SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

Research for speech-language pathology

Papers a speech-language pathologist can act on — aphasia, dysphagia, developmental language, fluency, voice and augmentative communication — read in full and summarised plainly.

10,216 PAPERS · PAGE 176 OF 205 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPPilot2025Exhalation-synchronous robotic abdominal compression for user-centered respiratory assistance and training in neurological patients.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA wearable abdominal compression device increased air flow and volume during exhalation in six patients with ALS or spinal cord injury. It replaced mechanical ventilation during therapy sessions, but the small sample and short duration mean efficacy and long-term safety remain unproven.
• PTSLPMeta-Analysis2025Prediction models for functional outcomes in prolonged disorders of consciousness: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationPrediction models for functional outcomes in prolonged disorders of consciousness performed better than chance overall, but all studies had high bias risk, so none is ready for bedside use.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025The risk of epilepsy after neonatal seizures.Developmental medicine and child neurologyNeonatal seizures increase the risk of epilepsy, with about one in five affected children developing it by age 22. The risk is highest in the first year but stays elevated through adolescence. Four out of five children with neonatal seizures do not develop epilepsy.
• SLPRCT2026Caregiver Satisfaction with Anxiety Treatment for Autistic Youth: A Mixed Methods Examination.Journal of autism and developmental disordersCaregivers valued concrete coping tools and a strong therapist relationship. They disliked travel, scheduling, and redundant questionnaires. Many wanted more sessions to consolidate gains. Caregivers in the intensive BIACA program liked involvement but found home tasks burdensome.
• OTSLPQualitative2026The Transition to Kindergarten for Hispanic and Latine Autistic Children: A Focus Group Study with Caregivers.Journal of autism and developmental disordersFour mothers said early, ongoing partnership with school helped their child adjust and made advocacy easier. They said technical language and teachers' limited autism knowledge made kindergarten transitions harder. They also relied on trusted parents, therapists, and family.
• SLPCohort2026What Predicts Early Math in Autism? A Study of Cognitive and Linguistic Factors.Journal of autism and developmental disordersChildren with autism scored lower on early math tests than age-matched peers, but autism severity did not predict these scores. Instead, non-verbal intelligence and grammatical comprehension were the strongest predictors of mathematical ability.
• OTSLPRCT2026Promoting Self-Determination in Young Adults with Autism: A Multicenter, Mixed Methods Study.Journal of autism and developmental disordersThe program did not outperform waiting list on self-determination. Participants reported better goal planning and action, and caregivers reported overall self-determination rose in the intervention group, but between-group differences were absent.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2026A Qualitative Analysis of Unintentional Injuries in Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersMothers of autistic children identified specific behavioral traits driving injury risk: communication deficits that hide pain, fixated interests (especially water), motor coordination issues, and elopement. Safety instruction must be adapted to non-verbal strengths, using visual supports and physical barriers rather than verbal warnings alone.
• SLPSurvey2026Sociodemographic Differences Impact the Perceived Importance of Social Communication and Interaction Behaviors.Journal of autism and developmental disordersCaregivers' ratings of how important social behaviors are to them vary by race, income, and child status, especially for advanced skills like gestures. Low caregiver concern about these skills does not mean the child lacks them. It may mean the family does not value them.
• SLPPilot2026Validating the RISE Communication Play Protocol as a Diagnostic Tool for Autism in Early Childhood: A Pilot Study.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAn at-home parent-led play assessment plus caregiver interview found 97% of children diagnosed with autism on the in-person ADOS-2 in 38 toddlers with social communication concerns. It missed one child, and the sample was small and mostly autistic.
• OTSLPOther2026Operationalizing the ICF Core Sets for Autism and ADHD: A Multiple-Methods Feasibility Study.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic people, relatives, professionals and general population users rated the ICF CoreSets platform as generally usable, but found it lengthy and wanted clearer scale wording, accessibility, and a result summary.
• SLPOther2026A Concurrent Validity Study of the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) and the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Developmental Inventory (CDI) in Infants with an Elevated Likelihood or Diagnosis of Autism.Journal of autism and developmental disordersFor 14-month-olds, scores from the Mullen Scales (MSEL) and the MacArthur-Bates CDI only moderately match each other. This agreement holds whether the infant is autistic, at risk, or typical. Do not assume a child’s language profile is fully captured by one measure alone.
