Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama-SHAA

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See below for the Session Descriptions of SHAA's 2025 Convention

Thursday, February 13th 8:00-9:30 AM

A Fresh Start: Reimagining and Rebuilding My Private Practice After the Flood

Learn and discuss how to prepare for a potential disaster, create strategies for coping with a catastrophic event, and develop a plan for rebuilding.

From MBSS to Follow Up: Implementing the IDDSI Framework in Pediatric Dysphagia Management

Texture modified diets are often recommended for infants and children with feeding and swallowing difficulties. Dysphagia management in pediatrics can be challenging due to physical and developmental factors inherent to this population. Due to rapid growth and development, frequent adjustments to recommendations are necessary to support safe and adequate oral intake. The use of the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) framework is essential in pediatric practice, providing guidelines and testing metrics for liquids and solids for clinical use and parent education. This session will review the features of the IDDSI framework and its recommended tools to assist with clinical decision making for common challenges encountered when serving pediatrics. The presenters will use didactic lectures and case-based problem-solving to assist learners in applying the IDDSI framework to clinical practice.

Sharing the Love: How Caregiver Involvement Enhances Speech and Language Development

This presentation will focus on the importance of including caregivers in the therapy process and the multiple benefits that occur when therapists share their love for speech and language development with the primary language models of their patients. Presenters will share their personal lessons learned from using a Listening and Spoken Language, (LSL), approach to communication acquisition. Strategies and techniques commonly applied in an LSL approach can be used with all children regardless of their hearing status.

Beyond Fluency: Empowering Children Who Stutter Through Acceptance-Based Approaches

This presentation challenges traditional stuttering treatment paradigms by exploring the power of acceptance-based interventions. This session will delve into the contrasts between fluency-focused and acceptance-based approaches, highlighting how the latter can foster resilience and self-confidence in children who stutter. Attendees will gain insights into an innovative camp program designed to promote stuttering acceptance rather than fluency. The presentation will showcase how this environment empowers children to embrace their voices and develop crucial life skills. Furthermore, this session will outline the evolving role of speech-language pathologists in implementing acceptance-based strategies. Through case studies and evidence-based practices, attendees will leave equipped with new perspectives and tools to support children who stutter in developing strong identities as effective communicators, regardless of fluency.

Lateral Lisp Remediation: From Elicitation to Generalization

Many SLPs find correcting lateral lisps among children to be extremely challenging. This presentation will focus on how to properly assess the speech mechanism for underlying structural/functional deficits that could impede progress in therapy and provide practical strategies to help SLPs elicit non-lateralized target phonemes using a phonetic approximation approach. Considerations for target selection and strategies to promote generalization will also be addressed.

Empowering Communication: How and Why to Implement Functional Aphasia Therapy

An introduction to incorporating function focused therapy into treatment plans to help persons with aphasia achieve communication gains and improved quality of life.

Leveraging Evidence-Based Practices When Evaluating Preschoolers Who Are Deaf/Hard of Hearing for Special Education

Many preschoolers who are deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH) using listening and spoken language (LSL) are not qualifying for continued services at the IDEA (2004) Part C to Part B transition. This presentation will highlight the research-to-practice gap existing in school-based contexts when evaluating young children who are D/HH using LSL for special education eligibility. Then, a recently published, evidence-based evaluation checklist for preschoolers who are D/HH using LSL will be presented to help school-based practitioners close the gap. Finally, the checklist will be applied to a case study and results will be interpreted using Alabama’s special education eligibility criteria.

Alabama EHDI: Audiological Considerations for Meeting 1-3-6

Alabama's Listening! is the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program (EHDI) for the Alabama Department of Public Health. The goal of the program is to create and maintain UNHS programs in Alabama to ensure early identification, treatment, and intervention of infants with hearing loss. This session will review the outpatient screening/rescreening and diagnostic protocols listed in the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing 2019 position statement. This session will discuss audiologic considerations to meet the EHDI 1-3-6 goals. New audiological guidelines from the Alabama NBHS Audiology Task Force will also be reviewed.

Well Hearing is Well Being

Healthcare providers will learn how to proactively address hearing loss and promote healthy living as a way to mitigate cognition decline and positively impact the overall well-being of their patients.

