaches And Medical Personnel, Drew O. Lingen

Research & Creative Achievement Day

It is estimated that there are 1.6 to 3.8 million concussions sustained each year in the USA. While most athletes recover from concussions in just a few days or weeks, prolonged symptoms can affect one's everyday life. This is an essential topic for me because I have first-hand experience with concussions. In 2021-2022, I had four concussions in nine months, with one concussion lasting six months. That concussion ended my college-catching career. I would never want someone to go through what I have gone through in this experience, which is why I have been conducting this study for the past …

Molecular Changes, Histopathology, And Ultrasonic Vocalization Acoustic Profiles Of Systemically Dehydrated Rats, Brooke Rodgers, Naila Cannes Do Nascimento, Abigail Cox, Taylor W. Bailey, M. Preeti Sivasankar, Allison J. Schaser

Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Faculty Publications

Systemic hydration is known to promote optimal functioning of bodily systems—including the vocal folds. The impact of systemic dehydration on the biology of the vocal folds and the downstream effects of dehydration on voice output are not well understood. An in vivo rat model of systemic dehydration was employed to investigate vocal fold gene expression, histological changes, and acoustic changes in vocalization. Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) were recorded every day for 5 days (baseline), in male and female Long-Evans rats (N = 36, ages: 3–4 months) using an anticipatory reward paradigm. Next, rats were dehydrated (N = 18) using a published …

Millennial And Gen-Z Experiences In Healthcare And Education In The Us, Zabia Evans, Anastasia Raymer, Beverly Khabo

Graduate Student Government Association Research Conference

In the United States, healthcare and educational institutions have a deep-rooted history of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, and other demographic factors, resulting in unequal access to services and mistreatment of minority populations. This history extends to the field of speech-language pathology, with disparities in service being cited in the literature due to lack of clinician knowledge, non-diverse standardized testing measures, lack of resources and support, among other factors. Policies and legislation in recent decades have attempted to address these serious issues. This survey research investigates the childhood healthcare and educational experiences of individuals born during or after 1981, focusing …

Training And Thickening Skills Among Food Service Professionals In Early Intervention Day Treatment Facilities, Keelin G. Fullen

Student Theses and Dissertations

Dysphagia, defined as impaired swallowing, affects children and is often treated by modifying food textures and thickening liquids before consumption. Early intervention day treatment (EIDT) facilities serve children with developmental delays and medical conditions that may require food modification such as thickened liquids. Inaccuracies in thickened liquid consistency have been documented in multiple professions, leading to potential negative health implications for the consumer. This study aimed to evaluate food service providers in EIDT facilities and the implementation of thickened liquids plans, training factors, and the accuracy of liquid thickening. Using interviews with five administrators (n=5) and observation of thickened liquid …

Teachers’ Knowledge Of Pediatric Voice Disorders And Their Attitudes Toward Children With Voice Disorders, Hannah G. Hopper

Student Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: This study aims to observe elementary school teachers’ knowledge and attitudes of voice disorders in children. Method: Seventy-nine elementary school teachers electronically completed the survey on Qualtrics. Results: The results of this study support the theory that teachers have limited knowledge of voice and voice disorders and that children with abnormal voices are rated less favorably than their peers with normal voices. In addition, it was found that teachers' knowledge does not correlate with their attitudes toward pediatric voice samples. Conclusion: Data from the current study reveal that teachers have limited knowledge and often do not view children equally …

Students In Healthcare Professions: Their Knowledge Of Speech-Language Pathology, Savannah Hicks

Student Theses and Dissertations

This research provides insight into interprofessional collaboration between healthcare students and advocates for speech-language pathology (SLP) by highlighting the necessity to increase the awareness of SLPs’ responsibilities and interprofessional education across all disciplines throughout college education. Specifically, healthcare professionals need to have a complete understanding of what type of care patients are receiving or who they may need to be referred to. In this research study, healthcare students completed a survey to determine their knowledge of speech-language pathology and the amount of collaboration with SLPs. The qualitative results were analyzed with coding, which created a thematic analysis. The results revealed …

