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School Updates

Students and Alumni indicated with * 

Service/Professional Development

Dr. Jani Johnson

  • Served on the American Academy of Audiology’s Task Force for updating the Clinical Guidelines for Audiologic Management of Adult Hearing loss. 
  • Completed her final year as President of the Academy of Rehabilitative Audiology. Made progress toward expanding and engaging membership and planning the 2025 Institute.  
  • Became SAA Faculty Co-advisor
  • Served as external examiner for a PhD dissertation:
    Knoetze, M. (2024). Hearing help-seeking, hearing aid uptake and outcomes in adults: Barriers, enablers and over-the-counter hearing aids. University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa. Co-chairs: De Wet Swanepoel and Vinaya Manchaiah. 

Dr. Sarah E. Warren

  • Served as a subject matter expert for the American Speech Language Hearing Association’s Competency Framework Workshop.
  • Served as an external examiner for a PhD dissertation: 
    Avierinos, R.J. (2024). Meaningful Life Changes Following Hearing Aid Use: A Qualitative User Perspective. University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa. Co-chairs: De Wet Swanepoel, Vinaya Manchaiah, and Talita le Roux

Adele Dunkin is serving as the vice president of the Arc of Tennessee’s Board of Directors.
 
Katherine Mendez completed training through Communication Access to Justice to serve as a Communication Intermediary.

Dr. Jordan Alyse Coffelt became the School’s ASHA Continuing Education Administrator

Dr. Jennifer P. Taylor

  • Earned an Award for Continuing Education from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 
  • Was awarded the Audiology Students Choice for the Ear-Replaceable Award

Publications & Presentations

*Austin, A., *Ladner, K., and Lucks Mendel, L. (2024, December). “Recorded Word Recognition Testing is Worth the Time. American Journal of Audiology. https://pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2024_AJA-24-00080

Brooks, M., Dunkin, A., Grenata, C., Vossenkempter, L. (2024, November). “Building Inclusive Communities in Schools”. Continuing education training presented by the Benton-Franklin Counties Special Education PTA’s presentation series Understanding & Supporting Students with Autism & ADHD. (3.0 Contact hours on November 04, 2024)

Buder, E.H. (2024, September).  Dynamics of Communication.  Invited Keynote presentation at the 20th Annual Convention of the Chinese Academy of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shanghai, China.

Buder, E.H. (2024, September).  Objective Voice Quality Metrics.  Invited Workshop conducted at East China Normal University, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai, China.

*Burkhardt-Reed, M. & Oller, D. K. (2024). Frequencies and functions of vocalizations and gestures in the second year of life. PLoS One.

Carter, S., Crispin, S., Dunkin, A., Goldstein, L., Taylor, C., Whitaker, T. M. (2024, November). Importance of Interprofessional Teaming in Service Provision for Individuals with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. Panel presentation to for the 2024-2025 LEND cohort. University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN.

Dunkin, A. & Taylor, C. Beyond Neurotypicality: Expansive Ways of Understanding Autism. Curriculum lecture for UTHSC’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program, November 7, 2024.

Dunkin, A. (2024). Workshop, Guest Lecturer, “Speech-Language Disorders”, Midsouth Integrated Behavioral Health Training Initiation (MIBH-TI)/UTHSC Center on Developmental Disabilities (CDD) Multidisciplinary Training Event (1.0 Contact hour each on February 05, 2024, October 23, 2024)

Feenaughty, L. (to appear). Dysarthria in Multiple Sclerosis. In L. Cummings (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Communication Disorders in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Invited chapter publication.

Griebel, U. & Oller, D. K. (2024). From emotional signals to symbols. Frontiers in Psychology.  https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1135288/full

Haddix, V., Lancaster, S., *Finger, C., & *Brewster, C. (2024). Supporting the Autistic and Hyperlexic student who needs AAC. Presentation at the Tennessee Association for Assistive Technology conference. Franklin, TN.

Trent Harper, Alene White and Nicholas Norman, faculty and staff in CSD’s American Sign Language and Deaf Studies program, made a presentation on ‘Deaf Culture and Diversity’ to the Honors Program at Rhodes College on October 30, 2024. 

*He, D., Buder, E. H., & *Bidelman, G. M. (2024). Cross-linguistic and acoustic-driven effects on multiscale neural synchrony to stress rhythms. Brain and Language, 256, 105463.

