International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology 

About: International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology is an academic journal published by Informa. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Aphasia. It has an ISSN identifier of 1754-9507. Over the lifetime, 1043 publications have been published receiving 19278 citations. The journal is also known as: International journal of speech language pathology & IJSLP.

The importance of early identification and intervention for children with or at risk for autism spectrum disorders.

Abstract: There has been a dramatic rise in the number of children being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which has led to increased attention paid to assessment and intervention issues. This manuscript agrees with Camarata (2014) that the evidence base for early assessment and intervention should be expanded. However, it disagrees with Warren et al. ’ s (2011) assumption that there are not empirically validated early interventions. Reliable diagnosis has been documented during infancy and toddlerhood, and evidence suggests that the earlier the onset of intervention, the greater likelihood of an improved developmental trajectory. It is argued that early intervention is more cost and time effi cient than a “ wait and see ” approach. With regard to published studies, the large amount of heterogeneity in the ASD population supports the use of rigorous single case experimental design research. It is an error to limit empirical evidence for treatments to only randomized clinical trials, which have the weakness of masking individual differences. Single case experimental designs examine the effects of intervention beyond typical maturation by allowing for clear estimations of developmental trajectories prior to the onset of intervention, followed by evaluation of the impact of the intervention. This commentary discusses the short- and long-term benefi ts of early diagnosis and intervention.

A systematic review of the association between childhood speech impairment and participation across the lifespan

Abstract: Speech impairment of unknown origin is one of the most common communication impairments in childhood. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify limitations in life activities that may be associated with speech impairment, through analysing the findings of papers published in the past 10 years. Domains from the Activities and Participation component of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health were used as search terms, and resulted in 57 papers being identified. Findings from each paper were reviewed in terms of the association between speech impairment and Activity Limitations and/or Participation Restrictions as defined by the ICF. The systematic review revealed that speech impairment in childhood may be associated with the following Activity Limitations and/or Participation Restrictions: learning to read/reading, learning to write/writing, focusing attention and thinking, calculating, communication, mobility, self-care, relating to persons in authority, informal relationships with friends/peers, parent-child relationships, sibling relationships, school education, and acquiring, keeping and terminating a job.

Vocal fatigue and its relation to vocal hyperfunction

Abstract: This article reviews current literature on vocal fatigue and considers its potential relationship to vocal hyperfunction. Vocal fatigue is defined by its symptoms. Specifically, the voice user perceives an increase in phonatory effort over time that may be accompanied by decreased phonatory function. Vocal fatigue can present as a pure condition, such that no specific aetiology is apparent, or as a component of other voice disorders. The underlying bases of vocal fatigue appear to include the neurophysiological and biomechanical effects of extended periods of phonation. It can also be a function of strategies used to adapt to extended periods of phonation, such as the use of excessive muscular tension and suboptimal vocal fold posturing. Studies that have attempted to identify observable responses that are reliably associated with vocal fatigue have met with limited success, but recent advances in research methodology are promising. This review addresses current approaches to the study of vocal fatigue, especially regarding subject selection, design variables, and measurement variables. Future studies should address the relationship between vocal fatigue and other voice disorders, differences in individual responses to vocal-loading tasks, and differential evaluation and management of the neuromuscular, biomechanical, and central processes involved in vocal fatigue.

Speech-language pathologists’ assessment and intervention practices with multilingual children

Abstract: Within predominantly English-speaking countries such as the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, there are a significant number of people who speak languages other than English. This study a...

Optimal intervention intensity

Abstract: Empirical evidence exists for many of the different interventions in speech-language pathology. However, relatively little is known about the optimal intensity of those interventions. In order for speech-language pathology services to be both effective and efficient speech-language pathologists need to know how to faithfully administer ideal doses of the active ingredients of interventions, in what forms, how often and for how long. This is the lead paper to a scientific forum on this fundamental yet under-studied issue of clinical practice. Borrowing from the work of Warren, Fey, and Yoder, the concept of intervention intensity is described. Issues involved in establishing the optimal intensity of interventions are identified, including what and how intervention goals are targeted. Given that speech-language pathology interventions can involve the delivery of therapeutic inputs (e.g., conversational recasts, questions) and/or clients carrying out an act (e.g., speech production, voice production, comprehending, naming, swallowing), a framework is proposed for measuring all potential inputs and acts that might contribute to the calculation of an intervention intensity. Client-, clinician-, condition-, and service-related variables that could influence the investigation and practical application of an optimal intervention intensity are also discussed.