Thursday, February 13th from 9:45-11:15 AM

Documentation in Health Care for Speech-Language Pathologists

This session will review ASHA guidelines for skilled speech therapy documentation. Discussion of the components of medical necessity with suggestions for documenting speech-language evaluations, plan of care, as well as treatment goals and progress to reflect skilled services will be provided. The participants will evaluate unskilled and skilled documentation and have the opportunity to write skilled treatment goals and skilled treatment progress notes. The importance of clear, appropriate documentation beneficial to the clinician, patient, caregivers, referral source, and payors will be reviewed.

The Cleft Connection: An SLP's Experience Being a Parent of a Child Born with Cleft

In this session, you will have the unique opportunity to learn from the perspective of an SLP parent of a child born with cleft. The causes of cleft lip and palate as well as many common challenges in feeding and speech development will be reviewed. A functional overview of important surgical timelines, assessment procedures, and treatment modalities will be covered. Lastly, four guiding principles will be discussed that every SLP working with the cleft population should know!

The Complexity Approach to Phonological Intervention

The complexity approach is a much-researched evidence-based intervention for children with phonological disorders, though not widely used by even seasoned practitioners. This approach contends that strategically targeting just one or two complex later developing phonemes or clusters will have a broader and more efficient impact on a child’s speech system than by targeting each sound in error one at a time. The purpose of this presentation is to provide a general explanation of this approach and to demystify its target selection principles for the average clinician who may not specialize in speech sound disorders.

More Than Sound: What Readers Need to Know About Spelling

Discover how spelling is more than spell check. This session will do a deep dive into the content knowledge of spelling and how to intentionally impact readers at the word level to support their writing development. Participants will build a knowledge base of key components of spelling to take right into the classroom. Participants will notice and discover how spelling instruction impacts reading instruction and vice versa. This session will increase the value of effective spelling instruction with targeted practice and supporting resources.

Planning for the One Percent: Best Practice Guidance for Students Who Are D/HH

Students who are Deaf, deaf, hard of hearing (D/HH), or deaf-blind have unique instructional needs that must be addressed for them to achieve educational success. One source of guidance is included within the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004). IDEA mandates that IEP teams must consider six special factors unique to students who are D/HH or deaf-blind. This presentation will outline how Alabama’s Communication Plan can provide educators and parents with a structured format to support evaluation of the general and special factors that must be considered when planning with, and on behalf of, students who have hearing differences.

Powerful connections- A team approach to managing your severe to profound patients featuring Marvel CI

Individuals who have severe-to-profound hearing loss may be a challenging population to support across the hearing loss continuum. Learn the value of teamwork throughout the cochlear implantation process from candidacy and beyond, along with an overview of the comprehensive solutions from AB and Phonak.

Not Just X's and O's-Looking Beyond the Audiogram in Pediatric Audiology

In this presentation, we will highlight factors that affect the ability of children to listen, comprehend, and communicate which do not show up on pure tone testing. Audiologists commonly encounter patients with self- or parent-reported hearing difficulties but normal audiograms. The first portion of this presentation will outline risk factors for Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) and explore different ways to assess and manage these patients, from integrating speech-in-noise testing into the test battery to utilizing listening questionnaires. The second portion of the session will focus on children with documented hearing loss, presenting case studies of how factors such as multiple disabilities, family dynamics, and technology characteristics influence the assessment and management choices made by audiologists. Come look beyond the X’s and O’s to find the whole-brain hearing and listening child.

Thursday, February 13th, 1:00-2:00 PM

Supporting Engagement & Expressive Development (APLL SEED): Graduate Students Coaching Parents in Early Intervention

Parent-implemented intervention is effective for children with language impairments, and interventions that utilize parent coaching are more effective than traditional parent teaching methods. Speech-language pathology (SLP) graduate programs often do not provide opportunities to experience this intervention; however, SLP graduate students who participated in a parent coaching intervention reported increased confidence and preparedness compared to those who did not participate (Townsend & Beverly, 2024). Training students in coaching methods as part of their clinical education provided added value beyond classroom instruction. During this interactive session, materials for parent coaching will be shared. First, participants will review language facilitation strategies known to support children’s expressive language development as well as adult-child engagement. Session participants will view video demonstrations of coaching behaviors, classifying behaviors on a continuum from information sharing and direct teaching to caregiver guided practice and feedback with joint problem-solving. Session participants will practice the language facilitation strategies and coaching methods in brief role plays. Finally, session participants will develop opportunities to increase parent coaching in early intervention settings based on established barriers to implementation. This model for graduate students’ training in coaching (APLL SEED) has demonstrated ways to bridge the gaps often seen in early intervention. SLPs in early intervention can move beyond simply involving caregivers to teaching and coaching them to become their children’s intervention facilitators.

