"The Miracle Worker" Clip: The Story of Helen Keller

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Sign Language Inspired Me

For this entry, I will sign my thoughts instead of typing them. It has been a personal choice of mine to learn sign language so that I will be able to work with a more diverse group of children when I become a speech pathologist, specifically deaf children or children with a hearing loss. The video below will explain how I became interested in the field of speech pathology and sign language. I will translate it here:

Thank you for reading my blog. My inspiration for joining this community was a movie I watched about Helen Keller as a young child. The movie was a motivation for me to learn sign language as I am now taking a sign language course. I have been studying this language for several years. I hope you learned something about the field of speech therapy that you found interesting. I am more excited than ever to be part of this community. In conclusion, I will show you a short clip from the movie "The Miracle Worker" that to this day still inspires me. (*above is the video from "The Miracle Worker" in a new entry*)

 

 

Auditory Processing Disorder: Its Effect On Learning, Hearing, and Communication

Speech language pathologists often work with audiologists on evaluating, diagnosing, and treating those with communication disorders. Dr. Teri James Bellis is recognized in the audiology community as a leader for her outstanding accomplishments by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She is recognized as an expert on the subject of Auditory Processing Disorder, also known as APD or CAPD. Auditory Processing Disorder is “a deficit in the neural processing of auditory information that cannot be attributed to higher order disorders, including those related to learning, attention, memory, cognitive-communicative and/or language-related skills. Therefore, although CAPD may coexist with higher order deficits (ADHD), learning disability, language impairment, it is not the result of these disorders” (Geffner and Swain). Dr. Deborah Swain is the founder, owner, and director of the Swain Center for listening, communicating, and learning. Dr. Donna Geffner is a professor and program director in the department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. 

Children with APD have difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments, understanding and following directions, and distinguishing between speech sounds that sound similar. Sometimes, they act as if they are hearing impaired or have a hearing loss and will ask for something to be repeated or clarified. They may appear inattentive and have difficulty following oral directions. In actuality, what those affected by CAPD are hearing is unrecognizable, disordered, and incoherent sounds. Children affected with this disorder may become anxious and are prone to poor academic performance. Those affected by CAPD have difficulties in speech, language, and learning. 

Assessment of auditory processing disorder is done first by an audiologist to check for hearing acuity. Then the audiologist will do an assessment to determine if the patient can listen to signals or sounds going into one ear while other signals and sounds are going into the other ear. In other words, can the patient's hearing separate and integrate the sounds. Following the audiological assessment, a speech pathologist will evaluate the patient to see how they are processing speech sounds, discriminating between sounds, and their understanding of receptive language. 

Treatment of APD focuses on three areas. The first is changing the learning or communication environment so that the auditory information can be more easily presented.  Next, using skills like problem solving, memory, attention, and other skills to overcome the auditory disorder. Finally, using treatment activities to treat the auditory deficit. These activities might be computer assisted or one-on-one treatment with a therapist. With intervention, there is hope that the learning, language, and communication impairments due to APD may be remediated.  

 

Newborn Screening Tests For Hearing Loss

Children should be tested for hearing loss as soon as possible, preferably before they leave the hospital. Current hearing screening tools include the otoacoustic emissions and auditory brainstem response testing. Both tests are objective, safe, noninvasive, and have a fairly high degree of accuracy. The otoacoustic emissions tests evaluate outer hair cell efficiency and how the inner ear produces energy during the hearing process. Readings are separated into two categories, spontaneous and evoked. “Thus, the EOAE (Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions) screening program is identifying almost 5 children per 1,000 with a sensorineural hearing loss. This prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss is two to three times what is typically expected in the general population. This is strong evidence that EOAE can be successfully used to identify children who have a hearing loss” (Bess and Hall). Dr. Fred H. Bess is a professor of hearing and speech science at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. Dr. James W. Hall III is a clinical professor in the department of speech, language, and hearing sciences at the University of Florida in Gainesville. 

