EWU/WSU NSSLHA at the recent Steps for Autism Walk supporting Northwest Autism Center, Isaac Foundation, and Autism Society of Washington, Spokane Chapter.

EWU faculty at the University Speech and Hearing Clinic in Spokane are using innovative ultrasound methods to address some of the most problematic obstacles for children with speech disorders – among them the pronunciation of “R” sounds.

According to Hashemi Hosseinabad, PhD, an assistant professor in EWU’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, up to two percent of people who reach adulthood have speech disorders that affect their ability to pronounce certain sounds. One of the most common and hard-to-fix speech errors, she says, is that difficult “R” sound.

Conventional speech therapy involves using a mirror to teach young patients the sounds produced by the lips like “P” and “B.” Because this method often fails to help with more tongue-twisty consonants, therapists such as Hosseinabad are increasingly turning to alternatives such as visual feedback therapy – a treatment technique involving ultrasound.

“For more challenging sounds like ‘R’ or ‘S’ that children cannot see inside their mouth, we use real-time biofeedback that enables them to visualize inside their mouth,” says Hosseinabad. “Ultrasound imaging for speech therapy offers real-time views of the tongue during speech that teaches children to produce correct tongue shapes for complex sounds.”

Hosseinabad recently wrapped up a two week intensive speech therapy “R-Camp” utilizing the ultrasound technology at the clinic, which is run collaboratively by EWU and WSU in the Health Sciences Building on the Riverpoint Campus.

It was open to children six and older who had not made any progress with traditional therapy, and Hosseinabad says early evaluations show participants demonstrated significant gains in producing the “R” sound.

Read about the clinic’s tremendous success in the July 7 edition of the Spokesman-Review.

Free hearing screenings were offered at the Spokane campus on May 22, 2019. Three graduate students Alisa Cryer, Elli Armantrout, and Allison Kromer, supervised by Barbara Peregoy, AuD screened approximately 35 individuals that walked through the Student Academic Center between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The students are from the UPCD (University Programs in Communication Disorders) program, a cooperative program between the departments of EWU’s Communication Sciences and Disorders (CMSD) and WSU’s Speech and Hearing Sciences (SHS).

If you are interested in having a hearing screening, please contact the Hearing and Speech Clinic on the Spokane campus at 509.828.1323.

On November 30, 2018, second year graduate students in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders hosted an “Silent Breakfast.”  This event was attended by EWU and WSU students and community members and highlighted ways to communicate when you are unable to speak.  Participants were required to make breakfast choices, play UNO and have a social conversation all without speaking.  They utilized picture symbols, gestures, and facial expressions.  This activity was a great way for CMSD students to apply the knowledge they learned in their academic course work and also educate the community on augmentative and alternative communication.

The EWU Department of Dental Hygiene in partnership EWU Communication Sciences and Disorders is one of four awardees of the 2019 Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future (ACFF) Interprofessional grant.

The (ACFF) has awarded four interprofessional grants totaling over $50,000.00 (USD) to fund projects that will have a positive impact on reducing the instance of dental caries.

Promoting Oral Health in Primary Care: Cavity-Free Futures: Healthier Mothers and Children through IP Collaboration (Eastern Washington University) – Through a student rotation, Eastern Washington University (EWU) dental hygiene students will implement an oral health education program in partnership with St. Margaret’s Shelter, transitional housing for women and children, including pregnant women. These students will provide oral health education, fluoride varnish, sealants, and establish a dental home in collaboration with St. Margaret’s caseworkers. EWU Communication Sciences Disorders students will coordinate feeding, speech and hearing screenings.