Speech Pathology and Audiology Commons^™

Students' Understanding Of Self-Management In Aphasia Treatment, Maryse Azer

Honors College Theses

Aphasia is a neurogenic language disorder caused by damage to the language areas of the brain in the left hemisphere, resulting in speech and language impairments. People with aphasia (PWA) often receive services from speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who provide screening, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment to address communication deficits. Aphasia is a chronic condition and PWA experience symptoms throughout their lives. Healthcare costs related to aphasia account for $46 billion annually. Provider shortages, lack of transportation, insurance constraints, and travel expenses can leave PWA without adequate care. One possible solution to the costs and access issues is the implementation of self-management …

The Effect Of Exercise Interventions On Cognitive Functions In Individuals With Down Syndrome: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Emma Moreland

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Purpose: Previous research showed that exercise positively impacts cognition, specifically executive functioning. This systematic review aims to determine the impact of exercise on cognitive functions in people with Down Syndrome.

Method: A systematic review of the research literature related to the influence of exercise on cognition for individuals with Down syndrome was carried out. Included studies were evaluated for level of evidence and appraised for strength of study design. Post-intervention change score differences between groups were analyzed using effect sizes (Hedge’s g).

Results: Fifteen intervention studies met inclusionary criteria and were included in the systematic review. Levels of evidence for …

Parents' Perception Of Speech-Language Pathologists In Secondary Transition, Madelyn Hunt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Speech-Language Pathologists provide services to youth with Down syndrome. The purpose of this study was to (a) determine if parents are aware that speech-language pathologists can provide services to prepare their children for secondary transition; (b) identify the parents’ perceptions of the services provided by speech-language pathologists; and (c) determine if in the parents’ opinion, the speech-language pathologist provided a vital role in preparing their child for transition. Using nonprobability snowball sampling, this cross-sectional mixed-method survey study included 85 parents of youth (ages 14-22) with Down syndrome across the United States. Parents rated their experiences and described their beliefs and …

Exploring The Interactive, Linguistic, And Conceptual Dimensions Of Parent Input And Their Role In Children's Pragmatic Development, Nickolas T. Day

LSU Master's Theses

The development of children’s pragmatic language, which can be defined as conversational competence in social contexts, has been attributed to variation in the language they hear in their environment. When studying the impact language input has on pragmatic development, it is important for clinicians and linguists to measure both the quantity and quality of this language input. Measures of quality, however, are much more relevant when studying the development of pragmatic language, as discussed in Zhang (2020) and Hirsh-Pasek et al. (2015). Rowe and Snow (2016) discussed three dimensions of language quality: interactive, linguistic and conceptual. There is a current …

Identifying Key Language Research Priorities In Autistic Children According To Parents, Taylor Hale

LSU Master's Theses

The lack of involvement of the autistic community and its stakeholders in autism research has led to a call to action. At present, autism researchers have limited knowledge about stakeholders’ priorities for research. The current study aimed to bridge the disconnect between the extant autism research and the recent neurodiversity movement by surveying key stakeholders – parents of autistic children – on their perspectives on autism research that focuses on language. Twenty-six parents of autistic children completed an online survey on their views on autism language research with an option to participate in a follow-up interview. Six parents participated in …

Muscle Tension Dysphonia In Singers And Professional Speakers With Ankyloglossia: Impact Of Treatment With Lingual Frenuloplasty And Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, Isabella Summersgill, Gloria Nguyen, Cullen Grey, Leyli Norouz-Knutsen, Robyn Merkel-Walsh, Christine Katzenmeir, Benjamin Rafii, Soroush Zaghi

International Journal of Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy

Introduction: Muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) describes a condition affecting the feeling or quality of the voice due to increased muscle tension in and/or around the neck and larynx. Ankyloglossia is a condition of restricted tongue mobility that has been shown to be associated with increased muscle tension. This case series explores outcomes for voice users with MTD who have been treated for ankyloglossia.

Methods: Twelve professional or recreational voice users diagnosed with ankyloglossia were surveyed on their symptoms of MTD before and after treatment with lingual frenuloplasty and pre- and post-operative orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT), a multidisciplinary approach known as …

Surgical Management Of Velopharyngeal Dysfunction: Major Techniques And Trends For The 21st Century, Dominic Alessio-Bilowus, Sadaf Hashemian, Kylie Nikolli, Ahmed Hashem Md

Medical Student Research Symposium

INTRODUCTION: Surgical management of velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) has become increasingly complex over recent decades with advances in diagnosis, evaluation and technique, and research focus in this area is expected to shift accordingly. This study aims to educate readers on updates in management of VPD and explore changes in surgical methods through the 21st century.

