Compares verbal output of 12 adolescents with autism or mental retardation with adults using two different sets of verbal behaviors. Results indicates that when adults used a facilitative rather than a directive (or question-based) style, Ss indicated a significantly higher proportion of main topics and produced significantly higher proportions of…

Communication assistants can fulfill an important role in assessment of language and hearing problems as well as in direct therapy. Four model preservice training programs are summarized and results of efficacy studies noted. (CL)

Analysis of questionnaires completed by 40 California school districts revealed a need for more clear credentialed speech-language pathologists and suggested that districts underestimated the number of personnel needed in their districts. Additional problems noted were lack of funding, inadequate numbers of bilingual speech-language pathologists,…

The article addresses some of the primary problems in augmentative communication systems and aids for severely handicapped nonspeaking children. Selection and assessment factors include cognitive, physical, linguistic, and environmental aspects. (Author/CL)

Described is a milieu teaching approach to language development of young handicapped children. The method involves prompting and contingent delivery of reinforcers during normal language interactions in such classroom settings as free play, lunch, or instructional periods. (MC)

Time management strategies for speech-language pathologists are outlined for three major areas of concern: using time, organizing work area, and managing paperwork. The use of such methods is cited as a help in coping with federal, state, and local regulations while continuing to provide quality therapeutic services. (Author/CL)

Findings of a high prevalence of psychological problems among children with articulation and language disorders are reviewed and implications drawn for the role of the speech-language pathologist in behavior problem identification, referral, and therapy. A battery of psychological tests, including both parent-teacher questionnaires, and child…

A management system is developed to aid the communication disorders specialist in diagnosis, case load selection, and service delivery in Head Start programs. Three priority levels are established that are consistent with the Head Start definition of a communication disorder with Head Start program philosophy. (Author)

This study, with 96 sales clerks, examined conversational trade-offs with customers using augmentative or alternative communication (AAC) in scripted videotaped conversational conditions. The clerks rated the conditions involving slowly delivered relevant messages higher than quickly delivered partly relevant messages. Also, messages preceded by a…

Discusses design and development issues in creating an interactive Web site for the field of communication disorders. Describes Vocaldevelopment.com, an interactive Web site that provides students, professionals, and parents with audio-recordings of infant vocalizations and information regarding intervention practices for infants and toddlers with…

The study examined the effects of forward time gating (in which incremented portions of a word are presented) and word length on monosyllabic isolated word-recognition performance with 20 female college undergraduates. Listeners recognized time-gated words less frequently and with less confidence, and word length significantly influenced…

The study attempted to (1) identify word sequences that occur frequently among 10 linguistically intact augmented communicators, (2) determine the communality with which the various augmented communicators use specific word sequences, and (3) evaluate the usefulness of word sequences in providing keystroke savings for uses of augmentative and…

The principles of ethnography are explained and placed within the domain of social research. Qualitative research in communication is evaluated in terms of the role of interpretation in science, the balance of subjectivity and objectivity in social research, and beliefs about science in American culture. (Author/JDD)

The Shock Trauma Center of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems instituted a comprehensive speech-language pathology program to provide acute intervention for communicative disorders in a critical/intensive care environment. This article provides a profile of the Center, a review of communicative impairments, and examples…

Compared the effectiveness of two speech therapy programs for patients with stroke-induced aphasia. Neither a systematic therapy program for auditory communication disorders nor a conventional stimulation therapy program had any clear effect on the patients' language recovery, especially when contrasted against the progress of patients receiving…