Research Symposium

BIO

Sydney Stinson is an undergraduate student from Knoxville, Tennessee, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at Florida State University. She is a member of the University Honors Program and is completing minors in Chemistry and Latin: Classical Civilization. Sydney serves as a Clinical College Volunteer at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, where she works in the Family Care Unit, assisting with newborn care and supporting mothers during postpartum recovery. She also volunteered at her local children’s hospital in Knoxville throughout high school and during the summers. This summer, she will study abroad in London through the Honors Program. Sydney hopes to pursue a career in pediatrics and is interested in research focused on children’s health and development.

Aspects of Life Impacted by SSDs in Early Elementary Students

Abstract

Speech sound disorders (SSD) affect a significant number of children in classroom settings, yet parents and educators often lack effective, evidence-based strategies to support these students. This research investigates the various areas that contribute to these SSD and identifies an optimal intervention approach. The study is motivated by the widespread impact of SSDs and the nuance to each kid’s diagnosis, and the need for accessible resources to better support affected children. Data collection involves scoring the Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing (CTOPP) Memory for Digits subtest, the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals Word Structure (CELF-WS) subtest, and the Speech Participation and Activity Assessment of Children (SPAA-C) form. To minimize bias, only the child’s age/grade and identification number are provided to scorers. The APPLES (Academic Progress of Phonological Learning in Elementary Students) framework guides data organization, with the results later entered RedCap for analysis. The project is currently in its second year, with scoring ongoing for data collected during the first semester of year two. By the fourth year of the study, the research aims to identify more effective instructional and intervention strategies for children with SSDs. Additionally, this research may serve as a foundation for future studies examining other speech, language, or learning disorders. The findings are expected to inform parents and educators about improved ways to support children academically and emotionally, fostering confidence and reducing negative perceptions associated with learning disabilities.

Keywords: Children's Speech Sound Disorders