Assessment and Treatment of Language-based literacy disorders in school-age children

This session will address the co-occurrence of reading and language disorders and the finding that almost half of the students diagnosed with a speech and/or language disorder had a co-occurring reading and/or writing disorder. Therefore, assessment should include all areas of language. Findings from a current prospective intervention study determining the effectiveness of SPIRE will also be discussed.

Home Program for Picky Eaters

There is a high number of children who are labeled as picky eaters. At the same time, there is lack of existing home programs for implementation by parents in the research literature. This session reviews a newly developed, research-based program for picky eaters that clinicians can use to train parents to implement at home for increased generalizability of gains within feeding therapy.

Investigating semantic and syntactic processing in readers with comprehension difficulties: Insights from eye-tracking and computational modeling

Readers with comprehension difficulties struggle with sentence-level comprehension despite typical intellectual ability and word reading skills. Most prior research has relied on standardized offline assessments, leaving the source of their deficits unclear. This eye-tracking study addressed this by examining semantic and syntactic processing during naturalistic reading, using retrieval interference, computational modeling, and scanpath analysis. Results showed that these readers employ similar memory retrieval mechanisms as skilled comprehenders, but impaired syntactic processing emerged as a key factor in their comprehension difficulties.

Functioning as a Novel Indicator to Optimize Audiologic Rehabilitation Intervention Outcomes

This presentation explores the innovative use of "functioning" as a key indicator in optimizing audiologic rehabilitation interventions. By focusing on the functional outcomes of individuals with hearing impairments, this approach aims to enhance the effectiveness of rehabilitation strategies, leading to improved quality of life for patients. The session will discuss the theoretical foundations, practical applications, and evidence-based practices that support the integration of functioning measures into audiologic care.

Thursday, February 13th, 2:30-4:30 PM

Clinical Education Training for AuDs and SLPs Involved in Student Supervision

The presentation will describe clinical education, and the knowledge/skills and roles/responsibilities required of clinical educators. The process for becoming a clinical educator will be outlined, as well as best practices for establishing a successful relationship with a student extern.

Nurturing the Art of Social Pragmatic Communication

Many good intentioned therapists provide bad therapy for social communication by focusing on a symptom by symptom approach which only overloads the client. The field of neurodiversity is replete with anecdotes of individuals despising the therapies received. Why? Bad therapy produces anxiety which increases the possibility of depression and/or paranoia. This presentation will discuss how to acquire the information necessary to evaluate and develop an appropriate intervention strategy to produce positive change. It will employ first hand evaluation techniques as well as allow participants the opportunity to engage in intervention activities that are designed to produce positive change.

Demystifying Voice Therapy

The development of technology like laryngeal imaging, instrumental assessment, and respiratory function testing has changed the landscape of management of voice and upper airway disorders (VUAD), resulting in physiologically based treatment. Treatment planning requires that clinicians understand medical and behavioral options for treatment, integrate information from the referring physician, and incorporate information from comprehensive instrumental and perceptual assessments, in order to determine candidacy, goals, and therapeutic approach for treatment. This interactive, case-based workshop will provide clinicians with a working template for decision-making in VUAD treatment planning with the goal of improving confidence in clinical care and awareness of available resources.

Applying Ethical Standards in Everyday Practice: ABESPA Update for Audiology and Speech Language Pathology

This session centering on ethical practices presents the annual report of the Alabama Board of Examiners for Speech Language Pathology and Audiology followed by a discussion of recent changes in ethical standards and policies across various agencies/board/associations, examples of ethical challenges in everyday practices, and an interactive opportunity for the audience to review ethical situations and discuss best practices in dealing with the situations.

Let's Get Real: Practical Tips for R Remediation

This 2-hour course will help SLPs feel confident when treating R errors by providing practical strategies for elicitation, carryover, and generalization. Videos of actual therapy sessions will demonstrate all techniques and strategies.

The SLPs' Role in the Cardiopulmonary Population

This course will review the common causes of hypoxia and the impact that resultant supplemental oxygen may have on swallowing. Participants will be educated on common cardiopulmonary diagnoses and interventions, and how those may impact the SLP's assessment and intervention. Learners will also discuss the impact of tracheostomy and mechanical intervention of dysphagia and communication.

