Communication Sciences and Disorders Commons^™

Auditory Brainstem Responses To Successive Sounds: Effects Of Gap Duration And Depth, Fan-Yin Cheng, Craig A. Champlin

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Temporal acuity is the ability to differentiate between sounds based on fluctuations in the waveform envelope. The proximity of successive sounds and background noise diminishes the ability to track rapid changes between consecutive sounds. We determined whether a physiological correlate of temporal acuity is also affected by these factors. We recorded the auditory brainstem response (ABR) from human listeners using a harmonic complex (S1) followed by a brief tone burst (S2) with the latter serving as the evoking signal. The duration and depth of the silent gap between S1 and S2 were manipulated, and the peak latency and amplitude of …

Abnormal Nutritive Sucking As An Indicator Of Neonatal Brain Injury, Sabrina Shandley, Gilson J. Capilouto, Eleonora Tamilia, David M. Riley, Yvette R. Johnson, Christos Papadelis

Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Publications

A term neonate is born with the ability to suck; this neuronal network is already formed and functional by 28 weeks gestational age and continues to evolve into adulthood. Because of the necessity of acquiring nutrition, the complexity of the neuronal network needed to suck, and neuroplasticity in infancy, the skill of sucking has the unique ability to give insight into areas of the brain that may be damaged either during or before birth. Interpretation of the behaviors during sucking shows promise in guiding therapies and how to potentially repair the damage early in life, when neuroplasticity is high. Sucking …

Expanding The Educational Network For Students With Autism: Partnering With School Librarians, Selena J. Layden, Amelia Anderson

Communication Disorders & Special Education Faculty Publications

School librarians play an important role in our public schools by supporting students through both formal and informal learning opportunities. All students have access to library services, including those who receive additional support through special education. Students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in particular, may benefit from both the library environment and the knowledge and training specific to school librarians. Yet, school librarians frequently are not included as part of these students' educational teams. This study utilized a survey to discover the extent to which school librarians report providing services and supports to students with ASD, as well as the …

Using Dialogic Reading To Facilitate Intergenerational Interactions In Persons With Aphasia: A Feasibility Study, Gillian I. Anderson

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching dialogic reading (DR) strategies to patients with aphasia (PWA) as measured by DR strategy use during virtual training sessions. The secondary purpose was to improve psychosocial factors, including communicative participation, perceived stress, and confidence. A single subject multiple baseline across behaviors research design was employed via a telehealth model to examine a training program in DR strategies on expressive linguistic abilities and aspects of quality of life (QoL) in a PWA. Treatment was given four to five times a week and the session length varied based on the …

Language Abilities Of Children Who Qualify For Both Speech Therapy And Play Therapy, Rylee Atkins

2021 Honors Symposium

• Interprofessional collaboration in the educational setting is vital to a holistic approach to addressing a child’s individual needs. Despite the benefits of interprofessional practices (IPP), collaboration in the educational setting can be challenging. Some challenges that impede IPP from occurring in the school setting include time constraints and awareness of roles; however, interprofessional practice can be an effective way to set a child up for success (Kerins, 2018). There is substantial evidence that supports the idea of collaboration within services for the well-being of the child (Choi & Pak, 2006; Ellis et al., 2005; Johnson, 2016). Counselors and speech-language …

Bimodal And Bilingual: Language Characteristics Of Asl And English Users In Deaf Education, Caitlin Bumpass

2021 Honors Symposium

Background:
• Understanding how language develops in children who are learning two languages can provide a better understanding of language development in general.
• There is an abundant amount of research regarding language skills of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (d/hh); however, it is unclear if researchers are using a similar definition when describing the characteristics of bimodal/bilingualism.
• Bimodal bilingualism is the use of both an oral language and a sign language, which in the U.S. often includes the ability to perceive and produce both American Sign Language (ASL) and spoken and/or written English.

