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Acoustic Measures of Stress in Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Title
Acoustic Measures of Stress in Childhood Apraxia of Speech.
Creator
Berteau, Emily A., School of Communication Science and Disorders
Abstract/Description
Disordered stress has been proposed as a potential diagnostic marker of CAS. This study examines the use of the durational aspect of stress, particularly vowel and consonant duration, in distinguishing children with suspected CAS from those with non-CAS SSDs and those with typical speech and language development. Rhythm metrics that were over 80% successful in distinguishing among speakers with dysarthria, another disorder characterized by abnormal stress, were used to measure the variability...
Show moreDisordered stress has been proposed as a potential diagnostic marker of CAS. This study examines the use of the durational aspect of stress, particularly vowel and consonant duration, in distinguishing children with suspected CAS from those with non-CAS SSDs and those with typical speech and language development. Rhythm metrics that were over 80% successful in distinguishing among speakers with dysarthria, another disorder characterized by abnormal stress, were used to measure the variability of vocalic and consonantal intervals. These metrics were analyzed to compare children with suspected CAS, children with non-CAS SSDs, and children with typical speech and language development. Results showed that children with CAS had the least variable vocalic durations and most variable consonantal durations. The CAS group was the only group to have more variability in consonantal durations than vocalic durations, and the relative difference between vocalic and consonantal variability was greatest in the CAS group. Further research should more closely examine the comparative differences between vocalic and consonantal variability within each group of children.
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Date Issued
2015
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0546
Format
Thesis
Communication in Routines between Caregivers and Children with Down Syndrome
Title
Communication in Routines between Caregivers and Children with Down Syndrome.
Creator
Hendershott, Kelsey, Woods, Juliann, Jackson, Carla, Lakey, Emily, Hanline, Mary, School of Communication Science and Disorders
Abstract/Description
The purpose of this study was to describe the communication of toddlers with Down syndrome in everyday routines with their caregivers within four intervention time points. Archival video data of caregiver-implemented language intervention from the KidTalk Tactics Project were used to describe the communication of three children, ages 12 to 20 months, measured at four time periods across caregiving, pre-academic, and play routines. Increases in the frequency of single words and multiple word...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to describe the communication of toddlers with Down syndrome in everyday routines with their caregivers within four intervention time points. Archival video data of caregiver-implemented language intervention from the KidTalk Tactics Project were used to describe the communication of three children, ages 12 to 20 months, measured at four time periods across caregiving, pre-academic, and play routines. Increases in the frequency of single words and multiple word phrases were evident for all children. Variability in the frequency of communication acts in different routines were also noted. The results of this study contribute to the expanding literature on caregiver-implemented intervention in natural environments by examining the unique profiles of toddlers with Down syndrome and the context in which they participated with their caregivers.
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Date Issued
2012
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0123
Format
Thesis
Comparison of Early Verb Use in Narratives
Title
Comparison of Early Verb Use in Narratives: Typically Developing Preschoolers and Children with Language Learning Disorders.
Creator
Basden, Ariel N., School of Communication Science and Disorders
Date Issued
2015
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0527
Format
Thesis
Comparison of Narrative Skills of Kindergarten English Language Learners with Monolingual Kindergarten Peers
Title
Comparison of Narrative Skills of Kindergarten English Language Learners with Monolingual Kindergarten Peers.
Creator
Meckler, Kili, Wood, Carla, School of Communication Science and Disorders
Abstract/Description
Embracing diversity in children's language requires an understanding of differences in narrative language samples of children from culturally, linguistically, and socioeconomically diverse backgrounds. This paper describes narratives of 47 kindergarten children, examining linguistic diversity in Spanish-English speaking ELLs and dialectical differences in African American children who speak non-mainstream American English.
Date Issued
2016
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0549
Format
Thesis
Comparisons of Core Vocabulary in Written Samples of School Age Children
Title
Comparisons of Core Vocabulary in Written Samples of School Age Children: Implications for ACC Users.