Jha, R. H., Piker, E. G., & Gomez, J. (2024). Effects of Age on the Frequency Amplitude Ratio of Cervical and Ocular Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials. American Journal of Audiology, 33(2), 411-421.

Jha, R. H., Piker, E. G., & Clinard, C. (in press). Effects of Age on AMcVEMP Temporal Modulation Transfer Function. Ear and Hearing. 

Johnson, J. Building Professional Identity. Guest lecturer for PSYC 7621 Research Practicum: Professional Development, November 1, 2025.

Johnson, J. (2024). Introduction to the Forum: Leveraging Technology for AR - A Summary of the 2023 ARA Institute. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups. 

Lancaster, S. & Haddix, V. (2024). Using multi-message switches to facilitate engagement in school-related activities. Presentation at the Tennessee Association for Assistive Technology conference. Franklin, TN.

*Long, H. L., Ramsay, G., Bene, E. R., Su, P. L., *Yoo, H., Klaiman, C., White, S. P., Richardson, S., Pileggi, M. L., Brane, N., & Oller, D. K. (2024). Canonical babbling trajectories across the first year of life in autism and typical development. Journal of Autism. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13623613241253908

Mendez, K. (2024) Invited speaker. “Language Disorders in the Criminal Justice System: Understanding the Problem and Potential Solutions”.  2024 Shelby County Public Defender’s Continuing Legal Education Series. Memphis, TN. November 20, 2024.

Morlet, T. Invited speaker. “Advances in auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder diagnosis and management in the pediatric population”. A Sound Foundation Through Early Amplification. 9th International Pediatric Audiology Conference. San Diego, CA. Oct 27-30, 2024. 

Morlet, T. Invited Session Chair. “ANSD and hidden hearing loss”. World Congress of Audiology. Paris, France. September 19-22, 2024.

Nagpal, A. (Host), Chapa-Wilson, L., Dunkin, A., Jameson, M. (2025). “Assessing Pain in Patients with Autism and Neurodivergence”. Interprofessional panel for the Pain Patient Forum. Dannemiller, Inc. (1.5 CME hours).

Oller, D. K., Bene, E. R., *Yoo, H, Su, P. L., *Long, H, Klaiman, C. Pulver, S. L., Richardson, S., Pileggi, M. L, Brane, N., Ramsay, G. (2024). Acoustic features of vocalizations in typically developing and autistic infants in the first year. Research in Developmental Disabilities. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39413560/

Oller, D. K. (2024). Infant vocal development and the origin of language: The importance of developmental research in autism and congenital deafness. Invited lecture to the Brain Health Research Institute (BHRI) at Kent State University, Kent, OH. 

Oller, D. K. (2024). The origin of language: new tools for research and new findings. Invited lecture to the Hawk-IDDRC (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers) of the University of Iowa. Iowa City, IO.

Oller, D. K. (2024). Detecting possible signs of autism in early vocal development. Invited lecture to the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders of the University of Iowa. Iowa City, IO.

Oller, D. K. (2024). Infant vocalization as expression of affect: A foundation for language. Presentation for the International Workshop on the Origins of Vocal Emotions. Geneva, Switzerland, October.

Sarangi, L.* & Johnson, J. (2024). Feasibility of using wearable sensors to measure listening-related stress. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, ePub 1-15, https://doi.org/10.1044/2024_PERSP-24-00073

Su, L. P., *Yoo, H., Ramsay, G., *Long, H. L. Bene, E. R., Klaiman C., Pulver, S. L., Richardson, S., Pileggi, M. L., Brane, N. & Oller, D. K. (2024). Foundations of Vocal Category Development in Autistic Infants. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-024-06267-9

Torres-Small, S., Ward, C.N., Thurmond, S.L., Tomescu, A., Smith, R., Macdonald, C.B., Yawn, R., Smith, S., Warren, S.E., & Richard, C. (2024). Inclusive soundscapes: How Race, Socioeconomic Status, and Maternal Age Influence the Pediatric Cochlear Implant Journey. Otology & Neurotology, In Press

Warren, S.E., Lopez, L., Anthony, T., & Coco, L. (2024). Communication Public Health: An integration of speech-language pathology, audiology, and public health. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 67: 3022-2029. doi: 10.1044/2024_JSLHR-23-00491

