Communication Sciences and Disorders Commons^™

Barriers To Accessing Augmentative And Alternative Communication (Aac): Pogo Boards As A Potential Solution, Amanda Jo Huisman

Honors Program Theses

Communication is extremely important to our livelihood because it gives us an avenue to ensure our basic needs are met, create and foster growth of relationships, solve disputes, and learn from one another. As a result, most individuals find communication both satisfying and rewarding. However, for others communication can be a source of frustration, and may simply be impossible for some. When this is the case, certain types of technology, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) can be used to assist an individual with their communication. Despite the many advantages of AAC, there are unique challenges associated with its use as …

Iowa Conference On Communicative Disorders [Program, 2014], Iowa Conference On Communicative Disorders

Iowa Conference on Communicative Disorders Programs

The Iowa Conference on Communicative Disorders provides continuing education activities in speech- language pathology that are acceptable to the State of Iowa and the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. Areas of emphasis include adults and pediatrics.

Improving The Reliability Of Caregivers' Responses On The Infant-Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scales (It-Mais) Via Video, Chelsi Meagan Gibbons

LSU Master's Theses

The IT-MAIS is a caregiver-report tool used to assess a child’s functional auditory development pre- and post-implantation (Zimmerman-Phillips, et al., 2001) and as a measure of functional auditory behaviors in studies exploring cochlear implant (CI) candidacy (Barker, Kenworthy, & Walker, 2011; Franz 2002; Osberger, Zimmerman-Phillips, & Koch, 2002). However it lacks psychometric analysis of its overall reliability and validity, which are essential in determining the strength of the IT-MAIS’ conclusions in determining the direction of a child’s clinical intervention outcomes. Barker, Donovan, Schubert, and Walker (2013) showed in their longitudinal study that caregivers did not predictably respond to items from …

The Effects Of Using Morphophonic Faces As A Method For Teaching Sight Words To Low-Performing Kindergartners, Ashley Alexandra Brown

LSU Master's Theses

Five kindergarten subjects who had no known disabilities, but were identified as low beginning readers received intervention using both Plain Word Cards (PWC) and pictured word cards, termed MorphoPhonic Faces (MPF). A group of eight words were presented as printed word cards and a comparable group of eight words were presented as MPF. Results revealed that MPF did not hold an advantage for learning and retaining sight words compared to the plain print words. Improvements in sight word training corresponded in time with improved skills underlying the alphabetic principle, including phonological awareness skills and letter-sound learning, as well as emerging …

Intensive Group Therapy Might Be Considered For Older Teenagers Who Stutter, Manish Rami

Communication Sciences & Disorders Faculty Publications

This review provides a summary and appraisal commentary on the treatment review by Fry, J., Millard, S., & Botterill, W. (2014). Effectiveness of intensive, group therapy for teenagers who stutter. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, 49, 113–126.

Source of funding and disclosure of interest: Rayne Foundation partially supported this study. Original authors reported that there were no conflicts of interest.

Structural And Functional Vocal Fold Epithelial Integrity Following Injury, Ciara Leydon, Mitsuyoshi Imaizumi, David T. Yang, Susan L. Thibeault, Marvin Fried

Communication Disorders Faculty Publications

Objectives/Hypothesis: An intact epithelium is an important part of vocal fold defense. Damage to the epithelium can compromise vocal fold homeostasis and protection of the host tissue from viral and bacterial invasion. Elucidating the effects of damage on epithelial architectural and barrier integrity provides insight into the role of epithelium in protecting vocal folds. Using an animal model, we evaluated the time course of structural and functional epithelial restoration following injury. Study Design: Prospective, controlled animal study. Methods: Forty rats underwent surgery to remove vocal fold mucosa unilaterally. Larynges were harvested at five time intervals between 3 to 90 days …

Writing Development Of Spanish-English Bilingual Students With Language Learning Disabilities, Robin L. Danzak, Elaine R. Silliman

Communication Disorders Faculty Publications

This chapter addresses Spanish-speaking, English Language Learners (ELLs) in the United States (U.S.) who are sequential bilinguals; that is, oral and written English is acquired as a second language (L2) at school. Within this population, substantial variation exists with regard to individual students’ language and literacy learning experiences. The specific focus here is the writing patterns of ELLs with atypical language development, who often present with multiple complexities in authenticating their language learning profiles in both Spanish and English.