Creator
Appleget, Allyssa R., School of Communication Science and Disorders
Date Issued
2015
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0532
Format
Thesis
Effect of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Auditory Perception
Title
The Effect of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Auditory Perception.
Creator
Smith, Alissa N., School of Communication Science and Disorders
Abstract/Description
Dichotic listening exercises prove a non-invasive means for investigators to test language lateralization. A dichotic listening exercise involves the simultaneous presentation of two different discrete syllables to the left and right ears and prompting a subject to report the syllable that is heard most clearly. Dichotic exercises generally show a right ear advantage (REA). Cowell and colleagues (2011) reported that higher levels of ovarian hormones are associated with increases in the REA...
Show moreDichotic listening exercises prove a non-invasive means for investigators to test language lateralization. A dichotic listening exercise involves the simultaneous presentation of two different discrete syllables to the left and right ears and prompting a subject to report the syllable that is heard most clearly. Dichotic exercises generally show a right ear advantage (REA). Cowell and colleagues (2011) reported that higher levels of ovarian hormones are associated with increases in the REA among women. It is assumed that using oral contraceptives (OC) decreases the extent of hormone shifts and thus the extent of REA changes across the menstrual cycle. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the phases of the menstrual cycle and using OC on women's responses to a set of dichotic listening tasks.
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Date Issued
2015
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0491
Format
Thesis
Effect of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Auditory Perception
Title
The Effect of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Auditory Perception: A dichotic listening study.
Creator
Marante, Leesa, School of Communication Science and Disorders
Date Issued
2014
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0373
Format
Thesis
Effect of Oral Contraceptives on Auditory Perception
Title
The Effect of Oral Contraceptives on Auditory Perception: A Dichotic Listening Study.
Creator
Curran, Christine, School of Communication Science and Disorders
Date Issued
2014
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0393
Format
Thesis
Effects of Cognitive Load on Parameters of Gait in Traumatic Brain Injury; a Case Study
Title
The Effects of Cognitive Load on Parameters of Gait in Traumatic Brain Injury; a Case Study.
Creator
Vergo, Emily, LaPointe, Leonard L., Stierwalt, Julie A.G., Kaschak, Michael, School of Communication Science and Disorders
Abstract/Description
The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of cognitive load on parameters of gait in a person with traumatic brain injury and a person with no neurological deficits. Injurious falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries. To understand the role of cognitive resource allocation on the gait of TBI patients, we compared one patient who had suffered a TBI and one patient who had no neurological deficits while they ambulated on the GAITRite walkway as they simultaneously...
Show moreThe purpose of this study is to determine the effects of cognitive load on parameters of gait in a person with traumatic brain injury and a person with no neurological deficits. Injurious falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries. To understand the role of cognitive resource allocation on the gait of TBI patients, we compared one patient who had suffered a TBI and one patient who had no neurological deficits while they ambulated on the GAITRite walkway as they simultaneously performed three different cognitive loading tasks with varying difficulty levels. The study showed that performing a cognitive loading task has a negative effect on the stability of gait for patients diagnosed with a TBI and those without. The most significant effect was seen in the patient with TBI during the highest difficulty cognitive loading task.
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Date Issued
2014
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0364
Format
Thesis
Effects of Lexical Cognitive Loading on Parameters of Gait in Neurotypical Young Adults
Title
The Effects of Lexical Cognitive Loading on Parameters of Gait in Neurotypical Young Adults.
Creator
Alberico, Kristen, LaPointe, Leonard L., Morris, Richard, Kaschak, Michael, Stierwalt, Julie A.G., School of Communication Science and Disorders
Abstract/Description
This study was conducted to discover the effects of specific language tasks on injurious falls. Injurious falls often have tragic consequences, such as traumatic brain injury, hip fractures, and/or high monetary costs. Previously, FSU has conducted research regarding the effects of language tasks on gait in elderly and Parkinson Disease populations. Currently, there is a lack of information regarding changes in gait in healthy young adults. This experiment set out to find the effects of...