Warren, S.E., Coco, L. Allen, I., *Flinner, G.N., Coffelt, J.A., *Ladner, K., *Holloway, C.A., & Yawn, R.J. & (2024). The Memphis SOUND Project: The Development of a Community-Based Research Project to Address Hearing Health Disparities among Black Adults who Qualify for Cochlear Implants. Otology & Neurotology, American Cochlear Implant Alliance Selected Conference Proceedings. 45:e710-718, 2024. doi: 10.1097. MAO.0000000000004322

*Yoo, H., Su, L. P., Ramsay, G., *Long, H. L., Bene, E. R., & Oller, D. K. (2024). Infant vocal category exploration as a foundation for speech development. PLoS One. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0299140

DeRuiter, M. and Taylor, J.P. (2025). Managing stress and conflict in the workplace. In M. Hudson
and M. DeRuiter (Eds). Professional issues in communication sciences and disorders, sixth
edition. Plural Publishing, San Diego, CA.

Haddix, V., Morales, A., Haq, A.S., Evenich, A., Terry, K., & Taylor, J.P. (2024). Supervision of Individuals with Disabilities. Invited Presentation for the Conversations on Supervision American Speech-Language-Hearing Association webinar.

Mandulak, K.C. & Taylor, J.P. (2024). Solution-Focused Dialogue: Motivating Your Team. Invited Presentation at the Annual Conference for the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Mendel, L.L. & Taylor, J.P. (2023). ASHA Voices: Addressing Audibility and Accessibility in the Classroom and Clinic. Invited Podcast. J.D. Gray, The ASHA Leader, 2023.

Taylor, J.P., Terry, K., & Rodino, A. (2023). Accessibility and Accommodations in the Classroom and Clinic. Sig 7 & 10 Lunch and Learn Series.

 

ASHA Presentations 
Cannito, M., *Alharbi, G., Li, Q., Buder, E.H. (2024, Dec 5). Acoustic Voice Measurements and Prediction of Intelligibility in Parkinson’s Disease Before and After LSVT-LOUD®. Poster presentation at the American Speech Language Hearing National Convention, Seattle, WA.

*Donnan, S., *Roberts, P., Narcum, G., Marshall, J., Eichorn, N. (2024, Dec 5). Systematic Analysis of Stuttered Speech (SASS): Inter-Rater Reliability for a Computer-Based Procedure for Quantifying Stuttering. Poster presented at at the American Speech Language Hearing National Convention, Seattle, WA.

Dunkin, A. (2024, Nov 20). Considering Cultural Responsiveness and Bias in Supporting Autistic Populations. Technical/Clinical Session presented virtually for the American Speech Language Hearing National Convention, Seattle, WA.

Eichorn, N., Campanelli, L. (2024, Dec 5). Attention Bias in Children Who Stutter: Evidence from a Dot-Probe Task. Presentation at the American Speech Language Hearing National Convention, Seattle, WA.

Hall, C., Boudin-George, A., Coco, L., Dillard, L., Warren, S.E. (2024, Dec 7). Exploring Audiologists’ Perspectives on Public Health Audiology Practice. Podium Presentation at the American Speech Language Hearing National Convention, Seattle, WA.

*Nuckols, M., *Averitt, O., *McCormick, J., *Sewell, O., Eichorn, N. (2024, Dec 7). Language Sampling is an Essential Component of Standardized Assessments: Findings From a Longitudinal Case Study. Poster presented at the American Speech Language Hearing National Convention, Seattle, WA.

*Poursoroush, Z., Ramsay, G., Buder, E. H., Oller, D.K. (2024, Dec 5). How Typically Developing Infants and Infants Later Diagnosed with ASD Distribute Speech-Like Vocalizations in Time. Poster presented at the American Speech Language Hearing National Convention, Seattle, WA.

 *Ratcliff, C. (2024, Dec 6). Exploring Vocal Health Factors Determinants Among Charismatic Church Singers: A Public Health Perspective. Poster presented at the American Speech Language Hearing National Convention, Seattle, WA.

Taylor, J.P., Lucks Mendel, L. (2024, Dec 5). Supervising Students With Accommodations in the Workplace. Seminar presented at the American Speech Language Hearing National Convention, Seattle, WA.

New Clinical Programs

JoClaire Merrill began offering diagnostics and therapy for preschoolers with suspected childhood apraxia of speech. She also began offering therapy for school aged child with selective mutism. She continued progress working with clients with ASD/ARFID or sensory based feeding disorder.