The importance of parent-child interaction (PCI) for language development has been well established. This has led many speech and language therapy (SLT) interventions to focus on modifying PCI as a means to improving children's early language delay. However, the success of such programs is mixed. The current review compares PCI, observed in…

This literature review examines the present level of evidence in support of communication-based treatments for children with autism spectrum disorders. Reviews to date have reported on research published through 2002. The current article included 36 studies published between 2002 and 2007. Best available evidence is presented for seven treatment…

State licensure laws in speech-language pathology and audiology vary from state to state. Natural disaster displacements as well as trends in job mobility have increased the need for licensees to be able to have more fluidity in practicing from 1 state to another. Additionally, literature reviews on the history of professional licensure…

Forty years of peer-reviewed research in literacy and 50 years of research in mathematics were systematically analyzed to determine the evidence supporting instructional pedagogy for students with visual disabilities. Review teams identified 30 intervention studies that utilized an appropriate comparison group. Although some studies had large…

Various aspects of the research literature on early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) have been poorly understood within the psychological, educational, and advocacy communities. Examination of the studies that are frequently cited by proponents of EIBI suggests that the expectation that 47 percent of youngsters who receive EIBI will reach…

Children acquire communication skills within a socially and culturally influenced context. Communication professionals need to be aware of the ways cultural differences influence communication. This article describes the influence of cultural backgrounds on communication patterns along a continuum of behaviors. The purpose is to review relevant…

The first of two articles on play reviews the development of play in typically developing infants, toddlers, and young children, including Piaget's observations on the development of play; developmental play research following Piaget (research by Lunzer, Sinclair, Lezine, Lowe, Rosenblatt, Uzgiris and Hunt, Fenson and others, Watson and Fischer,…

The second of two articles on play reviews the construct of play and its development in typically developing infants, toddlers, and young children. It considers developmental levels of play from early sensorimotor-exploratory to symbolic play involving the functional components of agent, instrument, and scheme. A developmentally based,…

This article discusses alternative language assessment approaches with children for whom English is a second language. Advantages and disadvantages of each approach are noted. Also, results of a preliminary investigation with 28 bilingual Latino children using modifications of the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals are presented.…

This article reviews critical learning and behavioral problems of children exposed prenatally to alcohol and other drugs, especially executive function deficits. It considers risk factors associated with prenatal drug exposure and effective classroom interventions for executive function deficits in nonverbal working memory, internalization of…

This article presents both the factors involved in successful speech input use and the potential barriers that may suggest that other access technologies could be more appropriate for a given individual. Speech input options that are available are reviewed and strategies for optimizing use of speech recognition technology are discussed. (Contains…

This article highlights the debut of a new three-digit number for access to all Telecommunication Relay Services. Under new federal rules, 711 dialing must be provided by all U.S. telecommunication carriers, including wireline, wireless, and payphone providers. In addition, carriers are required to publicize the availability of 711 access. (CR)

This fact sheet discusses the Speech to Speech (STS) free telephone service that provides communication assistants (CAs) for people who have difficulty being understood by the public on the telephone. Unlike telecommunications devices, STS enables people with speech disabilities who have difficulty typing to communicate by voice through CAs. (CR)

This article proposes a systems approach for dealing with change in the delivery of speech-language pathology services, particularly as it relates to implementing service delivery with speech-language pathology assistants. Sequential steps in a systematic framework for promoting inclusion of assistants in service delivery are described. (Contains…

Ten factors are discussed for promoting the success of students who are deaf: family involvement; self-determination; extracurricular activities; friendships and social skills; self-advocacy skills; collaboration and communication with general education teachers; pre-teaching and post-teaching materials in general education classrooms;…