MedWorm: Speech-Language Pathology

Vocal fold collision threshold pressure: An alternative to phonation threshold pressure?

Logopedics, Phoniatrics, Vocology. — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Enflo L, Sundberg J Abstract Phonation threshold pressure (PTP), frequently used for characterizing vocal fold properties, is often difficult to measure. This investigation analyses the lowest pressure initiating vocal fold collision (CTP). Microphone, electroglottograph (EGG), and oral pressure signals were recorded, before and after vocal warm-up, in 15 amateur singers, repeating the syllable /pa:/ at several fundamental frequencies with gradually decreasing vocal loudness. Subglottal pressure was estimated from oral pressure during the p-occlusion, using the audio and the EGG amplitudes as criteria for PTP and CTP. The coefficient of variation was mostly lower for CTP than for PTP. Both CTP and PTP tended to be higher before than after the warm-up. The results support the c...

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Voice as a tool communicating intentions.

Logopedics, Phoniatrics, Vocology. — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Imaizumi S, Furuya I, Yamasaki K Abstract The ability to understand speakers' intentions is examined for typically developing children (TDC), children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Four types of spoken phrases, expressing praise, sarcasm, blame, and banter, were presented, and subjects were asked to judge if the speaker praises you or not, or if she blames you or not. The children could correctly judge the speaker's intention for congruent phrases such as praise and blame. TDC younger than 8 years had significantly lower correct percent compared to the TDC older than them for the sarcastic and banter phrases, which have incongruent linguistic and affective valences. The correct percent was significantly...

Verbal inflection in the acquisition of Kuwaiti Arabic.

Journal of Child Language — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Aljenaie K ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the distribution of imperfective and perfective verb inflections in Kuwaiti Arabic. Spontaneous speech of three children (1 ; 8-3 ; 1) was analyzed for accuracy and error types. The results showed that the verbal inflections appeared correct almost all the time (89-97% of the time). Agreement errors appeared 3-11% of the time. The children did not inflect the verb in obligatory contexts in describing ongoing action 2-12% of the time. It is predicted that children acquiring Arabic would select a default form in place of fully inflected forms. The children used a non-finite form which is identical to the imperfective verbal bare stem to describe ongoing action, which is consistent with Benmamoun's argument (1999, 2000) that the imperfec...

Focus identification in child Mandarin.

Journal of Child Language — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, we investigated how Mandarin-speaking children and adults interpret focus structures like Zhiyou Yuehan chi-le pingguo 'Only John ate an apple' and Shi Yuehan chi-de pingguo 'It is John who ate an apple'. We found that children tended to associate focus operators zhiyou 'only' and shi 'be' with the verb phrase (VP), whereas adults uniquely associated them with the subject noun phrase (NP). To account for this difference, we propose that children initially treat focus operators as adverbials, thus ending up associating them with the VP. In order to assess our proposal, we examined children's understanding of zhiyou-constructions with negation, like Zhiyou Yuehan meiyou chi pingguo 'Only John didn't eat an apple'. It was found that children, like adults, consistently associate...

Help Restore Hearing Screening for NYC School Children

ASHA Action Alerts — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Send a message to Mayor Bloomberg today (Source: ASHA Action Alerts)

Navigating evidence-based information sources in augmentative and alternative communication.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:20:08 +0100

Authors: Schlosser RW, Sigafoos J An important part of evidence-based practice is to identify the best and most current research evidence to guide clinical practice. The purpose of this paper is to propose the use of the 5-S model by Haynes ( 2006 ) as a principled approach for navigating evidence-based information sources related to interventions in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The 5-S model is a pyramid that is used from the top down, beginning with systems followed by summaries, synopses, syntheses, and studies. The 5-S model is described along with relevant evidence-based information sources in AAC, and subsequently illustrated with a case scenario. Following the 5-S model may enable practitioners to identify the best and most current research evidence. PMI...

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Translucency and Learnability of Blissymbols in Setswana-speaking Children: An Exploration.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:20:05 +0100

This study is partially based on the study by Quist et al. ( 1998 ), which utilized Dutch and American participants. Thirty-four Setswana children were exposed to 93 selected Blissymbols. A 3-point semantic differential scale consisting of three faces accompanied each Blissymbol, without the written gloss. This procedure was repeated over a period of 3 days. The results indicated that the majority of Blissymbols were rated as having high translucency ratings. The research further demonstrated significant differences in translucency between first and second exposures, suggesting that learning of the symbols had occurred. The comparison between the results of the current study and the results reported in the Quist et al. study reveal that the translucency ratings of the majority of the selec...

Speech disorders in neurofibromatosis type 1: a sample survey.

International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The results indicate that speech difficulties are an area of interest in the NF1 population. Further research to elucidate these findings is needed. PMID: 19900076 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders)

Procedural and declarative memory in children with and without specific language impairment.

International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions & Implications: The results were interpreted to suggest an uneven profile of memory functioning in specific language impairment. On measures of declarative memory, specific language impairment appears to be associated with difficulties learning verbal information. At the same time, procedural memory is also appears to be impaired. Collectively, this study indicates multiple memory impairments in specific language impairment. PMID: 19900077 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders)

Current Training and Continuing Education Needs of School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists Regarding Children with Cleft Lip/Palate.

Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: When assessing and treating a low-incidence population, such as cleft-related communication disorders, school-based speech-language pathologists need accessible, accurate continuing education resources and collaboration with specialists in this field. PMID: 19901037 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools)

Effects of a Supplemental Spanish Oral Language Program on Sentence Length, Complexity, and Grammaticality in Spanish-speaking Children Attending English-only Preschools.

Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Discussions and clinical implications The findings demonstrate that a daily short native language program has significant effects on sentence length in words and subordination index in ELLs attending English-only preschool programs. PMID: 19901038 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools)

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Parents' use of conventional and unconventional labels in conversations with their preschoolers.

Journal of Child Language — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Henderson AM, Sabbagh MA ABSTRACTParents' use of conventional versus unconventional labels with their two- (n=12), three- (n=12) and four-year-old children (n=12) was assessed as they talked about objects that were either known or unknown to them. For known objects, parents provided typical conventional labels casually during the conversation. For unknown objects, parents were less likely to use typical nouns as labels and marked their labels with additional information suggesting that the labels might be unconventional. Parents marked potentially unconventional labels by providing explicit statements of ignorance and paralinguistic cues of uncertainty. These patterns were strongest when the unknown objects were manufactured as opposed to homemade, possibly because manufacture...

Self-esteem of adolescents with specific language impairment as they move from compulsory education.

International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions & Implications: This study has provided evidence for improvements in self-esteem for young people with SLI after they leave school and enter the world of non-compulsory education (typically at a college), employment and training. The study has also indicated the importance of addressing self-esteem as a multi-dimensional construct and the consequent necessity to use instruments that assess different domains of self-esteem. PMID: 19886847 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders)

Reconciling the perspective of practitioner and service user: findings from The Aphasia in Scotland study.

International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions & Implications: The findings from this study indicate that although there are clearly common perspectives, the views of people with aphasia about services do not necessarily coincide with those of service providers. This is an important consideration when initiating consultation and highlights the need for clarity on the part of practitioners in identifying the aims and objectives of their ervices as far as people with aphasia are concerned. PMID: 19886848 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders)

Assessing early communication behaviours: structure and validity of the Communication and Symbolic Behaviour Scales-Developmental Profile (CSBS-DP) in 12-month-old infants.

International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions & Implications: As measures of early communication skill for young infants, the CSBS-DP Behaviour Sample and the Infant-Toddler Checklist are valid clinical tools for measuring constructs broadly representing Social, Speech, and Symbolic communication skills. The Speech composite in particular emerged as a strong factor under the Behaviour Sample. PMID: 19886849 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders)

Impact of the Picture Exchange Communication System: Effects on Communication and Collateral Effects on Maladaptive Behaviors.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This study investigated the use of PECS with three young boys with autism to determine the impact of PECS training on use of pictures for requesting, use of intelligible words, and maladaptive behaviors. A multiple baseline-probe design with a staggered start was implemented. Results indicated that all of the participants quickly learned to make requests using pictures and that two used intelligible speech following PECS instruction; maladaptive behaviors were variable throughout baseline and intervention phases. Although all of the participants improved in at least one dependent variable, there remain questions regarding who is best suited for PECS and similar interventions. PMID: 19883285 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Augmentative and Alternative Communication)

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Australian Speech-Language Pathologists' Perceptions and Experiences of Augmentative and Alternative Communication in Early Childhood Intervention.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Iacono T, Cameron M Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) working in early childhood intervention are expected to have knowledge and skills across a number of areas and to engage in evidence-based practice. We explored the knowledge and perceptions of SLPs working with young children within Australian early childhood settings about augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), evidence-based practice, and barriers to such practice. Fourteen clinicians participated in group or individual interviews. Thematic analysis of the transcripts of these discussions revealed that they had a broad view of AAC and its benefits. Their reported assessment and intervention approaches reflected best practice as documented in the literature. The exception was in the implementation of family-c...

