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Professor Martine Smith
Professor In, Clin Speech & Language Studies
The Dean of Graduate Studies, Graduate Studies Office

Biography

My background is in speech and language therapy, and most of my clinical and research work focuses on how children and adults with severely reduced intelligibility navigate social interaction and construct language systems. My main research interests are in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), especially in a developmental context, as well as inter-relationships between spoken and written language development and disorders. Much of my research explores how children who are learning language use multimodal communication including communication aids (e.g., iPads or other devices) to solve communication problems. I am also interested in how adults who have used aided communication for many years incorporate it into their overall communication systems. A third area of my research is in the impact of severe speech impairments on the development of phonological and literacy skills. This links to my interest in Digital Literacy for children and adults who use communication devices - how and why they access the Internet and how Social Media supports or could support their development of social networks and social interaction opportunities.

Publications and Further Research Outputs

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Martine M. Smith, Clinical Cases in Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1st, London, Routledge, 2023, 1 - 200pp Book, 2023

Neuvonen, K., Smith, M., Launonen, K. & von Tetzchner, S., Communication partner strategies in negotiation for meaning in interactions involving aided communication, Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics, 37, (12), 2023, p1104 - 1123 Journal Article, 2023

Quigley, D., Smith, M., Hayes, N., What's the magic word? Mapping oral language interventions implemented in prevention and early intervention programmes, Irish Educational Studies, 2022, p1-24 Journal Article, 2022 DOI

Augmentative and Alternative Communication in Underserved or Unserved Populations in, editor(s)Sandra Levey Pamela Enderby , The Unserved: Addressing the needs of those with communication disorders, Surrey, UK, J & R Press Ltd, 2022, pp1-17 , [Dada, S., Murray, J., & Smith, M.] Book Chapter, 2022

Stadskleiv, K., Batorowicz, B., Dahlgren Sandberg, A., Launonen, K., Murray, J., Neuvonon, K., Oxley, J., Renner, G., Smith, M., Soto, G., van Balkom, H., Walter, C., Yang, Chih-Kang, & von Tetzchner, S. , Aided communication, mind understanding and co-construction of meaning, Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 25, (8), 2022, p518 - 530 Journal Article, 2022 DOI

Sotiropoulou Drosopoulou, C., Murray, J., Smith, M., Launonen, K., Neuvonen, K, Lynch, Y, Stadskliev, K and von Tetzchner, S, Appraising Conversation patterns between children and young people who use aided AAC and their conversation partners in two-person and multiperson interactions - clinical implications , Communication Matters International AAC Conference , Leeds UK , 11/09/22, 2022 Oral Presentation, 2022

Lynam, Aideen; Smith, Martine, Sibling involvement in interventions for children with a disability: A systematic review, Disability & Rehabilitation, 2021 Journal Article, 2021 DOI

Neuvonen, K.; Launonen, K.;Smith, M.; Stadskleiv, K.; von Tetzchner, S., Strategies in conveying information about unshared events using aided communication, Child Language Teaching and Therapy, 2021, p1 - 17 Journal Article, 2021 DOI

Sotiropoulou Drosopoulou, C., Murray, J., Smith, M., Launonen, K., Neuvonen, K., Lynch, Y., Stadskleiv, K., & Von Tetzchner, S., Conversation Patterns between Children with Severe Speech Impairment and their Conversation Partners in Dyadic and Multi-person Interactions, Applied Linguistics , 2021 Journal Article, 2021 URL TARA - Full Text

Costello, John; Smith, Martine, The BCH message banking process, voice banking, and double dipping, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 37, (4), 2021, p241 - 250 Journal Article, 2021 TARA - Full Text DOI

Clinical applications of speech synthesis in, editor(s)Martin J. Ball , Manual of Clinical Phonetics, London, Routledge, 2021, pp516 - 522, [Smith, Martine; Costello John] Book Chapter, 2021 TARA - Full Text

Sutton, Ann, Trudeau, Natacha, Morford, Jill, Smith, Martine, Expressive and receptive use of speech and graphic symbols by typically developing children: What skills contribute to performance on structured sentence-level tasks?, International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 23, (2), 2021, p155-167 Journal Article, 2021 DOI

Quigley, D. & Smith, M., Achieving effective inter-professional practice between speech and language therapists and teachers: an epistemological perspective, Child Language Teaching and Therapy , 2021 Journal Article, 2021 DOI

