Research Symposium

BIO

Anna White is a 1st-year student at Florida State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Anna aims to be accepted into a Doctor of Audiology graduate program after she completes her undergraduate at FSU and hopes to find herself working in the field of Pediatric Audiology. She is interested in research related to cochlear implants, vestibular/balance disorders, and pediatric audiometry. She hopes to help children who struggle with hearing loss or deafness and their families in any way she can, whether that be through research, her career, or volunteer work.

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 sub-test, the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals Word Structure (CELF-WS) sub-test, 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 into 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: Elementary, Speech Sound Disorder