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Despite the rise of globalization and increasing multilingualism, the effect of language dominance on thought and perception in bilingual speakers has received little attention. This study examines the semantic networks of Spanish-English bilingual adults and monolingual English-speaking peers to determine whether language dominance structures the semantic space of a bilingual speaker to more closely match the semantic space of a monolingual speaker of the dominant language. It is predicted that semantic ratings produced by English-dominant bilinguals will correlate more closely to the semantic ratings of monolingual English-speaking participants than ratings produced by Spanish-dominant bilinguals. Spanish-English bilinguals (n=20) completed the Bilingual Language Profile regarding language use, attitudes, and fluency (Birdsong, Gertken, & Amengual, 2012). Spanish-English bilingual participants and monolingual English-speaking participants (n=20) then rated a series of translationally equivalent nouns (n=80) according to sound, color, morality, valence, size, and position. Using these ratings, a Euclidean distance matrix containing the ratings of English-dominant bilinguals, Spanish-dominant bilinguals, and English monolinguals was analyzed within and between groups using hierarchical cluster analysis, matrix comparisons (Mantel Tests), Spearman correlations, and qualitative k-means clustering analysis. Results suggest the possibility of dynamic interconnection between languages, with semantic connection weights determined by the dominant language (Malt et al, 2015). However, more research is needed to draw firm conclusions. / Communication Sciences

Thesis (MAud)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Cochlear implantation is an expensive but cost-effective intervention which must be used for life. It can provide individuals with severe-to-profound hearing loss improved sound perception in comparison to that obtained using hearing aids. In South Africa implants are not state subsidised, and related costs need to be covered by implant recipients. Cochlear implant teams thus need to ensure that individuals, who are selected, will benefit from the device and will be able to use it for their lifetime. Implantees should know the immediate and potential future costs involved, to be able to decide on its affordability. The primary aim of this study was to determine the immediate and long-term costs of cochlear implantation. One hundred and fifty four implant recipients from the Tygerberg Hospital- University of Stellenbosch Cochlear Implant Unit in Cape Town, South Africa were surveyed. Costs were categorized according to the time period post implantation and were converted to Constant Rands (June 2010) using the Consumer Price Index to allow for comparison in real terms over time. In the first 10 years of implantation the average estimated costs incurred by adult implantees totalled R379 626, and children R455 225. The findings showed that the initial purchase of the implant system was the most substantial cost involved (currently R221 000). Upgrading the speech processor, which on the average took place every 7 years, was the second highest cost subjects encountered (currently R85 000). The cost of spares (on average R276 per year) and repairs (R3000 per repair) increased with duration of use. Battery costs ranged between R1200 and R3372 per year and insurance costs averaged R4040 per year. Most appointments took place in the first two years following implantation. Average travel costs during the first two years were R1024 for those within 50km of the implant unit and R8645 for those living more than 1000km away. Accommodation costs for non-local recipients, peaked during this period (on average R3390). Additional rehabilitation services for paediatric implantees cost an estimated R37 159 in the first five years after implantation. Subjects advised potential implantees to save, budget and plan for the high costs involved in implantation, as well as to join a medical aid which could assist with the costs involved. The findings of the study hold great relevance for both implantees and cochlear implant professionals. Careful consideration of the financial implications of cochlear implantation is critically important in the South African context to ensure that recipients are successful longterm cochlear implant users. Although the actual costs in the study were related to the one implant system used at Tygerberg Hospital-University of Stellenbosch Cochlear Implant Unit, it is believed that the types and amounts of costs involved hold relevance for all individuals implanted in South Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kogleêre inplantering is ‘n duur maar koste-effektiewe prosedure wat lewenslank gebruik moet word. Dit verskaf aan individue met erge-tot-uitermatige gehoorverlies verbeterde klankpersepsie in vergelyking met dié wat gehoorapparate gebruik. In Suid Afrika word kogleêre inplantings nie deur die staat gesubsidieer nie en koste moet deur die inplantgebruiker verhaal word. Kogleêre inplantingspanne moet gevolglik verseker dat individue wat geselekteer word daarby baat sal vind en lewenslank sal kan gebruik. Inplantgebruikers moet bewus wees van die onmiddelike, sowel as langtermyn onkoste. Die primêre doel van hierdie studie was om die onmiddelike en langtermyn onkoste van implanterings te bepaal. Een honderd vier en vyftig inplantgebruikers van die Tygerberg Hospitaal-Universiteit Stellenbosch Kogleêre Inplantingseenheid in Kaapstad, Suid Afrika is gebruik vir die studie. Onkoste was gekatogoriseer ten opsigte van die periode van tyd postinplantering en dit is omgeskakel na konstante Randwaarde (Junie 2010) deur die Gebruikers Prys Indeks te gebruik sodat vergelykings gemaak kon word in reële terme oor tyd. Gedurende die eerste 10 jaar na inplantering was die geskatte onkoste by volwasse inplantgebruikers R379 626 en by die pediatriese groep was dit R455 225. Bevindings het aangedui dat die aanvanklike aankoop van die inplantsisteem die grootste onkoste behels het (huidig R221 000). Opgradering van die prosesseerder, gemiddeld elke 7 jaar, was die tweede hoogste onkoste, naamlik R85 000. Die gemiddelde koste van spaaronderdele was R276 per jaar. Herstelkoste het R3000 per herstelling beloop. Koste van spaaronderdele en herstelkoste het met duur van gebruik vermeerder. Batteryonkoste het gewissel tussen R1200 en R3372 per jaar. Onkoste van jaarlikse versekering was gemiddeld R4040. Meeste afsprake het gedurende die eerste twee jaar plaasgevind. Vervoeronkoste gedurende hierdie periode was R1024 vir die wat binne 50km woon en R8645 vir dié meer as ‘n 1000km ver. Akkommodasie koste het ‘n piek gedurende hierdie periode bereik (gemiddeld R3390). Addisionele rehabilitasie dienste vir pediatriese inplantgebruikers was gemiddeld R37159 gedurende die eerste vyf jaar. Die proefpersone het aanbeveel dat potensiële inplantgebruikers moet spaar, begroot en beplan vir die hoë onkoste en is aanbeveel om aan te sluit by ‘n mediese fonds. Die bevindinge van die studie is van belang vir beide ontvangers sowel as inplantingspanne. Bewusmaking van die finansiële implikasies van kogleêre inplantering is van kritiese belang om suksesvolle langtermyn gebruik te verseker. Alhoewel die werklike onkoste in die studie van toepassing is op een inplanting sisteem wat by Tygerberg Hospitaal-Universiteit Stellenbosch Kogleêre Inplantingseenheid gebruik word, kan dit aangeneem word dat die tipes en hoeveelheid onkoste van toepassing is op alle individue in Suid Afrika wat kogleêre inplantings ontvang.

