Adoption of Telepractice for Speech-Language Services

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Joneen Lowman ◽  
Harold L. Kleinert

Little information exists regarding the statewide adoption of telepractice, the delivery of speech-language services at a distance through telecommunications, for addressing the documented shortage of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in rural communities. A statewide survey of directors of special education revealed that only two school districts out of 87 respondents had adopted telepractice as a means of addressing job vacancies, whereas 79% ( n = 69) of the districts had never considered telepractice. A lack of knowledge about telepractice was not the primary barrier to adoption. Instead, concerns about the validity of telepractice, technology-related concerns, and inadequate support staff were noted as barriers to adoption.

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce A. Shields ◽  
Mindy S. Scirri ◽  
Michael R. Berta ◽  
Kara M. Klump

Rural school districts face different challenges than urban and suburban districts. In fact, several Rural Systemic Initiatives (RSIs) have been established around the country to isolate and address rural school district issues (Harmon & Smith, 2012). In order to improve the effectiveness of transition services in rural schools, feedback from stakeholders in the process is vital. Directors of special education, specifically, must work to facilitate a quality and seamless process for transition despite challenges, and those working in rural settings may face additional obstacles. This study examines the perspectives of these front-line providers in order to begin to understand the difficulties that rural school districts, in particular, must overcome. The challenges and suggestions expressed by directors of special education impact the trajectory of improvements that need to be made in rural education transition services.  These improvements will not only streamline processes for rural educators and staff involved in transition, but will ultimately benefit the families they serve.


2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 149-155
Author(s):  
Sharon Ross ◽  
Marcia Harding

Abstract Rules and regulations governing the use of support personnel in Arkansas were approved in 1996. These regulations allow school districts to employ support personnel, assistants or aides, to assist master's level speech-language pathologists (SLPs) with clerical and clinical tasks. School district personnel must develop proposals, receive approval, and participate in training before the support personnel can be used in the delivery of speech-language services. The supervising SLPs manage the caseload, provide direct services, and supervise the support personnel. This model of service delivery has been used effectively in Arkansas schools to enhance services provided by the SLPs. Support personnel are employed primarily in the rural parts of the state where there is a shortage of SLPs.


Author(s):  
Melissa A. Pierce

In countries other than the United States, the study and practice of speech-language pathology is little known or nonexistent. Recognition of professionals in the field is minimal. Speech-language pathologists in countries where speech-language pathology is a widely recognized and respected profession often seek to share their expertise in places where little support is available for individuals with communication disorders. The Peace Corps offers a unique, long-term volunteer opportunity to people with a variety of backgrounds, including speech-language pathologists. Though Peace Corps programs do not specifically focus on speech-language pathology, many are easily adapted to the profession because they support populations of people with disabilities. This article describes how the needs of local children with communication disorders are readily addressed by a Special Education Peace Corps volunteer.


2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 93-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Breit-Smith ◽  
Jamie Busch ◽  
Ying Guo

Although a general limited availability of expository texts currently exists in preschool special education classrooms, expository texts offer speech-language pathologists (SLPs) a rich context for addressing the language goals of preschool children with language impairment on their caseloads. Thus, this article highlights the differences between expository and narrative texts and describes how SLPs might use expository texts for targeting preschool children's goals related to listening comprehension, vocabulary, and syntactic relationships.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 79-95
Author(s):  
Latifa Alsalmi ◽  
Robert Mayo

Presently, no clear picture is available about the facilities providing clinical services for persons who stutter (PWS) in Kuwait. This information is crucial for any awareness program to be established in the future. The purpose of this study was to identify clinical facilities and speech-language personnel that provide services for PWS in Kuwait. Participants consisted of 21 clinical directors of governmental medical centers, non-profit clinics, and private clinics as well as department heads of governmental school clinics where speech-language services were provided. Participants were interviewed regarding the availability of speech-language services within their centers and whether or not PWS receive services. The results revealed that four out of five governmental medical centers with a total of 32 speech-language pathologists (SLPs) provided services for PWS. Additionally, 12 schools of special education were found to have 62 SLPs on their staff providing fluency services for students. Finally, two stand-alone private clinics and one non-profit clinic provided services for PWS. Results indicated an overall shortage of SLPs in the country, especially in medical settings. This study sets the foundation for a series of future studies investigating the type and quality of stuttering services provided by the identified facilities in Kuwait.


AERA Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 233285842199114
Author(s):  
Phuong Nguyen-Hoang

Tax increment financing (TIF)—an economic (re)development tool originally designed for urban cities—has been available to rural communities for decades. This is the first study to focus solely on TIF in rural school districts, to examine TIF effects on school districts’ property tax base and rates, and to conduct event-study estimations of TIF effects. The study finds that TIF has mostly positive effects on rural school districts’ property tax base and mixed effects on property tax rates, and that TIF-induced increases in tax base come primarily from residential property and slightly from commercial property. The study’s findings assert the importance of returned excess increment if rural school districts in Iowa and many other states are to benefit from TIF.


2021 ◽  
pp. 875687052098229
Author(s):  
Elif Tekin-Iftar ◽  
Bree A. Jimenez ◽  
Hatice Deniz Degirmenci

A global perspective of education, special education, rural communities, and non-traditional instruction is provided for two countries. Both Turkey and Australia have responded to the COVID-19 global pandemic in similar yet, different ways. Through the tale of two countries navigating the rapid response to school closure for students with disabilities, we all can gain understanding from examining strategies used by national, state, and local governments; school systems; and support agencies. From these strategies, we can determine effective and efficient models moving forward that support all students (e.g., students with mental health and medical needs) through non-traditional education during natural disasters, pandemics, or unexpected events


Author(s):  
Julia P. Unger ◽  
David A. DeBonis ◽  
Anthony R. Amitrano

Purpose The purpose of this survey research is to provide preliminary data regarding speech-language pathologists' (SLPs') perceptions of the role that social justice (SJ) plays in their work. As our professional organizations call us to advocate and communicate with regulatory agencies and legislative bodies to promote quality care for all individuals, this topic has become particularly important at this time. At present, there is a lack of data in peer-reviewed publications within the discipline of communication disorders on SJ and even less regarding the perceptions of SLPs on SJ. Method The survey was sent to American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)-certified SLPs, identified by the ASHA ProFind database, across six U.S. geographic regions, including both urban and rural communities. Four themes were explored through the survey: (a) importance of SJ, (b) awareness of SJ, (c) current practices related to SJ, and (d) barriers to SJ implementation. Results The majority of respondents view SJ as important to the profession (91.2%) and value the work of creating equality among groups (96.0%). Many SLPs are actively involved in implementing SJ principles in their own practice by accepting Medicaid (40.7%), engaging in political outreach (55.0%), and providing transdisciplinary educational outreach (77.9%). Identified barriers to incorporating SJ include time (62.7%), resources (65.6%), and finances (70.0%). Conclusions Working for SJ is important to a majority of the respondents, and various efforts are implemented to create equal opportunities for service to clients. Barriers continue to exist that limit the degree to which SLPs can work toward SJ. A list of actions to be considered in order to promote SJ in the field is provided. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.16584044


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