Study 4: Speech Intelligibility 2

Exactly a week after we started we have just completed phase one of the speech intelligibility study. In this phase collected speech samples from 45 students with hearing loss at the word, phrase, sentence, and connected speech levels. It was a busy week! Next we will be working to transcribe these data and prepare recordings for phase 2.

ASL II classes start

Spring semester classes start this week and so I am starting my ASL II studies. Despite being spring semester, it does not look much like spring outside! 

Olaf is dreaming of summer

It's so cold even the statues are rugged up

Eastern Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships

Eastern Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships were held at the Giant Center in Hershey Pennsylvania this weekend and Genesse Synchronized Skating Team were in great form. First place in Open Adult division!

Pre-competition selfies with Brianna and Kailly

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Publication: Profiling Australian preschoolers with speech sound disorder

Today our paper describing the characteristics of preschool children with speech sound disorders was accepted for publication.

Reference

McLeod, S., Crowe, K., Masso, S., Baker, E., McCormack, J., Wren, Y., Roulstone, S., & Howland, C. (2017, in press). Profile of Australian preschoolers with speech sound disorders at risk for literacy difficulties. Australian Journal of Learning Difficulties. doi: 10.1080/19404158.2017.1287105

Abstract

Speech sound disorders are a common communication difficulty in preschool children. Teachers indicate difficulty identifying and supporting these children. The aim of this research was to describe speech and language characteristics of children identified by their parents and/or teachers as having possible communication concerns. 275 Australian 4- to 5-year-old children from 45 preschools whose parents and teachers were concerned about their talking participated in speech-language pathology assessments to examine speech, language, literacy, non-verbal intelligence, oromotor skills and hearing. The majority (71.3%) of children demonstrated lower consonant accuracy than expected for their age, 63.9% did not pass the language-screening task, 65.5% had not been assessed and 72.4% had not received intervention from a speech-language pathologist. The 132 children who were identified with speech sound disorder (phonological impairment) were more likely to be male (62.9%) who were unintelligible to unfamiliar listeners, and had poor emergent literacy and phonological processing skills, despite having typical hearing, oral structures, and intelligence. Children identified by parents and teachers with concerns may have a range of speech, language and communication needs requiring professional support.

Study 4: Speech Intelligibility 1

We started a new study today which will examine the speech intelligibility of college-aged students with hearing loss. Speech intelligibility is measured in a great number of ways in different studies, but the relationship of these measures are often not compared, especially for students with hearing loss. 

Disney on Ice

Disney on Ice came to Rochester this weekend and my friend Gemmie and I had rink side tickets (surrounded by enthusiastic children who also know all the words to "Let It Go"!). Gemmie and I skate together at Genesse Figure Skating Club. Off the ice, Gemmie is completing a  specialization in paediatric trauma medicine.

Gemmie and Kate

Visting Miami

I have had the opportunity to escape the NY winter to visit friends in Miami. Dr David Lee was a Fulbright Scholar to Australia and is a professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Epidemiology & Population Health Sciences at the University of Miami. Heidi Lee is an audiologist at the University of Miami Hospital. 

We had a great time discussing issues around population health and audiology and learning about Miami. We visited the Everglades and Biscayne National Parks and saw alligators lazing on the paths, not at all concerned about us cycling by them. We had milkshakes at the famous Robert Is Here fruit stand and visited South Beach. This was my first visit Florida and I can't wait to come back and see some more!

Heidi and Kate in Everglades National Park

Professor Lee and Kate at Hobie Island Beach Park

Key Lime Pie (I'm always eager to try the local cuisine)

Publication: Raising and Educating Deaf Children

Today my e-bulliten for the Oxford University Press site Raising and educating deaf children: Foundations for policy, practice and outcomes was published. I described the role that speech-language pathologists play in transitions between education placements for children who are deaf and hard of hearing. The post is accessible here.