Speech-Language Pathology And Counseling: Confronting Communication And Swallowing Disorders At The End Of Life, Samuel Parker Wooten

Student Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study was conducted to gain a better understanding of how speech-language pathologists (SLP) prepare for and provide professional counseling to those at the end-of-life stage. Participants in this study consisted of SLPs from northeast Arkansas with at least three years of experience providing counseling in an English-speaking setting to individuals at the end-of-life stage. Interviews were conducted using Zoom software, where they were recorded and then transcribed via a speech-to-text transcription service. The data were then analyzed by the primary investigator to determine themes and attitudes regarding professional counseling at the end of life. The results of the …

Agricultural Farmers' Perceptions Of Farm-Related Noise-Induced Hearing Loss, Charlene Phillips

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to assess Arkansas farmers’ hearing health, perceptions, and knowledge of noise-induced hearing loss and the use of hearing protection devices. Three questions were formed to outline the primary focus areas of the current study. The following questions are outlined: What is the hearing health of farmers in Arkansas? What are the attitudes of farmers in Arkansas toward noise-induced hearing loss and the use of hearing protection devices? What is the knowledge level of farmers in Arkansas regarding noise levels, noise exposure, and harmful effects of noise-induced hearing loss? Ninety-six Arkansas farmers electronically completed a thirty-question survey on …

The Caregiver Perspective Of The Speak Out!® Program, Caitlyn Marie Moore

Student Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological qualitative study aims to explore the perspectives of caregivers of individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) participating in the SPEAK OUT!® program and to assess its potential to alleviate some aspects of caregiver burden. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with six caregivers. These results highlighted overarching themes of program benefits, caregiver challenges, and caregiver rewards while expressing challenges with the program. Caregivers mentioned that the participants had challenges with inconsistent practice and resistance to applying the skills they learned from the program daily. While caregivers did perceive benefits and no adverse changes due to the SPEAK OUT!® program, …

Facilitating Better Literacy Outcomes In First And Second-Grade At-Risk Readers At An After-School Program, Brooke Goldhammer

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to examine the efficacy of literacy intervention in first and second-grade at-risk readers at an after-school program, CityYouth Ministries, in Jonesboro, AR. It was hypothesized that if children at risk for literacy difficulties receive literacy intervention at an after-school program, they would have better reading outcomes, narrowing the gap in academic achievement. If successful, it may resolve the need for long-term literacy support at school, which has been frequently observed with this population. The study utilized a quasi-experimental, within-group pretest-posttest design. Reading fluency and sight word knowledge were measured using DIBELS-8 Oral Reading Fluency passages and Dolch …

The Decline Of Civil Discourse On Facebook: A Qualitative Content Analysis Of The Comment Sections Of News Organizations' Facebook Pages, Cameron Lawson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study explores the role of Facebook’s comment sections in the decline of civil discourse, examining how the platform’s design influences user behaviors and contributes to increased incivility. Through a qualitative content analysis of 3,030 comments from 12 national and regional news organizations’ posts on both Facebook and their website, the research identifies key structural elements such as engagement-drive algorithms and broader reaction options that amplify uncivil behavior. The study also introduces three prevalent persona types in online discourse—the passionate partisan, the agitator, and the cynical joker. Each of these contributes to the dynamics of incivility in different ways. Grounded …

Vocal And Articulatory Speech Control Deficits In Individuals With Post-Stroke Aphasia, Roozbeh Behroozmand, Zeinab Khoshhal Mollasaraei, Vahid Nejati, Ayoub Daliri, Julius Fridriksson Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Individuals with post-stroke aphasia exhibit deficits in regulating vocal (i.e., laryngeal) pitch control during speech vowel production; however, it is not determined whether such deficits also exist when they control their supra-laryngeal speech articulators during word production. To address this question, 19 subjects with post-stroke aphasia and 20 controls were tested under an altered auditory feedback paradigm in which they received + 30% shifts in their vowel first-formant frequency during word production. In addition, 17 aphasia subjects and 19 controls from the same groups also completed steady vowel vocalizations while receiving randomized pitch shifts at ± 100 cents. Consistent with …