METHODS: A systematic review was conducted of all literature published on surgical treatment of VPD since the year 2000, following PRISMA reporting guidelines. Adult-acquired VPD, any non-surgical management, implants and prosthetic devices, animal or cadaver models, and case series involving less than 10 subjects were excluded. …

Audiological Intervention For Late-Identified Children And Teenagers With Hearing Loss, Melissa Wiedeman, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Abstract 1 - Introduction: The family of every child referred for definitive care after a newborn hearing screening should follow up with an audiologist to rule out hearing impairment. Early identification, diagnosis, and intervention are crucial for individualized planning and outcomes. Children who need binaural amplification and are not managed appropriately become exposed to sound deprivation, which leads to diminished speech audibility, sound localization, and speech and language development. Case Presentation: A young child presented to the clinic with an unspecified bilateral mild to moderate hearing loss at 500, 2000, and 4000 Hz. Discussion: Children with monaural amplification have shown …

Alternative Techniques For Amplification: A Capstone Case Series, Toryn Davis, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Abstract 1- Introduction: Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is a rare and chronic hereditary disorder that causes motor and sensory damage to the peripheral nervous system. As the disease progresses, hearing sensitivity may worsen. Case Presentation: A young adult-aged patient presented to the clinic with congenital hearing loss and difficulty with conversational speech in quiet and noisy conditions. Discussion: When encountering a patient with CMT, clinicians should be cognoscente of amplification options, especially if nerve pathways begin to deteriorate. When audiologic testing reveals a progression of hearing loss, alternative amplification may be indicated because conventional hearing aids may not provide enough …

Case Reports On Auditory Deprivation And Audiologic Management, Marysue Koelling, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Abstract 1- Introduction: Long-term follow-up appointments are beneficial for cochlear implant (CI) users. Several factors can influence individual auditory performance, even after years of experience with amplification use. Maintaining routine follow-up appointments with an audiologist can provide verification measures, auditory monitoring, and ongoing counseling to achieve optimal performance with CI technology. Case Presentation: An elderly, female patient with a monaural CI presented to the clinic with a significant decline in speech perception after years of use. Discussion: The goal of CI programming is to effectively convert acoustic input into a usable electric signal for each stimulated electrode to produce adequate …

Ensuring Equitable Treatment For People Of Color Receiving Audiology Care, Isabel Guidotti, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Abstract 1- Introduction: As health care providers, serving patients equitably may require concurrent caring for the concerns and demands of family members as well. When striving to provide equitable care to patients of all backgrounds, familial participation throughout an appointment can play a substantial role. Case Presentation: An older adult male patient who used English as a second language presented with moderate, sloping to severe, mixed hearing loss, bilaterally. Hearing aid options were counseled and discussed in detail with the patient and his spouse. Discussion: The patient’s wife played an active role throughout the appointment and served as a valuable …

Audiological Accommodations For Special Populations: A Capstone Case Series, Hannah Belke, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Introduction: Deaf-blindness is a term that refers to people with dual sensory impairments who, typically, have some residual hearing and usable vision. Individualized attention should be employed when working with these patients to ensure effective intervention. Case Presentation: A young female presented to the clinic with cortical blindness and essentially unilateral (right-sided) sensorineural hearing loss. Discussion: For special populations, such as those with deaf-blindness, audiologists need to be aware of testing and environmental considerations due to challenges presented by comorbidities. Senses, such as touch, may be used when testing these patients. The use of paper material, placement of furniture, and …

Paths To Equity: Parents In Partnership With Ucedds Fostering Black Family Advocacy For Children On The Autism Spectrum, Elizabeth H. Morgan, Benita D. Shaw, Ida Winters, Chiffon King, Jazmin Burns, Aubyn Stahmer, Gail Chodron

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Racism and ableism have doubly affected Black families of children with developmental disabilities in their interactions with disability systems of supports and services (e.g., early intervention, mental health, education, medical systems). On average, Black autistic children are diagnosed three years later and are up to three times more likely to be misdiagnosed than their non-Hispanic White peers. Qualitative research provides evidence that systemic oppression, often attributed to intersectionality, can cause circumstances where Black disabled youth are doubly marginalized by policy and practice that perpetuates inequality. School discipline policies that criminalize Black students and inadequate medical assessments that improperly support Black …

