College: Education and Allied Health Professions
Program Director: Carmen Russell
The Speech-Language Pathology master's program is part of the Department of Communication Disorders and Deaf Education at Fontbonne University. Each year, SLP graduate students are required to make a poster or thesis presentation on a topic of their choice, usually at the annual convention of the Missouri Speech-Language Hearing Association. Materials from those presentations are archived here.
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Fluency and Sound System Disorder: What to Do?
Madeline Broekelmann
Stuttering is a complex disorder that requires a multi-dynamic approach and becomes increasingly more complex when a comorbidity is present; therefore, this poster will present the available data on the comorbidity of fluency and sound system disorders in preschool aged children. Specifically, this poster will provide background information relating to the epidemiology of stuttering in terms of onset, speech characteristics, predictive factors, and current evidence-based practice. Background information pertaining to a sound system disorder and common therapeutic approaches will be discussed as well. Research regarding current clinical practice when treating both disorders and the efficacy behind treating both at the same time will be provided. Lastly, this poster will discuss the efficacy behind treating both disorders in young children.
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Language/Cognition Components of Religious Expression for Clients Living Post CVA
Elizabeth Buckley
This presentation will provide information on the difficulties related to language and cognition clients face pertaining to the expression of their religious beliefs after a CVA. The three most common types of aphasia (Broca’s Wernicke’s, and Global) that commonly follow a CVA will be defined. The impact on emotional and cognitive functioning due to an inability to fully engage in religious practices will be discussed. Lastly, interventions to be used by SLPs to support language use and cognitive functioning in avenues of religious expression will be explained.
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Analysis of Reported Therapeutic Effects of Aphasia Choir Participation
Sarah Dixon
This research and review of literature aims to explore the potential for therapeutic efficacy and potential of people with expressive aphasia and/or apraxia of speech participating in Aphasia choir to improve speech. By reviewing relevant literature and patient-reported anecdotes, the implications neural components of music-based interventions will be discussed.
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Negative Influence of Screen Time on Speech and Language Development
Amanda Louise Garth
Does the amount of time that a child spends watching videos or playing games on electronic devices elevate their risk for developing an expressive speech and/or language delay? This session will elucidate the risks and negative associations involved with excessive exposure to screen time and its influence on the development of appropriate speech and language skills. A basic definition of screen time will be identified. Alternatives to executing appropriate utilization of screen time will be represented. A digital language processing tool that outlines how to assess the negative impacts of screen time on speech and language development will be explained.
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Early Intervention: The Use of AAC/AT in Preschool Classrooms
Lucy Guiffrida
Children use speech and language to express their wants and needs, interact socially and gain information about the world around them. When a child has difficulty with either speech or language, they face many challenges because they are unable to convey their message with their family, peers, teachers or community at large. Early Intervention (EI) is a key in remediating these communication difficulties. The sooner EI is provided the better. One way to aid children with complex communication needs is the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). A primary purpose of AAC is to increase opportunities for communication with many different people in their lives (parents, teachers, siblings, peers, etc.). Why are we not educating all the communication partners, how to communicate back in the modality we expect AAC/ AT users to use? The purpose of this study is to show the importance of use of AAC/AT in preschoolers and educating all communication partners from a young age.
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The Use of Non-Words as Targets in the Treatment of Speech Sound Disorders in Children
Nicole Hacking
The purpose of this poster is to explore non-words (NWs) as targets in the treatment of speech sound disorders (SSD) in children. To better understand the basic science behind word lexicality and phonological learning, the mechanisms at work will be explained. Non-words, phonological representation, and lexical representation will be defined in order to further understand the potential benefits of using non-words in therapy.
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What is Known about the Dual Diagnosis of ASD and Down Syndrome?
Brielle Henne
The poster will provide an overview of what is known about the dual diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Down Syndrome. Two common ways DS-ASD present will be separated into two groups. Identifiable brain differences that distinguish children with DS-ASD from those diagnosed with DS alone will be stated. The importance, obstacles, how to keep individuals with DS-ASD from falling through the cracks will be discussed.
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Self-Identity and Social Communication in Children who are Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
Traci Henry
In the current research, there was a reported relationship between self-identity and social communication development.
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Measuring Identity in Individuals with Aphasia at Fontbonne University
Caroline I. Koenig
This research proposal will outline how modifying a pre-existing identity scale can measure whether G.R.A.C.E. therapy at Fontbonne University works to increase a sense of identity in individuals with aphasia and potential next steps in furthering the study.
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Anxiety Post-Stroke
Jacob Lendy
Around 20% of those who have had a stroke present with anxiety or anxiety-related symptoms along with change in quality of life and course of treatment of the stroke. This session will provide an overview of anxiety and anxiety-related disorders in post stroke patients while providing detail into defining characteristics of the disorder.
