scholarly journals Implications of Variability in Clinical Bedside Swallowing Assessment Practices by Speech Language Pathologists

Dysphagia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 650-662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue McAllister ◽  
Samantha Kruger ◽  
Sebastian Doeltgen ◽  
Emma Tyler-Boltrek
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Practices ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Swallowing Assessment

School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists' Adherence to Practice Guidelines for Assessment of English Learners

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Virginia L. Dubasik ◽  
Dubravka Svetina Valdivia
Keyword(s):  
Professional Practice ◽  
Practice Guidelines ◽  
Case History ◽  
English Learners ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Dynamic Assessment ◽  
Federal Legislation ◽  
Assessment Practices ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
School Based

Purpose The purpose of this study was to ascertain the extent to which school-based speech-language pathologists' (SLPs) assessment practices with individual English learners (ELs) align with federal legislation and professional practice guidelines. Specifically, we were interested in examining SLPs' use of multiple tools during individual EL assessments, as well as relationships between practices and number of types of training experiences. Method School-based SLPs in a Midwestern state were recruited in person or via e-mail to complete an online survey pertaining to assessment. Of the 562 respondents who completed the survey, 222 (39.5%) indicated past or present experience with ELs, and thus, their data were included in the analyses. The questionnaire solicited information about respondent's demographics, caseload composition, perceived knowledge and skills and training experiences pertaining to working with ELs (e.g., graduate school, self-teaching, professional conferences), and assessment practices used in schools. Results The majority of respondents reported using multiple tools rather than a single tool with each EL they assess. Case history and observation were tools used often or always by the largest number of participants. SLPs who used multiple tools reported using both direct (e.g., standardized tests, dynamic assessment) and indirect tools (e.g., case history, interviews). Analyses revealed low to moderate positive associations between tools, as well as the use of speech-language samples and number of types of training experiences. Conclusions School-based SLPs in the current study reported using EL assessment practices that comply with federal legislation and professional practice guidelines for EL assessment. These results enhance our understanding of school-based SLPs' assessment practices with ELs and may be indicative of a positive shift toward evidence-based practice.

Dynamic Assessment With Bilinguals: A Focus on Increasing Clinicians' Confidence

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 112-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda K. Gorman
Keyword(s):  
Standardized Tests ◽  
Dynamic Assessment ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
Bilingual Children ◽  
Assessment Practices ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Idea 2004 ◽  
Disabilities Education Act ◽  
Effective Dynamic ◽  
Education Act

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are obligated to judiciously select and administer appropriate assessments without inherent cultural or linguistic bias (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA], 2004). Nevertheless, clinicians continue to struggle with appropriate assessment practices for bilingual children, and diagnostic decisions are too often based on standardized tests that were normed predominately on monolingual English speakers (Caesar & Kohler, 2007). Dynamic assessment is intended to be a valid and unbiased approach for ascertaining what a child knows and can do, yet many speech-language pathologists (SLPs) struggle in knowing what and how to assess within this paradigm. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to present a clinical scenario and summarize extant research on effective dynamic language assessment practices, with a focus on specific language tasks and procedures, in order to foster SLPs' confidence in their use of dynamic assessment with bilingual children.

How Can Speech-Language Pathologists Think About Sensation During Swallowing Evaluation and Intervention?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Aarthi Madhavan ◽  
Nicole M. Etter
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Treatment ◽  
Sensory Information ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Functional Results ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Swallowing Evaluation ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Swallowing Assessment

Purpose Both the enjoyment of foods and safe swallowing revolve around incorporating multiple streams of sensory feedback to form a positive sensory experience; these include information about the taste, smell, texture, temperature, and even the sight of food. Traditional swallowing assessment and treatment paradigms have primarily focused on the motor aspects of swallowing. However, sensory information is vital for not only enjoying foods while eating but also coordinating safe and efficient swallow behaviors. The purpose of this clinical focus article is to discuss the clinical importance of sensation in swallowing evaluation and intervention. Conclusions During their clinical assessments of swallowing, speech-language pathologists are already documenting the functional results of oropharyngeal sensorimotor impairments (e.g., residue). A combination of sensory and motor aspects is already integrated within current behavioral treatment strategies for dysphagia. Focused attention to the salient sensory features of swallowing has the potential to improve swallowing evaluation and intervention efforts. A discussion of potential future research in improved measurement and documentation of altered sensation is provided.

Dysphagia Identification and Assessment in Adults in Primary Care Settings—A Canadian Study of Dietitians

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Michele Macdonald Werstuck ◽  
Cindy Steel
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Significant Risk Factor ◽  
Scope Of Practice ◽  
Assessment Practices ◽  
Screening Process ◽  
Primary Care Settings ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Swallowing Assessment

Dysphagia affects up to 35% of older adults living in the community and is considered a significant risk factor for malnutrition and aspiration. Early intervention is important, yet dietitian referrals for dysphagia management in primary care are disproportionately low considering the prevalence of dysphagia and its risk factors. As little is known about dietitian’s current dysphagia identification and assessment practices in Canada, an online survey was developed. Registered dietitians practicing in primary care were invited to participate. Of the 70 surveys completed, nearly 75% do not have a dysphagia screening process where they practice, and only 8% reported performing noninstrumental, clinical swallowing assessment (CSA). Lack of competency or skills required to complete dysphagia screening and assessment was the most reported barrier. Many respondents were unsure or did not believe CSA fell within their scope of practice, and over 70% reported needing hands-on dysphagia screening and assessment training. Current practices in primary care could be placing individuals with dysphagia, and those at risk, in jeopardy of being overlooked. Initiatives to increase dysphagia awareness, create screening processes, and increase awareness of dietitian’s scope of practice are needed to enable primary care dietitians to develop competency in dysphagia screening and assessment.

Writing Funding Proposals for Speech-Language Staff Development Projects

1982 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 163-171
Author(s):  
Carol A. Esterreicher ◽  
Ralph J. Haws
Keyword(s):  
Staff Development ◽  
Development Project ◽  
Project Manager ◽  
State Funding ◽  
Service Needs ◽  
School Environments ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Service Programs ◽  
Speech Language Pathologist ◽  
Special Programs

Speech-language pathologists providing services to handicapped children have pointed out that special education in-service programs in their public school environments frequently do not satisfy the need for updating specific diagnostic and therapy skills. It is the purpose of this article to alert speech-language pathologists to PL 94-142 regulations providing for personnel development, and to inform them of ways to seek state funding for projects to meet their specialized in-service needs. Although a brief project summary is included, primarily the article outlines a procedure whereby the project manager (a speech-language pathologist) and the project director (an administrator in charge of special programs in a Utah school district) collaborated successfully to propose a staff development project which was funded.

Language Test Content

1983 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Owens ◽  
Martha J. Haney ◽  
Virginia E. Giesow ◽  
Lisa F. Dooley ◽  
Richard J. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Test Item ◽  
Language Assessment ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Language Test ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Diagnostic Aid ◽  
Item Content

This paper examines the test item content of several language assessment tools. A comparison of test breadth and depth is presented. The resultant information provides a diagnostic aid for school speech-language pathologists.

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