The Use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Methods with Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities: A Research Review.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Branson D, Demchak M This review sought to determine the evidence base of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) use with infants and toddlers with disabilities. The review identified 12 studies, involving 190 participants aged 36 months or younger. The majority of the studies investigated unaided AAC methods (e.g., gestures or sign language), with 42% of the studies also including aided AAC methods. Although all studies reported improvement in child communication following AAC intervention, in-depth analyses of study methodology indicated that only 7 out of 12 provided conclusive evidence. Implications for early intervention AAC practice and suggestions for future research are proposed. PMID: 19883287 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Augmentative and...

Early Evidence of Low-Tech Communication in an Otto Dix Painting of 1920.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Reily L, Panhan H, Tupinambá A This paper presents and analyzes a finding that gives evidence of the use of a low-tech communication device long before the formal establishment of the field of augmentative and alternative communication. The device, a simple low-tech alphabet board, is portrayed in a 1920 painting of World War I veterans by German Expressionist Otto Dix. Entitled "War Cripples," the painting shows one of the veterans, who sustained severe disfigurement and jaw mutilation resulting in speech loss, pointing to a letter on a chart pinned to his uniform. The analysis of the painting utilized Aby Warburg's methodology for researching the significance of images within the cultural context in which they are produced. PMID: 19883288 [PubMed - as supplied by pu...

An Examination of Preference for Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices with Two Boys with Significant Intellectual Disabilities.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Cannella-Malone HI, Debar RM, Sigafoos J Selecting an appropriate mode of communication is an important clinical decision when beginning an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention. In the present study, we investigated whether two boys with significant intellectual disabilities would show a preference for using one of three AAC devices. Initially, the boys were taught to use three AAC devices (i.e., Cyrano Communicator, Mini-MessageMate, and a Picture Communication Board) using a multiple-probe-across-devices design. One participant was successful with only one device, while the other was successful in acquiring basic use of all three devices (i.e., making a request using the device and demonstrating correspondence between the picture icon and item reques...

Re: Bonilha HS, O'Shields M, Gerlach TT, Deliyski DD. Arytenoid adduction asymmetries in persons with and without voice disorders. Logoped Phoniatr Vocol. 2009 Aug 26:1-7. [E-pub ahead of print].

Logopedics, Phoniatrics, Vocology. — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Friedrich G PMID: 19883166 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Logopedics, Phoniatrics, Vocology.)

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Perceptual evaluation of pathological voice quality: A comparative analysis between the RASATI and GRBASI scales.

Logopedics, Phoniatrics, Vocology. — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Yamauchi EJ, Imaizumi S, Maruyama H, Haji T Abstract To provide mutual understanding between different evaluation scales for pathological voice quality, comparative analyses between the GRBASI and the RASATI systems were conducted. A total of 100 voice samples were rated by experienced Brazilian and Japanese listeners. Analysis by factor analysis with varimax rotation identified significant interrelations between the scales, with asthenia, instability, and roughness as the common factors. Grade-of-hoarseness, only included in GRBASI, corresponds to a combination of roughness, breathiness, and instability. Harshness, included only in RASATI, can be predicted by breathiness with strain in the GRBASI scale. Roughness is found to be the most consistent factor and the easiest to id...

Jan Gauffin.

Logopedics, Phoniatrics, Vocology. — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sundberg J, Lindblom B, Ternström S PMID: 19883168 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Logopedics, Phoniatrics, Vocology.)

On the problem of listening while talking.

Logopedics, Phoniatrics, Vocology. — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Borg E, Gustafsson D, Bergkvist C, Wikström C Abstract The Gauffin and Sundberg technique of assessing masking during vocalization was modified and tested on 22 normal-hearing and 20 hearing-impaired subjects. The masking effect of the vocalized [a:] on narrow-band noise pulses (250-8,000 Hz) and on test reading was studied. The results showed that the female voice was about 4 dB more efficient in masking external speech compared to the male voice and that the female voice had a high-frequency bias of masking the narrow-band noise, whereas the male voice had a low-frequency bias. Subjects with hearing impairment in the high frequencies were particularly impaired by the masking caused by their own voice. The implications for multilogue conversations and auditory rehabilita...

Perception of basic emotions from speech prosody in adolescents with Asperger's syndrome.

Logopedics, Phoniatrics, Vocology. — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This study focuses on how adolescents with AS (n=12) and their typically developed controls (n=15) recognize the basic emotions happy, sad, angry, and 'neutral' from speech prosody. Adolescents with AS recognized basic emotions from speech prosody as well as their typically developed controls did. Possibly the recognition of basic emotions develops during the childhood. PMID: 19883170 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Logopedics, Phoniatrics, Vocology.)

The movement of the diaphragm monitored by ultrasound imaging: Preliminary findings of diaphragm movements in classical singing.

Logopedics, Phoniatrics, Vocology. — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This study will by ultrasound imaging (USI) investigate the movement of the diaphragm (DPH) during classical singing. Due to the complex structures of the DPH both the anterior and dorsal sections of the DPH will be investigated. The movement of the anterior section is surveyed by performing a transabdominal scan from the right hypochondrium. The movement of the dorsal section is surveyed by examining the movement of the left kidney. We conclude that USI is a promising tool for surveying the movement of the DPH. Especially the anterior section is easily assessed; however, also the dorsal section may indirectly be surveyed by USI of the movement of the left kidney. PMID: 19883171 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Logopedics, Phoniatrics, Vocology.)

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Final lengthening in Parkinsonian French speech: effects of position in phrase on the duration of CV syllables and speech segments.

Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This study had two objectives. The first was to analyse the impact of Parkinson's disease (PD) on the duration of CV syllables and their components in different positions within phrases in French; the second was to examine the distribution of final lengthening (FL) on syllable sub-components. Two main tendencies emerged: (1) PD patients produced normal FL, and (2) FL influenced vowels more than consonants. These findings suggest that PD speakers had no difficulty with FL and that there is a progressive lengthening across the sub-constituents of the final syllable. More fundamentally, these results indicate that the syntactic function of prosody is intact in PD patients, at least during the early and mild stages of the disease. PMID: 19891520 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical Ling...

Phonological development of Kuwaiti Arabic: preliminary data.

Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Ayyad H, Bernhardt BM An overview of Kuwaiti Arabic is presented, with very preliminary data from two typically developing brothers (ages 2;4 and 5;2) and a 6-year-old with a severe sensorineural hearing impairment. The siblings show early mastery of many aspects of the complex Arabic phonological system, with universally expected later mastery of coronal fricatives and /r/. The 6-year-old shows patterns typical of children with hearing impairments, e.g. hypernasality, a prevalence of 'visible' segments, particularly labials, and simplified syllable structure. Her accurate use of /l/, /r/, and some gutturals, however, raise questions about the enhanced perceptibility and functionality of these segments in Arabic. PMID: 19891521 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical Lingu...

Lexical-semantic immaturities manifesting as grammatical disorders: evidence from a child language sample.

Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Mok Z, Kipka PF Given the growing evidence of the integral role that semantic development plays in normal child syntactic acquisition, it is very likely that lexical-semantic deficits can have ramifications for a child's grammar. This paper illustrates how semantics and syntax interact in a case study of a child, 5;3 years, with apparent grammatical deficits. Using concepts from Principles and Parameters Theory, a language sample analysis revealed that what appeared to be purely grammatical deficits arose via underlying lexical-semantic mechanisms. Language sample analyses to adequately guide intervention planning may thus need to move beyond superficial surface structures and utilize linguistic frameworks capable of addressing the interaction among language-internal component...

Estimating dysphonia severity in continuous speech: application of a multi-parameter spectral/cepstral model.

Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Awan SN, Roy N, Dromey C The purpose of the study was to identify a sub-set of spectral/cepstral-based analysis methods that would most effectively predict dysphonia severity (as estimated via auditory-perceptual analysis) in samples of continuous speech. Acoustic estimates of dysphonia severity were used as an objective treatment outcomes measure in a set of pre- vs post-treatment speech samples. Pre- and post-treatment continuous speech samples from 104 females with primary muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) were rated by listeners using a 100 point visual analogue scale (VAS) and analysed acoustically with spectral/cepstral-based measures. Stepwise linear regression produced a three-factor model consisting of the cepstral peak prominence (CPP); the mean ratio of low-to-high fre...

Is /h/ phonetically neutral?

Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Robb MP, Chen Y Use of /h/ in the phrase, 'Say /hVC/ again' has been tacitly assumed to provide a neutral phonetic context in which to study the articulatory characteristics of speech either preceding or following /h/ articulation. Yet, assessment of the stability or neutrality of /h/ has gone untested. The current study sought to determine whether articulation of /h/ differs according to sex and language accent, as well as to examine its influence on subsequent vowel articulation. Selected acoustic features of /hVC/ were measured in 40 speakers of American English (AE) and 40 speakers of Mandarin-accented English (MAE). Results of an analysis of /h/ duration revealed no sex differences within each language group, however considerable variation was found according to accented ...