 The Auditory Brain response testing (ABR) monitors brain activity that occurs in response to sound and does not require any cooperation by the child. Children undergoing the ABR test must be kept very still, as any movement will invalidate the test results. Therefore, young patients are usually sedated for the administration of this procedure. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) recommends this newborn screening test prior to hospital discharge. “Based on our experience, we believe that accurate identification can be enhanced when the ABR is applied as a diagnostic procedure to those infants who fail its administration as a screening test. For the infants, immediate diagnostic application permits prediction of both degree of sensitivity loss and probable site of dysfunction” (Bess and Hall).

As a result of the newborn hearing screening, there are greater educational opportunities for children who are born deaf or hard of hearing. Technological advances for the future will improve upon the assessment methods already being used to accurately screen and confirm hearing loss in newborns. "Both ABR and OAEs will continue to be refined as methods for UNHS (Universal Newborn Hearing Screening). Promising new technologies are emerging which combine OAE and AABR methodologies into a simple, handheld device permitting rapid measurement of both responses. These devices hold promise for rapid testing with a two-stage protocol for all infants, thereby reducing refer (false positive) rates associated with transient external or middle ear dysfunction, and improving identification of infants with more unusual forms of hearing impairment such as auditory neuropathy." This information was taken from an academic journal discussing the current screening tests and their effectiveness for the future. 

Early Identification of Hearing Loss Affects Communication

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, “Hearing loss is the most common birth defect, and it estimates that as many as 12,000 new babies with hearing loss are identified every year” (Cole and Flexer). Dr. Carol Flexer is a distinguished audiologist whose expertise is in the field of pediatric and educational audiology. Dr. Elizabeth B. Cole is a professor and has written many publications on the subject of hearing loss. In the past twenty years, there has been a vast amount of information and improved technology for testing and treating hearing loss in infants and children. The result has been the adoption of universal newborn hearing screening. Early identification has provided us opportunities to fit amplification equipment and cochlear implants on babies. These screening tests have allowed us to access important auditory brain centers during peak periods of maximum neuroplasticity.  

“Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s availability and malleability to grow, develop, and alter its structure as a function of external stimulation” (Cole and Flexer). It is important that auditory language be provided during the first few years of life, a critical period of maximum brain neuroplasticity. “In order for auditory pathways to mature, acoustic stimulation must occur early and often because normal maturation of central auditory pathways is a precondition for the normal development of speech and language skills in children” (Cole and Flexer). Today, babies and young children who are born deaf or with a hearing loss have greater opportunity to achieve language, reading, and academic skills than ever before.  

 Today, newborn hearing screening has changed everything we know about hearing loss, and early identification and intervention have given us access to the auditory brains of babies with even the most extreme deafness. It is extremely important to intervene during the first three and a half years of a child’s life when the neuroplasticity is greatest. “Rapid infant brain growth requires prompt intervention typically including amplification and a program to promote auditory skill development. Early amplification or implantation stimulates a brain that is in the initial process of organizing itself and is therefore more receptive to auditory input, resulting in greater auditory capacity. Therefore, identification of a newborn hearing loss should be considered a neurodevelopmental emergency” (Cole and Flexer). Studies have shown that early intervention allows for a significant improvement in the development of language for children who suffer from hearing loss.

 

 

Speech & Language Therapist

The Practice of Speech Pathology

The practices of what the speech language pathologist does are to prevent, evaluate, and treat communication disorders from the very young to the very old. Prevention involves screening, early intervention, and educational programs for children and adults. Screenings are also done for hearing, speech, and language.  Communication problems can result in primary handicapped conditions or are secondary to other conditions. The severity of the problems can range from mild to extreme and may be developmental or acquired. Since language disorders create an important communication handicap and language is an important aspect of communication, the role of the speech language pathologist is crucial to improving language impairments. 

Speech pathologists work with people who stutter, which is the most widespread and obvious speech disorder. They also work with those with articulation and rhythm problems and those who have a harsh voice or have speech quality problems. Other disorders which result in speech difficulties are hearing loss, stroke, brain injury, cerebral palsy, or mental disability. It is the job of the speech therapist to establish a program of speech exercises to reduce the disability. 

