Communication Sciences and Disorders Commons^™

Formant Changes In Amateur Singers After Instruction In A Vowel Equalization Technique, Emily Mullins Heaton

Theses and Dissertations

Vowel equalization is a technique that can be used by singers to achieve a more balanced vocal tone. The technique balances corresponding front and back vowels, which share approximate tongue heights, and also balances high and low vowels in a more neutral or centralized lingual posture. Formants are resonance peaks that define each specific vowel. This study measured shifts in the first and second formants (F1 and F2) of the vowels /e, i, ɑ, o, u/ following training in vowel equalization. Prior to the training, the vowel formants were measured in amateur 15 college-aged singers. They sang the first two …

The N400 Event-Related Potential In Children Across Sentence Type And Ear Condition, Laurie Anne Hansen

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the neurophysiology of semantic language processing in children, ages 5 to 12 years. A well-established marker of semantic processing, the N400 event related potential (ERP), was analyzed within and across child age groups. Child N400s were recorded in response to correct sentences, semantically incorrect sentences, and syntactically incorrect sentences. N400s were also recorded across ear condition to examine potential processing differences. Children across all age groups consistently demonstrated N400s in the semantic error condition. N400s were also regularly observed in the syntactic error condition; especially, for younger children. Younger children also demonstrated N400s even in response to …

Understanding The Role Of Neuroscience In Brain Based Products: A Guide For Educators And Consumers, Lesley Sylvan, Joanna A. Christodoulou

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The term brain based is often used to describe learning theories, principles, and products. Although there have been calls urging educators to be cautious in interpreting and using such material, consumers may find it challenging to understand the role of the brain and to discriminate among brain based products to determine which would be suitable for specific educational goals. We offer a framework for differentiating the multiple meanings of the brain based label and guidelines for educators and consumers to use when evaluating educational products labeled as brain based. The guidelines include: identifying educational goals and target student populations, aligning …

Dual-Task Interference: The Effects Of Verbal Cognitive Tasks On Upright Postural Stability In Parkinson's Disease, J. D. Holmes, M. E. Jenkins, Andrew M. Johnson, S. G. Adams, S. J. Spaulding

Occupational Therapy Publications

Although dual-task interference has previously been demonstrated to have a significant effect on postural control among individuals with Parkinson's disease, the impact of speech complexity on postural control has not been demonstrated using quantitative biomechanical measures. The postural stability of twelve participants with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and twelve healthy age-matched controls was evaluated under three conditions: (1) without a secondary task, (2) performing a rote repetition task and (3) generating a monologue. Results suggested a significant effect of cognitive load on biomechanical parameters of postural stability. Although both groups increased their postural excursion, individuals with Parkinson's disease demonstrated significantly reduced …

The Effects Of Peer Training Social Intervention On Social Interactions Of Children With Autism, Mindy Leigh Krebs

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the effects of a peer training intervention on social interactions among two subjects with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and four typically developing peers. A multiple probe (Horner & Baer, 1978) across tasks, replicated across participants design, was used to evaluate these effects. Prior to data collection, a task sequence analysis was created to identify and describe the specific behavioral steps and sequence needed for successful acquisition of attention maintenance. Sub-behaviors selected for acquisition included: 1) maintaining eye contact or directional gaze; 2) maintaining close proximity to peer while interacting; 3) directing or initiating conversation with the peer; …

The Effect Of A Three Point Sensory Diet On Vocal And Verbal Behavior In A Non-Verbal Child On The Autism Scale, Chelsey Danielle Smith

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The study involved a single subject, a non-verbal child on the autism spectrum, in a clinical setting over a 10 week period. The subject was on a three point sensory diet that was administered before therapy sessions. The tactile, vestibular and proprioceptive systems were targeted with deep pressure touch, a suspension swing, and joint compression. The primary focus was on participation in therapy and language development with specific attention given to the increase of vocalizations and/or verbalizations. The child experienced the sensory diet for schedule of 1 week off, 2 weeks on, 1 week off, 2 weeks on, 1 week …

