This phenomenological study explored how five participants used their Texas state-approved definition of dyslexia to identify children with dyslexia as different from those with other global reading difficulties. Drawing on theories from disability studies in education and dis/ability critical race theory, I interviewed participants who identified…

The state of Texas is currently under a federal mandate of corrective action from the United States Department of Education (USED). Many students who were denied referral to special education services in the past are being referred in record numbers across the state. Given the historical shortage of special education assessment personnel, the…

To evaluate student discipline in the state of Texas, leaders often rely on quantitative data, primarily the documentation of exclusionary consequences (Texas Education Agency, 2021). There are few professionals trained in the principles of behavior working in public education, therefore, an understanding of their perceptions and experiences could…

Early intervention supports infants and toddlers with confirmed or suspected autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in achieving optimal outcomes, and caregiver-implemented NDBIs are recommended as a developmentally appropriate intervention approach for very young children and their families. Research highlights discrepancies between early…

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare speech-language pathologists' (SLPs) and teachers' perceptions of collaborative service delivery in a school setting. Method: We created a survey for SLPs and teachers that included demographic questions and questions about the use of collaborative service delivery models, identification of…

We are facing a critical nationwide shortage of mental health professionals in our schools, which directly impacts the well-being and success of our students. Through our innovative partnership, funded by the Department of Education, our program has the potential to alleviate this shortage by providing a pipeline to a committed pool of novice…

Developing transition planning for youth living with severe and persistent mental illness requires the creation, memorialization, and retrieval of appropriate and responsive treatment preferences to meet their needs, especially during a mental health crisis. Regrettably, transition-aged youth at the age of 18 can no longer rely on their support…

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the attitudes and knowledge of school-based speech-language pathologists toward trauma-informed care. Method: School-based speech-language pathologists (N = 116) completed the Attitudes Related to Trauma-Informed Care Scale Version 45 Education (ARTIC-45) survey via an online survey platform and…

The United States is experiencing a teacher shortage crisis that is even more pronounced in rural communities. Teachers may be driven away from the profession if they feel inadequately trained or under-supported to address students' mental health needs. As such, an important teacher retention strategy is to ensure schools have enough mental health…

Caregivers frequently find the premature birth of a child as a crisis. This pilot study explored the perceived types of stress experienced by parents of premature infants and the impact on caregiving. Caregivers completed the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R; n = 4) and participated in a focus group (n = 3) or interview (n = 1). Caregivers'…

Measurement feedback systems (MFSs) that routinely collect and report client progress to mental health therapists have demonstrated beneficial impact on outcomes in numerous studies, with evidence that there is a dose-response relationship related to the implementation of the MFS. The current study examined the impact of MFS implementation…

Background: It is estimated that one in three women will experience intimate partner violence (IPV) in their life time. It is recommended that healthcare professional screen patients for IPV, but screening rates and positive disclosure rates remain low. Best practices for screening for IPV in the healthcare setting include screening alone, showing…

Many speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are underprepared to serve children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), despite a growing need and increased expectation for ASD expertise. To understand this practice gap, 60 SLPs and 26 parents of children with ASDs were surveyed regarding SLP knowledge and competency. Of concern was that only about…

Background: Equitable healthcare outcomes are compromised in the absence of strong medical care and social services linkages. In May 2019, Children's Health, the largest health system for pediatric care in North Texas, initiated a three-pronged social determinants of health (SDOH) quality improvement (QI) project that included: (1) baseline and…

In 2015, 81% of counties in Texas were designated as full or partial Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas. To address this problem, we worked with a community-based association of mental health practitioners, using the social theory of career selection, to explore factors that influence students to join the mental health field. Our goal was…