Prefrontal Cortical Activity During Discourse Processing: An Observational fNIRS Study
Discourse is a commonly occurring and cognitively demanding form of naturalistic communication (e.g., conversation, event narration, personal and fictional narratives, text reading/generation). Because of the prevalence of these communication acts in daily routines (e.g., educational, vocational, and social), disrupted discourse is an important target for treatment of persons with cognitive-communication (CC) disorders (American Speech-Language Hearing Association, 2005). However, there is a paucity of information with regard to the underlying cognitive architecture and processing demands associated with the various forms ...
Source: Topics in Language Disorders - January 1, 2016 Category: Speech Therapy Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Intervention to Improve Expository Reading Comprehension Skills in Older Children and Adolescents with Language Disorders
With the recent renewed emphasis on the importance of providing instruction to improve expository discourse comprehension and production skills, speech–language pathologists need to be prepared to implement effective intervention to meet this critical need in older children and adolescents with language disorders. The purpose of this review article is to present intervention techniques, approaches, and strategies for facilitating expository reading comprehension skills in older children and adolescents with language disorders, as reported in the research literature. Evidence supports both content and strategic approaches...
Source: Topics in Language Disorders - January 1, 2016 Category: Speech Therapy Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Globally Minded Text Production: Bilingual, Expository Writing of Italian Adolescents Learning English
This study investigated micro- and macrostructural text features, and the impact of language-specific skills, on the bilingual, persuasive writing of 41 high school students learning English in Italy. Participants composed persuasive essays on 2 topics, each in Italian and English, and completed spelling and sentence generation tasks in both languages. Texts were assessed for fluency, productivity, complexity, and discourse quality. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to explore group differences between Italian and English writing. Correlations and regression analyses were used to investigate the impact of spe...
Source: Topics in Language Disorders - January 1, 2016 Category: Speech Therapy Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Narrative Discourse Intervention for School-Aged Children With Language Impairment: Supporting Knowledge in Language and Literacy
This article presents a narrative language intervention, Supporting Knowledge in Language and Literacy (SKILL), that is based on research in the fields of developmental psycholinguistics and discourse processing. SKILL was designed to provide school-age children with language learning difficulties with the cognitive and linguistic skills that underlie narrative comprehension and composition. A comprehensive description of the intervention program is presented first, followed by a summary of the qualitative and quantitative evidence supporting its use. Quantitative results from summarized studies show that SKILL is associat...
Source: Topics in Language Disorders - January 1, 2016 Category: Speech Therapy Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Using Narrative Intervention to Accelerate Canonical Story Grammar and Complex Language Growth in Culturally Diverse Preschoolers
This article provides a review of preschool narrative-based language intervention studies, with special attention to how the intervention accelerated young children's story grammar and complex language beyond developmental expectations, meeting or even exceeding recently adopted state language standards. In addition, we provide an overview of a narrative-based language intervention used with culturally and linguistically diverse preschoolers to prepare them for meeting the language standards in elementary school. Evidence supports a conclusion that personal-themed stories that are developmentally and socially appropriate f...
Source: Topics in Language Disorders - January 1, 2016 Category: Speech Therapy Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Issue Editor Foreword: Discourse Intervention Across the Life Span
No abstract available (Source: Topics in Language Disorders)
Source: Topics in Language Disorders - January 1, 2016 Category: Speech Therapy Tags: Issue Editor Foreword Source Type: research
From the Editor: Discourse Intervention Across the Life Span—It's Simply Difficult But Worth It
No abstract available (Source: Topics in Language Disorders)
Source: Topics in Language Disorders - January 1, 2016 Category: Speech Therapy Tags: From the Editor Source Type: research
Continuing Education Instructions and Questions
No abstract available (Source: Topics in Language Disorders)
Source: Topics in Language Disorders - October 1, 2015 Category: Speech Therapy Tags: Continuing Education Instructions and Questions Source Type: research
Camp Campus: College Preparation for Adolescents and Young Adults With High-Functioning Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and Other Social Communication Disorders
Camp Campus is a 1-week campus experience for juniors or seniors in high school or high school graduates who are diagnosed with high-functioning autism, Asperger syndrome, or a related social communication disorder and who plan to attend college. Participants experience campus life by partaking of campus services, living and dining on campus, managing finances while on campus, and participating in campus recreation. In addition, instructional sessions designed to improve executive functions, theory of mind, understanding of hidden curriculum, self-reflection, self-advocacy, social relationships, and social communication ar...
Source: Topics in Language Disorders - October 1, 2015 Category: Speech Therapy Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Implementing a Communication Coaching Program for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Postsecondary Education
This article describes the operation of a Communication Coaching Program, which was designed to provide supports for students with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) attending the University of Rhode Island. To succeed in college programs, many students with ASDs need access to specialized programming and personnel who are able to foster their success in both social and academic venues. The Communication Coaching Program has utilized the principles of individualization, evolution, and relevance over the 5 years of its existence. Disability counselors, along with communication coaches and peer coaches, provide students with A...
Source: Topics in Language Disorders - October 1, 2015 Category: Speech Therapy Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Characteristics, Assessment, and Treatment of Writing Difficulties in College Students With Language Disorders and/or Learning Disabilities
Many students currently are enrolled in colleges and universities across the country with language disorders and/or learning disabilities (LLD). The majority of these students struggle with writing, creating a need to identify and provide them with writing intervention services. Speech–language pathologists (SLPs) may provide this intervention; however, many report lacking the confidence, training, and experience to assess and treat writing difficulties in this or any population (Fallon & Katz, 2011). Therefore, the purpose of this article is to provide information that will assist SLPs and other professionals to identif...
Source: Topics in Language Disorders - October 1, 2015 Category: Speech Therapy Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Assessment Considerations for College Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder
This article provides a critical review of areas to consider in clinical assessment of language, communication, and related areas by the speech–language pathologist working with adolescents and young adults attending, or planning to attend, postsecondary education. Findings of this critical review indicate a growth in research investigating speech, language, communication, and social abilities in adults with ASD. Although the literature provides relatively little explicit evidence for selecting assessments for adults with ASD, the research does provide guidance on areas important to include in a comprehensive assessment....
Source: Topics in Language Disorders - October 1, 2015 Category: Speech Therapy Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Understanding the Context: Postsecondary Challenges for Students With Language Impairments
A growing number of high school students with disabilities are planning to continue their education in postsecondary schools, including vocational and career schools, 2- and 4-year colleges, and universities (U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 2011). The transition from secondary settings to postsecondary settings presents unique challenges for students with language impairments and the faculty and staff serving them. To contribute to a deeper understanding of key issues in the complex postsecondary context, this article summarizes current thinking about developmental/linguistic, legal, situational, and...
Source: Topics in Language Disorders - October 1, 2015 Category: Speech Therapy Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Issue Editor Foreword: Transition to College for Students with Language Disorders On and Off the Autism Spectrum
No abstract available (Source: Topics in Language Disorders)
Source: Topics in Language Disorders - October 1, 2015 Category: Speech Therapy Tags: Issue Editor Foreword Source Type: research
From the Editor
No abstract available (Source: Topics in Language Disorders)
Source: Topics in Language Disorders - October 1, 2015 Category: Speech Therapy Tags: From the Editor Source Type: research