Show moreThis study was conducted to discover the effects of specific language tasks on injurious falls. Injurious falls often have tragic consequences, such as traumatic brain injury, hip fractures, and/or high monetary costs. Previously, FSU has conducted research regarding the effects of language tasks on gait in elderly and Parkinson Disease populations. Currently, there is a lack of information regarding changes in gait in healthy young adults. This experiment set out to find the effects of lexical cognitive load tasks on gait in healthy young adults. Participants included 31 neurotypical young adults. Four gait variables were analyzed based on 3 trials for each participant. The GAITRite Walkway System detected each footfall as the subject walked across it. Functional Ambulatory Profile (FAP) was generated for each condition. FAP uses gait parameters to generate a composite score related to likelihood of fall risk. The following conditions were utilized: walking without talking (baseline), walking while saying the months forward (low load), and walking while saying the months backward (high load). Cognitive-linguistic load was manipulated while phonological, lexical, and semantic characteristics remained the same throughout each condition. As a result, both low load and high load simultaneous walking and talking tasks negatively impacted gait among all variables. The high load task had a greater affect on gait, however the low load task also negatively affected gait. The experiment offered awareness of healthy young adults as baseline to compare to susceptible elderly and muscle movement disorder populations.
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Date Issued
2013
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0229
Format
Thesis
Exploration of Social Validity in Parent-Implemented Enhanced Milieu Teaching
Title
Exploration of Social Validity in Parent-Implemented Enhanced Milieu Teaching.
Creator
Arrington, Lauren, School of Communication Science and Disorders
Abstract/Description
Abstract This study examined the social validity of a parent-implemented intervention from the perspective of students learning about language intervention. Studying social validity is important to determine the utility, acceptability, and feasibility of an intervention. The KidTalk TaCTICS (KTTP) intervention is built upon a coaching model to enhance parents' capacity to support their children's communication by embedding intervention strategies in family- identified routines. A group of 62...
Show moreAbstract This study examined the social validity of a parent-implemented intervention from the perspective of students learning about language intervention. Studying social validity is important to determine the utility, acceptability, and feasibility of an intervention. The KidTalk TaCTICS (KTTP) intervention is built upon a coaching model to enhance parents' capacity to support their children's communication by embedding intervention strategies in family- identified routines. A group of 62 student participants provided their perceptions of the KTTP intervention by answering open- and closed-response questions after observing video-recorded intervention session segments. Responses to scaled closed-response questions yielded significant mean differences in perceptions of parent strategy use, child communication, coaching strategies, and routines from the beginning to the end of the intervention. Descriptive feedback indicated that students perceived the KTTP intervention to be usable, feasible, and meaningful.
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Date Issued
2013
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0242
Format
Thesis
Minority Adolescent Perceptions of Perceived Risk of Hearing Loss and Hearing Conservation Measures
Title
Minority Adolescent Perceptions of Perceived Risk of Hearing Loss and Hearing Conservation Measures.
Creator
Mazzola, Heather, School of Communication Science and Disorders
Abstract/Description
Historically, hearing loss was a condition that only affected the elderly. Due to increasing technological advances, Noise Induced Hearing Loss is on the rise for all populations. Hearing conservation programs aim to educate the public about Noise Induced Hearing Loss and how to prevent it. Most of the current research on hearing conservation programs has concentrated on majority groups. Additional research was warranted to examine how minority groups perceive noise and respond to hearing...
Show moreHistorically, hearing loss was a condition that only affected the elderly. Due to increasing technological advances, Noise Induced Hearing Loss is on the rise for all populations. Hearing conservation programs aim to educate the public about Noise Induced Hearing Loss and how to prevent it. Most of the current research on hearing conservation programs has concentrated on majority groups. Additional research was warranted to examine how minority groups perceive noise and respond to hearing conservation programs. A survey was used at assess adolescents hearing conservation behaviors pre and post delivery of a hearing conservation education. 48 sixth, seventh and eighth graders participated in the study. First, the survey examined the student's knowledge of the anatomy and functions of the ear. Second, the survey used hypothetical vignettes to examine the student's behaviors in noise. This study found that knowledge of the hearing mechanism, hearing loss and conservation improved. This study also found that the majority of participants were not more likely after the hearing conservation education to change their behavior. More research needs to be facilitated on the effectiveness of hearing conservation education programs for this specific population.