Social contexts: Communication, Leisure and Recreation in, editor(s)Christine Imms Dido Green , Participation: Optimising outcomes in childhood-onset neurodisability, London, UK, Mac Keith Press, 2020, pp67 - 76, [Batorowicz, Beata; Smith, Martine] Book Chapter, 2020

Smith, M., Manduchi, B., Burke, E., Carroll, R., McCallion, P. & McCarron, M., Communication difficulties in adults with Intellectual Disability: Results from a national cross-sectional study, Research in Developmental Disabilities, 97, (103557), 2020, p1-12 Journal Article, 2020 TARA - Full Text DOI

Lynch, Y., Murray, J., Moulam, L., Meredith, S., Goldbart, J., Smith, M., Batorowicz, B., Randall, N., Judge, S., Decision-making in communication aid recommendations in the UK: Cultural and contextual influencers, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 2019, p13 Journal Article, 2019 DOI

Neuvonen, K., Jagoe, C., Launonen, K., Smith, M., von Tetzchner, S., Expectations and interpretations of conversations using aided communication: An application of relevance theory, Journal of Interactional Research in Communication Disorders, 10, (2), 2019, p125 - 152 Journal Article, 2019 DOI

Tinney, G. & Smith, M., Identifying and managing incidents of minor theft within a service for individuals with intellectual disabilities, British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 47, 2019, p264 - 269 Journal Article, 2019 TARA - Full Text DOI

Smith, M., Innovations for Supporting Communication: Opportunities and challenges for people with complex communication needs, Folia Phoniatrica Logopedia, 71, (1), 2019, p156 - 167 Journal Article, 2019 DOI

Murray, J., Lynch, Y., Meredith, S., Moulam, L., Goldbart, J., Smith, M., Randall, N. & Judge, S. , Professionals' decision-making in recommending communication aids in the UK: competing considerations, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 35, 2019, p1-13 Journal Article, 2019 DOI URL

Smith, Martine, Constructing and navigating cultural borderlands using augmentative and alternative communication, Topics in Language Disorders, 38, (2), 2018, p96 - 107 Journal Article, 2018 TARA - Full Text DOI

Lynch, Y., McCleary, M., Smith, MM, Instructional strategies used in direct AAC interventions with children to support graphic symbol learning: A systematic review, Child Language Teaching and Therapy, 2018, p23 - 36 Journal Article, 2018 DOI TARA - Full Text

Deliberato, D. Jennische, M., Oxley, J., Nunes, L. Walter, C., Massaro, M., Almeida, M., Stadskleiv, K., Basil, C., Coronas, M., Smith, M., & von Tetzchner, S., Vocabulary comprehension and strategies in name construction among children using aided communication, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 34, (1), 2018, p16 - 29 Journal Article, 2018 DOI

Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 34, 1, (2018), 1 - 91p, Smith, Martine, [eds.], 2015-2018 Journal, 2018 URL

Smith, M.M., Batorowicz, B., Dahlgren Sandberg, A., Murray, J., Stadskleiv, K., van Balkom, H., Neuvonen, K. & von Tetzchner, S,, Constructing narratives to describe video events using aided communication, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 34, (1), 2018, p40 - 53 Journal Article, 2018 DOI TARA - Full Text

Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 34, 2, (2018), 93 - 165p, Smith, Martine, [eds.], 2015-2018 Journal, 2018 URL

Fiona Ryan, Martine Smith, Margaret Leahy, Stories from the other side: Outcomes of narrative therapy for adults who stutter, European Symposium on Fluency Disorders, Antwerp, Belgium, February 16-17, 2018, 2018 Poster, 2018

Accessing the voices of children who use augmentative and alternative communication: Merits and pitfalls of co-construction in, editor(s)Twomey, Miriam Carroll, Clare , Seen and Heard: Exploring participation, engagement and voice for children with disabilities, Oxford, Peter Lang, 2018, pp171 - 190, [Smith, Martine] Book Chapter, 2018 TARA - Full Text

Neuvonen, K., Launonen, K. Smith, M, von Tetzchner, S, Extending and narrowing: creative strategies in using graphic symbols, Biennial Conference of the International Society for AAC, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Australia, 2018 Conference Paper, 2018

Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 34, 1, (2018), 1 - 91p, Smith, Martine, [eds.], 2015-2018 Journal, 2018

Murray, J., Dahlgren Sandberg, A., Smith, M.M., Deliberato, D., Stadskleiv, K., & von Tetzchner, S., Communicating the unknown: descriptions of pictured scenes and events presented on video by children and adolescents using aided communication and their peers using natural speech, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 34, (1), 2018, p30 - 39 Journal Article, 2018 URL

