Apply Today

If you are looking for a rewarding career
in online therapy apply today!

APPLY NOW

Sign Up For a Demo Today

Does your school need
Online Therapy Services

SIGN UP

Data-Driven Insights: Enhancing Speech-Language Pathology Practices for Children

Data-Driven Insights: Enhancing Speech-Language Pathology Practices for Children

In the realm of speech-language pathology, especially when working with children, the integration of data-driven decisions is paramount. The latest issue of the Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (CJSLPA) offers valuable insights that can enhance our clinical practices. By delving into research articles, we can derive practical applications that significantly improve therapy outcomes for children. Here, we explore key findings from the journal and discuss how practitioners can implement these outcomes to refine their skills and encourage further research.

Understanding the Utility of Brief Swallow Screening Protocols

The study titled "Exploration of the Utility of a Brief Swallow Screening Protocol with Comparison to Concurrent Videofluoroscopy" by Steele et al. (2011) investigates the effectiveness of a brief swallow screening protocol. The researchers conducted a direct blinded comparison between the screening results and videofluoroscopy, revealing that none of the screening questions met the criteria for adequate predictive power. Despite this, the study highlights the importance of cautious interpretation and suggests that more research with larger sample sizes is necessary.

Speech Audiometry with Non-Native English Speakers

Marinova-Todd, Siu, and Jenstad's (2011) study, "Speech Audiometry with Non-Native English Speakers: The Use of Digits and Cantonese Words as Stimuli," examines the validity of using English speech audiometry tests with non-native speakers. The study found that digit pairs were more accurate predictors of pure-tone averages than English word stimuli. Additionally, it revealed that Cantonese words elicited the lowest speech audiometric thresholds from Cantonese-speaking participants.

Development of Quebec French Version of the Children's Communication Checklist-2 (CCC-2)

The translation and adaptation of the Children's Communication Checklist-2 (CCC-2) into Quebec French by Vzina et al. (2011) is a significant step towards providing culturally and linguistically appropriate assessment tools. The study emphasizes the importance of ensuring linguistic and cultural equivalence in translated tools to maintain their validity and reliability.

Performance of French-Speaking Quebec Adults on the Boston Naming Test

Roberts and Doucet (2011) evaluated the performance of French-speaking Quebec adults on the Boston Naming Test (BNT). The study identified several items with low name agreement and suggested the need for cultural adaptations. Despite these issues, the BNT was found to be sensitive to age and education differences, indicating its potential utility with some modifications.

Conclusion

Integrating data-driven insights from current research into clinical practice is crucial for advancing speech-language pathology. By applying the findings from these studies, practitioners can enhance their assessment and intervention strategies, ultimately leading to better outcomes for children. Additionally, encouraging further research will continue to refine our understanding and effectiveness in this field.

To read the original research papers, please follow these links:


Citation: Steele, C. M., Molfenter, S. M., Bailey, G. L., Polacco, R. C., Waito, A. A., Zoratto, D. C. B. H., & Chau, T. (2011). Exploration of the utility of a brief swallow screening protocol with comparison to concurrent videofluoroscopy. Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, 35(3), 228-243.
Marnee Brick, President, TinyEYE Therapy Services

Author's Note: Marnee Brick, TinyEYE President, and her team collaborate to create our blogs. They share their insights and expertise in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, Online Therapy Services and Academic Research.

Connect with Marnee on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest in Speech-Language Pathology and Online Therapy Services.

Apply Today

If you are looking for a rewarding career
in online therapy apply today!

APPLY NOW

Sign Up For a Demo Today

Does your school need
Online Therapy Services

SIGN UP

Apply Today

If you are looking for a rewarding career
in online therapy apply today!

APPLY NOW

Sign Up For a Demo Today

Does your school need
Online Therapy Services

SIGN UP