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*NSSLHA members can download the full-text versions of these articles in the "Members" section of our site.
- Using Single-Subject Designs in Speech-Language Pathology Practicum
- Assessing the Use of Managed Care in Graduate Training Programs
- Auditory Sequential Organization Ability Among Children and Adults With Normal Hearing
- The Perils of Pauline's E-Mail: Professional Issues for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists
- Undergraduate Research in CSD Programs: A Solution to the PhD Shortage?
- Clinical Training in Foreign Accent Modification: A National Survey
- A Comparison of Narrative Structure Between Swedish-Speaking and English-Speaking Preschoolers
- Speech-Language Pathologists' Attitudes Toward Aging and the Elderly
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1. Using Single-Subject Designs in Speech-Language Pathology Practicum
Teresa C. Brobeck
Jay Libinsky
Abstract: Clinical problem solving may be enhanced through more direct application of research principles in the therapeutic process. The use of single-subject designs during the speech-language pathology clinical practicum experience, with subsequent transition into routine clinical practice, would allow for development of a "clinician as researcher" role early in the careers of future speech-language pathologists. This would likely enhance the objectivity of the clinical decision-making process and teach clinicians in training to rely less on potentially biased clinical impressions.
To facilitate the use of research principles in clinical practice, 78 graduate students completed single-subject projects as a component of their graduate practicum experiences between June 1999 and December 2002. A survey of the first 25 students completing projects revealed increased reported understanding of research principles, enhanced understanding of the connection between research and clinical practice, and high degree of willingness to use single-subject designs in eventual professional settings.
An overall review of student projects revealed more frequent completion of projects during the school practicum experience and more frequent study of treatment approaches involving articulation/phonologic disorders and child language disorders, as well as very heavy reliance on the withdrawal (or ABAB) design. The review indicated a need for further student exposure to alternative designs for use in the study of speech-language pathology treatment, as well as further development of strategies for establishing effective baselines of behavior.
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2. Assessing the Use of Managed Care in Graduate Training Programs
Susan Thomas Frank
Lindsay J. Slater
Maggie Cook
Abstract: Audiologists and speech-language pathologists need to be equipped to provide clinical services within the evolving managed care health system. This study of 20 graduate training programs in a three-state area provides data on what managed care concepts are being included in academic and clinical practicum curricula. Information on the perceived impact of students not having managed care training is also provided.
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3. Auditory Sequential Organization Ability Among Children and Adults With Normal Hearing
Benoit Jutras
Debra J. Ostroff
Sophie Roy
Jean-Pierre Gagne
Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of age and type of stimuli on auditory sequential organization performances of children and adults with normal hearing. Thirty-two participants were tested in this study: ten 6-7-year-old children, ten 9-10-year-old children, and 12 adults. They were asked to listen and identify verbal stimuli (/ba/-/da/) and nonverbal stimuli (a nonverbal transformation of the syllables /ba/ and /da/). Also, they reproduced the order of these stimuli in sequences consisting of two, three, and five elements. A developmental trend was observed among the data of the present study. In general, younger children obtained significantly lower scores than did older children and adults, independently of the number of elements per sequence. In addition, verbal sequences were reproduced with more accuracy than were nonverbal sequences. Clinical implications are discussed based on the results obtained from this study.
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4. The Perils of Pauline's E-mail: Professional Issues for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists
Timothy Meline
Teri Mata-Pistokache
Abstract: This article reviews the history of telecommunications and the Internet with an emphasis on the rise of e-mail as the predominant force for interpersonal communications in the 21st century. E-mail is at the forefront of "e-culture," which pervades American culture today. The article discusses e-mail uses, pitfalls, and precautions, including the unique character of e-mail, advantages for e-mail use, and matters of e-mail ethics and etiquette. Further, the growing use of e-mail in "e-practice," telehealth, and telepractice, especially in relation to ethical concerns and e-mail uses for clinical services and supervision, is addressed. Finally, future uses of e-mail for the delivery of health care services by audiologists and speech-language pathologists are suggested.