Purpose:
• …

The Diffusion Of Augmentative And Alternative Communication: A Qualitative Application Of Everett Rogers’S Theory Of Diffusion To Aac Refusal And Abandonment Literature, Foster Ellis

2021 Honors Symposium

INTRODUCTION
• Empirical evidence demonstrates benefits of AAC communication for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• However, trends of refusal and abandonment of AAC systems by these populations have been documented
• Diffusion of Innovations by Everett Rogers introduces a framework conceptualizing why some innovations encounter uptake while others suffer abandonment or refusal
• The framework includes four factors that are cited as contributing to uptake: the innovation, communication channels, time, and the social system
• This study examines the characteristics important to the innovation factor in order to provide data specific to the innovation of AAC systems
• …

Analysis Of Social Skills In Children With Autism And Asperger’S Through Child And Parent Responses To Ssis And Brief-Sr T Testing, Kailey Fender

2021 Honors Symposium

This study provides an in-depth analysis of the results from the Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS) and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function - Self Report Version (BRIEF-SR T) tests taken by twenty-eight children and their parents through self-reporting the children's social behaviors.

Aac Intervention In Low- And Middle-Income Countries: The Experts’ Perspective, Elizabeth Fulton

2021 Honors Symposium

INTRODUCTION
• There is a lack of research on augmentative and alternative communication in low- and middle income (LAMI) countries. Without research, people in LAMI countries with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are left without effective services.
• Currently, there are high levels of disparities in speech intervention for individuals with IDD in LAMI countries.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS
• What do you see as the most pressing disparities limiting communication outcomes for individuals with IDD who require AAC in LAMI countries?
• What do you see as the largest barriers precluding LAMI countries from addressing those disparities?
• What do you …

The Effect Of Screen Time/Technology On Children With Hearing Loss, Alexa Goodwin

2021 Honors Symposium

Introduction
The use of technology is often promoted as an impactful educational tool, but research often fails to link to these positive outcomes. Negative impacts of “screen addiction” on children whose brains are still developing is an oftenexpressed concern. This is due to excessive screen exposure correlating with increases in disorders such as depression, ADHD, anxiety, and aggression. However, some consider technology use to be valuable for social skills and connection. This study explores the correlation of screen exposure on the executive functioning and social skills of children with hearing loss between the ages 8-12. Executive functioning includes mental skills …

Prevailing Theories Of Over-Imitation, Christa Griffith

2021 Honors Symposium

Imitation is a naturally occurring process of human development where individuals can learn different skills and behaviors by mimicking those around them. Imitation plays a vital role in the development of cognitive and social communication behaviors such as language and joint attention. Although imitation appears to have a clear positive utilization there are instances where its utility is reduced. Over-imitation is the process of an individual imitating actions even when those actions are not causally relevant to the objective to the task. Whiten et al. (2016) said that “the occurrence of overimitation in the real world, maximizes the power of …

How Music Shapes Our Identities And Why It Matters: Case Studies Of Professional Musicians, Annabelle Linker

2021 Honors Symposium

Brain research has demonstrated that music uniquely contributes to neural functioning, but little is known about how losing the ability to produce music, which may be inherent to personal identity for professional singers,impacts quality of life. The results of this study may provide insight for enhancing the use of music as a therapeutic tool that bridges identity and quality of life. Findings are discussed in relation to claims that awareness of personal identity in speech-language interventions can contribute to patient centered discussions about quality of life. Thisstudy explored identity and music in the lives of five well-known vocal music professionals …

Noise Exposure And Hearing Protection In Marching Band Students, Emily Myers

2021 Honors Symposium

Musicians, marching band students in particular, are at risk for Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NlHL) as they are frequently exposed to sound levels ranging from 85-114dB (Dinakaran, & Rejoythadathil, 20 I 8; Jansen et al., 2008; Libbin, 2008). It is recolillilended that those exposed to loud sounds wear ear protection regularly (Audiological Services for Musicians and Music Industry Personell, 2019.; Loud Noise Dangers, n.d.). Musicians are often reluctant to wear hearing protection for various reasons (Jin et al., 2013). Standard earplugs are typically offered to marching band members.

