Communication Sciences and Disorders Commons^™

Hidden Word Treasure Hunt: Design Of Dyslexia Game-Based Intervention, Olivia N. Epp

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

For this creative project, a literacy intervention board game entitled Hidden Word Treasure Hunt was designed for elementary students with dyslexia. Developmental Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental learning disability which causes reading and writing difficulties. The goal of the intervention is to provide a fun and engaging way for students with dyslexia to practice skills like spelling, phonemic awareness, rhyming, and more. The game includes multiple choice question cards (treasure cards) and challenge spelling cards (key cards), and the student also has the opportunity to practice spelling the words with a whiteboard and marker. The student and SLP can play their …

Evidence-Based Practice In Speech-Language Pathology: Creating Effective Therapy Materials, Avalee Dunkley

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Evidence-based practice is a fairly new topic in speech-language pathology, gaining traction among professionals in the field in the last twenty years. Evidence-based practice is the integration of high-quality research, patient cultural and social values, and clinician expertise to treat a patient. Patients are more likely to progress when these three factors are combined. This paper explores four areas of speech-language pathology that are commonly treated in school-aged children: speech sound disorders, language disorders, social communication disorders, and the use of augmentative and alternative communication. Each section gives a summary of the disorder and how the disorder can be treated …

Challenging Myths In Speech-Language Pathology: A Scientific Review Of Augmentative And Alternative Communication (Aac) Use, Bilingualism, And Late Talking, Mariah Morris

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Persistent myths within the field of speech-language pathology continue to influence clinical decision-making and contribute to biases experienced by both providers and clients. This scientific review examines common misconceptions surrounding late talking, bilingualism, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) by evaluating current evidence-based research. Specifically, this review addresses three central questions: Do children outgrow late talking? Does bilingualism cause language delay in children? Does AAC hinder speech development? 

An analysis of multiple peer-reviewed studies revealed little statistical support for the belief that bilingualism or AAC use causes language delays. Instead, research indicates that factors such as limited access to language-rich …

Experiences Of Hispanic/Latine Graduate Students In Unco’S Audiology And Speech-Language Pathology Programs Within A Hispanic-Serving Institution Context: Qualitative Thematic Analysis From A Moderated Focus Group, Ashley Fuhrman

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Existing literature has examined workforce diversity in healthcare as a factor that may shape patient rapport and the delivery of culturally responsive, patient-centered care. Given the increasing demand for audiologists (AuDs) and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) with diverse and multilingual backgrounds, it is important to understand how graduate programs prepare students to serve linguistically and culturally diverse populations. This qualitative study examines the experiences of Hispanic/Latine graduate students in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), a recently designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). The study explores students’ perceptions of training, support, and experiences in serving diverse populations. …

Connecting With Augmentative And Alternative Communication Users: An Internship Report, Karaline Kerzie

Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy Undergraduate Honors Theses

This article evaluates and reflects on personal experiences working with children with autism in an early intervention, multidisciplinary setting. Implementation of Applied Behavior Analysis, Speech-Language Pathology, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, and Occupational Therapy techniques created a multifaceted and comprehensive intervention environment in a free-clinic setting.

Supporting An Inclusive Summer Camp For Children With Developmental Disabilities Who Use Aac And Their Neurotypical Peers: A Practice-Based Report, Jessica Hicks

Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy Undergraduate Honors Theses

For my honors research, I completed an internship in an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) lab at the University of Arkansas. For most of my internship work, I helped support an inclusive AAC summer camp for children with and without developmental disabilities, such as autism, for whom speech does not fully meet their communication needs. AAC includes high-tech tools such as communication apps on tablets that serve as speech-generating devices (SGDs). SGDs were used by many of the AAC summer camp participants with developmental disabilities. In this report, I will provide background information on AAC and developmental disabilities. I will …

Investigating Speech-Language Pathologists’ Perceptions On Bilingual/Multilingual Aac Intervention And Quality Of Care, Lillian D. Griffith

Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study examined U.S.-based speech-language pathologists' (SLPs) perceptions of bilingual/multilingual AAC service provision and the barriers SLPs encounter to determine if SLP beliefs align with practices. An anonymous survey was distributed to 307 ASHA-certified SLPs, resulting in 21 completed responses. The survey consisted of questions that gathered information on participant demographics, caseload, perceptions/beliefs, and practices, with optional open-ended questions for additional context. SLPs in the participant sample strongly believed that AAC intervention should occur in all the languages spoken by the client. Despite this belief, they struggled to implement it due to barriers. Key barriers identified included SLP language limitations, …

