A critical professional issue in speech-language pathology and audiology is the current shortage of researchers. In this context, the most effective methods for training graduate students in research must be identified and implemented. This article describes a problem-based approach to teaching research methods. In this approach, the instructor…

This paper addresses considerations inherent in the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) decision-making process which are important for teachers and related services personnel who participate on Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams for students with disabilities. Specific dimensions discussed include characteristics of the…

This brief fact sheet examines key aspects of communication, communication disabilities, and intervention. The fact sheet addresses the following questions: the nature of communication; communication disabilities (definitions of hearing impairments and speech and language impairments are given); effects of communication disabilities (factors…

Speech synthesis and speech recognition systems offer access to communication and information for students with communication disabilities, thus eliminating major historical barriers to learning for these students and allowing them to participate in the school environment. This guide describes two ways of producing speech synthesis: (1) by…

This guide outlines who may benefit from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) approaches, such as individuals with speech handicaps, visual impairments, physical disabilities, and cognitive impairments. The guide distinguishes between "low tech" approaches such as signal systems and communication boards and "high…

The Augmentative Communication Profile (ACP) was developed as a tool for monitoring change with students using augmentative communication. The ACP helps teachers and therapists describe the student's present proficiency in augmentative/alternative communication use, analyze the present system's strengths and weaknesses, identify factors…

The document reports on activities of the Urban Observatory Outreach Project, a program designed to provide screening, diagnosis, and followup services for preschool children with communication problems; to provide training and technical assistance to teachers of handicapped preschool children; and to disseminate printed and audiovisual materials.…

Described is a method to make assignments of speech, hearing, and language clinicians serving handicapped students through special education. (CL)

"Cued Typing" is a computerized communication message preparation program, written for Apple II Plus, using frequency-based prediction algorithms and menu selection to reduce word cost while maintaining vocabulary flexibility. "Cued Typing" was more efficient than letter-by-letter typing, but word cost was still quite high, and…

An active role is recommended for family members involved in rehabilitation of cognitive communicative impairments of head-injured individuals. The paper discusses family systems theory, dysfunctional family reactions to the cognitive communicative behaviors of the head-injured member, and methods of assisting the family to develop the…

Parents engaged in a book reading task with their preschool child. The extent to which parents' teaching of children becomes less directive as a function of children's age and communicative status and the relationship between parents' interaction styles and children's verbal intelligence quotient was studied. (DWH)

This book is intended to help parents and professionals understand the communication difficulties of children and adults who do not speak, including those with autism spectrum disorders. The first four chapters describe typical characteristics of nonverbal individuals and offer examples of the authors' approach to communication and the…

This briefing paper is intended to provide basic information about the diagnosis, educational programming, and special needs of children and youth with Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a group of neurological disorders usually evident by age 3 and characterized by impairments in social interaction, imaginative activity, and verbal and…

This paper describes services provided to students with language disorders (grades K-12) in the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta (New South Wales, Australia). The Communication Program has provided itinerant services of communication specialists (speech pathologists and itinerant teachers) to more than 1,100 students with language disorders.…

Discusses recent studies of aphasia from the perspective of theories of normal language structure and processing. Patterns of language breakdown are considered to reflect the componential structure of the language system. Brain damage is seen to fractionate language along lines suggested by existing psycholinguistic models. (Author)