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Don'T forget to write.

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Justice L PMID: 19880944 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology)

Transcribing the speech of children with cochlear implants: clinical application of narrow phonetic transcriptions.

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: A set of principles for phonetic transcriptions is proposed. Narrow phonetic transcriptions that include all segment possibilities in the International Phonetic Alphabet and extensions for disordered speech are needed to capture the subtleties of the speech of children with cochlear implants. Narrow transcriptions also may play a key role in planning treatment. PMID: 19880945 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology)

The Communication Attitude Test (CAT-S): normative values for 220 Swedish children.

International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions & Implications: The norm values of CAT-S could be used for comparison of scores from Swedish children with speech disorders. The CAT-S is easy to administer and could be used either in a group setting for research purpose or individually at the clinic. PMID: 19874090 [PubMed - in process] (Source: International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders)

Comprehension of metaphor and metonymy in children with Williams syndrome.

International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions & Implications: Metonyms may be part of vocabulary and treated as synonyms in Williams syndrome, while metaphor engages additional cognitive mechanisms outside language that develop atypically in this disorder. Despite earlier reports that emphasize good language skills, the Williams syndrome language system shows anomalies compared with typical development. PMID: 19874091 [PubMed - in process] (Source: International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders)

Author and keywords indices.

International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: PMID: 19874092 [PubMed - in process] (Source: International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders)

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Editorial.

Logopedics, Phoniatrics, Vocology. — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:58:03 +0100

Authors: Howard DM, Sell K PMID: 19863275 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Logopedics, Phoniatrics, Vocology.)

Podcast 19: Hearing Screening In Public Schools: Why It's Important And What Parents Need To Know About It

ASHA Podcast — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Hearing screening in public schools is vital care of the young. Yet, it is not uniform in practice and it isn't happening at all in some cases. Three experts explain what is involved and what parents need to know to help ensure that their children are screened. Consumers are urged to contact http://takeaction.asha.org and 1-800-638-8255 to learn more about this important care. (Source: ASHA Podcast)

Preschoolers' extension of novel words to animals and artifacts.

Journal of Child Language — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

We examined whether preschoolers' ontological knowledge would influence lexical extension. In Experiment 1, four-year-olds were presented with a novel label for either an object with eyes described as an animal, or the same object without eyes described as a tool. In the animal condition, children extended the label to similar-shaped objects, whereas in the tool condition, children extended the label to similar-function objects. In Experiment 2, when four-year-olds were presented with objects with eyes described as tools, they extended the label on the basis of shared function. These experiments suggest that preschoolers' conceptual knowledge guides their lexical extension. PMID: 19874639 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of Child Language)

Determining that a label is kind-referring: factors that influence children's and adults' novel word extensions.

Journal of Child Language — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Tare M, Gelman SA ABSTRACTThe present studies examined factors that influence children's and adults' interpretation of a novel word. Four factors are hypothesized to emphasize that a label refers to a richly structured category (also known as a 'kind'): generic language, internal property attributions, familiar kind labels and absence of a target photograph. In Study 1, for college students (N=125), internal property attributions resulted in more taxonomic and fewer shape responses. In Study 2, for four-year-olds (N=126), the presence of generic language and familiar kind labels resulted in more taxonomic choices. Further, the presence of familiar kind labels resulted in fewer shape choices. The results suggest that, when learning new words, children and adults are sensitive t...

Predictors of early precocious talking: A prospective population study.

Journal of Child Language — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This study examines potential predictors of 'precocious talking' (expressive language 90th percentile) at one and two years of age, and of 'stability' in precocious talking across both time periods, drawing on data from a prospective community cohort comprising over 1,800 children. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between precocious talking and the following potential predictors: gender, birth order, birth weight, non-English speaking background, socioeconomic status, maternal age, maternal mental health scores, and vocabulary and educational attainment of parents. The strongest predictors of precocity (being female and having a younger mother) warrant further exploration. Overall, however, it appears that precocity in early vocabulary development is not strongly in...

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IALP News

Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica : Last 20 articles — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Folia Phoniatr Logop 2009;61:309-310 (DOI:10.1159/000253485) (Source: Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica : Last 20 articles)

Who Was Standing at the Cradle of Phoniatrics? To Celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the Name of Our Medical Specialty

Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica : Last 20 articles — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Folia Phoniatr Logop 2009;61:311-315 (DOI:10.1159/000252846) (Source: Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica : Last 20 articles)

Electroglottogram-Based Estimation of Vocal Economy: 'Quasi-Output-Cost Ratio'

Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica : Last 20 articles — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Folia Phoniatr Logop 2009;61:316-322 (DOI:10.1159/000252847) (Source: Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica : Last 20 articles)

Auditory Processing in Children with Specific Language Impairments: Are there Deficits in Frequency Discrimination, Temporal Auditory Processing or General Auditory Processing?

Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica : Last 20 articles — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Folia Phoniatr Logop 2009;61:323-328 (DOI:10.1159/000252848) (Source: Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica : Last 20 articles)

Statistical Models of F2 Slope in Relation to Severity of Dysarthria

Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica : Last 20 articles — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Folia Phoniatr Logop 2009;61:329-335 (DOI:10.1159/000252849) (Source: Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica : Last 20 articles)

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School-Aged Children's Production of /s/ and /r/ Consonant Clusters

Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica : Last 20 articles — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Folia Phoniatr Logop 2009;61:336-341 (DOI:10.1159/000252850) (Source: Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica : Last 20 articles)

Objective Acoustic Analysis of Pathological Voices from Patients with Vocal Nodules and Polyps

Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica : Last 20 articles — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Folia Phoniatr Logop 2009;61:342-349 (DOI:10.1159/000252851) (Source: Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica : Last 20 articles)

Developmental Disorders of Language Learning and Cognition.

International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Starling J PMID: 19860565 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders)

Narrative-based intervention for word-finding difficulties: a case study.

International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions & Implications: NBLI-WF was effective in improving naming accuracy in this single case, but there were limitations to the research. Further research is required to assess the changes that may occur in language production and word-finding characteristics in narrative. Community clinicians are encouraged to refine clinical practice to ensure clinical research meets quality indicators. PMID: 19857187 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders)

Grassroots Pressure Needed for Movement on Licensure Bill

ASHA Action Alerts — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Please send a message to your state legislators today (Source: ASHA Action Alerts)

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Continuing education self-study program.

Seminars in Speech and Language — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:56:23 +0100

Authors: PMID: 19851948 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Seminars in Speech and Language)

Testing bilingual speakers: challenges and potential solutions.

Seminars in Speech and Language — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:56:20 +0100

Authors: Langdon HW, Ratner NB PMID: 19851949 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Seminars in Speech and Language)

Bilingual Children and Communication Disorders: A 30-Year Research Retrospective.

Seminars in Speech and Language — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:56:18 +0100

We present a review of the empirical literature at the intersection of bilingualism and pediatric communication disorders. A computer search of six electronic databases was done to identify studies published in English since 1950 that directly investigated some aspect of speech, language, or cognitive performance in developing bilinguals and children with communication impairments. The computer search yielded 116 nonduplicated articles, the first published in 1978. An article review by the authors further reduced the number of studies meeting search criteria to 64. A majority of studies focused on primary developmental language impairment (LI) and children learning two languages sequentially. Spanish and English were the most frequent combination of languages for bilingual participants. Co...

Using Language Sampling in Clinical Assessments with Bilingual Children: Challenges and Future Directions.

Seminars in Speech and Language — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:56:15 +0100

Authors: Gutiérrez-Clellen VF, Simon-Cereijido G Current language tests designed to assess Spanish-English-speaking children have limited clinical accuracy and do not provide sufficient information to plan language intervention. In contrast, spontaneous language samples obtained in the two languages can help identify language impairment with higher accuracy. In this article, we describe several diagnostic indicators that can be used in language assessments based on spontaneous language samples. First, based on previous research with monolingual and bilingual English speakers, we show that a verb morphology composite measure in combination with a measure of mean length of utterance (MLU) can provide valuable diagnostic information for English development in bilingual children. Dial...

Cross-Linguistic Universals in Reading Acquisition with Applications to English-Language Learners with Reading Disabilities.

Seminars in Speech and Language — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:56:11 +0100

Authors: Gorman BK There is a considerable gap in English reading achievement between English-language learners and native speakers in the United States. Differentiation of whether English language learners' struggles are symptomatic of reading disability or related to second language acquisition is often challenging. These issues highlight the need for increased insight into reading development and disability in this population. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of cross-linguistic universals in reading acquisition, how reading disabilities manifest in various languages, and whether diagnostic and instructional approaches that are effective for native English speakers are also appropriate for English-language learners. Recommendations for assessment and interventio...