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5. Undergraduate Research in CSD Programs: A Solution to the PhD Shortage?
Peter B. Mueller
David Lisko
Abstract: A possible solution to the doctoral shortage in our field may be to actively involve undergraduates in research. To this end, a survey was sent to Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCSD) member programs. The survey was designed to elicit responses as to the prevalence and types of undergraduate research opportunities in CSD programs. Results were encouraging in that 67% of the responding programs provided undergraduate research experiences, and 64% indicated that such experience may entice students to pursue doctoral-level studies.
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6. Clinical Training in Foreign Accent Modification: A National Survey
Anna Marie Schmidt
Shannon Sullivan
Abstract: Demographic changes in the U.S. population suggest a need for clinical training and experience with nonnative English speakers. A national survey of university graduate programs (N = 76) in speech-language pathology was conducted to assess current academic clinical training in foreign accent modification. Population characteristics, evaluation, treatment, and program focus were explored. Results indicated a lack of agreement about appropriate approaches to foreign accent modification as well as appropriate diagnostic areas and clinical goals. The disparate viewpoints concerning this population may stem in part from clinical underrepresentation in the educational curriculum. Although we do well at instructing new clinicians that a difference is not a disorder, we may not be equally good at developing an understanding of reasons and methods for effecting changes in these differences.
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7. A Comparison of Narrative Structure Between Swedish-Speaking and English-Speaking Preschoolers
Maria Lisa Sjolander
Lisa Scott Trautman
Amy M. Wetherby
Abstract: Story retelling requires higher level language skills and, therefore, is considered a good indicator of a child's language development and a precursor to literacy. The purpose of this study was to examine if a translated story retelling could be used to compare Swedish and U.S. children's retelling skills. Additionally, the retellings were analyzed for similarity of information, episode completion, use of cohesive devices, and inclusion of literate language indicators such as mental and linguistic verbs and elaborated noun phrases. Twelve children with normal speech and language development were recruited from three preschools in Sweden. These children were matched for age and sex with 12 U.S. children from the FIRST WORDS project. Both groups listened to a story in their native language and were instructed to retell it. All retellings were transcribed and coded for dependent measures, then entered into the Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts (Miller & Chapman, 1996). The two groups exhibited no statistically significant differences for information, episode completion, use of cohesive devices, or inclusion of literate language indicators. These results give further evidence for universality of language development and suggest that clinical applications for translation from English to Swedish may be appropriate when assessing retelling skills.
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8. Speech-Language Pathologists' Attitudes Toward Aging and the Elderly
Jeff Searl
Rodney M. Gabel
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to describe speech-language pathologists' (SLPs') knowledge of and attitudes toward aging and the elderly and to evaluate relationships between knowledge, aging, and other characteristics of the SLPs. Eighty-three SLPs who work in health care settings reported their knowledge and attitudes toward aging and the elderly using the Facts on Aging Quiz 1 (FAQ1). They also completed a survey in which they provided information regarding their personal background, education, caseload, social experience with older individuals, and professional interest in working with the elderly. The SLPs in this study had knowledge of aging scores that were similar to those reported for students in communication disorders (CDIS), students in other professions, and some other health care professionals. The SLP participants reported a negative bias toward aging and the elderly. This is consistent with other studies of health care workers, but is in contrast to a mild positive bias reported for CDIS students. Multiple correlation analysis did not identify any statistically significant relationships between SLPs' self-reported characteristics and either knowledge or attitude scores. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between knowledge scores and negative attitude scores: Those SLPs with higher knowledge scores had lower negative bias scores. Overall, the findings indicate that SLPs working in health care settings have a negative bias toward aging and the elderly. The underlying factors resulting in the attitudes, and the means for optimizing SLPs' knowledge and attitudes toward aging and the elderly, will require further investigation.
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