Dynamics of Motor Skill Learning in American and Israeli Toddlers With Varied Language Proficiency.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was twofold: to determine if deficits in motor skill proficiency and learning were present in 2-year-old children identified with early expressive language delay compared to peers without the delay, and to distinguish how motor skill proficiency and learning behaviors may manifest differently across culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Method: The study involved 54 children (24-36 months of age), 23 of whom were identified as having an expressive language delay. Furthermore, 16 participants were American and English-speaking and 38 were Israeli and Hebrew-speaking.

A home-based longitudinal study of vocalization behaviors across infants at low and elevated risk of autism.

Background And Aims: The purpose of this exploratory study was to expand existing literature on prelinguistic vocalizations by reporting results of the first home-based longitudinal study examining a wide variety of behaviors and characteristics, including early vocalizations, across infants at low and elevated risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study of vocalizations and vocalization changes across early developmental periods shows promise in reflecting early clinically significant differences across infants at low and elevated risk of ASD. Observations of early vocalizations and their differences during infancy could provide a reliable and essential component of an early developmental profile that would lower the average diagnostic age for ASD.

Facing a Clinical Challenge: Limited Empirical Support for Toddler Speech Sound Production Intervention Approaches.

Purpose: Speech sound production intervention in early childhood is relatively rare despite empirical and theoretical support for providing this type of targeted therapy for toddlers. Challenges perpetuate the present clinical condition including those related to treatment decision making (e.g.

Clinical Challenges: Assessing Toddler Speech Sound Productions.

When assessing toddler speech sound productions, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) must be mindful of several important but not insurmountable limitations inherent to working with this young population for whom speech sound production may be of concern. These limitations include: (1) inconsistencies in recommended connected speech sampling size and phonetic transcription accuracy, (2) the prevalence of typical intraword variability for toddlers, (3) limited information regarding the reliability of informal measures of analysis, and (4) irregularities in available normative data for referencing speech sound development and mastery. This article includes a discussion of these factors, an overview of key assessment tools for single-word and connected-speech sampling, advice for current evidence-based practice procedures, and a thorough but not exhaustive listing of opportunities to improve clinical practice in this area.

Voice Disorder Management Competencies: A Survey of School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists in Nebraska.

Purpose: The purpose of this survey was to determine the self-perceived competence levels in voice disorders of practicing school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and identify correlated variables.

Method: Participants were 153 master's level, school-based SLPs with a Nebraska teaching certificate and/or licensure who completed a survey, including demographic information and a 25-item voice disorders competency checklist.

Results: Findings indicated school-based SLPs did not feel particularly competent in their ability to assess and treat students with voice disorders.