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Date Issued
2013
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0209
Format
Thesis
Pragmatics and Social Communication
Title
Pragmatics and Social Communication: Children with Hearing Loss in Early Childhood Settings.
Creator
Guest, Hillary, School of Communication Science and Disorders
Abstract/Description
Research has shown that pragmatic understanding allows children to appropriately communicate and form peer relationships. Hearing loss (HL) in early childhood may lead to immature or delayed social communication due to an early lack of exposure, among other factors. The delay in social communication is thought to lead to limited use of common conversational strategies. Therefore, children with HL are at risk for below average use of initiations, responses, and conversational repairs. This...
Show moreResearch has shown that pragmatic understanding allows children to appropriately communicate and form peer relationships. Hearing loss (HL) in early childhood may lead to immature or delayed social communication due to an early lack of exposure, among other factors. The delay in social communication is thought to lead to limited use of common conversational strategies. Therefore, children with HL are at risk for below average use of initiations, responses, and conversational repairs. This study serves to examine the differences and similarities in social communication behavior between children with HL and children with typical hearing in early childhood settings. The six participants included in the study ranged in age from 2- to 6-years-old. Three participants had a history of HL. Three participants had typical hearing. The two groups of participants were matched based upon hearing age. Data were recorded through the LENA, an audio capturing device. The results of this study showed that children with HL fell behind their peers with typical hearing in use of conversational repair. This finding signifies the greater need for therapists to focus on conversational repair strategies within this group rather than simply prompting initiations and responses.
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Date Issued
2013
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0208
Format
Thesis
Primo Passaggio Transition Gestures in Trained Female Singers
Title
Primo Passaggio Transition Gestures in Trained Female Singers.
Creator
Craven, Emily, School of Communication Science and Disorders
Abstract/Description
Varying techniques are implemented by trained singers to perceptually achieve evenness of tone. The purpose of this study is to investigate those who achieve this evenness effectively through examining the vocal fold closure and vocal tract acoustic adjustments made by trained female singers. The singers varied in their level of experience from undergraduate students in a vocal performance program to faculty members of the program and non-university professional vocal performers. The singers...
Show moreVarying techniques are implemented by trained singers to perceptually achieve evenness of tone. The purpose of this study is to investigate those who achieve this evenness effectively through examining the vocal fold closure and vocal tract acoustic adjustments made by trained female singers. The singers varied in their level of experience from undergraduate students in a vocal performance program to faculty members of the program and non-university professional vocal performers. The singers produced the vowel [a:] in an ascending scale through to octave A3-A4 into a microphone. In addition to the microphone, electrodes were positioned over her thyroid to record the EGG of the signal. The EGG provides information on the closing quotient (CQ) duration and fundamental frequency (f0) whereas the microphone provides information on FFT spectral measurements of the frequency and amplitude of the harmonic with the greatest amplitude. The information from the two signals provides the points of measurement reflecting changes in the glottal signal and changes in the vocal tract resonances. The patterns of CQ and vocal tract resonance adjustments through the passaggio will be reported for the singer.
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Date Issued
2014
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0300
Format
Thesis
Quality of Life After A Total Laryngectomy
Title
Quality of Life After A Total Laryngectomy: Considerations For Swallowing.
Creator
Givner, Christina, Stierwalt, Julie A.G., LaPointe, Leonard L., Spicer, Maria, School of Communication Science and Disorders
Abstract/Description
Following a total laryngectomy, individuals' quality of life may be affected in a number of ways. One issue that is often overlooked is a swallowing disorder. The process of eating and drinking is an essential element in social activities. Consequently, a disturbance in that process may have negative implications to individual's well-being. The current investigation conducts a survey exploring the quality of life of individuals after a total laryngectomy with regard to eating practices....
