SPED & SLHS Faculty receive Spencer Foundation Grant!

Dr. Gloria Soto from the Department of Special Education and Dr. Mike Clarke from the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences have received a grant from the Spencer Foundation to conduct an action research project aimed to explore bilingual practices of speech and language therapists who work with bilingual children with speech disabilities who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). 

The focus of the study will be on describing the experiences and practices of professionals in addressing the home language needs of their Latinx bilingual clients who use AAC, particularly about facilitators and barriers in implementing materials and strategies to do so. To this end, last year they worked on the Spanish adaptation of the School Year of Core, a set of curricular resources to teach highly frequent Spanish vocabulary to children who use AAC. These materials are now available through this website. This project will result in much needed insight and evidence-based guidelines on successful implementation of bilingual AAC intervention.

Title: Examining Culturally and Linguistically Affirming Translanguaging Practices in Augmentative and Alternative Communication Intervention: An Action Research Study

Amount: $60,000

Start Date September 1, 2023

End Date December 31, 2024