"Mais, You Talk Like Me? /Ju Ra:/": Kindergarteners' Use Of Five Cajun English Phonological Features, Hannah Joy Smitherman

LSU Master's Theses

Cajun English (CE) is an understudied dialect that is spoken in and around the Acadian triangle of Louisiana. Of the studies that exist, almost all have been completed with adults. The purpose of the current study was to determine if children whose parents have identified their family as Cajun use five phonological features of CE (/t, d/ for /θ, ð/, nonaspirated /p, t, k/, heavy vowel nasalization, monophthongization, and glide weakening on vowels) more frequently than those identified as non-Cajun. The participants were 11 kindergarteners who were identified as Cajun or non-Cajun and who resided in Assumption Parish in rural …

Evaluating The Effects Of Dialect On Kindergartners' Use Of Three Grammatical Structures In Narratives, Andromeda Patrice Love

LSU Master's Theses

The aim of this study was to determine if dialect status has an effect on the frequency at which kindergarteners produce nonmainstream English markings for regular third person, IS and ARE, and regular past tense when producing oral narratives. Specifically, I wished to determine if child speakers of African American English (AAE) and child speakers of Southern White English (SWE) mark these structures with nonmainstream English forms at different rates. The narrative data came from language samples that had been previously collected from twenty kindergarten speakers of AAE and twenty kindergarten speakers of SWE. All of the children were recruited …

Stroke And Aphasia Quality Of Life Scale-39: Investigating Preliminary Content Validity Of Picture Representations By People With Mild To Moderate Aphasia, Lea Jane Heise-Jensen

LSU Master's Theses

Speech-language pathologists must consider the clients’ quality of life (QoL) to provide effective and meaningful evidence-based treatment (ASHA, 2005). Quality of life assessment goes beyond language impairments and is often a key part of planning intervention. However, few QoL measures exist for people with aphasia (PWA). The Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale-39 (SAQOL-39; Hilari, 2003) is one of the few valid and reliable measures used to assess QoL in people with mild to moderate aphasia. However, the validity and reliability of the SAQOL-39 has not been established for individuals with severe aphasia who are unable to read and …

The Role Of Laryngeal Function In Breathing For Singing, Ellen V. Graham

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Poor breath management is problematic for singing. Voice students and singing teachers typically attribute breath management issues to abdominal-diaphragmatic breathing technique. The present study seeks to determine whether glottal insufficiency may also contribute to singer’s breath management problems. Studies have revealed a relationship between incomplete vocal fold closure and inefficiency in the speaking voice. However, the effect of incomplete vocal fold closure on vocal efficiency in singers has yet to be determined. Since the larynx cannot be observed without the assistance of clinical instrumentation, not readily available in the voice studio, issues at the glottal level may be underappreciated as …

Augmentative And Alternative Communication In The Intensive Care Unit, Jonathan Todd Sizemore

Online Theses and Dissertations

Current research is lacking on the frequency of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) system use in intensive care units (ICU) and clinical decision making patterns. AAC is use of any alternative method of communication when oral communication cannot be achieved (ASHA, 2013). Patients in the ICU may become nonverbal for many reasons including tracheostomy, mechanical ventilation (McKinley, Pooke, & White, 2010) and intubation (Radtke, Bauman, Garrett, & Happ, 2011). Being nonverbal in the ICU may lead to poorer health outcomes (Patak, Wilson-Stronks, & Costello, 2009). AAC systems may improve outcomes by allowing patients to communicate more clearly with family, friends, …

Treating Myofunctional Disorders: A Multiple-Baseline Study Of A New Treatment Using Electropalatography, Alana Mantie-Kozlowski, Kevin M. Pitt

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

Purpose: This study assessed the benefit of using electropalatography (EPG) in treatment aimed at habilitating individuals with nonspeech orofacial myofunctional disorders (NSOMD).

Method: The study used a multiple-baseline design across 3 female participants who were referred for an evaluation and possible treatment of their NSOMD. Treatment sessions were 30 min and provided twice weekly. Participant 1 received 8 treatments, Participant 2 received 6 treatments, and Participant 3 received 4 treatments. The patterns of sensor activation produced when participants’ tongues made contact with the electropalate during saliva swallows were compared with the patterns of age-matched peers. Individualized goals were developed on …

Perceptual Analysis Of Prolonged Vowels In Adolescent And Young Adults With Friedreich's Ataxia, Tara Varsallone