Show moreFollowing a total laryngectomy, individuals' quality of life may be affected in a number of ways. One issue that is often overlooked is a swallowing disorder. The process of eating and drinking is an essential element in social activities. Consequently, a disturbance in that process may have negative implications to individual's well-being. The current investigation conducts a survey exploring the quality of life of individuals after a total laryngectomy with regard to eating practices. Participants will complete a survey called the SWAL-QOL, which examines a number of factors related to eating and drinking. The results obtained from individuals with a laryngectomy will be compared to healthy adults who have no history of eating or swallowing impairment. The findings from this investigation will improve our understanding of the impact of total laryngectomy on individuals' perception of quality of life, thereby, providing direction for our treatment practices.
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Date Issued
2014
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0383
Format
Thesis
Relationship Between Performance on Narrative Language Samples and Standardized Language Tests for Young English Language Learners
Title
The Relationship Between Performance on Narrative Language Samples and Standardized Language Tests for Young English Language Learners.
Creator
Liebetrau, Shelley, School of Communication Science and Disorders
Abstract/Description
Not only are children from linguistically diverse backgrounds at risk for being under-identified but also, language differences among speakers have been considered language deficit, based on a lack of understanding about Spanish-speaking English Language Learners. Furthermore, standardized testing may or may not reflect actual strengths and weaknesses of cultural diverse populations. The purpose of this current investigation is to analyze the macrostructure of narrative language samples...
Show moreNot only are children from linguistically diverse backgrounds at risk for being under-identified but also, language differences among speakers have been considered language deficit, based on a lack of understanding about Spanish-speaking English Language Learners. Furthermore, standardized testing may or may not reflect actual strengths and weaknesses of cultural diverse populations. The purpose of this current investigation is to analyze the macrostructure of narrative language samples collected from 25 Kindergarten English Language Learners and compare it to a standardized measure of their vocabulary aptitude. To better understand the relationship between narrative language samples and standardized tests results of a culturally diverse population, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) standard scores were compared to oral narrative sample analyses of macro-structural components, number of total words, number of different words, and MLU in words. The results of this study revealed that there was no statistically significant correlation found between the participants' narrative sample retell analyses in comparison to their standardized vocabulary test. Due to this lack of relationship found, there is an increased concern and need for speech-language pathologists to consider both language samples and standardized tests in regards to treatment, therapy, and assessment.
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Date Issued
2014
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0402
Format
Thesis
Reliability of a Binary Perceptual Rating Scale of Global Speech Features in Dysarthria
Title
Reliability of a Binary Perceptual Rating Scale of Global Speech Features in Dysarthria.
Creator
Carmedelle, Teresa, Lansford, Kaitlin, Morris, Richard, Johnson, Frank, School of Communication Science and Disorders
Abstract/Description
Purpose: This study investigates whether listeners, with varying levels of experience, are able to reliably rate the absence or presence of global perceptual features (articulatory precision, vocal quality, nasal resonance, and speech rhythm) in a heterogeneous cohort of speakers with dysarthria. Method: The participants were twenty Master's degree seeking students and five speech-language pathologists. Participants listened to 33 speakers identified as having dysarthria and determined if an...
Show morePurpose: This study investigates whether listeners, with varying levels of experience, are able to reliably rate the absence or presence of global perceptual features (articulatory precision, vocal quality, nasal resonance, and speech rhythm) in a heterogeneous cohort of speakers with dysarthria. Method: The participants were twenty Master's degree seeking students and five speech-language pathologists. Participants listened to 33 speakers identified as having dysarthria and determined if an abnormal speech feature was present or absent for each speaker with dysarthria in four global features of speech. Results: The results showed that inter-rater reliability varied from slight to moderate reliability and intra-rater reliability varied from moderate to substantial reliability. Similar patterns of reliability were revealed for the two groups of listeners. Conclusions: Further investigation is needed to determine if perceptual analysis is the most clinically relevant and reliable method for assessment of speakers with dysarthria.
