Background: People with aphasia are vulnerable recipients of healthcare. The nature of the communicative environment and the communication disability can adversely impact access to timely and quality healthcare. Student healthcare professionals are often underprepared to interact successfully with people with aphasia and may benefit from…

School-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are increasingly confronted with opportunities to use screen-based devices. In order to fully investigate how technology impacts therapeutic efficacy, it is imperative to first understand how and why SLPs utilize technology. This study explores: (a) the frequency with which SLPs use eight types of…

Background: There has been a significant uptake in the use of telepractice during the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study explored the experiences of speech and language therapists (SLTs), assistants (SLTAs) and parents with telepractice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aims: (1) To identify factors that influenced success of…

Purpose: Access to speech-language therapy services for children with communication difficulties is limited in vulnerable countries within the Majority world, such as Small Island Developing States. The use of information and communication technology (ICT) has been identified as a possible solution to provide equitable access to services in…

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

This monograph addresses topical issues in training, service delivery, and research for minorities in communication disorders. It presents extended versions of papers that were delivered at the conference, "Concerns for Minority Groups in Communication Disorders," held in Nashville, Tennessee on September 17-19, 1984. Papers include: "The First…

The article considers current issues concerning service delivery systems and practices concerning augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) services in U.S. schools. Concerns in AAC program development are noted and service delivery models (center-based, community-based, or collaborative) are compared. (DB)

The paper provides an organizational framework for communication-based interventions with infants, toddlers, and their families. The paper describes early intervention approaches including remediation, prevention, and compensation, and offers guidelines for selecting the appropriate programmatic approach and determining the model for service…

The article offers options for delivery of services to nonspeaking public school students by speech-language pathologists. Suggestions are based on the mandates of P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) and the Code of Ethics of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Stressed is the need for comprehensive…

This article describes a current pilot program of the Albuquerque (New Mexico) schools for twice exceptional students (i.e., gifted students with learning disabilities, behavior disorders, and/or communication disorders) in grades 9 through 12. Three program components will be implemented over the next three years: (1) transition plan, (2)…

Major policy issues relating to children with communication disorders are discussed, along with recommendations for policy changes and a discussion of the barriers that impede progress. Three major issues are covered: provision of services by qualified personnel, caseload size, and availability of a continuum of services. (JDD)

A survey mailed to 200 speech-language pathologists (SLPs) examined their involvement in communication development in children with visual impairments or deafblindness. Analysis of responses (N=49) found striking differences in the preparation and competence of SLPs regarding various types of sensory impairment. Recommendations for changes in…

Several members of the emerging augmentative and alternative communication profession held a meeting at Purdue University in August 1987. Issues addressed included: public policy; documentation of the field; and such service provision issues as candidacy for service, communicative competency, focus of intervention, and intervention strategies.…

Offers speech-language clinicians a framework for team decision making and service delivery by encouraging speech-language pathologists and their colleagues to consider the unique combination of providers, activities, and contexts (PACs) necessary to meet the specific needs of each individual with a communication disorder. Sample cases involving…

Research and clinical experience both indicate that parents are excellent observers of communication in their children who rely on augmentative and alternative communication. However, parents and professionals may find themselves in conflict about how to interpret and support children's communication. This article outlines strategies for…