Tinnitus Diagnosis and Management: A Global Approach

This presentation will explore the customary methods of tinnitus management with the application of the principles of Sensation, Emotion and Cognition. The diagnostic protocols for tinnitus will be described and the role of audiologists in the management process of tinnitus with the use of acoustical and electrical (bimodal) stimulations will be discussed. Current research from our lab will be shared with the audience.

Pediatric Cochlear Implant Candidacy and Outcomes

This presentation will provide an overview of current pediatric cochlear implant candidacy guidelines, roles of the cochlear implant team and expectations counseling for families. Relevant research advocating for expanded guidelines will be reviewed. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in pediatric case study discussions.

Friday, February 14th 8:00-10:00 AM

Play-based Receptive Language Therapy: More Teaching, Less Testing

As speech-language pathologists we play a critical role in the development of receptive language skills. Though this is a major part of our role, little guidelines or evidence exist on the best ways to implement receptive language therapy into our sessions. This causes us to revert to writing goals that test our clients understanding, as opposed to teaching them the skills they need. This presentation integrates research on language development, motor development, and play-based therapy to give us better guidelines for supporting receptive language development in our clients.

Success with Stuttering: Holistic Therapy K-12

Stuttering is a complex communication disorder. Many cws develop social anxiety and avoidance habits. This program will provide an overview, demonstration, and video examples of providing holistic stuttering therapy for K-12. Holistic therapy for stuttering must offer CBT and traditional speech therapy strategies. This course will offer strategies to help with oral reading, public speaking, and every day verbal communication. Participants will also learn a framework for classroom support, disclosure for cws, and self-advocacy.

Sensory for the SLP

This course provides an overview of the external and internal sensory systems along with observable characteristics of sensory dysregulation. Understanding that sensory input drives motor and behavioral output provides the foundation for this course. The way young children take in, process, and respond to sensory information significantly affects the way they learn, develop, and behave. While occupational therapists are the professionals who specialize sensory integration therapy, it is important for SLPs to understand how to support children with sensory differences.

Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation of Patients with Oral Cavity and Oropharynx Cancers: Collaboration Between Speech-Language Pathology and Maxillofacial Prosthodontics

Oral and oropharyngeal cancers and their corresponding treatment interventions can have significant and negative impacts on speech and swallowing. This session will discuss treatment approaches to managing speech and swallowing issues as a result of surgical and/or chemoradiation treatment using a multi-disciplinary approach. Topics covered will include management of trismus, velopharyngeal incompetence/insufficiency (VPI), glossectomy, and prosthetics. The importance of multi-disciplinary collaboration and patient/caregiver support groups will be discussed.

AAC Implementation in the Classroom

This session will explore practical strategies to teach language using AAC. Specifically we will discuss how to support AAC use in the classroom environment including academic modifications, descriptive teaching, and visual supports. This session will focus on practical and easy to implement supports.

State Department of Education Updates

Get the latest updates on policies, procedures, and best practices for practicing speech-language pathology in Alabama's public schools.

Technology Today

The 3Shape ear impression scanner represents a significant technological advancement in manufacturing custom earmolds and hearing instruments. This high-precision device captures detailed 3D models of ear impressions, enhancing accuracy and efficiency. This presentation will explore the technical specifications, operational advantages, and clinical applications of the 3Shape ear impression scanner, highlighting its impact on the audiology field and its potential to set new standards in custom earmold and hearing instrument manufacturing.

Medical Genetics and its Application to Hearing and Speech

This presentation will delve into the intricate relationship between genetics and hearing loss, tailored specifically for audiologists and speech-language pathologists. Attendees will gain an understanding of medical genetics and explore the nuances of genetic evaluations and testing relevant to hearing and speech disorders. The session will highlight various genetic causes and syndromes associated with hearing loss, including relevant case examples to illustrate real-world applications. Ultimately, the goal is to provide hearing and speech professionals with insight to medical genetics applicable to their practice and patient care.

Rethinking Clinical Tools to Guide Audibility-Based Counseling for Children with Mild Bilateral Hearing Loss

Children with mild bilateral hearing loss (MBHL) continue to experience considerable delays in the provision of amplification and early intervention. Variability in outcomes for children with MBHL has resulted in uncertainty among professionals about whether and at what age to intervene. This talk will focus on development and implementation of more sensitive clinical tools for this population, including speech recognition testing and audibility-based counseling. Application of these tools to guide amplification candidacy will be discussed.