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Multicultural Issues in Test Interpretation.

Seminars in Speech and Language — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:56:08 +0100

In conclusion, we maintain that there will never be a perfect test or set of tests to adequately assess the communication skills of a bilingual individual. This is not surprising because we have yet to develop an ideal test or set of tests that fits monolingual Anglo speakers perfectly. Tests are tools, and the speech-language pathologist needs to know how to use those tools most effectively and equitably. The goal of this article is to provide such guidance. PMID: 19851953 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Seminars in Speech and Language)

Considerations in Working Successfully with Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Families in Assessment and Intervention of Communication Disorders.

Seminars in Speech and Language — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:56:05 +0100

Authors: Westby C The framework of the International Classification of Functioning is used to explain the importance of understanding cultural behaviors, values, and beliefs when assessing and providing intervention for communication impairments in persons from culturally/linguistically diverse backgrounds. The use of skilled dialogue in developing anchored understanding of a family's culture is described. By using their anchored understanding, professionals can create a 3rd space as a way to integrate the differing perspectives of families and professionals to provide culturally/linguistically appropriate assessments and interventions. PMID: 19851954 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Seminars in Speech and Language)

The Mayo Dysphagia Questionnaire-30: Documentation of Reliability and Validity of a Tool for Interventional Trials in Adults with Esophageal Disease

Dysphagia — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:49:40 +0100

Abstract The aim of this study was to develop the Mayo Dysphagia Questionnaire-30 Day (MDQ-30), a tool to measure esophageal dysphagia, by adapting items from validated instruments for use in clinical trials, and assess its feasibility, reproducibility, and concurrent validity. Outpatients referred to endoscopy for dysphagia or seen in a specialty clinic were recruited. Feasibility testing was done to identify problematic items. Reproducibility was measured by test–retest format. Concurrent validity reflects agreement between information gathered in a structured interview versus the patients’ written responses. The MDQ-30, a 28-item instrument, took 10 min (range = 5–30 min) to complete. Four hundred thirty-one outpatients [210 (49%) men; mean age&...

Sensory Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation Improves Post-Stroke Dysphagic Patients

Dysphagia — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:49:35 +0100

Abstract Oropharyngeal dysphagia is frequent in stroke patients and increases mortality, mainly because of pulmonary complications. We hypothesized that sensitive transcutaneous electrical stimulation applied submentally during swallowing could help rehabilitate post-stroke oropharyngeal dysphagia by improving cortical sensory motor circuits. Eleven patients were recruited for the study (5 females, 68 ± 11 years). They all suffered from recent oropharyngeal dysphagia (>eight weeks) induced by a hemispheric (n = 7) or brainstem (n = 4) stroke, with pharyngeal residue and/or laryngeal aspiration diagnosed by videofluoroscopy. Submental electrical stimulations were performed for 1 h every day for 5 days (electrical trains: 5&nbs...

Computer-Assisted Assessment of Hyoid Bone Motion from Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies

Dysphagia — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:49:33 +0100

We describe a computerized image analysis program designed to objectify one component of the swallow study, the movement of the hyoid bone. Hyoid motion has been shown to be different in dysphagic versus non-dysphagic patients. Reduced hyoid elevation is also considered a risk factor for aspiration; however, there has not been much work done on actually quantifying hyoid motion and associating it with other aspects of the swallow study. The clinician is prompted to define the hyoid bone in a calibration frame, and the system then tracks that region of interest throughout the rest of the study. This system shows strong correlations with manual analysis and can account for head position changes during the study. While the hyoid bone was reported on in this study, other regions of inter...

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Fluoroscopic Surrogate for Pharyngeal Strength: The Pharyngeal Constriction Ratio (PCR)

Dysphagia — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:49:32 +0100

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the correlation between PCR and PP in 25 patients undergoing simultaneous fluoroscopy and pharyngeal manometry. The effect of the manometric catheter on PCR was also investigated. The correlation between the PCR and averaged pharyngeal clearing pressures was −0.72 (p < 0.001). All patients with a PCR > 0.25 had a PP < 60 mmHg. PCR did not differ significantly as a consequence of the manometric catheter. Results suggest the utility of an objective fluoroscopic measure in assessing pharyngeal strength when manometry may not be available or possible. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00455-009-9258-4Authors Rebecca Leonard, University of California Center ...

Testing Bilingual Speakers: Challenges and Potential Solutions

Seminars in Speech and Language — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:44:50 +0100

Semin Speech Lang 2009; 30: 217-218DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1241720© Thieme Medical PublishersGet connected:Table of contents | FREE: Full text (Source: Seminars in Speech and Language)

Considerations in Working Successfully with Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Families in Assessment and Intervention of Communication Disorders

Seminars in Speech and Language — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:44:50 +0100

Semin Speech Lang 2009; 30: 279-289DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1241725ABSTRACTThe framework of the International Classification of Functioning is used to explain the importance of understanding cultural behaviors, values, and beliefs when assessing and providing intervention for communication impairments in persons from culturally/linguistically diverse backgrounds. The use of skilled dialogue in developing anchored understanding of a family's culture is described. By using their anchored understanding, professionals can create a 3rd space as a way to integrate the differing perspectives of families and professionals to provide culturally/linguistically appropriate assessments and interventions.[...]© Thieme Medical PublishersGet connected:Table of contents | Abstract | Full text (Sou...

Multicultural Issues in Test Interpretation

Seminars in Speech and Language — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:44:50 +0100

In conclusion, we maintain that there will never be a perfect test or set of tests to adequately assess the communication skills of a bilingual individual. This is not surprising because we have yet to develop an ideal test or set of tests that fits monolingual Anglo speakers perfectly. Tests are tools, and the speech-language pathologist needs to know how to use those tools most effectively and equitably. The goal of this article is to provide such guidance.[...]© Thieme Medical PublishersGet connected:Table of contents | Abstract | Full text (Source: Seminars in Speech and Language)

Cross-Linguistic Universals in Reading Acquisition with Applications to English-Language Learners with Reading Disabilities

Seminars in Speech and Language — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:44:50 +0100

Semin Speech Lang 2009; 30: 246-260DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1241723ABSTRACTThere is a considerable gap in English reading achievement between English-language learners and native speakers in the United States. Differentiation of whether English language learners' struggles are symptomatic of reading disability or related to second language acquisition is often challenging. These issues highlight the need for increased insight into reading development and disability in this population. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of cross-linguistic universals in reading acquisition, how reading disabilities manifest in various languages, and whether diagnostic and instructional approaches that are effective for native English speakers are also appropriate for English-language learners....

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Using Language Sampling in Clinical Assessments with Bilingual Children: Challenges and Future Directions

Seminars in Speech and Language — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:44:50 +0100

Semin Speech Lang 2009; 30: 234-245DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1241722ABSTRACTCurrent language tests designed to assess Spanish-English-speaking children have limited clinical accuracy and do not provide sufficient information to plan language intervention. In contrast, spontaneous language samples obtained in the two languages can help identify language impairment with higher accuracy. In this article, we describe several diagnostic indicators that can be used in language assessments based on spontaneous language samples. First, based on previous research with monolingual and bilingual English speakers, we show that a verb morphology composite measure in combination with a measure of mean length of utterance (MLU) can provide valuable diagnostic information for English development in bilingual ch...

Bilingual Children and Communication Disorders: A 30-Year Research Retrospective

Seminars in Speech and Language — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:44:50 +0100

Continuing education self-study program

Seminars in Speech and Language — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:57:26 +0100

Semin Speech Lang 2009; 30: C1-C7DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1241131© Thieme Medical PublishersGet connected:Table of contents (Source: Seminars in Speech and Language)

Gender Effects on Airway Closure in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Dysphagia — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:59:39 +0100

Abstract Age, gender, and bolus effects on the duration of laryngeal closure, the onset of laryngeal closure in relation to the first cricopharyngeal opening, and the duration of cricopharyngeal opening in head and neck cancer patients have not been well documented. Thirty-three head and neck cancer patients (middle-aged women and men, and older women and men) were evaluated with videofluoroscopy before and 3 months after their cancer treatment. At 3 months post-treatment, the mean duration of laryngeal closure was longer for women than for men at 1-, 5-, and 10-ml bolus volumes. The duration of laryngeal closure at 3 months post-treatment and the duration of cricopharyngeal opening at both pretreatment and 3 months post-treatment increased as liquid bol...

Social participation through the eyes of people with aphasia.

International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Social participation is a theoretical concept that people with aphasia do not use. Instead, people speak in terms of engagement, involvement, having a feeling of belonging. People with aphasia describe the degree of engagement in activities in social life domains (i.e. the quality of activities) as more important than the quantity of performing activities. PMID: 19839875 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders)

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Senate to Consider Medicare Reimbursement Legislation

ASHA Action Alerts — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Contact your Senator today and urge them to support S. 1776 (Source: ASHA Action Alerts)

The National Outcomes Measurement System for Pediatric Speech-Language Pathology.

Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Discussion The availability of these data has proven to be a very valuable tool with respect to the efforts of school-based SLPs and administrators to document the beneficial impact of speech-language pathology services in school settings. PMID: 19833827 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools)

Balancing Certainty and Uncertainty in Clinical Practice.

Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Clinical practice, unlike science, has no independent self-correction mechanism that leads to consensus about best clinical practices. Evidence-based models provide principles and guidelines for clinical practice, but ultimately, clinical decisions may be influenced most by a practitioner's epistemology (belief systems) and propensity for rational thinking. PMID: 19833828 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools)

Some pragmatic tips for dealing with clinical uncertainty.

Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Applications of these recommendations should enable practicing clinicians to entertain new, clinically-useful concepts, while not taxing the limited time that clinicians typically have to engage in continuing education. PMID: 19833829 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools)

IDEA Full Funding Legislation Co-sponsors Needed

ASHA Action Alerts — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Urge Your Member of Congress to Increase IDEA Funding (Source: ASHA Action Alerts)

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Relationship between speech, oromotor, language and cognitive abilities in children with Down's syndrome.

International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions & Implications: Children with Down's syndrome present with speech disorders characterized by atypical, and often unusual, errors alongside many developmental errors. A lack of correlation between speech and cognition or language measures suggests that the speech disorder in Down's syndrome is not simply due to cognitive delay. Better differential diagnosis of speech disorders in Down's syndrome is required, allowing interventions to target the specific disorder in each individual. PMID: 19821789 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders)

Nine- to twelve-year olds' metalinguistic awareness of homonymy.

International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions & Implications: Further research is needed to find out whether there actually is a genuine gender effect in the ability to reflect on words with multiple meanings. This ability is different from what is traditionally defined as active or passive vocabulary, because of the metalinguistic dimensions of the task. The findings in this study underpin the need for further exploration of metalinguistic aspects of vocabulary growth and language development in general, and for the development of appropriate test tools. A screening of multiple meaning mastery may be a valuable procedure to detect individuals in need of therapy and to help school counsellors in formulating a school career advice. PMID: 19821790 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: International Journal of ...

Pragmatics in pre-schoolers with language impairments.

International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions & Implications: The instruments were not always converging, but when the instruments did converge the obtained results were valid. However, the obtained high specificity and relatively low sensitivity values for each of the instruments showed that better cut-off scores are needed. When only one of the instruments indicated the absence or presence of language impairments, one needs to be careful in concluding whether or not there are indeed language impairments. PMID: 19821791 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders)

Knowledge is BLISS: an investigation into the transparency of BLISS symbol strings directed by a person with aphasia.

International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions and Implications: Individuals without aphasia are able to match symbol strings to pictures without teaching. Further research is required to establish whether people with aphasia can similarly match the adapted version of BLISS to pictures. This study provides further evidence that people with aphasia can engage productively in the research process, even when experimental methodologies are employed. PMID: 19821792 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders)

Role of phonotactic frequency in nonword repetition by children with specific language impairments.

International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions & Implications: While children with SLI were less accurate overall, non-significant interactions indicate that both groups of children were comparably affected by differences in consonant and diphone frequency. PMID: 19821795 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders)

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Editorial

Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica : Last 20 articles — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Folia Phoniatr Logop 2009;61:257-258 (DOI:10.1159/000246344) (Source: Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica : Last 20 articles)

Preserve Speech and Hearing Services in Senate Reform Package

ASHA Action Alerts — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Contact your Senate HELP member today (Source: ASHA Action Alerts)

Help Children Learn by Reducing Classroom Noise

ASHA Action Alerts — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Send a message to your U.S. Senators today! (Source: ASHA Action Alerts)

The contribution of processing impairments to SLI: Insights from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Journal of Communication Disorders — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Oram Cardy JE, Tannock R, Johnson AM, Johnson CJ Slowed speed of processing and impaired rapid temporal processing (RTP) have been proposed to underlie specific language impairment (SLI), but it is not clear that these dysfunctions are unique to SLI. We considered the contribution of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which frequently co-occurs with language impairments, to performances on processing tasks. School-aged children who had SLI without concurrent ADHD (n=14), ADHD without concurrent SLI (n=14), and typical development (TD, n=28) performed two nonverbal speeded tasks and one auditory RTP task. RTP impairments were found in many children with SLI and ADHD, and some children with TD. Children with ADHD demonstrated slower processing speed than children w...

Contents Volume 20 (2009)

Cognitive Linguistics — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:07:21 +0100

Cognitive Linguistics 20 (4): 809-811 (Source: Cognitive Linguistics)

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The emergence and structure of be like and related quotatives: A constructional account

Cognitive Linguistics — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:07:21 +0100

This article investigates the structural assembly and semantics of innovative quotatives such as be like, be all and go in English. While the sociolinguistic origins and spread of these forms have received ample attention, a question that is rarely addressed is how precisely this construction is syntagmatically composed, and how it relates to more canonical forms of speech representation. We argue that the basic component structures are the be like or go clause as a whole (I'm like, he went, etc.) and the reported complement. It is the entire reporting clause, rather than the reporting verb as is traditionally assumed, which is complemented by the quoted material. The proposed interclausal dependence analysis, which applies to English direct speech constructions generally, can accommodate ...

/r/-liaison in English: An empirical study

Cognitive Linguistics — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:07:21 +0100

This article presents the results of an empirical study on the phenomenon of /r/-liaison (i.e., linking /r/ and intrusive /r/) in non-rhotic English from the perspective of usage-based Cognitive Linguistics. The study looks into sociolinguistic, phonetic and usage-based factors that condition variability in /r/-liaison through the analysis of news archives from the BBC World Service website (years 2004 and 2005). The paper argues that a thorough understanding of the phenomenon of /r/-liaison requires an analysis of the different aspects that condition its use and the use of empirical methods to study it. (Source: Cognitive Linguistics)

Cyclic vs. circular argumentation in the Conceptual Metaphor Theory

Cognitive Linguistics — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:07:21 +0100

Cognitive Linguistics 20 (4): 703-732 Abstract In current debates Lakoff and Johnson's Conceptual Metaphor Theory has been charged with the circularity of the relation between the data and the hypotheses. If these charges were justified, they would be fatal for Conceptual Metaphor Theory, because circularity is one of the most serious objections that can be raised against a scientific approach. Accordingly, the paper addresses the following problems: (1) Are the charges claiming that Lakoff and Johnson's Conceptual Metaphor Theory is circular adequate? (2) In what kind of metatheoretical framework can it be decided whether a given argumentation is circular? (3) Is Lakoff and Johnson's Conceptual Metaphor Theory built on circular argumentation? The paper answers these questions as follows: ...

Constructional sources of implicit agents in sentence comprehension

Cognitive Linguistics — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:07:21 +0100

Cognitive Linguistics 20 (4): 675-702 Abstract Much research about on-line sentence comprehension focuses on the contributions of individual lexical items, with specific interest in verbs. One aspect of sentence meaning that has been claimed to be rooted in verb representation is event structure. There is a growing body of evidence supporting the claim that the verb is not the sole contributor of event structure, but that the syntactic construction of a sentence is also a contributor. In this paper, we repeat a study designed to support a verb-based view using novel verbs derived from nouns. The pattern of sentence comprehension is the same for both known verbs and novel verbs, suggesting that the syntactic construction of the sentence also contributes to event structure. (Source: Cognitiv...

Syntax and conversation in aphasia. A strategic restrictive use of Spanish and Catalan connector QUE by aphasic speakers.

Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Hernández-Sacristán C, Rosell-Clari V Oral conversational data are deemed to be a relevant empirical source when it comes to formulating and supporting hypotheses about cognitive processes involved in aphasic linguistic production. With this assumption in mind, free conversational uses of the Spanish and Catalan connector QUE by fluent and non-fluent aphasic speakers are examined by contrasting them with normal speakers' (i.e. conversational partners') productions. Strictly ungrammatical uses in aphasic speakers are practically non-existent in free conversation. Nevertheless, this data permits one to characterize the aphasic production of the morpheme QUE as restrictive--to different degrees--with respect to normal production. Moreover, this restriction, selectively ...

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Stutter-like dysfluencies in Flemish Sign Language users.

Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Cosyns M, Van Herreweghe A, Christiaens G, Van Borsel J The purpose of this communication is to report on the occurrence of stutter-like behaviour in Flemish Sign Language users. A questionnaire was sent to 38 Flemish Sign Language interpreters and 28 employees of special needs schools adapted to deaf and partially deaf pupils inquiring whether they had ever observed dysfluencies in the manual communication of the deaf and partially deaf. Of the 13 individuals who responded, nine indicated to have perceived such behaviour. The characteristics of the observed dysfluencies are summarized and implications are discussed. PMID: 19883184 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics)

Phonological development in children with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing.

Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Lundeborg I, McAllister A, Samuelsson C, Ericsson E, Hultcrantz E Adeno-tonsillar hypertrophy with obstructive sleep disordered breathing (OSDB) is known to affect oral-motor function, behaviour, and academic performance. Adeno-tonsillectomy is the most frequently performed operation in children, with total tonsillectomy (TE) being more common than partial resection, 'tonsillotomy' (TT). In the present study 67 children, aged 50-65 months, with OSBD were randomized to TE or TT. The children's phonology was assessed pre-operatively and 6 months post-operatively. Two groups of children served as controls. Phonology was affected in 62.7% of OSBD children before surgery, compared to 34% in the control group (p < .001). Also, OSBD children had more severe phonological deficits t...

A phonation therapy approach for Mandarin-English bilingual clients with dysarthria.

Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This study aims to measure the speech intelligibility of Mandarin-English speakers with dysarthria before and after phonation therapy, in order to determine the effectiveness of this approach. A within-group design was used with two case studies which allowed one to measure therapy variables (single word and sentences); language variables (Mandarin and English); and speech production variables (respiration, phonation, articulation, resonance, and prosody). Both participants demonstrated highly significant improvement in Mandarin intelligibility scores after therapy compared with minimal changes in English intelligibility. These results demonstrate for the first time that phonation therapy is effective in increasing intelligibility, for Mandarin more than for English. Phonation therapy is a...

The time has come.

Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Apel K PMID: 19801399 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools)

Prekindergarten teachers' verbal references to print during classroom-based, large-group shared reading.

Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: It is unclear whether this low rate of explicit, verbal print referencing would impact children's print knowledge. Nonetheless, print-salient books appear to offer a natural context for discussions about print. Implications for educational practice are considered. PMID: 19801400 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools)

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Cohesive adequacy in the narrative samples of school-age children who use african american english.

Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Typically developing African American children use the same category types of cohesive devices that have been reported for their peers who speak Standard American English. Further examination of cohesive adequacy to identify language impairment in school-age AAE speakers is warranted. PMID: 19801401 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools)

Understanding Curriculum Modifications and Embedded Learning Opportunities in the Context of Supporting All Children's Success.

Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Horn E, Banerjee R PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this article is to provide a closer look at the individualization process whereby early childhood professionals ensure that the individualized learning priorities for each child are appropriately addressed. METHOD: Early childhood professionals, including speech-language pathologists (SLPs), are working to meet the federal mandate of access to and progress in the general curriculum for children with disabilities. A promising approach to achieving this mandate is a multitiered model of support that has as its foundation a high-quality, universally designed curriculum. Following a brief description of the components of this model, the discussion shifts to a focus on the individualization components. Children's individualized nee...

Making decisions about service delivery in early childhood programs.

Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: To establish fluid service delivery models, therapists need to (a) plan collaboratively with teachers so that the model selected meets the teacher's preferences, (b) design flexible scheduling systems that emphasize inclusive practice, and (c) maintain precise documentation about when and how services are provided. PMID: 19801403 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools)

Response to intervention: implications for early childhood professionals.

Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: SLPs are important members of early educational teams, particularly when applying the principles of RtI using a curriculum framework. SLPs bring the expertise needed to ensure that children achieve critical outcomes. Implementation of the curriculum framework is made possible when everyone involved in supporting young children understands how to apply the elements of a curriculum framework. PMID: 19801404 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools)

Accountability for services for young children with disabilities and the assessment of meaningful outcomes: the role of the speech-language pathologist.

Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion The widespread use of recommended practices for assessment will provide children, families, and practitioners, including SLPs, with the highest quality assessment information, at the same time providing states and the federal government with much-needed valid data on child outcomes for accountability purposes. PMID: 19801405 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools)

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Behavior predictors of language development over 2 years in children with autism spectrum disorders.

Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The results are discussed with regard to their implications for early intervention and understanding the complex factors that affect developmental outcomes. PMID: 19797136 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR)

Language Features in a Mother and Daughter of a Chromosome 7;13 Translocation Involving FOXP2.

Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Prior reports of individuals with chromosomal rearrangements of FOXP2 have emphasized their speech impairment. This study provides additional evidence that language-in particular, grammar-is likely to be influenced by abnormalities of FOXP2 function. PMID: 19797137 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR)

Tongue movements during water swallowing in healthy young and older adults.

Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: The data illustrate task-specific stereotyped patterns of tongue movement in swallowing, which are robust to the effects of healthy aging in all aspects other than movement duration. PMID: 19797138 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR)

The influence of speaking rate on nasality in the speech of hearing-impaired individuals.

Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: The nasality demonstrated by hearing-impaired individuals is amenable to change when speaking rate is increased. The influences of speaking rate changes on the perception and production of nasality in hearing-impaired individuals are discussed. PMID: 19797139 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR)

Imperative as conditional: From constructional to compositional semantics

Cognitive Linguistics — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Cognitive Linguistics 20 (4): 641-673 Abstract The topic of constructional inheritance is discussed by means of a detailed qualitative analysis of the conditional imperative construction in Dutch and in Russian. It is argued that the two distinctive features of this construction, as compared with other conditional constructions such as explicit ‘if ’ conditionals, can be motivated in a compositional approach: (i) from the directive imperative construction, the conditional use inherits intersubjective meaning; (ii) from the conditional paratactic construction, it inherits the pragmatic (context-dependent) feature that the situation in the protasis immediately leads to the situation in the apodosis. As such, we show that a compositional analysis, defined as constructional inheritance, is...

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The Role of NP Animacy and Expletives in Verb Learning

Language Acquisition: A Journal of Developmental Linguistics — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:04:42 +0100

(Source: Language Acquisition: A Journal of Developmental Linguistics)

Children's Interpretation of Focus Expressions in English and Mandarin

Language Acquisition: A Journal of Developmental Linguistics — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:04:42 +0100

(Source: Language Acquisition: A Journal of Developmental Linguistics)

Experimental Evidence for Preschoolers' Mastery of “Topic”

Language Acquisition: A Journal of Developmental Linguistics — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:04:41 +0100

(Source: Language Acquisition: A Journal of Developmental Linguistics)

Acknowledging our reviewers

Language Acquisition: A Journal of Developmental Linguistics — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:04:41 +0100

(Source: Language Acquisition: A Journal of Developmental Linguistics)

Dysphagia Research Society

Dysphagia — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:26:38 +0100

Content Type Journal ArticleCategory AbstractsDOI 10.1007/s00455-009-9234-z Journal DysphagiaOnline ISSN 1432-0460Print ISSN 0179-051X (Source: Dysphagia)

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Severe Dysphagia Secondary to Posterior C1–C3 Instrumentation in a Patient with Atlantoaxial Traumatic Injury: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Dysphagia — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:26:38 +0100

Abstract There are only a few reports of dysphagia cases in patients who underwent surgery for posterior cervical fusion, but none provides an explanation for the occurrence of dysphagia. To the best of our knowledge this is the first case report showing evidence of severe neurogenic dysphagia, possibly secondary to vagal nerve praxia, in a patient who underwent posterior fusion. A 61-year-old man presented with severe neck pain after he sustained a fall. Imaging studies in the emergency department showed a C2 fracture associated with anterior subluxation of C2 on C3. Given the instability of the injury, a C1–C3 posterior cervical fusion was performed. The surgery was uneventful. The patient’s postoperative course was complicated by severe dysphagia. Fluoroscopic and e...

Dysphagia Research Society

Dysphagia — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:26:37 +0100

Content Type Journal ArticleCategory AbstractsDOI 10.1007/s00455-009-9233-0 Journal DysphagiaOnline ISSN 1432-0460Print ISSN 0179-051X (Source: Dysphagia)

Primary Tuberculosis Involving Epiglottis: A Rare Case Report

Dysphagia — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:05:46 +0100

Abstract The case of a 29-year-old patient with active laryngeal tuberculosis predominantly involving the epiglottis, without pulmonary disease, is presented. The predominant symptoms are dysphagia, odynophagia, and hoarseness. Laryngeal carcinoma, which shares almost the same symptoms and signs, should be ruled out immediately. Laryngeal tuberculosis is discussed with a brief literature review. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Case ReportDOI 10.1007/s00455-009-9256-6Authors Deniz Tuna Edizer, Istanbul University Otorhinolaryngology Department, Cerrahpasa Medical School Istanbul TurkeyEmin Karaman, Istanbul University Otorhinolaryngology Department, Cerrahpasa Medical School Istanbul TurkeyHasan Mercan, Istanbul University Otorhinolaryngology Department, Cerrahpasa M...