Learning About The Direct Experiences Of Very Young Children With Hearing Loss: A Feasibility Study, Jenni M. Funk

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

We aimed to explore the feasibility of employing a developmentally appropriate, modified puppet interview method to elicit thoughts and perspectives directly from very young children (ages 3 to 6 years old) who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Little is known about the direct experiences of children with hearing loss, making it difficult to improve care. In our field of speech and hearing sciences, there is no current method of gathering direct experiences of young children and placing them at the center of care. We proposed that researchers may be able to learn about the direct experiences of very young children who …

Interprofessional Palliative Care: Implementation Of What Matters Most, Nicole Moran, Madeleine A. Keppel, Madison E. Markey, Alicia Naccarato, Kristen Cumming, Lori Boright

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

Palliative care (PC) is defined as specialized care plans for people with serious, life-limiting illnesses, emphasizing comfort care and management of complex symptoms. Rehabilitation professionals such as physical and occupational therapists have unique skills and perspectives towards managing and contributing to this population though are often under-represented on interprofessional palliative care teams. The Guide to What Matters (The Guide) was created upon recognition of the need for an increased presence of rehabilitation services in PC.

Speech-Language Pathologists' Online Discussions Of A Controversial Treatment Approach For Children With Speech Sound Disorders: A Qualitative, Netnographic Study, Rachael Withrow, Tim Brackenbury, Emily Anzicek

Honors Projects

A controversial approach in child speech-sound disorders is nonspeech oral motor exercises (NSOME). NSOME targets the functioning of the articulators in activities that do not involve speaking (such as blowing through whistles, drinking from straws, and pushing the tongue against resistance). The underlying belief of NSOME is that increasing musculature performance and neurological organization through these types of isolated actions will directly improve children’s phoneme productions. However, there is minimal peer-reviewed research evidence to support its use. Despite this, many clinicians use NSOME, citing successes they and their colleagues have had with past and current clients. The use of Evidence-Based …

Coordinated Telehealth For People With Parkinson’S Disease: A Qualitative Comparison Of Providers’ And Patients’ Experiences, Erin J. Bush, Reshmi L. Singh, Josephine Cox, Merrill R. Landers, Annalisa V. Piccorelli

The Qualitative Report

Telehealth increases access to allied healthcare in rural areas. People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) need improved access to health care, and from a patient-centered perspective, the coordination of their healthcare should be a priority. Four speech-language pathologists, two physical therapists, two pharmacists, and two study coordinators provided a coordinated allied healthcare intervention for people with PD in rural Wyoming and Nevada. Both the providers of the intervention, as well as the participants who received it, were interviewed about their experiences with the eight-week intervention and asked about aspects that were successful or unsuccessful. Through a naturalistic paradigm using a qualitative …

The Implementation Of The Therapeutic Alliance In Aphasia Rehabilitation Research: A Narrative Review, Shelby Swiercz

Honors Theses

Background: The therapeutic alliance (TA), defined as the collaborative relationship between clinician and client, is widely recognized as a key factor influencing rehabilitation outcomes. However, within aphasia rehabilitation, its role remains underexplored and inconsistently measured

Methods: This narrative review examined peer-reviewed studies published between 1990 and 2025 that focused on adult aphasia rehabilitation and addressed the client-clinician relationship. Studies were identified through database searches, including PubMed, CINAHL, ComDisDome, EBSCO, and Google Scholar, and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: Most of the studies employed qualitative methodologies, particularly thematic analysis and semi-structured interviews, to explore patient and clinician perspectives. The therapeutic alliance …

Memory Processes In Older Adults With Hearling, Camryn L. Kirkham

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Emerging research has shown links between hearing loss in older adults and memory declines; however, findings remain mixed. The present study examined differences in memory performance between older adults with hearing loss and normal-hearing peers, as well as associations between hearing ability and memory. An exploratory analysis of associations between high-frequency hearing ability and memory performance was also conducted. Participants included 38 older adults with hearing loss (n=20) and normal hearing (n=18) who completed audiologic testing and memory tasks assessing working, semantic, and episodic memory. Contrary to expectations, no significant group differences in memory performance were observed between the hearing …

Evaluative Trialing: A Grounded Theory Of Preservice Speech-Language Pathologists’ Learning Processes With Speech-Generating Devices, Elizabeth M. Leatherman, Stacy Gasvoda, Jane R. Wegner, Nancy C. Brady