Friday, February 14th 10:30-12:30 PM

Assessment and Management of Pediatric Feeding Disorder in Alabama: Resources and Challenges

Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) is the diagnosis describing infants and children with impaired oral intake that impacts at least one of the following domains: medical, nutritional, psychosocial, and/or feeding skill. The prevalence of PFD is on the rise and is most often seen in children between 2-6 years of age. Despite increasing prevalence, professional resources available to assist families with PFD diagnosis and treatment remain inadequate. This session will explore the components of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary assessment for infants/children with suspected PFD. It will also review the empirical evidence in support of popular treatment programs for PFD. Finally, it will discuss the available resources in the state of Alabama for assessing and treating infants/children suspected of having PFD and discuss the need for expanding service options for infants/children in Alabama.

Empowering Child Development: A Holistic Approach to Speech Therapy

This workshop delves into the integration of holistic therapeutic techniques to foster comprehensive child development. Participants will explore strategies that go beyond traditional speech therapy, incorporating physical, emotional, and cognitive approaches to support children’s communication skills. Through interactive sessions, case studies, and hands-on activities, attendees will learn to create personalized, multi-faceted therapy plans. Enhance your professional practice by understanding and applying holistic methods to empower children’s speech and overall development.

Building Executive Function Skills Through Play-Based Learning

This course provides insight into how to facilitate the development of executive function skills through play-based learning. Being able to plan, organize, inhibit responses, follow multi-step directions, stay focused, complete tasks amid distractions, be resilient, delay gratification, and be a flexible thinker are skills that set young children up for success in school and in life. Research shows that executive function skills develop most rapidly between ages 3 and 5, making high-quality early childhood services critical for optimal growth and development.

AAC Support: Collaborating with Teachers and Caregivers

Supporting AAC learning requires a team and collaboration is key. This session will explore strategies to coach and collaborate with teachers and caregivers to maximize AAC use across environments. We will discuss strategies to build relationships, solve problems and work with others in a way that is enjoyable and efficient.

The Evolution and Future of Teletherapy: Demonstrating Its Efficacy and Advantages

Join Sandy Broderway and Alana Flow as they share their journeys as speech-language pathologists and their passion for teletherapy. Inspired by personal experiences, they strive to impact children's lives positively. Teletherapy, with roots in early communication technologies, offers flexibility and accessibility. Despite initial concerns, it proves to be as effective as in-person sessions. Backed by research and real-life success stories, they will discuss how teletherapy breaks barriers, enhances engagement, and continues to innovate. Their love for this field is driven by transformative changes, making teletherapy an essential part of modern speech-language pathology.

Thinking Above and Beyond: Understanding Cognition for Speech- Language Pathology

This course discusses the intricate relationship between cognition and the body systems, providing speech-language pathologists with the foundational knowledge and practical tools necessary to understand and manage cognitive impairments in various clinical settings. Through the exploration of cognitive changes stemming from various medical conditions, attendees will gain insight into the implications of hospitalization, hospital readmission, and mortality rates associated with cognitive decline. Furthermore, this course will highlight the role of the SLP in managing patients with cognitive deficits, adhering to ASHA guidelines. Participants will also review and apply evidence-based cognitive assessments and therapeutic approaches tailored for diverse clinical environments and diagnoses.

Uncovering the Mysteries about Misophonia and How to Manage it!

This presentation will address the current understanding of neurologic, psychologic, and biologic factors associated with misophonia. Additionally, the audience will be familiarized with the audiologic evaluation of misophonia. Finally, our ongoing research in the management and accommodations for this condition will be shared with the audience.

Friday, February 14th 1:30-3:30

Exploring the Potential of Orofacial Myology: Integrative Approaches for Improved Patient Outcomes in Speech and Feeding Therapy

Orofacial myology has been around for decades but has become a topic of conversation and debate in recent years. Many questions surround this modality: What is it? Is it legitimate? Should it have been part of our academic curriculum? Can it genuinely benefit our patients or students? This session aims to clarify the specialty of orofacial myology by answering these pivotal questions and offering training both in foundational concepts and practical techniques for therapy. Attendees will leave with a foundational understanding of orofacial myology and actionable strategies for improved patient care.

