Shared interactive reading is an evidence-based practice where professionals can collaborate to promote literacy and language skills in young children. Providing children with developmental disabilities (DD) the opportunity to gain language and preliteracy skills in early intervention is critical for their development as they are at a higher risk for falling behind in academics compared to their age-matched peers. This study evaluated the effectiveness of dialogic reading (DR) for children with DD. DR has been shown to be an effective strategy to teach typically developing preschool-aged children vocabulary, language, and literacy skills, however research in children with DD is limited. Results related to the different types of questions asked by paraprofessionals before and during a DR intervention showed one singular training of DR positively impacted paraprofessional's implementation of DR strategies and children's responses to prompts. A positive impact was found on children's language use during book readings.

This study investigated the potential of using weStories, a type of digital storytelling, and the use of iPads with second and third grade students who have autism. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate, comprehend language, and their ability to socially interact with peers. Digital storytelling combines the art of telling stories with photos, videos, audio, and other digital media. This study employed the use of weStories, a collaborative storytelling process that requires students to work in a team while using an iPad. weStories were created by Dr. Glenda Gunter specifically for individuals to learn the fundamental of narrative and story skills to increase their literacy and communication skills. This study was conducted over a series of teachings and observations at the United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida (UCP). The UCP is a school that serves children with a variety of learning disabilities, including autism. The purpose of this ethnographic thesis was to explore the impact of teaching the story invention process and weStories through iPads with students who have autism. Ethnographic research design was utilized to observe and assess individual changes in student behaviors and investigate the phenomena of story. This study utilized qualitative research methods. The potential of the intervention was measured through interviews and observations. This research on using technologies with students who have autism, such as iPads and weStories, has shown potential in terms of working collaboratively; enhancing problem solving in social situations, and providing exposure to iPads as a learning tool.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate whether pediatricians and family practice physicians were using standard criteria referring pre-school children to otolaryngologists and/or audiologists. Data was collected regarding the types of instruments and procedures used in the referral, in addition to the etiologies most frequently referred. Comparisons of referral criteria were made between pediatricians and family practice physicians. A 17-item questionnaire regarding audiological tests, procedures and pathologies was sent to 108 pediatricians and 112 familiar practice physicians in the Central Florida area. Similarities in tests and procedures used by the two groups of physicians were limited to the use of the otoscope and pneumatic otoscope. Chronic otitis media and speech/language delays were revealed as the most often referred etiologies. Significant differences were noted between the two groups of physicians in the use of tuning forks and tympanometers. Results suggested a need for a more consistent set of procedures and tests in the comprehensive assessment of hearing status in the pre-school child.

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Language samples of sixteen oral hearing-impaired students, aged 3.8 to 10.6 years with a mean SRT average of 27dB, were taken during High/Scope recall sessions under two conditions: with visual reminder (a videotape replay of their session work-time) or without visual reminder (no videotape replay of their work-time). These language samples, taken over a three month period, were analyzed with SALT (Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts) for flexibility (using TTR) and structure (using MLU-W), and for five other SALT analyses. In each of the seven SALT analyses, improvement was shown for both groups with a trend for greater improvement shown in favor of the gorup with visual reminder.

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