Speech and Hearing Science Commons^™

Gestalt Language Processing In Accredited Communication Sciences And Disorders Programs, William Harris

Master's Theses

The language development and usage of autistic individuals has become a controversial topic in many of the disciplines and professions providing support to these individuals. As a result, two theories of language processing have been proposed. Analytical language processing suggests that children process and develop language from its most simple form, a phoneme, to its most complex form, a word or phrase. However, the theory of gestalt language processing proposes that some children may instead extract larger, more complex language such as whole words and phrases first and break it down to the simpler language. Gestalt language processing is often …

Supplemental High-Tech Augmentative And Alternative Communication Experiences: A Study On Graduate Student Self-Efficacy, Confidence, And Knowledge With Pre-Service Training, Emily Sikes

Master's Theses

Providing assessment and intervention with high-tech augmentative and alternative communication is within the scope of practice of American Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPS). Therefore, SLPs should be able to properly identify and implement assessment, intervention, and caregiver coaching strategies in this area of practice. Due to the lack of confidence ratings of current SLPs in providing assessment and intervention in AAC that is found in current research, this study was designed to find plausible solutions for which confidence ratings can be increased beginning at the graduate level of a Speech-Pathology Master’s program. The researchers sought to answer the following questions: “Do students …

Understanding The Clinician's View Of Pragmatics In Pediatric Therapy, Shelby Oliver

Honors Theses

Pragmatics is one of the most integral components of language, yet it often seems to receive little attention in therapy settings. Previous research indicates the importance of intentionally targeting pragmatic skills for children with language disorders and/or autism spectrum disorders, as well as the lack of current pragmatic evaluations. This thesis used an online survey to record how clinicians view pragmatics, how they evaluate pragmatics, and how they target pragmatics. Participants were all certified clinicians, and the research survey featured a variety of open and closed questions. Results revealed a deep pragmatics knowledge base. However, results indicated the use and …

Full-Body Movements In Speech Treatment Sessions: Speech-Language Pathologists’ Perspectives, Natalie Hurdle

Honors Theses

This author aims to determine the speech-language pathologist’s perspective on the use of full-body movements during speech therapy sessions with children with autism. A survey was distributed to speech-language pathologists and speech-language pathology aides/ speech-language teachers. The author used the source, Qualtrics, to obtain and analyze data. The findings of the current study were promising, as most speech-language pathologists were incorporating full body-movements and reported beliefs that this positively impacted children’s engagement. This study provided additional knowledge about the benefits of using full-body movements in speech treatment sessions and some insight on how much time is misused when full-body movements …

Spatial Hearing In Simulated Reverberant Classroom Environments, Gabriel Seth Evan Weeldreyer

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Spatial hearing provides access to auditory spatial cues that promote speech perception in noisy listening situations. However, reverberation degrades auditory spatial cues and limits listeners’ ability to utilize these cues for segregating target speech from competing babble. Hence, spatial unmasking—an intelligibility benefit from a spatial separation between a target and masker—is reduced in reverberant environments as compared to free field. This work tests the hypothesis that interaural decorrelation, the result of increasing reverberation, will broaden the perceived auditory source width with a cascading effect of reduced auditory spatial acuity and subsequently poorer spatial unmasking. To understand the perceptual consequences of …

Examining School-Age Children's Use Of Rare Words In Expository Discourse: Applications Of Computerized Analysis, Serena Jae Pedroza

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

In the school-age years, children use varied discourse styles to convey information. In addition to conversational and narrative discourse, they learn to use expository discourse to explain complex topics. Previous studies have found that compared to conversation, expository discourse samples are generally more syntactically complex (Lundine et al., 2018; Nippold et al., 2005). In addition, the vocabulary used in expository discourse may be more advanced than that in other discourse types. One way to explore vocabulary use in discourse is to measure the rarity of words within samples of discourse. The purpose of this study was to compare typically developing …

The Role Of The Speech-Language Pathologist With Survivors Of Traumatic Brain Injury From Intimate Partner Violence And Providers’ Knowledge Of This Role, Nicolle Mcadams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Intimate partner violence occurs globally at alarming rates. Many experience adverse health impacts such as traumatic brain injury. Healthcare providers do not know the role of the speech-language pathologist, or the rehabilitation needs of survivors.