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Music-based interventions (MBI) may facilitate communication outcomes for people with aphasia (PWA; Cheever et al., 2018; Magee et al., 2017). There are few theory-based, protocolized MBIs for PWA. This study developed a transdisciplinary, theory-based, highly structured improvised singing protocol, the Music enhanced Verb Network Strengthening Treatment (MeVNeST), that is designed to enhance the Verb Network Strengthening Treatment (VNeST) (Edmond, 2016). The feasibility and the preliminary outcomes of MeVNeST were evaluated. The study involved three stages: 1) protocol development; 2) protocol testing; 3) microanalysis. In Stage 1 Standard VNeST procedures were adapted to incorporate music components based on the theoretical premises for music and language in the brain, theories of musical expectation (Lerdahl & Krumhansl, 2007), and two frameworks for music-based intervention protocol development (Robb et al., 2011; Hanson-Abromeit, 2015). The outcome was a preliminary MeVNeST protocol. In Stage 2, two phases were implemented to evaluate the effects of MeVNeST compared with VNeST, and the effect of MeVNeST alone on word retrieval and sentence production. Effect sizes were calculated for probe scores. One participant who received seven weeks of MeVNeST showed improvements in the sentence production score for the VNeST probes of the trained verbs (d=3.22). No changes were observed on the Boston Naming Test, the Verb Naming Test, and the Western Aphasia Battery and the adjective control task. Other participants did not achieve significant changes in word retrieval and sentence production. This indicates the increased duration of MeVNeST in Phase 2 was necessary to produce the desired outcomes. In stage 3, the microanalysis results revealed that patterns of music interaction, called Patterns of Musical Influence (PMI), underpinned how the key musical components in the therapists’ improvised music influenced participants’ improvised singing. Musical strategies named Structuring Strategies and Cueing Strategies clarified the therapists’ musical strategies to facilitate participants’ performance of language tasks that were difficult. The MeVNeST protocol was revised based on the findings. This study suggests that MeVNeST is a feasible treatment approach that warrants further research. Future research is needed to test the MeVNeST protocol with a larger sample, and to optimize the capacity of improvised music to support the structured language task and escalate the generative process in the training of the semantic network. / Music Therapy

<p>Social cognition is a comprehensive term used to describe knowledge and skills that are applied to social situations and skills used to understand others. These skills include emotion perception, problem solving, executive functioning, and self-cognition. This study investigated the effectiveness of specific intervention strategies on social cognitive skills. The intervention strategies included activities for abstract thinking, emotion competence, Theory of Mind (ToM), and self-regulation of behaviors. Currently, little research exists to describe evidence based effective intervention strategies to improve social cognitive skills. The retrospective case study was completed with a female participant who was 11-years, 3 months old at the time of intervention. Data recorded from 20 intervention sessions was analyzed to determine the effectiveness of employed social cognition intervention tasks. Results indicated improvements in abstract thinking during a Mystery Box activity. Additionally, results showed the participant made improvements in her understanding of social cognition through use of social vocabulary and self-monitoring. Findings from the present study concluded that using concrete vocabulary for social concepts can improve an individual?s social communication skills.

