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Primary objective. The goals of this project were to review the current literature regarding the role of the speech-language pathologist (SLP) in concussion management and to conduct a survey of SLPs with experience in concussion care to determine their current practices and perspectives. Design and methods. An online survey consisting of 41 questions was emailed to SLPs throughout the U.S. and Canada. Responses were anonymously collected from 60 SLPs, and the responses were analyzed. Results and conclusions. Results showed that SLPs who work in concussion care are generally knowledgeable and confident despite how recently concussion has become part of SLP practice. There has been improvement in the types of assessment tools used in concussion cases, but there is a need for more sensitive instruments. Findings point to the need for increased availability of concussion training for SLPs and the need for continued research into current clinical practices.

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Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics, assessment, and treatment of infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) as perceived by Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) and whether it differed from those of other Neonatal Intensive Care Unit populations. Methods: A secure web-based questionnaire with 62 questions collected information on NAS, caseloads, treatment environment, and demographics. Twenty-six respondents initiated the survey; 42% completed most or all questions. Response analyses included descriptive and nonparametric inferential statistics. Results: Infants with NAS were on the caseloads of 73% of respondents. The majority (79%) only saw infants with NAS and feeding problems. Primary problems included incomplete or increased time to complete feeds, increased/excessive/irregular sucking rates, and reflux. Working on teams, respondents provided assessment, treatment, and education of infant feeding and state. Conclusion: Growing demand for SLP intervention with infants with NAS is likely to persist if opioid use continues to increase as projected.

The purpose of this study was to discover the current awareness of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) regarding the link between language disorder and the juvenile justice system. It is to consider how speech-language pathology, as a profession, think about the implications of language disorder on life outcomes as well as determine the need for speech-language intervention within the juvenile justice system. A Google Form was created and distributed to current speech-language pathologists that have their Certificate of Clinical competence, and have experience working with students in the educational setting. Results suggest SLPs are aware of the link between LD and the juvenile justice system as well as the aspects of language found difficult for these young offenders, but training and professional development on this topic is minimal. Participants report an interest in interprofessional practice and are positioned to become advocates for young offenders with LD in the juvenile justice system.

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This thesis explores speech-language pathologists' (SLPs) perceptions of, experiences with, and perceived barriers to providing psychosocial support to couples impacted by aphasia. A survey was conducted, with 50 responses analyzed. All participants were licensed SLPs who work in the United States and have people with aphasia (PWA) on their caseload. Participants responded to a portion of survey questions, viewed five short videos of Relationship-Centered Communication Partner Training (RC-CPT), then answered a portion of repeated questions to measure the change in perceived confidence, comfort, knowledge, and experience. Results indicate that SLPs perceive counseling to be within their scope of practice and are aware of the psychological distress experienced by PWA. Additionally, SLPs reported increased confidence in counseling couples impacted by aphasia after watching the RC-CPT video vignettes. However, reported barriers to providing counseling to PWA and their significant others included lack of significant other availability, and time/caseload pressures. SLPs reported greater comfort in tasks such as coaching couples on communication strategies and less comfort on topics such as addressing relationship roles and responsibilities or helping couples set goals regarding relationship roles and responsibilities. These findings have implications for SLP training and practice, emphasizing the importance of addressing the psychosocial needs of both individuals and couples impacted by aphasia. Further research is needed to determine the impact of counseling training for SLPs and the development of effective training to increase SLPs' confidence and comfort in counseling couples affected by aphasia.

The majority of individuals in nursing homes have cognitive-communication impairments which impact quality of care because direct care providers, certified nursing assistants, (CNAs) are unsure how to respond to resident’s communication behaviors. One intervention that facilitates staff-resident communication in nursing homes is communication plans; however, the research to date about communication plans has not specifically involved CNAs. The purpose of this study, using a grounded theory qualitative approach, was to describe development, implementation and evaluation of communication care plans (CCPs) for residents with cognitive-communication impairments in nursing homes by CNAs who did and did not receive professional support. Communication care plans are communication plans with the addition of autobiographical information. Twenty residents and ten CNAs from two nursing homes participated in the study. Once CCPs were created, CNA participants in one facility received support each day. Following two weeks, CNAs participated in a semi-structured interview. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using open, axial and selective coding. Findings revealed a core category, meeting resident’s needs through professional support and communication, which describes the progressive process these CNAs underwent to effectively communicate with residents in nursing homes using CCPs. Evolution of this process occurred as CNA participants became familiar with residents. An underlying component facilitating this familiarity was support during CCP implementation. Initially, these CNAs had negative views about nursing home care because they were unsure how to communicate with residents and received little support from higher levels of nursing authority. Over time and with application of CCPs, CNAs became familiar with residents and their communication behaviors. Application of specific communication strategies on CCPs required ongoing support from the investigator/speech-language pathologist which was evident by the comments between CNA participants from each facility. Participants from both facilities reported positive experiences during application of the autobiographical information on the CCPs. This personal information coupled with increased knowledge about resident’s specific communication abilities fostered the formation of a relationship between residents and CNAs. In summary, support during application of CCPs supplements CNAs’ abilities to meet residents’ needs.