Speech therapists are responsible for keeping meticulous records on the assessment and continued progress of their patients while developing and implementing an individual treatment plan that may be based on input from other professionals such as physicians, social workers, and psychologists. In fact, it is extremely important that speech therapists are able to work as a member of a team because many speech disorders are usually related to neurological, psychological, and physical conditions. Their treatment plan may require input from other healthcare specialists such as a neurologist or psychiatrist. Speech therapists also have to counsel and support individuals and families to deal with the stress that speech disorders can cause on the family unit. Therapists also work with families on home treatment methods and how to adjust behavior that will encourage communication. Therapists must continually monitor the progress of their patients, always seeking to use the most effective methods for success. 

Is Speech Pathology Right for You?

To be a Speech Language Pathologist, it is important that you receive training in both academic and scientific knowledge by completing required course work and participating in practical work experience with clients who have communicative disorders. Academic course work is a prerequisite to clinical practicum, which gives you the opportunity to implement and practice what you have learned during your academic classes. In order to be committed to this profession, you must be willing to receive an extensive amount of schooling and training. A Master's Degree is required to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients and it is also required to become a full licensed speech pathologist. After completing a graduate program in the field, candidates must take and pass a comprehensive national exam called the Praxis exam. A speech pathologist graduate must intern under the direction of a licensed speech pathologist for one year before they can begin to practice independently.

In addition, candidates for this career must have empathy, tolerance, and persistence. It can be challenging and frustrating for the patient, family, and the therapist to get the desired results. The therapist must be extremely patient, as it can take quite some time for the therapist to notice results in their client's speaking abilities. Speech pathologists must also be personally warm and have an outgoing personality. This is especially true when working with a patient who is hesitant to receive therapy. A speech therapist might have to come up with ideas to encourage children to attend therapy when they are resistant. Speech therapists must also be good listeners and have excellent communication skills. While communicating with clients, speech pathologists must always use a professional tone, show confidence and speak in a way that shows they have knowledge and training in their field.

 Speech-Language Pathology offers many career choices and it is not limited to any particular gender, race, age level, marital status, or religious affiliation.  Speech-language pathologists are employed in a variety of settings including educational settings, community speech and hearing centers, federal agencies, hospitals, nursing homes, private practice, and residential facilities. The average income for a speech pathologist is $50,000 to $99,000 depending on the occupational setting. In addition, speech therapists may modify their careers at any time and have a range of choices open to them, such as audiology, special education, research, rehabilitation, occupational or physical therapy.  

Let Me Introduce Myself

Hi. My name is Melissa Winter. I am a freshman studying Communication Sciences and Disorders (Speech Language Pathology) at the University of Central Florida. For several years now, it has been my desire to become a speech pathologist. I believe this field would give me so many opportunities, such as helping those in need, making a difference in a child's life, and being able to work with others. 

My true desire is to work with deaf children, as I have such an immense passion to learn the language of the deaf. I still remember the first time I fell in love with Sign Language, as I was enraptured in the story of Helen Keller and how she learned to communicate with others. I was intrigued by her ability to overcome her battle to learn how to communicate.  Ever since I was a child, it has been my own personal goal to learn Sign Language, as I know it will be truly rewarding to be able to help a deaf child communicate with others. I strongly believe in the Hippocratic Oath of this profession stated as the following: "Life without speech is empty; and life devoid of communication is scarcely better than death. Therefore, the duty we owe is sacred; and our calling is gravely important" (Chabon and Cornett). Shelly S. Chabon is currently professor and chair of the Department of speech and hearing services at Portland State University. Becky Sutherland Cornett is Associate Compliance Director, Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus OH. 

One of the goals of my blog is to educate my audience about what I have learned about the profession of speech language pathology. My intent is to inform the audience about the education required to be a speech pathologist, what a speech pathologist does, and what types of problems they treat. In addition, I plan to educate my audience about the need to identify children with hearing loss as soon as possible. Therefore, I will discuss current trends in the speech language pathology field, specifically newborn hearing screening. Lastly, I will introduce my audience to what auditory processing disorder is and how it affects speech, language, and learning, as studied by Dr. Teri James Bellis, a leader in the field of audiology.