Aims: This scoping review aims to identify speech-language pathology services for survivors of intimate partner violence with a resulting traumatic brain injury, and knowledge of healthcare providers on the rehabilitation needs of this population. A search was completed in May to October 2023, resulting in a total of 13 articles reviewed.

Main contributions: Speech-language pathologists lack knowledge to provide services to intimate partner violence survivors …

Talking About Aphasia: A Social Media Analysis Of What Individuals With Aphasia And Communication Partners Convey About Functional Discourse, Anna Williams

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to blend what we know about aphasia and functional communication. Specifically, how individuals with aphasia are functionalizing communication on the social media platform of YouTube. Extensive clinically significant literature exists on functional communication within speech-language pathology that provides practical guidance for clinical applications. Moreover, an emerging theoretical framework on functional communication and aphasia has sparked fresh insights, particularly from the perspective of individuals with aphasia. This perspective holds promise for exploring how individuals and their families leverage social media for functional communication. This study aims to integrate established clinical research findings on functional communication with the evolving …

Using Aac To Build Young Beginning Communicators’ Inclusion In Song Routines, Sydney Miller

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The present study examined the effectiveness of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) on preschool-aged beginning communicators’ ability to participate linguistically during song social routines. The AAC used during the intervention phase were visual scene displays (VSDs). VSDs are color-realistic photos, often depicting real people, that are context-rich for the user. VSDs are less demanding and offer the user a way to communicate their thoughts, feelings, or emotions in a more contextualized way. The present study used a multiple-baseline across participants approach. The primary dependent measure was the linguistic participation of each participant using the VSD. The results indicated that each …

Investigating Self-Perception Of Speech And Motivation For Return To Intervention For Post Cochlear Implantation In Young Adults, Madison Henry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Cochlear Implants (CI) are designed to address severe to profound hearing loss. When implantation occurs after language develops, it is referred to as post-lingual (PL) implantation. Currently, no interventions have been identified to address the communication challenges that young adults with PL-CIs may face after they complete post-CI rehabilitation services. This study analyzes if an individualized intervention plan is beneficial for a person with PL-CIs when experiencing changing communication demands in the transition to college or the workforce. Methodology: Baseline assessments were conducted; the results of which allowed for the establishment of four co-constructed goals. These goals were targeted …

The Stigma Of Deaf: Managing A Stigmatized Identity And Well-Being, Renca Dunn

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The Deaf identity encompasses cultural, linguistic, and social dimensions that significantly influence the lives of Deaf individuals. The World Health Organization predicts that by 2050, nearly 2.5 billion people worldwide will be living with some degree of hearing loss (2021). While there may be a growing number of people who have some type of hearing loss, there is a distinct group who identify their hearing loss as part of a culture and community. The Deaf community has a rich history, culture, language, and linguistic heritage. The development of the Deaf identity is influenced by factors such as family, education, and …

A Mixed Methods Exploration Of Interoceptive Awareness In Adults Who Stutter, Hazel Malcolm

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Stuttering is commonly described as a disorder of speech fluency characterized by primary speech behaviors that are judged by external observers to be typical of stuttering, including part-word repetitions, prolongations, and blocks (i.e., silent prolongations or postural fixations). Despite wide use in the field of speech-pathology, definitions focusing on these ‘primary’ behaviors have also been criticized as ‘surface’ or ‘perceptual’ definitions that favor the experience of a listener over that of the speaker. Recent qualitative evidence suggests that, when asked, adults who stutter (AWS) instead define stuttering as an internal feeling or awareness of being ‘stuck’ that is surrounded by …

Ua12/2/2 Talisman: Pulse, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

Spring 2024 Talisman:

• Hunter, Leah. Pulse
• Muscutt, Carson. High on Bluegrass – Jordan Riehm
• Meyers, Jeffrey. Science of Movement – Exercise Science
• Murray, Debra. Pasture to Plate – Agriculture
• Murray, Debra. Vegetarian Tortilla Soup
• Coffee, Bobbi. Passion, Pain, Curiosity – Innovation Campus
• Story, Miriam. Drafts of a Postcard (October 2023)
• Johnston, Katelyn. Beyond Sound – Deaf
• Hunter, Leah. One Good Week – Madison Weis
• Alali, Cecilia. Crafted Cadence – Speech Team
• Blankenship, Alisa. Loving You
• Sandlin, Ellie. Here After – Death
• Booth, Pandora. Rooted in Rhythm – Step Shows
• Booth, Pandora. Horoscopes
• Pulse Playlist