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to conduct perceptual analyses, using the initial two-second portions, of prolonged vowels /a/, /i/, and /o/. Two groups of adolescents and young adults were analyzed- one group consisting of 20 individuals with Friedreich's ataxia who were compared to 20 individuals with normal voice (control participants). A trained group of 10 graduate students listened to 132 vowel samples (3 vowels X 40 participants, + 12 samples (10%) for reliability purposes) for a total of 132 perceptual judgments. The students listened to the samples which were randomized onto Dell computers (Optiplex 755) and played through headphones …

Augmentative-Alternative Communication Access For Individuals With Communication Disorders In Medical Settings, Stephanie Amundsen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study surveyed speech-language pathologists (SLPs) working in medical settings in the state of Florida in order to: (a) assess the availability of AAC devices, related materials, and services in acute, sub-acute, long-term care, and outpatient medical facilities, (b) examine barriers and supports in providing AAC services to patients with complex communication needs (CCN) in the aforementioned settings, and (c) determine perceived levels of AAC knowledge of health care practitioners. One of the study's major findings was that 97.59% of SLPs served at least one patient they identified as having CCNs, and 94.1% of respondents indicated that their patients could …

The Effects Of Music Instruction On Phonological Awareness In Children With Hearing Impairment, Chelsea Fitch

Masters Theses

Phonological awareness skills are essential for reading development. Children with hearing loss lack access to essential auditory information that allows development of phonological awareness (Dillon, John, & Pisoni, 2011). Music instruction is becoming a popular approach to teach reading for typically developing children, and studies have supported beneficial effects from this treatment methodology. However, there is limited research regarding the use of music to teach phonological awareness and reading skills to children with hearing impairment (Gromko, 2005).

The effectiveness of a music program on increasing phonological awareness skills in children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing was evaluated in this study. …

Role Of Speech-Language Pathologists In Aphasia Therapy And Rehabilitation As Reported By Practicing Speech-Language Pathologists, Meredith Wooley

Honors Theses

This thesis examined the roles of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) within aphasia therapy and rehabilitation. Research compiled in the literature review explained the disorder of aphasia, and the roles of SLPs when working with people who have aphaisa, as outlined in the ASHA policy document Roles of Speech-Language Pathologists in The Identification, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Individuals with Cognitive-Communication Disorders: Position Statement (2005b). This study investigated ASHA-certified, masters-level SLPs' preparedness to work with aphasia patients, as well as their familiarity of their roles and resonsibilities in aphasia therapy and rehabilitation, and their awareness of the possible forms of treatment for aphasia. …

A Comparison Of Aphasia Therapy Outcomes Before And After A Very Early Rehabilitation Programme Following Stroke, Erin Godecke, Natalie A. Ciccone, Andrew S. Granger, Tapan Rai, Deborah West, Angela Cream, Jade Cartwright, Graeme J. Hankey

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background Very early aphasia rehabilitation studies have shown mixed results. Differences in therapy intensity and therapy type contribute significantly to the equivocal results. Aims To compare a standardized, prescribed very early aphasia therapy regimen with a historical usual care control group at therapy completion (4-5 weeks post-stroke) and again at follow-up (6 months). Methods & Procedures This study compared two cohorts from successive studies conducted in four Australian acute/sub-acute hospitals. The studies had near identical recruitment, blinded assessment and data-collection protocols. The Very Early Rehabilitation (VER) cohort (N = 20) had mild-severe aphasia and received up to 20 1-h sessions …

Carer Experiences With Rehabilitation In The Home: Speech Pathology Services For Stroke Survivors, Katy Stewart, Natalie Ciccone, Elizabeth Armstrong

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Caring for a stroke survivor can be a complex role with carers at an increased risk of mental health difficulties. Early supported discharge from hospital with rehabilitation in the home (RITH) allows stroke survivors to return home at an earlier stage in the recovery process, potentially placing an extra burden on carers. Being involved in intensive therapy,in the home, in the early days post-stroke may be difficult with the role and experiences of carers in RITH being underresearched. This paper identifies the roles, experiences and preferences of ten carers of stroke survivors with dysarthia and dysphagia. Many carers were involved …

Services And Information Provided To Mothers In El Paso/Juarez Region, Christina Y. Perez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

It is estimated that the Latino population will be the majority of the population by 2050 in the United States. There is research supporting the notion that the Latino population is under-served and under-diagnosed regarding physical and mental illnesses. Appropriately informed professionals and parents are the first step to reducing the number of under-diagnosed children that do not receive the treatment they require. This survey was conducted to determine what information Latino mothers from low socio-economic backgrounds possess concerning the developmental milestones of their children and the services available to them. Fifty mothers responded to the survey. Results revealed that …