The Unicorn: The Rarity of Males in Speech-Language Pathology

Campos, Iván; Skiados, Mike; Flynn, Perry

doi:10.1044/persp3.sig17.29

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…In addition, our sample comprised 30 female participants and only one male participant. However, the male-to-female ratio represents the current gender distribution among speech and language therapy students (83) and practitioners (84) but not the ratio among adults who stutter, as males are twice as often affected than females are (85). Finally, while all but one of our participants wore FFP2 face masks during the study due to COVID-19 safety regulations, we cannot exclude the possibility that wearing face masks affected our sample, although those effects are unlikely to have distorted our results in a meaningful way (86).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neural mechanisms underlying different aspects of pseudostuttering versus fluent speech during spontaneous speech production.

Niephaus,

Konrad,

Guzik

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Although “artificial stuttering”, also known as pseudostuttering, represents a well-controlled technique for exploring disfluencies in spontaneous speech, little is known about the exact neural mechanisms involved in pseudostuttering. More specifically, previous research has not considered different types of pseudostuttering symptoms, such as repetitions or prolongations. To address this research gap, we performed functional near-infrared spectroscopy on N= 31 adult participants to measure their brain activity in left fronto-parieto-temporal regions during spontaneous speech under three conditions: habitual (fluent) speech, voluntary produced repetitions, and prolongations. We found greater activation during pseudostuttering than during habitual speech in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, inferior frontal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, premotor cortex, supplementary motor area, supramarginal gyrus, and superior temporal gyrus, with no significant differences between repetitions and prolongations. These results support previous activation findings in the supplementary motor area and superior temporal gyrus obtained during simulated repetitions while reading and extend them to include activations in cortical areas related to speech motor control, sentence generation and working memory during simulated prolongations and repetitions in naturalistic spontaneous speech production. Our findings underscore the potential of employing pseudostuttering paradigms in real-world contexts, such as conversational discourse, as a valuable tool to elucidate the neural underpinnings of speech disfluency and its implications for the speaker.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neural mechanisms underlying different aspects of pseudostuttering versus fluent speech during spontaneous speech production.

Niephaus,

Konrad,

Guzik

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Furthermore, 97.68% of survey respondents were female. Although this may be representative of the extreme occupational gender imbalance within the field, it may not accurately represent the percentage of male SLPs working in public schools (Campos et al, 2018). Similar to other screen time studies, the current study is cross-sectional in which a specific group's behaviors are examined at a moment in time.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plugged In: Screen-Based Device Use Among U.S. Public School Speech-Language Pathologists and Associated Clinical Characteristics

Sauermilch

2021

J Spec Educ Technol

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School-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are increasingly confronted with opportunities to use screen-based devices. In order to fully investigate how technology impacts therapeutic efficacy, it is imperative to first understand how and why SLPs utilize technology. This study explores: (a) the frequency with which SLPs use eight types of screen-based devices during direct intervention; (b) how student and SLP characteristics impact device use; and (c) the clinical rationales supporting device use. Using a self-administered, online questionnaire, 261 SLPs reported that technology use contributes to perceptions of increased clinical effectiveness. Results indicate tablets are the most frequently used device; however, student age, specific communication disorders, and service delivery model significantly impact the type and frequency of device use. Furthermore, academic materials and traditional activities continue to be the predominant format of intervention activities. Findings provide insight into how SLPs balance the allure of screen-based devices with student needs, professional characteristics, and the educational environment.

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“…Overall, 96.9% (223/230) of the respondents were women, which is unsurprising given that SLT is largely a female-dominated profession [38,39]. The respondents mostly worked within the UK NHS, with an even balance of early career and experienced practitioners.…”

Section: Overviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Speech and Language Practitioners’ Experiences of Commercially Available Voice-Assisted Technology: Web-Based Survey Study (Preprint)

Kulkarni¹,

Duffy²,

Synnott³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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BACKGROUND Speech and language therapy involves the identification, assessment, and treatment of children and adults who have difficulties with communication, eating, drinking, and swallowing. Globally, pressing needs outstrip the availability of qualified practitioners who, of necessity, focus on individuals with advanced needs. The potential of voice-assisted technology (VAT) to assist people with speech impairments is an emerging area of research but empirical work exploring its professional adoption is limited. OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore the professional experiences of speech and language therapists (SaLTs) using VAT with their clients to identify the potential applications and barriers to VAT adoption and thereby inform future directions of research. METHODS A 23-question survey was distributed to the SaLTs from the United Kingdom using a web-based platform, eliciting both checkbox and free-text responses, to questions on perceptions and any use experiences of VAT. Data were analyzed descriptively with content analysis of free text, providing context to their specific experiences of using VAT in practice, including barriers and opportunities for future use. RESULTS A total of 230 UK-based professionals fully completed the survey; most were technologically competent and were aware of commercial VATs (such as <i>Alexa</i> and <i>Google Assistant</i>). However, only 49 (21.3%) SaLTs had used VAT with their clients and described 57 use cases. They reported using VAT with 10 different client groups, such as people with dysarthria and users of augmentative and alternative communication technologies. Of these, almost half (28/57, 49%) used the technology to assist their clients with day-to-day tasks, such as web browsing, setting up reminders, sending messages, and playing music. Many respondents (21/57, 37%) also reported using the technology to improve client speech, to facilitate speech practice at home, and to enhance articulation and volume. Most reported a positive impact of VAT use, stating improved independence (22/57, 39%), accessibility (6/57, 10%), and confidence (5/57, 8%). Some respondents reported increased client communication (5/57, 9%) and sociability (3/57, 5%). Reasons given for not using VAT in practice included lack of opportunity (131/181, 72.4%) and training (63/181, 34.8%). Most respondents (154/181, 85.1%) indicated that they would like to try VAT in the future, stating that it could have a positive impact on their clients’ speech, independence, and confidence. CONCLUSIONS VAT is used by some UK-based SaLTs to enable communication tasks at home with their clients. However, its wider adoption may be limited by a lack of professional opportunity. Looking forward, additional benefits are promised, as the data show a level of engagement, empowerment, and the possibility of achieving therapeutic outcomes in communication impairment. The disparate responses suggest that this area is ripe for the development of evidence-based clinical practice, starting with a clear definition, outcome measurement, and professional standardization.

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The Unicorn: The Rarity of Males in Speech-Language Pathology

Cited by 7 publications

References 3 publications

Neural mechanisms underlying different aspects of pseudostuttering versus fluent speech during spontaneous speech production.

Neural mechanisms underlying different aspects of pseudostuttering versus fluent speech during spontaneous speech production.

Plugged In: Screen-Based Device Use Among U.S. Public School Speech-Language Pathologists and Associated Clinical Characteristics

Speech and Language Practitioners’ Experiences of Commercially Available Voice-Assisted Technology: Web-Based Survey Study (Preprint)

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