The Influence Of Cognition On Dysphagia In Adults With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury, Elizabeth Mcdonald

Student Academic Conference

Dysphagia leads to an increased risk of morbidity and mortality (Alhashemi, 2010), and individuals with severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are at an extremely heightened risk of developing dysphagia. This paper identified the known links between cognition and dysphagia, specifically focusing on adults with severe TBIs. The Rancho Los Amigos Revised Scale (RLAS-R) was found to be the best predictive factor in the presence, severity, and resolution of dysphagia (Terré & Mearin, 2007; Terré & Mearin, 2009; Hansen et al., 2008). This information is vital for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to understand due to their experience and expertise in treating disorders …

Impacts Of Socioeconomic Status On Language Development In Preschool Children, Denise Adriaansen

Student Academic Conference

According to Lee (2023), 37.9 million Americans are living in poverty. Poverty is associated with deficits in language, communication, and social skills. Language development is a crucial aspect of a child's development. Children who live in low-socioeconomic households have a higher prevalence of language impairments. This paper will explore the impact that socioeconomic status has on language development in preschool-aged children. It includes becoming knowledgeable on serving individuals that come from different backgrounds, including level of socioeconomic status. It is important for all individuals especially professionals who will serve this population to understand how level of socioeconomic status can affect …

The Psychosocial Effects Of Alaryngeal Speech Following A Laryngectomy, Jennifer Cloos

Student Academic Conference

When an individual is unable to communicate using verbal speech, they can be given or introduced to a variety of alternative or augmentative options to help assist in their ability to communicate their wants and needs appropriately. In this paper the focus is on communication from those who have had a partial or total laryngectomy procedure and how the alteration of their means of communicative output affects their psychosocial health and well-being. This literature review breaks down what kind of care is expected for laryngectomees post-operation, options for communicative output following that procedure, how intensive surgeries and artificial voice options …

The Role Of High School Based Speech Language Pathologists In Transitioning Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder Into Professional Careers, Cameryn Maykut

Student Academic Conference

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is widely known to be one of the fastest growing developmental disabilities in the United States. Due to the ever-increasing prevalence of ASD, it is essential for Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) to be educated on how to provide the highest quality of services to this population. This research paper aims to investigate the role of the high school based SLP while working with students with ASD during the transition from high school to vocational settings. Research was collected through compiling data from a variety of peer-reviewed scholarly sources, such as journals, articles, and organizations. Findings from the …

The Speech Language Pathologist's Role In Intervention For Parkinson's Disease, Jenna Lovaas

Student Academic Conference

This literature review explored the available intervention techniques utilized by Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) when treating individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Parkinson's disease affects six million people worldwide and is expected to double by the year 2040. Deficits associated with PD manifest themselves into motor and non-motor symptoms that show varying benefit from pharmacological approaches alone. For this reason, SLPs provided comprehensive treatment approaches to address the challenges related to dysarthria, dysphagia, and cognitive linguistic skills. Treatment consisted of behavioral techniques, diet modifications, compensatory strategies, muscle strength training, and restorative training. While some techniques demonstrated benefit to more than one …

The Effect Of Melodic Intonation Therapy On Language Recovery In Patients After Stroke, Alie Rockey

Student Academic Conference

This project is an examination of literature discussing the effects of Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT) on language recovery in patients after stroke. The role of MIT after stroke is to encourage language recovery and promote overall well-being. Nine studies are summarized pertaining to the importance of MIT for individuals after stroke and the generalization of this approach. The existing literature supported MIT as a consistent intervention approach that positively impacted stroke and language recovery. Additionally, this review explored implementation options and the importance of each method. The importance for future research and synthesis is impactful across settings. Overall implications predict …

Best Practice Interventions For Individuals With Cleft Palate, Aleisha Johnson

Student Academic Conference

Cleft palate and cleft lip with palate occur in every 1,700 and 1,600 births (ASHA, n.d.). Speech-language pathology intervention is often needed by individuals who have had a cleft palate; about 50% of individuals who have had a repaired cleft palate are referred to speech pathology services (Sand et al., 2022). According to Alighieri et al. (2021), there is a lack of clear procedures when administering treatment to individuals with repaired cleft palates. The purpose of this project is to identify best practice for speech therapy interventions for individuals with repaired cleft palates. This project reviews the traditional articulation approach, …