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Date Issued
2014
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0297
Format
Thesis
Syntactic and Semantic Development in Adolescents' Persuasive Discourse
Title
Syntactic and Semantic Development in Adolescents' Persuasive Discourse.
Creator
Ott, Desirae, School of Communication Science and Disorders
Abstract/Description
The purpose of this study was to examine adolescents' use of persuasive language in both oral and written contexts. Previous authors have noted that persuasive discourse is one of the most difficult language genres to master. The development of this skill follows a gradual progression that extends from childhood to adolescence and into adulthood. The following research question guided the present study: How does syntactic and semantic development differ in oral versus written persuasive...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to examine adolescents' use of persuasive language in both oral and written contexts. Previous authors have noted that persuasive discourse is one of the most difficult language genres to master. The development of this skill follows a gradual progression that extends from childhood to adolescence and into adulthood. The following research question guided the present study: How does syntactic and semantic development differ in oral versus written persuasive discourse for adolescents with typical language development? To address this question, 65 students enrolled in the ninth grade with typical language development were recruited from a public high school. Spoken and written persuasive language samples were gathered from the participants, and compared for level of performance on the dependent variables. Language samples were transcribed and analyzed using the SALT software. With modality (oral vs. written) as the independent variable, and two measures of syntax (e.g., clause density, number of complex sentences) and two measures of semantics (e.g., meta-verbs, lexical density) as the dependent variables, analyses included repeated measures ANOVA. Descriptive and inferential statistics are reported. Results indicated levels of syntax and semantics were greater in the written modality than in oral language, for three of the four dependent variables (clause density, # complex sentences, lexical density). Meta-verb use was consistent across modalities. Implications for further research, and clinical practice are discussed.
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Date Issued
2013
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0210
Format
Thesis
Transfer of Vocabulary Knowledge Across Languages in English Language Learners
Title
Transfer of Vocabulary Knowledge Across Languages in English Language Learners.
Creator
Dahl, Alison M., School of Communication Science and Disorders
Abstract/Description
English language learners compose a growing percentage of the student population in the United States and are at risk for reading and academic problems. It is important to understand how English language learners acquire language in order to facilitate academic success. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between vocabulary knowledge development in Spanish and English. Spanish and English vocabulary was measured in order to examine relationships across languages. The...
Show moreEnglish language learners compose a growing percentage of the student population in the United States and are at risk for reading and academic problems. It is important to understand how English language learners acquire language in order to facilitate academic success. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between vocabulary knowledge development in Spanish and English. Spanish and English vocabulary was measured in order to examine relationships across languages. The potential transfer of vocabulary acquisition skills across languages was suspected throughout the implementation of this study. To better understand the potential, vocabulary knowledge was measured and compared in Spanish and English prior to an eight week reading intervention. Subsequently, vocabulary performance was measured and compared following intervention. The results of this study depicted moderate to strong significant correlations between Spanish vocabulary knowledge and English vocabulary knowledge, at pre-test and post-test. The significant findings pertaining to this study support the idea of vocabulary knowledge transfer across languages. The outcomes of this study present clinical and educational implications for vocabulary development and thus language acquisition of English language learners.
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Date Issued
2016
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0543
Format
Thesis
Use of Gender Assignment in School-Age Spanish-English Bilingual Children from Miami
Title
Use of Gender Assignment in School-Age Spanish-English Bilingual Children from Miami.
Creator
Vamos, Jennifer, School of Communication Science and Disorders
Abstract/Description
This study explored the potential language loss or maintenance of Spanish gender assignment for school-age bilingual students in a Miami school. Higher accuracy in the use of gender assignment markers was found in fifth graders than younger students. Findings supported the idea of language maintenance in a supportive environment.
Date Issued
2013
Identifier
FSU_migr_uhm-0238
Format
Thesis