Adolescence and augmentative and alternative communication in, editor(s)Spencer, Sarah , Supporting adolescents with language disorders, London, UK, J&R Press, 2018, pp215 - 236, [Smith, Martine] Book Chapter, 2018

Griffiths, C,, Smith, M,, You and me: The structural basis for the interaction of people with severe and profound intellectual disability and others, Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 21, (2), 2017, p103 - 117 Journal Article, 2017 URL

Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 33, 2, (2017), 65 - 120p, Smith, Martine, [Editor], 2015-2018 Journal, 2017

Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 33, 3, (2017), 121 - 188p, Smith, Martine, [Editor], 2015-2018 Journal, 2017

Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 33, 4, (2017), 189 - 259p, Smith, Martine, [Editor], 2015-2018 Journal, 2017

Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 33, 1, (2017), 1 - 64p, Smith, Martine, [Editor-in-Chief], 2015-2018 Journal, 2017

Smith, Martine, Evidence for Impact, Impact of Evidence, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 32, (4), 2016 Journal Article, 2016 DOI URL

Balancing multimodality and relevance in, editor(s)Smith, Martine Murray, Janice , The silent partner? Language learning and language use in aided communication., London, J&R Press, 2016, [Jagoe, C & Smith, M] Book Chapter, 2016 Handle TARA - Full Text

Griffiths C.Smith M,M., Attuning: a communication process between people with severe and profound intellectual disability and their interaction partners., Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities., 29, 2016, p124 - 138 Journal Article, 2016 TARA - Full Text DOI

Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 32, 4, (2016), 227 - 319p, Martine Smith, [eds.], 2015--2017 Journal, 2016

Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 32, 3, (2016), 163 - 226p, Martine Smith, [Editor], 2015-17 Journal, 2016

Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 32, 2, (2016), 80 - 162p, Martine Smith, [Editor], 2015-2017 Journal, 2016

Smith, Martine Murray, Janice, The Silent Partner? Language, Interaction and Aided Communication, London, J&R Press Ltd, 2016, 1 - 299pp Book, 2016

" this is not going to be like, you know, standard communication?". Naturally speaking adults using aided communication in, editor(s)Smith, Martine Murray, Janice , The Silent Partner? Language, Interaction and Aided Communication, London, J&R Press Ltd, 2016, pp269 - 288, [Smith, Martine; McCague, Ellen, O'Gara, Justyne; Sammon, Seana] Book Chapter, 2016 TARA - Full Text

Introduction in, editor(s)Smith, Martine Murray, Janice , The Silent Partner? Language, Interaction and Aided Communication, London, J&R Press Ltd, 2016, pp1 - 16, [Smith, Martine, Murray, Janice] Book Chapter, 2016 TARA - Full Text

Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 32, 1, (2016), 1 - 79p, Martine Smith, [Editor], 2015-17 Journal, 2016

Smith, Martine M., Language Development of Individuals Who Require Aided Communication: Reflections on State of the Science and Future Research Directions, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 31, (3), 2015, p215 - 233 Journal Article, 2015 Other DOI TARA - Full Text

Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 31, 4, (2015), 261 - 350p, Martine Smith, [Ed], 2015-17 Journal, 2015

Smith, Martine, Supporting vocabulary development in children who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Journal of the Speech Language Hearing Association Taiwan, 33, 2015, p35 - 59 Journal Article, 2015 TARA - Full Text DOI

Tinney, G., Forde, J., Hone, L., Flanagan, L. & Smith, M., Safe and social: What does it mean anyway?, British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 43, (1), 2014, p55 - 61 Journal Article, 2014 URL DOI

Smith, Martine, Wallace, Emma; Smith, Shauna, Sounds and Words: Building phoneme awareness and early literacy, Biennial Conference of the ISAAC, Lisbon Portugal, July 21-24, 2014 Conference Paper, 2014

Smith, Martine, Adolescence and AAC: Intervention challenges and possible solutions, Communication Disorders Quarterly, 36, (2), 2014, p112 - 118 Journal Article, 2014 DOI

Smith, Martine, Murray, Janice, The Tellability Factor: Narratives in Aided Communication, Biennial Conference of the ISAAC, Lisbon Portugal, July 21-24, 2014 Conference Paper, 2014

Literacy challenges and early intervention for children using aided communication: Starting well in, editor(s)Fran Redstone , Effective SLP interventions for children with cerebral palsy, San Diego, CA,, Plural Publishing, 2014, pp305 - 336, [Smith, Martine] Book Chapter, 2014 TARA - Full Text