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Effects of PANS/PANDAS on Communication: A Review of the Literature and Implications for the SLP
Lauren Miller
PANS, or Pediatric Acute Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome, is characterized by a dramatic onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as obsessions, compulsions, tics, depression and anxiety. This syndrome is typically triggered by infections, metabolic disturbances or other inflammatory reactions. PANS is the overall category in which PANDAS falls, with which the trigger is the streptococcal infection. PANS can cause deterioration of a child’s school performance. More specifically, the child may suddenly present with ADHD, deficits in memory, and cognitive changes. Speech, language and feeding can be impacted due to the antibodies attacking the brain in response to PANDAS/PANS. A child may suddenly begin stuttering or even develop selective mutism. Because of this, children with PANDAS/PANS are at a higher chance of coming across an SLP’s caseload. It is important for the SLP to know the characteristics of PANDAS/PANS in order to make appropriate referrals. Proper diagnosis and medication management can assist in the process of controlling PANDAS/PANS.
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The Effects of Communication Partner Training on People with Aphasia and their Communication Partners
Allie Irene Mueller
Communication partners of people with aphasia (PWA) often experience difficulties in their conversations with PWA; these individuals often lack adequate communication support strategies when conversing with PWA. Communication partner training (CPT) is an expanding field within aphasiology that has been shown to have positive impacts on the communicative ability and well-being of communication partners and/or PWA. This session will provide an overview of CPT and its effects on PWA and their communication partners. Various approaches within CPT will be discussed.
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The Speech and Language Development of Internationally Adopted Children Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Adam Neff
In order to better understand how international adoption influences the speech and language development of children who are D/HH and how parents and professionals can help support their development in this area, parents and professionals were interviewed regarding their experience with these children. Through their answers and current literature on the subject, professionals can implement several strategies to support parents and their children. Although each case is different, professionals can take several steps in order to ensure that internationally adopted children who are D/HH and their families receive the support that they need.
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The Effect of Insurance Coverage on Access to Aural Rehabilitation Services for Adults following Cochlear Implantation: A Review of the Significance of Aural Rehabilitation for Adults with Cochlear Implants
Alyssa Regna
More than 324,000 individuals use cochlear implants worldwide, and this number is consistently increasing. Aural rehabilitation services are necessary for many reasons. These services help individuals utilize their device(s) to increase speech perception and word recognition, allowing them to better understand spoken language. They also encourage selfadvocacy skills and active participation in conversation across all settings and contexts. Limited and low levels of insurance coverage/reimbursement impede access to cochlear implants and aural rehabilitation services for adults following cochlear implant surgery.
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Social Communication Deficits in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Toni Simmons
Social communication deficits are characterized by difficulties in social interaction, social cognition and pragmatics. These skills include but are not limited to responding to others, using gestures and talking about emotions and feelings and often occur in children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Research reveals that males are 3 to 4 times more likely to receive a diagnosis of ASD than females. Diagnostic criteria for ASD are more often related to symptoms presented by males rather than females because of this imbalance. This can result in females with ASD being misdiagnosed or receiving a later diagnosis. This review of literature will provide current research in the areas of social communication in children with ASD including differences in behaviors of this population by gender and age . Recognizing these deficits in social communication abilities may result in treatment options with more specific goals that affect the day-to-day life of children affected.
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From Ears to Brain: 5 Strategies for Communication Development
Katherine R. Sosna
Listening and talking doesn’t just happen because of early identification/diagnosis, early access to sound with proper amplification or accessibility to trained professionals. In order for children who are deaf and hard of hearing to get a kick start on their communication development, parents, caregivers, and providers can create enriched listening environments with the implementation of auditory verbal strategies. This poster explores the top five auditory-verbal strategies that children use.
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Accuracy in Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children with Down Syndrome
Molly Tessin
There is a high variance in prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in individuals with Down syndrome because of the absence in accurate screening measures for this specific population. Many professionals mistake a child’s deficits in social, language, linguistic, and adaptive skills as symptoms of an intellectual disability, which is a common characteristic found in individuals with DS, rather than as characteristics of co-occurring ASD. Due to this, appropriate interventions may be hindered or the child may be placed in an inappropriate educational placement, which could lead parents and/or caregivers to unnecessary hardship.
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White Matter Disease and Subcortical Vascular Dementia: Interventions for Cognitive Deficits and a Case Study
Rachael N. Velius
This session introduces and defines White Matter Disease and Subcortical Vascular Dementia, reviews research discussing the significance of cognitive deficits in patients with Subcortical Vascular Dementia and examines interventions targeting these deficits. The limited research supporting interventions targeting cognitive deficits in patients with White Matter Disease and Subcortical Vascular Dementia is also discussed and a case study is presented.
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Patient-Provider Communication in Inpatient AAC
Ellie Zempel
This poster provides a definition of effective patient-provider communication and an overview of the barriers to and risks of poor patient-provider communication in an acute setting. The use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) supports in inpatient settings to improve patient outcomes and to benefit both patient and provider will be discussed. Strategies to implement AAC tools and the role of the SLP in supporting effective patient-provider communication will be identified.