This survey of 31 speech-language pathologists who had adopted or were considering adopting integrated service delivery models examined their perceptions of their expertise; classroom teacher expertise; types of speech and language services provided in classrooms; characteristics of students served; and advantages and disadvantages of integrated…

This article describes a 16-session training program to improve analogical reasoning skills in school-age children with language disorders, patterned after R. Sternberg's componential theory of analogical reasoning. Phase I consists of mediated learning experiences in which the instructor focuses on the direct instruction of the component…

This article reviews the concept and derivation of age-equivalent scores as evidence for speech-language deficits. It presents arguments against the use of age-equivalent scores in case management decisions and recommends that, when used, a report include a clear explanation of their true meaning and other summaries of test performance. (Author/DB)

This article presents several rationales for improved recordkeeping and contracting between speech-language therapists and parents or students. Contracting, therapy, and recording are conceptualized as inseparable, interrelated components of a holistic approach to student improvement. Employers, funding bodies, and accrediting bodies need to…

This article reviews 19 common myths in voice therapy. Issues examined include developmental factors, iatrogenic voice disorders, breathing habits, optimum pitch, palate training, and etiology based on perceptual cues. More referral, assessment, and decision making are needed, as well as development of standards for the management of voice…

This article discusses sources of difficulty that language-impaired children and adolescents often have in understanding the various aspects of humor. General and specific techniques for remediating humor comprehension deficits are offered. Suggestions are also given for using humor materials in remediation of other areas of language impairment.…

This article examines issues in language assessment in children exposed to two languages, including arrested language development in preschool children, arrested development and language loss in school-age children, effects of educational policy (especially the devaluation of non-English languages) on bilingualism, problems in primary language…

This case study describes a criterion-referenced method of assessing the speech and language of a young child who speaks an uncommon or unfamiliar English dialect. The method, Parent Child Comparative Analysis, involves administering an identical test battery to parent and child and interpreting the child's performance in relation to the parent's.…

Fifty-two severely handicapped children (ages 3-12) were trained on communication skills using microprocessor technology. Positive effects were found for the additional computer language training, especially on the specific vocabulary taught, a cluster of general language measures, and teacher and parent measures of social interaction skills. (DB)

The severity of phonological involvement of 20 phonologically impaired children (ages 5-9) was compared using 5 measures: phonological deviance scores, percent consonants correct based on either connected speech or single words, and perceptual ratings from elementary education majors and graduate students in speech-language pathology. All five…

This study explored whether standard administration and scoring of conventional articulation tests accurately identified 20 children (ages 5-9) as phonologically disordered and whether test data established severity levels and programing needs. Tests correctly identified the phonological disorders but failed to reliably differentiate severity…

Students (n=1,500) in grades 2, 8, and 12 were given pure-tone threshold hearing tests to determine whether prevalence of hearing loss varied with age. A significantly higher prevalence of hearing loss was found in older children. Comparison with earlier data found a greater prevalence of hearing loss among second and eighth graders today than 10…

Three children with normally developing language who served as peer models in a preschool classroom for language-impaired children were observed, to evaluate their performance as language models. Results indicated wide variation in the amount of time each child spent engaging language-impaired classmates in activities and conversation. (DB)

A survey completed by 13 speech-language pathologists and 18 teachers of hearing-impaired students examined parameters of instruction for developing oral communication. It specifically focused on attitudes about professional preparation, roles, professional responsibilities, and parameters of direct instruction. Recommendations for collaboration…

A questionnaire asking respondents to list adjectives describing 4 hypothetical stutterers (2 8 year olds and 2 adults) was completed by 103 elementary and secondary teachers. The majority of reported adjectives were negative stereotypical personality traits, indicating perceptions of stutterers similar to other groups including speech-language…