The Integration Of The Scholarship Of Teaching And Learning Into The Discipline Of Communication Sciences And Disorders, Jennifer Friberg, Jerry K. Hoepner, Allison M. Sauerwein, Kerry Mandulak

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

McKinney (2018) has argued that for the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) to advance within a discipline, the integration of SoTL must be closely examined and opportunities for growth in SoTL must be recognized and discussed. To that end, this paper reflects on the degree to which SoTL is integrated into communication sciences and disorders (CSD) by examining a variety of topics: perspectives and theories historically valued by our discipline, existing supports for SoTL at various levels (i.e., individual teacher-scholars, departments, institutions, and the CSD discipline as a whole), the application of SoTL findings in teaching and learning. Four …

Partnering With Students To Increase Engagement And Inclusion In An Undergraduate Phonetics & Acoustics Course, Teresa Roberts, Rik Lemoncello

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

An introductory phonetics course provides foundational content for future clinical practice and may serve as a student’s first experience within the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders. The Students as Partners framework (Cook-Sather et al., 2014) offers a model for valuing student assets and experiences in co-creating learning materials to enhance active learning and deepen understanding. Incorporating positive affective feelings around learning complex material, integrating technology, and building a mutually respectful learning community can foster inclusive practices. In this manuscript, the authors share how redesigning an introductory Phonetics and Acoustics course at a large, urban, commuter, public university led to …

Student Perspectives On Learning Language Sample Analysis Using Lena, Michelle Flippin

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Language sample analysis (LSA) is valuable clinical tool and an important component of comprehensive language assessment. However, LSA is underutilized in real-world practice. SLPs have identified time constraints, insufficient training, and lack of confidence in LSA skills as barriers to regular LSA implementation. Communication science and disorders (CSD) programs have opportunities to provide LSA instruction to address these barriers and prepare students to reliably, feasibly, and confidently use LSA in clinical practice. This pilot study examined CSD students’ perspectives on LSA instruction using the Language ENvironment Analysis System (LENA). Undergraduate students (n = 38) completed a series of two …

Speech Pathology Student Perspectives On Virtual Reality To Learn A Clinical Skill, Bridget Kelly, Joanne Walters, Rachael Unicomb

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Evidence supports the use of simulation in educating speech pathology (SP) students, however most of the research has centered on low fidelity techniques as opposed to high fidelity and immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR). Whilst there has been research on the use of VR to teach clinical skills to students in other health disciplines (e.g., dentistry, nursing), use of VR in SP has focused mainly on its use in client intervention. There is an opportunity to use VR to teach clinical skills to SP students, particularly in response to barriers to clinical placement opportunities like the COVID 19 pandemic. …

Examining The Item-Level Psychometric Properties Of The Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (Seq) For Students In Communication Sciences And Disorders, Sabiha Parveen, Neila Donovan, Gina Morris, Kristi Dickey

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (SEQ), a self-reported questionnaire using Rasch analysis, a one-parameter logistic probability model based on scientific measurement principles. Rasch analysis was completed using the rating scale model. The various analyses allow researchers to examine the item-level psychometric properties of the SEQ, which result in measures that provide evidence for validity, reliability, and sensitivity of the instrument. Rasch analysis demonstrated that the latent trait established by the SEQ, Perceived Self-efficacy (called self-efficacy from here on), was a unidimensional construct that could be measured on a linear scale. …

Use Of A Living Document To Facilitate Critical Engagement With Social Justice For Undergraduate Audiology And Speech-Languages Pathology Students, Kristen Secora, David H Smith

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Although pedagogy focused on social justice, power, and privilege have been included in teacher preparatory programs for a number of years, such topics are much newer and relatively unexplored within the context of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) preprofessional programs. This reflection provides information on use of a living document assignment to encourage undergraduate CSD students to grapple with these difficult topics (e.g., privilege, oppression, social justice, allyship) early in their professional careers resulting in benefits for the students, their future clients, and the field of CSD.

Analysis Of Electrophysiological Markers And Correlated Components Of Neural Responses To Discourse Coherence, Kurt M. Masiello

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Constructing meaning from spoken language is invaluable for learning, social interaction, and communication. In clinical populations with developmental disorders of speech comprehension, the severity of disruption can persist and vary from limiting occupational opportunities to lower performance outcomes. Previous research has reported an event-related potential (ERP) neural positivity over right hemisphere lateral anterior sites in response to semantic and discourse processing. Although useful as a marker for clinical populations of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental language disorder (DLD), little is understood about the dynamics and neural sources of this biological marker. In addition to traditional methods of ERP analysis, …