Gender Effects on Airway Closure in Normal Subjects

Dysphagia — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:05:45 +0100

Abstract The present study was designed to examine age and gender differences with respect to the duration of laryngeal closure, the onset of laryngeal closure in relation to the first cricopharyngeal opening, and the duration of cricopharyngeal opening for six different groups: normal younger men and women (22–29 years), normal middle-aged men and women (45–53 years), and normal older men and women (81–94 years) (10 subjects in each group for a total of 60 subjects). Data were collected by means of videofluoroscopic studies. During swallows of liquid barium, results indicated that normal older subjects had longer cricopharyngeal opening than younger subjects (P = 0.044). Results also revealed that the mean duration of laryngeal closure was si...

Social factors in the acquisition of a new word order

First Language — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Present syntax acquisition tasks are not optimal for studying how children learn a new syntactic constraint and generalize it in sentence production. To address this issue, this study modified Akhtar’s production task where novel word orders were learned, so that it was more socially natural. Three- and four-year-old children were tested in this new task and the role of input factors was assessed. The new task was more effective at eliciting the novel word order, but the role of input factors differed from earlier studies. To trace the source of these differences, the study manipulated the social features directly in a second experiment. The results suggest that social knowledge contextualizes the influence of input factors in syntax acquisition. (Source: First Language)

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'I like Barney': Preschoolers' spontaneous conversational initiations with peers

First Language — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

This study provides a first in-depth examination of preschoolers’ peer-to-peer conversational initiations. The snack-time conversations of a class of 25 preschool children were videotaped bi-weekly for 21 weeks; 507 conversational initiations were identified and classified according to a detailed coding scheme that included utterance type (e.g., comment, question), person or object referent, person referenced (e.g., self, listener), and, of particular interest, reference to mental states. Of all initiations, 77.5% referenced persons (41.2% listener) and almost 30% referenced mental states, suggesting preschoolers are using their developing understanding of mind in finding common ground with peers. (Source: First Language)

Information structural constraints on children's early language production: The acquisition of the focus particle auch ('also') in German-learning 12- to 36-month-olds

First Language — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

This article presents new findings for the acquisition of the focus particle auch (‘also’) in German-learning children. In a longitudinal study with 11 children between 1;00 and 3;00 years of age complemented by two experiments with children aged 2;4 and 2;8, the authors investigated children’s production of the accented and unaccented auch. The results confirm earlier findings of a temporal delay between the first occurrences of both auch-variants. Based on the empirical findings, an account for this asymmetry is proposed that relates it to a more general developmental tendency that is characterized by a growing linguistic explicitness in embedding a given utterance in its discourse context. It is suggested that the observed delay is caused by the type of relation betwee...

Telephone-mediated communication effects on young children's oral and written narratives

First Language — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

This study tested the effectiveness of a telephone-mediated language intervention on enhancing young children’s recontextualization processes in narrative expression. A four-week training program was incorporated into a primary school language-arts curriculum to investigate whether telephone experience designed to heighten listener awareness would augment oral and written narrative skill development. Findings supported predictions that telephone experience would affect both oral and written narrative expression. The telephone intervention enhanced oral psycholinguistic and narrative productivity over the face-to-face comparison treatment. Older students wrote significantly more sophisticated stories than younger students and the telephone enriched the written narratives of older chil...

Risk and protective factors associated with speech and language impairment in a nationally representative sample of 4- to 5-year-old children.

Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Identification of children requiring speech and language assessment requires consideration of the context of family life as well as biological and psychosocial factors intrinsic to the child. PMID: 19786704 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR)

Judgments of Omitted BE and DO in Questions as Extended Finiteness Clinical Markers of SLI to Fifteen Years: A Study of Growth and Asymptote.

Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest an on-going maturational lag in finiteness marking for affected children with promise as a clinical marker for language impairment in school-aged and adolescent children and probably adults as well. PMID: 19786705 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR)

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Effects of speaking rate and vowel length on formant frequency displacement in Japanese.

Phonetica — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:40:02 +0100

This study examined effects of phonemic vowel length and speaking rate, two factors that affect vowel duration, on the first and second formants of all vowels in Japanese. The aim was to delineate the aspects of formant displacement that are governed by the physiological proclivity of vowel production shared across languages, and the aspects that reveal language-specific phenomena. Acoustic analysis revealed that the phonemic long vowels occupied a more peripheral portion of the F1 x F2 vowel space than the phonemic short vowels (effect of vowel length), but effects of speaking rate were less clear. This was because of the significant interactions of the two effects: the formants of phonemic short vowels were more affected by speaking rates than the phonemic long vowels. Regression analyse...

Do listeners store in memory a speaker's habitual utterance--final phonation type?

Phonetica — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:40:02 +0100

Authors: Bohm T, Shattuck-Hufnagel S Earlier studies report systematic differences across speakers in the occurrence of utterance-final irregular phonation; the work reported here investigated whether human listeners remember this speaker-specific information and can access it when necessary (a prerequisite for using this cue in speaker recognition). Listeners personally familiar with the voices of the speakers were presented with pairs of speech samples: one with the original and the other with transformed final phonation type. Asked to select the member of the pair that was closer to the talker's voice, most listeners tended to choose the unmanipulated token (even though they judged them to sound essentially equally natural). This suggests that utterance-final pitch period irregulari...

Perceptual assimilation and L2 learning: evidence from the perception of Southern British English vowels by native speakers of Greek and Japanese.

Phonetica — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:40:02 +0100

This study examined the extent to which previous experience with duration in first language (L1) vowel distinctions affects the use of duration when perceiving vowels in a second language (L2). Native speakers of Greek (where duration is not used to differentiate vowels) and Japanese (where vowels are distinguished by duration) first identified and rated the eleven English monophthongs, embedded in /bVb/ and /bVp/ contexts, in terms of their L1 categories and then carried out discrimination tests on those English vowels. The results demonstrated that both L2 groups were sensitive to durational cues when perceiving the English vowels. However, listeners were found to temporally assimilate L2 vowels to L1 category/categories. Temporal information was available in discrimination only when the...

A duration-dependent account of coarticulation for hyper- and hypoarticulation.

Phonetica — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:40:02 +0100

The objective of the current research was to conceptually and quantitatively unify these two studies. This was accomplished by showing that the opposite changes to frequency onsets of F2 transitions due to emphatic and rapid speech systematically vary as a function of the durational changes in the stop closure interval. Specifically, the decrease in coarticulation in emphatic speech is characterized by increases in F2 onsets and longer stop closures (relative to a normal baseline); the increase in coarticulation due to rapid speech shows concomitant decreases in F2 onsets coinciding with shorter stop closure intervals. Vocal tract area function simulations corresponding to emphatic and reduced speech implicitly support 'deeper' and 'shallower' closure contacts as a third factor contributin...

Symptomatic Unilateral Submandibular Gland Aplasia Associated with Ipsilateral Sublingual Gland Hypertrophy

Dysphagia — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:47:38 +0100

Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Case ReportDOI 10.1007/s00455-009-9238-8Authors Mehmet Yilmaz, Istanbul University Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Cerrahpasa Medical School Istanbul TurkeyEmin Karaman, Istanbul University Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Cerrahpasa Medical School Istanbul TurkeyHuseyin Isildak, Istanbul University Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Cerrahpasa Medical School Istanbul TurkeyOzgun Enver, Istanbul University Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Cerrahpasa Medical School Istanbul TurkeyFahrettin Kilic, Istanbul University Department of Radiology, Cerrahpasa Medical School Istanbul Turkey Journal DysphagiaOnline ISSN 1432-0460Print ISSN 0179-051X (Source: Dysphagia)

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Acknowledgment of Reviewers

Language Learning and Development — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:40:16 +0100

(Source: Language Learning and Development)

Mother-Infant Conversation About Absent Things

Language Learning and Development — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:40:16 +0100

(Source: Language Learning and Development)

Social Experience, Social Attention and Word Learning in an Overhearing Paradigm

Language Learning and Development — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:40:16 +0100

(Source: Language Learning and Development)

When Domain-General Learning Fails and When It Succeeds: Identifying the Contribution of Domain Specificity

Language Learning and Development — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:40:15 +0100

(Source: Language Learning and Development)

Use of Speaker's Gaze and Syntax in Verb Learning

Language Learning and Development — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:40:15 +0100

(Source: Language Learning and Development)

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University students' perceptions of the life effects of stuttering.

Journal of Communication Disorders — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Hughes S, Gabel R, Irani F, Schlagheck A An open-ended, written survey was administered to 146 university students who did not stutter to obtain their impressions of the effects of stuttering on the lives of people who stutter (PWS). Participants first wrote about the general effects of stuttering and then considered how their lives would be different if they stuttered. Both types of responses, while not qualitatively different, indicated that participants were more likely to focus on negative listener reactions and barriers to social, academic, and occupational success when they imagined themselves as PWS. Fewer participants indicated that PWS may positively cope with their stuttering through acceptance of stuttering, motivation and determination, and support systems. Quantit...

Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Infants and Children with Infantile Pompe Disease

Dysphagia — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:28:57 +0100

Abstract Pompe disease is a rare genetic progressive neuromuscular disorder. The most severe form, infantile Pompe disease, has historically resulted in early mortality, most commonly due to cardiorespiratory failure. Treatment with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) using alglucosidase alfa (Myozyme®) has extended the lifespan of individuals with this disease. With the introduction of ERT and the resultant improved survival, dysphagia is being encountered clinically with increasing regularity though systematic data remain unavailable. We retrospectively studied the oropharyngeal swallowing of 13 infants and children with Pompe disease using videofluoroscopy before initiation of ERT, allowing for baseline swallow function to be established in an untreated cohort. Dysphagia w...

Long-Term Results of External Upper Esophageal Sphincter Myotomy for Oropharyngeal Dysphagia

Dysphagia — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:41:58 +0100

Abstract The aim of this work was to assess the efficacy of external myotomy of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) for oropharyngeal dysphagia. In the period 1991–2006, 28 patients with longstanding dysphagia and/or aspiration problems of different etiologies underwent UES myotomy as a single surgical treatment. The main symptoms were difficulties in swallowing of a solid-food bolus, aspiration, and recurrent incidents of solid-food blockages. Pre- and postoperative manometry and videofluoroscopy were used to assess deglutition and aspiration. Outcome was defined as success in the case of complete relief or marked improvement of dysphagia and aspiration and as failure in the case of partial improvement or no improvement. Initial results showed success in 21 and failure...

Age-Related Differences in Laterality of Cortical Activations in Swallowing

Dysphagia — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:41:58 +0100

Abstract The present study examined age differences in neural lateralization patterns during swallowing and three related tasks, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Ten healthy right-handed young adults (mean age = 21.7 years, SD = 2.1 years) and nine healthy elders (mean age = 70.2 years, SD = 3.9 years) were scanned in a 3-T MRI head scanner. Participants were visually cued to “prepare to swallow,” “swallow,” “tap your tongue,” and “clear your throat” in randomized order. Laterality preference for each task was examined within and between groups using region-of-interest (ROI) analyses in seven areas of the left and right primary sensorimotor and premotor cortices. Results of the wi...

Laryngeal Mass with Multiple Cranial Neuropathies as a Presenting Sign for Varicella Zoster Infection

Dysphagia — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:41:57 +0100

Abstract The most common presentation of varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection is unilateral distribution of herpetic eruptions and neuralgia. Laryngeal involvement is considered very rare. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Case ReportDOI 10.1007/s00455-009-9254-8Authors Rabia Shihada, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Bnai-Zion Medical Center P.O. Box 4940 31048 Haifa IsraelAlexander Brodsky, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Bnai-Zion Medical Center P.O. Box 4940 31048 Haifa IsraelMichal Luntz, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Bnai-Zion Medical Center P.O. Box 4940 31048 Haifa Israel...

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Effects of Therapy in Oropharyngeal Dysphagia by Speech and Language Therapists: A Systematic Review

Dysphagia — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:41:55 +0100

Abstract Medical and paramedical treatments should be evaluated according to current standards of evidence-based medicine. Evaluation of therapy in oropharyngeal dysphagia fits into this growing interest. A systematic review is given of the literature on the effects of therapy in oropharyngeal dysphagia carried out by speech therapists. Thus, the review excludes reports of surgical or pharmacological treatments. The literature search was performed using the electronic databases PubMed and Embase. All available inclusion dates up to November 2008 were used. The search was limited to English, German, French, Spanish, and Dutch publications. MESH terms were supplemented by using free-text words (for the period after January 2005). Fifty-nine studies were included. In general,...

Initiation and Duration of Laryngeal Closure During the Pharyngeal Swallow in Post-Stroke Patients

Dysphagia — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:41:54 +0100

Abstract As a bolus enters the pharynx during the swallow, the airway is protected by laryngeal closure, a process characterized by approximation of the vocal folds plus approximation of the arytenoid cartilages to the base of the epiglottis. The purpose of this study was to measure initiation of laryngeal closure (ILC) and laryngeal closure duration (LCD) in three groups of subjects: (1) ten stroke patients who aspirated before and during the swallow (aspirators), (2) ten stroke patients who did not aspirate (nonaspirators), and (3) ten normal control subjects. Means and standard deviations of ILC and LCD were analyzed for both 5-ml and 10-ml thin-liquid boluses using a 100-ms timer during subsequent analysis of videofluoroscopic swallowing examinations. There were signif...

Tell Your Representative to Support Passage of H.R. 3221

ASHA Action Alerts — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

The Student Aid & Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009 (Source: ASHA Action Alerts)

Supranuclear Control of Swallowing

Dysphagia — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:43:42 +0100

Abstract Swallowing is an act requiring complex sensorimotor integration. Using a variety of methods first used to study limb physiology, initial efforts to study swallowing have yielded information that multiple cortical and subcortical regions are active participants. Not surprisingly, the regions activated appear to overlap those involved in both oral and nonoral motor behaviors. This review offers a perspective that considers the supranuclear control of swallowing in light of these physiological similarities. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Review ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00455-009-9249-5Authors Norman A. Leopold, Crozer-Chester Medical Center Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology Upland PA 19013 USAStephanie K. Daniels, Baylor College of Medicine Michael E. ...

Relationship of Word- and Sentence-Level Working Memory to Reading and Writing in Second, Fourth, and Sixth Grade.

Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Discussion The clinical significance of these findings for assessment and intervention is discussed. PMID: 19755637 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools)

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Incorporating Computer-Aided Language Sample Analysis into Clinical Practice.

Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Hammett Price L, Hendricks S, Cook C PURPOSE: During the evaluation of language abilities, the needs of the child are best served when multiple types and sources of data are included in the evaluation process. Current educational policies and practice guidelines further dictate the use authentic assessment data to inform diagnosis and treatment planning. Language sampling and analysis (LSA) offers an important clinical tool for gathering such authentic assessment data, and computer-aided methods of LSA make it clinically feasible. The purpose of this tutorial is to provide step-by-step procedures for computer-aided language sampling and analysis (CLSA). METHOD: The tutorial includes instructions for a four-step CLSA process: (a) eliciting a representative sample and recording ...

Clinical application of mean babbling level and syllable structure level.

Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the studies indicate SSL is a reliable measure that increases as children develop. Children with language impairment exhibit lower SSL scores than children with typical language skills. Further, lower than expected MBL is predictive of lack of meaningful speech at 24 months of age. Discussion MBL and SSL have clinical application in terms of initial evaluation as well as progress monitoring. Recommendations for standardized corpus inclusion procedures are presented. PMID: 19755639 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools)

Family Quality of Life Following Early Identification of Deafness.

Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

This study examined family members' perceptions of quality of life following early identification of deafness. METHOD: A questionnaire was used to solicit ratings of satisfaction from family members of 207 children who were deaf and under 6 years old. RESULTS: Results indicated that families were generally satisfied with areas of family life. Descriptive analysis suggested lower satisfaction ratings in the area of emotional well-being. Families also reported the largest impact of deafness on their emotional well-being. Family members of children using oral communication with a cochlear implant reported higher satisfaction with their child's speech production and perception outcomes than children using hearing aids alone. IMPLICATIONS: It is recommended that programs consider additional sup...

What Makes a Caseload (Un)Manageable? School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists Speak.

Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Caseload sizes continue to be an area of concern for school-based SLPs, and efforts to address this problem must persist in order to prevent long-term struggles with dissatisfaction, shortages, and turnover. Policy, research, and clinical implications are discussed. PMID: 19755641 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools)

The Early Years of Language Speech and Hearing Services in US Schools.

Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Between 1895 and 1921 most of the major cities in the US had hired their first speech clinicians. Between 1921 and 1930 many cities expanded their programs and were hiring supervisors to coordinate these services. These early clinicians carved out some now-familiar practices. Comparing what they did and when and how they did it with today's practices can offer school clinicians of today a sense of their own history and identity. Such an understanding can also provide insights about some of today's taken-for-granted practices. PMID: 19755642 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools)

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Speakability’s ‘Medical Passport’ shortlisted for the British Medical Association 2009 Patient Information Awards

Speakability — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:37:00 +0100

The 2009 BMA Medical Book Competition Awards ceremony took place on Tuesday 8th September at the BMA Library in Tavistock Square. (Source: Speakability)

Jenny Dautlich Wins Prestigious Robin Tavistock Award

Speakability — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:22:00 +0100

The Trustees of the Tavistock Trust for Aphasia are delighted to announce that Dr Jenny Dautlich DFPH is the 4th recipient of The Robin Tavistock Award. (Source: Speakability)

Rehabilitative and Habilitative Service Coverage in Health Care Reform

ASHA Action Alerts — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

(Source: ASHA Action Alerts)

Ensure Pediatric Hearing Benefit in Health Care Reform

ASHA Action Alerts — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

(Source: ASHA Action Alerts)