Considerations For Test Selection: How Do Validity And Reliability Impact Diagnostic, Jennifer C. Friberg

Faculty Publications – Communication Sciences and Disorders

Nine preschool and school-age language assessment tools found to have acceptable levels of identification accuracy were evaluated to determine their overall levels of psychometric validity for use in diagnosing the presence/absence of language impairment. Eleven specific criteria based on those initially devised by McCauley and Swisher (1984) were applied to each of the selected tests in order to determine each test’s overall level of psychometric validity. Results indicated that each of the selected assessment tools met at least eight of the 11 criteria used to evaluate each assessment tool. Five tests met 10 out of 11 criteria. Findings are discussed …

A 21st Century Communication Sciences And Disorders Program, Judith Montgomery, Janet L. Dodd, Sallyann Giess, Kamica Barnes

Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Articles and Research

The focus of graduate programs in communication sciences and disorders has changed greatly in the last decade to reflect changes in society in general. Newly formed graduate programs must account for these societal changes as they prepare students for practice in the 21st century. This article will discuss what is expected of new graduates, how teaching philosophies influence course content, and how a new graduate program in communication sciences and disorders came to be.

The Application Of Visual Phonics And Phonological Awareness Interventions To Address Emergent Literacy Development In Speech-Language Impaired Preschoolers, Elizabeth K. Gergits

Masters Theses

This study investigated the effectiveness of phonological awareness intervention versus phonological awareness intervention supplemented by visual phonics han,d cues upon emergent literacy skill development in preschool children with speech and/or language impairment. A pretest - posttest control group design was used to compare the effectiveness of phonological awareness intervention and visual phonics in promoting the development of the following emergent literacy skills: alphabet knowledge, beginning sound awareness, print awareness, rhyme awareness, nursery rhyme awareness, phonological awareness at the syllable level, and name writing abilities. Three groups were formed from twenty-four subjects from at-risk early childhood programs in central Illinois. The …

The Effect Of Person Versus Aac Directed Apraxia Therapy On Elicited Imitation For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jeanna Rachelle Probst

Masters Theses

There is limited research in the area of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and autism spectrum disorder with childhood apraxia of speech. The current research project was designed to evaluate the amount of elicited imitation produced when using a person-directed stimulus mode versus an AAC-directed stimulus mode. The dependent variable was elicited imitations. The independent variables were the AAC-directed condition and the person-directed condition.

The subjects were six school-aged children with the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). The subjects were pulled out of their regular 45 minute individual speech therapy and randomly presented …

Visual Phonics And Phonological Awareness Interventions: Stability Of Gains In Language And Literacy, Mara Hampton

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The current study was a follow-up to a pretest-posttest control group experiment that found speech and/or language impaired preschoolers significantly improved their receptive and expressive language skills after ten weeks of phonological awareness interventions. Following ten weeks of phonological awareness intervention, speech and/or language impaired preschoolers also made gains in early literacy skills, with greater gains in a phonological awareness group supplemented by See the Sound/Visual Phonics (visual phonics).

The present study was conducted as a follow-up six months later. The purpose was to determine the stability of gains from the two phonological awareness interventions on the development of auditory …

Increasing Written Language Skills Utilizing Writing Software And Traditional Methods, Caroline Larson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

A grid based computer program, Clicker5, appeared to have many features that logically may assist struggling writers. It utilizes pictures, sound, speech synthesis, word banks and a spelling checker. Karemaker et al. (2008) examined the use of Clicker5 and observed increased attention and focus during reading, and greater gains in word recognition and rhyme awareness. Scattered research exists on some of the multimedia features that Clicker5 utilizes (e.g. auditory and visual instruction, specific feedback, student specific examples, Wissick & Gardner, 2000; composition processes and revision facilitation, MacArthur 2000; spell checkers with strategy instruction, and speech synthesis to increase error …

Psychometric Properties Of The Pyramids And Palm Trees Test, Gerasimos Fergadiotis, Heather Wright, Gilson Capilouto