Assistant for Hire: Partner with AI to Lighten Your Workload

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can reduce workload demands, increase productivity, and enhance the quality of treatment materials and activities across clinical settings and populations. However, many SLPs feel overwhelmed and unsure how to incorporate AI into clinical practice. This course will provide a deeper understanding of AI, and its potential to develop individualized lessons and materials. Best practices for managing the limitations of AI platforms and addressing ethical considerations will be discussed. Strategies and specific AI platforms will be demonstrated to provide novice and intermediate users the tools and confidence needed for partnering with AI to streamline clinical workflow.

Traits of a Neurodiversity-Affirming SLP

The Neurodiversity Movement is a social justice and civil rights movement that intersects with the disability rights movement (Hughes, 2016). This course outlines the traits of neurodiversity-affirming SLPs so they can create supportive therapy services that foster inclusion and positive outcomes for their Autistic clients.

Unlocking Potential with AAC: Empowering the SLP to break through challenges, enhance engagement, and achieve success in therapy

This session will take a look at some components that contribute to successful and enjoyable engagement with AAC users and their communication device. There are times when a client (or therapist) leaves the session crying. We want to provide you with the resources you need to feel prepared not only for success, but to have shared enjoyment with your client during these sessions. We will explore the use of core vocabulary, as well as the importance of maintaining a motor plan layout, and how these two components can enable even a novice AAC user to be able to expand communication skills more quickly. Participants will have the opportunity to use a variety of built-in tools that will have a positive impact on treatment efficiency and effectiveness. Finally, participants will have the opportunity to practice using various teaching strategies through instructor guided hands on activities. You are encouraged to bring your personal or work iPads with downloaded softwares/AAC devices to this training. If you do not have access to these resources, they will be provided for the hands on activities. Abstract/Summary: 3 Despite the growing number of AAC users and increased accessibility to communication software, the persistent issue of device abandonment reflects a broader problem. The lack of progress in AAC related treatment sessions is a central concern. This challenge arises from Speech Language Pathologists not feeling adequately equipped to target communication skills with clients who require the use of AAC, leading to discouraging sessions for both therapist and clients. The argument underscores the pressing need for not only comprehensive training, but also ongoing support in addressing the complexities of AAC device implementation in therapy. Bridging this gap is crucial to enhancing therapist confidence, addressing device abandonment, and ultimately improving outcomes for individuals relying on AAC devices. As technology advances, the importance of equipping professionals with the necessary skills to navigate these tools becomes increasingly evident in ensuring successful communication interventions.

Meta Therapy Tools for Muscle Tension Dysphonia

This session will overview meta therapy strategies to remediate voice related issues in patients with primary and secondary muscle tension dysphonia. These strategies have been consistently used with clients that have high or low vocal loads, that have known or unknown causes for their muscle tension dysphonia. Comparisons of these methods to established methods in our literature with known functional outcomes will be addressed. This delivery of instruction method, establishes good vocal quality and helps sustain a long term vocal health care plan as the ultimate goal. Methods and voice tools, to be presented to the audience include: Your Voice House, Voice CORE4, and Voice Lifters. Written descriptions of clients explaining how these methods were used to improve their voice will be discussed and insights into how the speakers “delivery of instruction”’ impacted their progress. Audio and video recording samples from before and after treatment, will also be presented.

Strengthen Clinical Skills in Determining the Presence of Speech Production Disorder or Difference in Children

Linguistic diversity is projected to increase in the United States over the next several decades. Many clinicians recognize and understand implications of correctly distinguishing speech production differences and disorders during assessment. However, practically determining this nuance may pose as a challenge. This presentation will provide a resource that can be applied to an analysis methodology allowing clinicians to understand the speech system of linguistically diverse children. Through heightened understanding, clinicians will boost their ability to identify the possibility of a speech production difference, disorder, or a co-existence of both in linguistically diverse children. Application of this resource in the clinical decision-making process may assist in mitigating the over- or under-identification of speech sound disorder, elevating multi-lingual and -dialectal children services.

Sentio System: Feel It to Believe It

This presentation will provide an introduction to Oticon Medical's New Active Transcutaneous System, Sentio. It will provide attendees with information regarding both audiological and surgical procedures and outcomes.