The purpose of this study was to determine how many band members …

Defining Bimodal Bilingualism Within The Field Of Speech-Language Pathology, Jaycie Strunk

2021 Honors Symposium

BACKGROUND
• Speech-language pathologists work with a variety of individuals that each uniquely have their own journey in learning and using language for communication. Many times, professionals are working with those with hearing loss, who are diverse in their use of communication.
• 14.9% of children in between the ages of 6-19 years suffer from hearing loss (Niskar, 1998). This is a large group of individuals that speech-language pathologists serve, each with different goals and needs.
• According to the CDC, around 90% of children born with a congenital hearing loss are born to parents who are not deaf, which …

Facilitating Transition: Moving Beyond High School As A Member Of The Autism Spectrum Community, Cameron Sturgeon, Anna Krizman, Brittany Tran

2021 Honors Symposium

This research seeks to investigate the transition process of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from high school to post graduation life from the perspective of the transitioning youths’ caregivers. Data has been collected through an online survey, providing qualitative research, of parents’ perception of their children’s transition processes. This research is an important insight on how to better help individuals with ASD gradually navigate new school and lifestyle changes. On this poster you will find an introduction, list of material, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, direction of future research, references, and acknowledgements.

Perspectives Of Caregivers On Early Onset Dementia: An Investigation Of The Role Of Attachment And Shifts In Identity, Claire Wood

2021 Honors Symposium

Early onset dementia (EOD), diagnosed earlier than 65, is an incurable, neurogenic disease that impacts every aspect of individual and family life as it progresses through three stages. The scope of caregiving broadens from initially helping with the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and progressing to assistance with essential activities of daily living (ADL) as dementia deepens. The physical demands of caregiving and emotional demands of caring about a loved one who is losing themselves are challenges that impact quality of life. Understanding the role that identity preservation plays as dementia deepens becomes a quality-of-life priority for caregivers and …

Loss And Attainment Of Identity For Individuals Experiencing Early-Onset Dementia, Benjamin Wright

2021 Honors Symposium

Dementia is a progressive neurogenic disease impacting individuals younger than 65 years old who often are working, raising families, and contributing to society. Individuals experiencing early-onset dementia (EOD) gradually lose selfperception, and others including family may no longer perceive them as the people they once were. How can caregivers and therapists protect and preserve a sense of identity that will contribute to quality of life? Narrative research claims storytelling stitches together fragments of life and is a tool for understanding oneself and negotiating this with others. Understanding the impact of narrative shifts that reflect changing identity and personhood could facilitate …

Physiological Stability During Oral Feeding In Preterm Infants: Associations With Feeding Behaviors And Cues, Cindy M. Lund

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between measures of physiological stability/instability during feeding. An additional aim was to determine if behaviors associated with physiological stability were also perceived as readiness or stress cues. Participants included 5 preterm infants (<37 weeks gestation) with no craniofacial anomalies. Infants were videotaped when they were taking at least 90% of prescribed volume. This study analyzed the common behaviors seen in preterm infants during bottle feeding to determine if there were associations with measures of physiological stability. Behaviors were also analyzed to determine which were perceived as indicating stress or readiness to feed by novice observers. Coding was conducted offline using Noldus Observer software.

Results revealed a statistically significant relationship between behaviors classified as stress cues and HR instability. There was not a significant association between stress cues and RR or SPO2. Binomial testing identified specific preterm infant feeding behaviors that were more often classified as stress cues, with significance noted in audible swallow and vocalization. Several of the specific preterm …

Speech Language Pathology Graduate Handbook - 2020-2021, Department Of Audiology And Speech-Language Pathology, East Tennessee State University

Speech-Language Pathology Handbooks

No abstract provided.

Assessment Planning By Speech Language Pathologists: Implicit Bias And Clinical Decision-Making, Melinda Yax

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The following thesis is comprised of three research articles focused on the topics of implicit bias, clinical-decision making, and cultural competency in the field of speech-language pathology. The first article is a reflection piece in which I thoughtfully lay out my journey towards cultural humility in addressing my biases through different educational and personal experiences. The second article presents and discusses the results of the qualitative research I conducted on speech-language pathologists looking at the effect of implicit bias on clinical decisions. And finally, the third article discusses the importance of having cultural humility rather than cultural competency, specifically regarding …