• SLPSurvey2026Relationship Satisfaction Among Autistic Populations: How Partner Neurotype Influences Relationship Satisfaction Factors for Autistic Adults.Autism in adulthoodOverall relationship satisfaction did not differ by whether the partner was autistic, neurodivergent, or neurotypical. Autistic adults still described different relationship strengths and challenges depending on the partner's neurotype.
• OTSLPQualitative2026Learning from the Experiences of Autistic Professionals Working in Health and Education.Autism in adulthoodAutistic health and education professionals in Scotland described disclosure as risky, interviews as confusing, and unpredictable environments as stressful. Support came from trusted colleagues, advance information, sensory adjustments, and teams that valued neurodivergence.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Cognitive Impairments Impact Functional Mobility in Stroke Survivors.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairStroke survivors with cognitive impairment showed worse balance, walking, and driving than cognitively normal survivors, despite similar motor strength. Driving performance was the most affected area. Cognitive deficits impact mobility independently of physical weakness, suggesting routine cognitive screening is vital for safe mobility planning.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Genetic testing in cerebral palsy with clinical and neuroimaging variables.Developmental medicine and child neurologyClinicians support genetic testing for cerebral palsy but lack clear guidelines on who to test. In a retrospective cohort, no single clinical or MRI factor reliably predicted a genetic cause after multivariable analysis, though dysmorphic features and normal MRI were suggestive in univariable models.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Evaluation of sonographic ulnar nerve cross-sectional area cutoff values at and around the medial epicondyle for diagnosing ulnar neuropathy at the elbow in wheelchair users.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineA 10 mm² ulnar nerve size on ultrasound is highly specific for cubital tunnel syndrome in wheelchair users, making it useful for confirming the diagnosis. However, sensitivity was low, so a normal scan does not rule out the condition.
• OTSLPOther2026Teacher-Student Interactions of Autistic Adolescents: Relationships between Teacher Autonomy Support, Structure, Involvement and Student Engagement.Journal of autism and developmental disordersTeachers rarely offered autistic students choices, spending most time neutral. Structure helped engagement, but only when clear. Involvement showed no consistent link to engagement. Autonomy support was the rarest positive interaction.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2026"Shutdowns Are Like You're Stuck on the Blue Screen of Death": A Metaphor Analysis of Autistic Shutdowns.Autism in adulthoodAutistic adults described shutdowns using six metaphors: being frozen, a computer crash, going inside myself, can't keep up, survival mode, and playing a role. These terms highlight the internal, physical, and protective nature of the experience, offering a shared language for clinicians to understand patient distress.
• OTSLPOther2026The Relationship Between Interoception, Alexithymia, Autistic Traits and Eating Pathology in Autistic Adults.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAtypical eating, distinct from weight concerns, predicts eating disorder pathology in autistic adults. However, body image dissatisfaction remains a strong predictor in both autistic and non-autistic groups. Assessments must screen for sensory or routine-based eating issues alongside traditional weight and shape concerns.
• SLPOther2026The Association Between Classroom Quality and the Social Competence of Autistic Preschool-Age Boys.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic preschool boys showed higher social competence and more engagement with unfamiliar adults when their classrooms had high emotional support and organization. This association held even after controlling for autism severity, suggesting classroom climate matters for social development.
• OTSLPOther2026Social Functioning in Autistic Children with Below-Average vs. Average IQ: Limited Behavioral and Neural Evidence of Group Differences.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic children with below-average IQ scored worse on direct face-memory, theory-of-mind, and role-play tasks, but caregivers reported similar everyday social functioning. Brain responses showed limited differences.
• SLPRCT2026Can a Short-Term Intervention Promote Growth Among Parents of Children with ASD?Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents who watched two 20-minute videos on growth mindsets reported less stress and more personal growth six months later. The comparison group, which received no intervention, showed no change. The effect was seen in both mothers and fathers.
• OTSLPSystematic Review2026Examining Virtual Reality Interventions for Social Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review.Journal of autism and developmental disordersVR social skills training shows promise for children with autism, but results are inconsistent. Many studies lacked control groups or failed to show skills transferring to real life. It is not yet proven superior to standard therapy.