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of the comorbidity of emotional/behavioral disorders (EBD) and speech/language disorders among those students identified as under The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act criteria as emotionally disturbed and speech impaired. The literature reviewed included clinical and school settings that examined a cooccurrence of language disorders in the EBD population. Other research reported a lack of routine involvement of speech/language therapists in the assessment of the EBD population. Implications from clinical studies suggested a need for greater attention to language disorders in a multi- and interdisciplinary assessment. This study investigated the prevalence of the dual occurrence of EBD and speech/language disorders in Grades 2 through 6 in Texas schools in light of the known research. Relationships in ethnicity and socioeconomic status were examined using chi-square test of independence. Aggregate data were obtained from the database of the Texas Pupil Information Management System and from survey questionnaire responses provided by speech therapists in selected districts. The literature review focused on the impact of language in the development of appropriate personal interactions and communication skills, especially those relevant to pragmatic language factors and the implications of language competency in successful personal living and career roles and supported the importance of language as an important contributor to a person's life success and the correlation of EBD disabilities and speech/language disorders. Social skills instruction, the relationship of language, especially pragmatics, and social competencies for this population are included. The results revealed a relationship between ethnicity and speech/language disorders among the students identified with EBD. In considering the population of students identified as EBD and language disordered, a significant relationship was found between ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Recommendations include suggestions for future research, assessment procedures, classroom interventions, and data collection methods.

Introdução: As articulações compensatórias são alterações de fala decorrentes da tentativa do indivíduo com fissura palatina/disfunção velofaríngea gerar pressão intraoral para a produção das consoantes de alta pressão. Essas alterações se iniciam por causa da alteração estrutural e podem passar a fazer parte do sistema fonológico do indivíduo, sendo a fonoterapia a intervenção indicada para sua correção. Desta maneira a hipótese deste trabalho é que um programa de fonoterapia intensiva (PFI) estruturado reúne as condições facilitadoras para a correção da oclusiva glotal, que é o tipo de articulação compensatória (AC) mais comumente encontrado na fala desses indivíduos. Objetivo: Investigar a influência de um PFI sobre a ocorrência da oclusiva glotal (OG) na fala de indivíduos com fissura palatina. Material e Métodos: As gravações de fala de 37 indivíduos, de ambos os sexos (média de idade = 19 anos), com fissura palatina foram julgadas por três fonoaudiólogas (avaliadoras) experientes na identificação da ocorrência de OG em 24 consoantes-alvo com recorrência das seis consoantes oclusivas do Português (p, t, k, b, d, g), antes de serem submetidos a um PFI (condição pré-PFI) e após o PFI (condição pós-PFI), para comparação. Resultados: A presença de OG, na condição pré-PFI, foi encontrada em 325 consoantes-alvo de 36 das 37 gravações, dentre as quais, na condição pós-PFI, 149 (46%) continuaram a apresentar OG e 176 (54%) não. Considerando a ocorrência de OG nas 24 consoantes-alvo das frases dos 36 pacientes, observou-se que após o PFI 5 (14%) conseguiram eliminar a OG em todas as consoantes-alvo; 4 (11%) não apresentaram mudança e 27 (75%) apresentaram redução da ocorrência de OG. Conclusão: O PFI teve influência sobre a ocorrência da oclusiva glotal na fala de indivíduos com fissura palatina, sendo esta menor após a intervenção. / Introduction: Compensatory articulations are speech disorders due to the attempt of the individual with cleft palate/velopharyngeal dysfunction to generate intraoral pressure for the production of high-pressure consonants. These disorders happen because structural alteration and can become part of the phonological system of the individual. Speech therapy is the indicated intervention for their correction. The hypothesis of this study is that a structured intensive speech therapy program (PFI) meets the facilitating conditions for the correction of the glottal stops, which is the most common compensatory articulation in the speech of these individuals. Objective: To investigate the influence of a PFI on the occurrence of glottal stop (OG) in the speech of individuals with cleft palate. Material and Methods: Speech recordings of 37 cleft palate individuals, both genders (mean age = 19 years), were judged by three experienced speech pathologists (judges) to identify the occurrence of OG in 24 target consonants with a recurrence of the six occlusive consonants of the Portuguese Language (p, t, k, b, d, g). For the purpose of comparison, the judgements were accomplished before PFI (pre-PFI condition) and after the individuals have been undergone to the PFI (post-PFI condition). Results: Presence of OG in the pre-PFI condition was found in 325 target consonants of 36 out of the 37 recordings. In the pos-PFI condition, out of the 325, 149 (46%) continued to present OG and 176 (54%) did not. Considering the occurrence of OG in the 24 target consonants of the sentences of the 36 patients, it was observed that after the PFI 5 (14%) of them were able to eliminate the OG in all the target consonants; 4 (11%) presented no change and 27 (75%) had a reduction in the occurrence of OG. Conclusion: The PFI had influence on the occurrence of the OG in the speech of cleft palate, which reduction was smaller after the PFI.