Smith, Martine, Nunn, June & Morrison, Trish., A feasibility study of the use of oral screens in reducing saliva loss in young people with physical and intellectual impairments, Journal of Disability and Oral Health, 14, (4), 2013, p145 - 152 Journal Article, 2013 DOI

Smith, MM. McCleary, M., Participation, partnership and proficiency in AAC, Shaping the Future: Current trends in research and clinical management of cerebral palsy, Dublin, Ireland, March 1-2, 2012, 2012 Conference Paper, 2012

Walshe M, Smith M, Pennington L, Interventions for drooling in children with cerebral palsy., Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online), 2, 2012, pCD008624 Journal Article, 2012 DOI

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices: The voices of adult users in, editor(s)Javier Pereira , Handbook of research on personal autonomy technologies and disability informatics, New York, Medical Information Science Reference, 2011, pp46 - 59, [Smith, Martine, Murray, Janice] Book Chapter, 2011

Smith,Martine M. M.M., Murray,Janice J., Parachute without a ripcord: The skydive of communication interaction, AAC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 27, (4), 2011, p292-303 Journal Article, 2011 DOI

Smith, Martine; Murray, Janice, Parachute without a ripcord: The skydive of communication interaction, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 27, (4), 2011, p292 - 303 Journal Article, 2011 DOI

Rahill, F., Smith, MM, Parents' perception of change following a 12-week intervention for children with severe speech sound disorders, Irish Association of Speech Language Therapists, Dublin, Ireland, November 24-25, 2011, 2011 Conference Paper, 2011

Quigley D., Smith MM, EXPLORING THE OBSERVATIONAL RATING SCALE (ORS) AS A LANGUAGE SCREENING TOOL FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS , Irish Association of Speech Language Therapists, Dublin, Ireland, November 24-25, 2011, 2011 Conference Paper, 2011

Walshe, M, Smith, M & Pennington L, Approaches to managing drooling in children with cerebral palsy: Systematic review of the evidence , Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists Biennial Conference , Dublin, November 24th & 25th, 2011 Conference Paper, 2011

A tale of transitions: The challenges of integrating speech synthesis in aided communication in, editor(s)Mullennix, J Stern, S. , Computer synthesized speech technologies: Tools for aiding impairment., New York, IGI Global, 2010, pp234 - 256, [Smith, Martine, Murray, Janice, von Tetzchner, Stephen, & Langan, P.] Book Chapter, 2010

Walshe M, Smith, M & Pennington, L., Interventions for drooling in children with cerebral palsy (Protocol)., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (7), 2010 Journal Article, 2010 DOI

Leahy,M., McTiernan, K., Smith, MM,, Sloane, P,. Walsh, I,, Walshe, M,, Ni Cholmain, C. , Foundation studies in education for therapy practice: curriculum updating, Folia Phoniatrica et Logopedica: Special Education Issue., 62, (2), 2010, p255 - 259 Journal Article, 2010 DOI

Dahlgren-Sandberg, A., Smith, M.M., Larsson, M., An analysis of reading and spelling abilities of children using AAC: Understanding a continuum of competence, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 26, (3), 2010, p191 - 202 Journal Article, 2010 DOI

Larsson, Maria, Dahlgren-Sandberg, Annika, Smith, Martine, Reading and spelling in children with severe speech and physical impairments, Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 21, (5), 2009, p369 - 392 Journal Article, 2009

Larsson, M, Sandberg, AD, Smith, M, Early reading and spelling abilities in children with severe speech and physical impairment: a cross-linguistic comparison., Research in developmental disabilities, 30, (1), 2009, p77 - 95 Journal Article, 2009 DOI

Smith, M, Sandberg, AD, Larsson, M, Reading and spelling in children with severe speech and physical impairments: a comparative study., International journal of language & communication disorders / Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists, 44, (6), 2009, p864 - 882 Journal Article, 2009 DOI

Smith, MM, Connolly, I, Roles of aided communication: perspectives of adults who use AAC., Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology, 3, (5), 2008 Journal Article, 2008 DOI

Smith, Martine, Connolly, Isobel, Roles of aided communication: Perspectives of adults who use AAC, Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 3, (5), 2008, p260 - 273 Journal Article, 2008 DOI URL

Smith, Martine, Looking back to look forward: Perspectives on AAC research, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 24, (3), 2008, p187 - 189 Journal Article, 2008