• SLPRCT2026Using Artificial Intelligence to Improve Empathetic Statements in Autistic Adolescents and Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic adolescents and adults with low empathy scores used an AI chatbot for about four weeks. Their ability to respond empathetically in conversation with a human improved significantly compared to a waitlist group, and they found the program acceptable.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2026Barriers and Facilitators to Participating in Pediatric Oncology Rehabilitation: Childhood Cancer Survivor and Caregiver Perspectives.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationChildhood cancer survivors and caregivers identified barriers to rehabilitation participation, including inconsistent providers, lack of oncology-specific knowledge in community therapists, and insurance gaps. Facilitators included building trust through consistent care, flexible scheduling for treatment side effects, and clear discharge planning.
• OTSLPOther2026Chronic Parenting Stress in Parents of Children with Autism: Associations with Chronic Stress in Their Child and Parental Mental and Physical Health.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents of children with autism showed high reported stress linked to poor mental health and emotional eating. Hair cortisol, a biological stress marker, correlated between parents and children but did not match reported stress levels. Higher biological stress in mothers linked to higher glucose.
• PTOTSLPPilot2025Sonomyography accurately captures joint kinematics during volitional and electrically stimulated motion in healthy adults and an individual with cerebral palsy.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationUltrasound imaging tracked wrist and ankle movement accurately in four people, including one with cerebral palsy. This method resisted electrical stimulation noise that blinded standard muscle sensors, but it is a technical feasibility check, not a clinical tool yet.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Sex Differences in Subacute Blood Biomarker Levels and Associations With Post-Concussion Symptom Severity in Adolescents With Concussion.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationIn adolescents with concussion, females had higher tau levels than males. Biomarkers linked to symptoms differently by sex: p-tau181 correlated with cognitive issues in both, but NFL and UCH-L1 predicted physical symptoms in males and emotional symptoms in females. These are associations, not diagnostic tools.
• SLPCohort2026Primary Care Autism Screening with the Parent's Observations of Social Interactions.Journal of autism and developmental disordersIn toddlers at primary care visits, a positive parent-report autism screen was linked to later autism diagnosis and earlier diagnosis. It also produced false positives, so it is a flag for follow-up, not proof.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Disorder Type and Severity as Predictors of Mental Health in Siblings of Children with Chronic Disorders.Journal of autism and developmental disordersHow severe the child's condition is predicts sibling mental health problems. The specific diagnosis itself does not. Fathers' ratings of severity matched siblings' own reports better than mothers' did. Screen for risk based on functional impairment and daily life disruption, not just the diagnostic label.
• OTSLPSystematic Review2026Exploring the Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) for Children with ASD Across Countries: A Systematic Review.Journal of autism and developmental disordersDogs and horses dominated human-animal interaction for children with ASD, and animal-assisted interventions were more common than pet ownership. Country patterns differed, with US home-based pet ownership and Europe/Asia therapy-animal use.
• OTSLPCohort2026Adaptive Functioning Across Contexts: A Comparison of Parent and Self-Reported Ratings in Autistic and Non-Autistic Youth.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic teens and young adults rated their social adaptive skills higher than their parents did. Parent and self-ratings disagreed across all areas, and autistic youths' self-ratings aligned with an independent social functioning rating.
• SLPMeta-Analysis2026Early Identification of Autism Using Cry Analysis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Retrospective and Prospective Studies.Journal of autism and developmental disordersPooled data from six studies found no significant difference in infant cry pitch between those later diagnosed with autism and typically developing infants. While some individual studies noted higher pitch, the overall evidence does not support using cry analysis to identify autism early.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2026Autistic Burnout on Reddit: A Sisyphean Struggle with Daily Tasks.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic adults on Reddit describe burnout as a chronic state of exhaustion, sensory overload, and skill loss, often lasting years. They prioritise reducing external stimuli and masking over causal analysis. Community validation was a key theme, with 13% of posts expressing shared experience.
• OTSLPQualitative2026Theory of Change of Caregiver Coaching for an Early Parent-Mediated Autism Intervention.Journal of autism and developmental disordersCoaches described how joint goal setting, modeling, and feedback build caregiver confidence and skill. Embedding strategies in daily routines helped families maintain them. Caregivers valued improved connection and reduced stress over specific developmental milestones.