Student Poster Presentations Thursday, February 13th 2:00-2:30 PM and Friday, February 14th 10:00-10:30 AM

Examining what Speech Sound Errors can tell us about Word Reading and Spelling

Measurement of speech sound errors (SSE) and consideration of language may better predict risk for word reading and spelling difficulties. The present study examined SSE to predict word reading and spelling in children while accounting for language. Previously collected speech, language, and literacy assessments were examined from children with varying speech production abilities. Productions were scored to determine proportion of errors and characterization of each error. Preliminary results suggest that SSE predicts word reading and spelling. Analyzing SSE earlier may identify children at risk for word reading and spelling difficulties and inform SLP services optimizing speech production and academic outcomes.

Application of the Systematic Pathway of Early Intervention Relational Outcomes (SPROUT) Framework to Speech-Language Pathology Services

The Systematic Pathway of early intervention Relational OUTcomes (SPROUT) framework was developed to identify and consider the interplay of factors related to early intervention service (EIS) access and usability. Application of the SPROUT framework to the state of Alabama EIS program will occur focusing on the identification of SLP service barriers. For each identified barrier, a possible solution that may remove or minimize the impact on access and use of SLP services will be suggested. Examination of EIS programs throughout the nation using SPROUT could identify specific barriers that inform solution development, elevating the accessibility and usability of EIS.

Spelling Similarities and Differences between Children with and without Speech Sound Disorder

Children with speech sound disorder (SSD) demonstrate lower spelling accuracy than peers with typical speech (TS). Minimal research has examined error type and considered language in addition to spelling accuracy. This study examined spelling accuracy and error types in children with SSD and children with TS while accounting for language. Preliminary analyses suggest that the SSD group demonstrated lower spelling accuracy and more errors related to phonological and orthographic aspects of words as compared to TS peers. Spelling accuracy and errors in SSD may inform intervention that promotes speech production and academic achievement.

Neurocomputational Phenotypes in Female and Male Autistic Individuals

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by differences in social communication and social interaction. The symptoms of autism often manifest differently between men and women. However, diagnostic criteria for autism tends to be biased towards symptoms more commonly shown in autistic males, leading to the underdiagnosis of autistic women. These sex-based differences in communicative behavior may originate from differences in neurocomputational properties of brain organization. The present study looked to examine the relationship between one neurocomputational measure of brain organization, the local power-law exponent, in autistic vs. neurotypical, as well as male vs. female participants.

Educational gaps in standardized testing: The impact on ELL students with speech/language impairments

English-language learners (ELLs) represent a growing segment of U.S. students, more than 10% of enrollment. Yet, information on ELLs with speech/language impairments and school practices remains sparse. This study identifies ELL students who failed standardized exams and explores educators' beliefs regarding ELLs. The former was analyzed using public databases. The latter was investigated through surveys sent to educators in Pasco County, FL. Educators demonstrated consistent practices, but views on standardized testing of ELLs were mixed. Notably, no ELL students with speech/language impairments passed the English FSA in 2021 or 2024, highlighting significant educational gaps with potential academic and socio-emotional consequences.

The Relationship Between Race, Rural Living Status, and Access to AAC Services

Rural Black families in America are less likely to receive equal access to speech-language pathology services (Strickland & Strickland, 1996). However, limited empirical research has analyzed the effect of racial and geographic disparities on accessing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The current study implemented a nationwide survey to better characterize disparities in access to AAC associated with racial and geographic characteristics. This study amplifies the discussion on inequality in access to AAC services and supports for children in underrepresented communities. Similar research suggests significant disparities affecting opportunities to AAC access based on race and geographical location. Implications and directions for future research are discussed in terms of equal access to AAC services for all communities and systemic change.

Speech Language Pathology in Post-Acute Care…The Rest of the Story

The demand for speech-language pathology services for older adults is growing. Questions arise about delivering high quality care in Medicare and managed care systems. The post-acute care setting is challenging and speech –language pathologists (SLPs) wonder if they possess knowledge and skills needed to work with medically complex patients. Alabama’s two largest rehabilitation providers for skilled nursing facilities team up to address SLP evaluation and treatment considerations for this population.

Student Presentation

*Not offered for CE*

You've Almost Earned Your Degree! What's Next? Preparing for Your Future as an SLP!

So many questions about your next steps swirl about your mind as you enter that final year of grad school! Let's get your questions answered. Plan to walk away from this session feeling empowered and ready to land a CF position!

The Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama

admin@alabamashaa.com

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 380124, Birmingham, AL 35238-0124

Phone: (205) 873-6667

We are currently experiencing more calls than normal with convention and membership, please email admin@alabamashaa.com before calling and we will get back to you ASAP!