Speech and Hearing Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Pyramids and Palm Trees Test (PPT) is a nonverbal measure of semantic memory that has been frequently used in previous aphasia, agnosia, and dementia research. Very little psychometric information regarding the PPT is available. The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the PPT in a population of healthy college students. Results indicated that the PPT achieved poor test–retest reliability, failed to obtain adequate internal consistency, and demonstrated poor convergent validity, but showed acceptable discriminant validity. The results of this study suggest that the PPT lacks acceptable reliability and validity for use with a college …

Bilingual Performance On Nonword Repetition In Spanish And English, Connie Summers, Thomas M. Bohman, Ronald B. Gillam, Elizabeth D. Pena, Lisa M. Bedore

Faculty Publications

Background: Nonword repetition (NWR) involves the ability to perceive, store, recall and reproduce phonological sequences. These same abilities play a role in word and morpheme learning. Cross-linguistic studies of performance on NWR tasks, word learning, and morpheme learning yield patterns of increased performance on all three tasks as a function of age and language experience. These results are consistent with the idea that there may be universal information-processing mechanisms supporting language learning. Because bilingual children’s language experience is divided across two languages, studying performance in two languages on NWR could inform one’s understanding of the relationship between information processing and …

Writing Motivation Of Students With Specific Language Impairments, Kyle Lee Brouwer

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study was designed to compare the writing motivation of students with specific language impairments with their non-disabled peers. Due to the cognitive and linguistic demands of the writing process, students with language impairments face unique difficulties during the writing process. It was hypothesized that students with specific language impairments will be more likely to report lower levels of perceived writing competence and be less autonomously motivated to write. Students in grades 3-5 in 11 schools (33 with specific language impairments, 242 non-disabled peers) completed self-report measures, designed from a Self-Determination Theory perspective, which measured the degree that students are …

Thinking Outside Of The Assessment Box: Assessing Social Communicative Functioning In Students With Asd, Janet L. Dodd

Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Articles and Research

The assessment of a student suspected of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis requires the integration of information collected by a variety of professionals across various domains of functioning. One of the core deficits of students with ASD is a deficit related to social communicative competence (SCC). SCC requires the integration of language, social cognition, and higher order executive functions (Coggins, Olswang, Carmichael Olsson, & Timler, 2003) This article will propose an assessment model of social communicative functioning that was developed based on the SCC framework of Coggins and colleagues as a component of the Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Assessment Protocols for …

Do Vision And Audition Influence Bimanual Timing Coordination For In-Phase And Anti-Phase Patterns In A Linear Slide Task?, Elizabeth U. Grillo, Quincy Almeida, Timothy D. Lee, Katherine Verdolini Abbott

Communication Sciences & Disorders Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Supplemental Joint Storybook Reading On Preschool Students' Use Of Strident Sounds: A Preliminary Investigation, Jennifer C. Friberg, Katie K. Lund

Faculty Publications – Communication Sciences and Disorders

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of adding supplemental, joint storybook reading to existing cycles-based phonological remediation on the speech intelligibility of a group of preschool children with phonological disorders. Method: Sixteen preschool children, ages 3;8 (years; months) to 5;0, with moderate to severe phonological dis-orders served as the participant group for this study. The treatment group received treatment in the form of supple-mental joint storybook reading using books with a high frequency of strident sounds within the text of the story. Independent–samples t tests were used to study quantitative differences in the control and …

Conversational Skills Of An Autistic Teenager : A Pragmatic Analysis., Che An Abdul Ghani

Student Works (2010-2019)

This study aimed to analyze the conversational skills of an autistic teenager. The sample of this study was a 16 year old male autistic boy; and was referred to a Y in this study. He was verbal and had completed primary school education and at the time of the study he was attending a special education program. He speaks English and Malay, able to read and write in both languages fairly and has high cognitive ability. He is considered relatively intelligent by his teachers and his therapists. This study engaged three theories as its framework. They were Grice’s Theory (l975), …

Language, Meaning, Context, And Functional Communication, Elizabeth Armstrong, Alison Ferguson

Research outputs pre 2011

No abstract provided.