• SLPSystematic Review2026Harmonizing Identities: A Scoping Review on Voice and Communication Supports and Challenges for Autistic Trans and Gender Diverse Individuals.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic trans and gender diverse people face communication barriers that delay care and harm wellbeing, yet most existing supports focus on general communication rather than voice. Speech pathologists lack specific guidance to address these unique needs, creating a significant gap in effective, affirming clinical practice.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Community participation, physical activity, and quality of life for children born very preterm.Developmental medicine and child neurologyHelpful environments and active participation linked to more movement and better quality of life. Adapting physical or social demands of community activities may support children, especially those born very preterm, more than targeting child impairment alone.
• SLPMeta-Analysis2025The effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on immediate and long-term cognitive functions in Alzheimer's dementia and mild cognitive impairment: a meta-analysis.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationCompared with sham, rTMS improved cognitive test scores right after treatment and at follow-up. The follow-up estimate came from fewer studies, and effects varied widely across stimulation protocols.
• SLPCase Report2025Case Report: fNIRS-guided rehabilitation in refractory post-traumatic dysphagia.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIn a teenager with severe swallowing problems after traumatic brain injury, changing therapy after a brain-activity scan was followed by removal of feeding tube and tracheostomy by day 77. This is a single case, not proof the scan caused recovery.
• SLPOther2025Establishment of a novel brainstem ischemic dysphagia model: single-cell sequencing reveals the molecular mechanisms underlying mPES intervention.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn rats with brainstem strokes, modified pharyngeal electrical stimulation improved swallowing speed and bolus size. It did not fix anxiety or walking problems. This suggests the treatment targets the throat's sensory nerves, not general motor recovery.
• SLPOther2025A familial modeling framework for advancing precision medicine for children with neuropsychiatric disorders.Developmental medicine and child neurologyParent IQ and behavioral traits significantly predicted cognitive and behavioral outcomes in children with Noonan syndrome. This suggests assessing parents may help clinicians estimate expected child outcomes more precisely than genetic testing alone.
• OTSLPCohort2025Deep developmental phenotyping in children with tuberous sclerosis complex, with and without autism.Developmental medicine and child neurologyIn children with tuberous sclerosis, autism was common, and autistic children had more intellectual disability, language deficits, executive dysfunction and externalizing behaviour. ADHD symptoms were frequent in both groups. Formal language screening is warranted even without autism or intellectual disability.
• PTOTSLPOther2026Understanding and Assessing Health-Related Quality of Life in Caregivers of Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injury and Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationCare partners of people with both traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder report significantly worse quality of life than those caring for brain injury alone. These caregivers face unique strain beyond physical disability or hours spent caregiving, marking them for targeted support.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2026The Meaning of Autism Friendly in Hospital Settings: A Scoping Review of the Autism Community's Perspectives.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic patients and families identified three key areas for hospital care: people, place, and time. Staff communication and autism-specific training were critical. Flexible environments that reduce sensory overload and shorter wait times helped. Rigid systems and lack of preparation created barriers.
• SLPMeta-Analysis2026Minimal Differences in Auditory and Visual Oddball Tasks in Autism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAuditory and visual oddball tasks showed minimal group differences between autistic and non-autistic people. The pooled differences were small and not consistent. These tasks alone are unlikely to reveal sensory prediction differences.
• SLPCase Series2026Effects of I-Connect to Increase Communication Initiations of Elementary Students on the Autism Spectrum.Journal of autism and developmental disordersThree non-verbal or minimally verbal students with autism increased unprompted communication initiations when using the I-Connect app for self-monitoring. The effect held in the classroom but decreased in other school settings. This pilot suggests a possible role for tablet-based self-monitoring.
• SLPSurvey2026Resilience Within Families of Young Children with ASD.Journal of autism and developmental disordersIn families with young children with ASD, both parents often reported high parenting stress; satisfaction with social relationships was the factor most consistently associated with lower family stress.
• SLPPilot2026Modulating Phonological Short-Term Memory in Stroke Survivors With Aphasia Using Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairIn-phase brain stimulation improved short-term memory for sounds in people with aphasia, but only while the current was running. The effect vanished immediately after stimulation stopped, and the size of the improvement was small.
• SLPCohort2026Quality of Life and Societal Cost in Autistic Children: An Exploratory Comparative Study Pre- and Post-Diagnosis.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic children's total annual health-related costs and quality-of-life scores did not change significantly after diagnosis, although usual-activity problems, behavioural scores, general practitioner, physiotherapy and hospital outpatient costs fell.