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Although preservice SLPs are required to receive training in AAC as part of their preparation, there is limited understanding of what teaching and learning methods are effective in developing preservice SLPs’ competence in this area, including their competence with AAC systems. This study explored how preservice SLPs engage in hands-on learning experiences with a speech-generating device (SGD). Fifteen undergraduate students majoring in speech-language-hearing completed a brief online introductory module on AAC and then engaged in a think-aloud task with an SGD. Qualitative analysis was used to develop grounded theory that explained students’ hands-on learning process. The emerging theory revealed a …

From Stories To Speech: Cultivating Cultural Competence And Linguistic Awareness In Future Slps, Alexis Lawton

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

This manuscript reports on a pilot study examining how storytelling and linguistic diversity may cultivate cultural competence in graduate students in speech-language pathology (SLP). Through engagement with traditional folk tales, students explored the cultural significance of narratives and the linguistic features that shape them. The assignment emphasized adapting stories for diverse audiences while highlighting culturally relevant vocabulary, dialectal variations, and the complexities of language use. Facilitated discussions following student presentations prompted reflections on how these elements influence communication and understanding. Preliminary findings suggest that narrative exploration can foster both cultural and linguistic awareness, equipping students with emerging skills to provide …

Benefits And Barriers: Csd Faculty Attitudes Toward Student Accommodations, Erika Squires, Lori A. Pakulski, Celeste Domsch

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Purpose: Academic accommodations in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) have been explored via university websites and surveys of clinical educators, but little is known about CSD faculty attitudes toward accommodations in higher education. This study explored the types of accommodations faculty report and the benefits and barriers they encounter in doing so.

Method: A cross-sectional, mixed-methods study design was used to survey CSD faculty and instructors about the types of accommodations used by CSD students and the benefits and barriers associated with accommodations. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participants’ responses. Qualitative analyses were used to identify themes on benefits …

Manual Audiometry Vs. Iphone Hearing Test: A Comparative Analysis Of Hearing Screening Results, Kelsi White, Mckayla Sprague, Jennifer Sadler, Blake Roth

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This study examined differences in hearing screening outcomes between manual audiometry and the iPhone Hearing Test using Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) among 30 adults. Participants completed pure-tone threshold screenings at frequencies ranging from 250 Hz to 8000 Hz in a sound-treated audiology suite. Manual audiometry followed a modified Hughson-Westlake procedure, while the automated test used Apple’s standardized protocol. After both screenings, participants reported perceptions of accuracy, convenience, and preference through a questionnaire. Results from the screenings and surveys provided insight into participant trust, perceived reliability, and the practicality of smartphone-based hearing tests compared to traditional methods. Findings highlight the …

Finding Her Voice: Communication Challenges And Strategies Among Young Women With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sydney Holthaus, Averi Yeo, Madison Walt, Ran An

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Background/Rationale

Research on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has historically centered on males, leaving the communication experiences of autistic females underrepresented (Lai et al., 2015). Although autistic females make up a substantial portion of the autistic population in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023), far less is known about how communication differences affect their everyday lives. Diagnostic processes may also overlook communication-related signs in autistic women, particularly when masking or compensatory behaviors reduce the visibility of underlying pragmatic and social communication differences (Dean et al., 2017; Hull et al., 2020; Rynkiewicz et al., 2018). As a result, …

Exploring Perspectives Of Autistic Individuals And Caregivers On Autism Inclusive Services In Public Libraries, Ayva J. Rose

LSU Master's Theses

Public libraries are increasingly recognized as important community hubs designed to promote literacy, learning, language, family engagement, and inclusivity. Despite this, autistic individuals may experience language, literacy, sensory, and social differences that could impact their ability to participate in literacy-based programming in libraries. Librarians currently report a desire to provide services that not only include but meaningfully support autistic children in their families; however, little research has examined how key stakeholders within the autism community perceive autism-inclusive programming within libraries. This research seeks to explore these perspectives and identify (1) perceived barriers to attending children’s library programs, (2) accommodations and …

Can Music-Based Interventions Improve The Prelinguistic Skills Of Young Children On The Autism Spectrum? A Systematic Review, Blythe Serrano

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Many children on the autism spectrum have difficulty developing prelinguistic skills

such as joint attention, purposeful vocalization, and gesture, which are strongly

related to later expressive and receptive language development. This systematic

review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of music-based interventions in

supporting the development of these foundational prelinguistic skills in young

children on the autism spectrum. Five databases were searched, yielding a total of

332 results. Five articles ultimately met criteria for inclusion. Results of these studies

were mixed, with studies in which the intervention was delivered by a professional

rather than a caregiver yielding more positive results. Additional …