Narratives and aided communication: Challenges and questions in, editor(s)Lage, Dorothea , Communicative competence over the lifespan: Theoretical and methodological issues in research in augmentative and alternative communication, Toronto, Canada, ISAAC, 2008, pp101 - 115, [Smith, Martine] Book Chapter, 2008

Smith, Martine, Phonology without speech?, IASLT Biennial Conference, March 7-9, 2007, 2007 Conference Paper, 2007

The 'triple jump' assessment in problem based learning: An evaluative method used in the appraisal of both knowledge acquisition and problem solving skills in, editor(s)G. O'Neill, S. Huntley-Moore, and P. Race , Case Studies of Good Practice in Assessment of Student earning in Higher Education, Dublin, AISHE, 2007, pp116 - 119, [K. McTiernan, M. Leahy, I.P. Walsh, P. Sloane, M. Smith] Book Chapter, 2007 TARA - Full Text URL

Smith, Martine, Speech, language and aided communication: Connections and questions in a developmental context, Disability and Rehabilitation, 28, (3), 2006, p151 - 157 Journal Article, 2006

Smith, Martine, Literacy and Augmentative and Alternative Communication, First, New York, Elsevier, 2005, 1 - 267pp Book, 2005

Smith, Martine, The dual challenges of aided communication and adolescence, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 21, (1), 2005, p67 - 79 Journal Article, 2005 URL

Smith, M., Adolescence and augmentative and alternative communication, Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, European Academy of Childhood Disability, Oslo, October 2-4, 45, (Supplement 97), Cambridge University Press, 2003, pp15 - 16 Conference Paper, 2003

Asymmetry in input and output for individuals who use AAC in, editor(s)Light, J Beukelman, D Reichle, J , Communicative competence for individuals who use AAC, Baltimore, MD, Paul H Brookes, 2003, pp163 - 198, [Smith, MM, Grove, N.] Book Chapter, 2003

Environmental influences on aided language development: the role of partner adaptation in, editor(s)S. von Tetzchner, N. Grove , Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Developmental issues, London, Whurr, 2003, pp155 - 175, [Smith, M.] Book Chapter, 2003

Determining utterance boundaries: Problems and strategies in, editor(s)S von Tetzchner, J Clibbens , Understanding the theoretical and methodological bases of Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Toronto, CA: ISAAC, 2001, pp15 - 41, [Smith, M., Grove, N.] Book Chapter, 2001

Smith, M., Simply a speech impairment? Literacy challenges for individuals with severe congenital speech impairments, International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 48, (4), 2001, p331 - 353 Journal Article, 2001

The bimodal situation of children learning language using manual and graphic signs in, editor(s)F Loncke, J Clibbens, H Arvidson, L Lloyd , Augmentative and Alternative Communication: New Directions in Research and Practice, London, Whurr, 1999, pp8 - 30, [Smith, M., Grove, N.] Book Chapter, 1999

Literacy in AAC. in, editor(s)L. Lloyd, D. Fuller and H. Arvidson , Augmentative and Alternative Communication: A Handbook of Principles and Practices, London, Allyn and Bacon, 1997, pp414 - 443, [Smith, M., Blischak, D.] Book Chapter, 1997

Non-Peer-Reviewed Publications

Introduction to Clinical Cases in Augmentative and Alternative Communication in, editor(s)Smith, Martine M. , Clinical Cases in Augmentative and Alternative Communication, London, Routledge, 2023, pp1 - 11, [Smith, Martine M.] Book Chapter, 2023 DOI

Personal perspectives on AAC in, editor(s)Martine M Smith , Clinical cases in Augmentative and Alternative Communication, London, Routledge, 2023, pp118 - 129, [Fitzpatrick Gillian, Fitzpatrick Sean, Lynch Yvonne, Smith Martine M.] Book Chapter, 2023 DOI

Sotiropoulou Drosopolou, C., Murray, J., Smith, M, Launonen, K., Neuvonen, K., Lynch, Y., Stadskliev, K., and von Tetzchner, S., Appraising Conversation Patterns between children and young people who use aided AAC and their conversation partners in two-person and multiperson interactions - clinical implications , Journal of Practice Teaching and Learning, 2022 Journal Article, 2022

Smith, Martine, Building a solid foundation: Linking language and literacy through aided communication, Trilhando juntos a comunicacao alternativa, Natal, Brasil, August, 2017, edited by Deliberato, D. de Paula Nunes, D, de Jesus Goncalves, M , ABPEE, 2017, pp13 - 30 Conference Paper, 2017 TARA - Full Text

Smith, Martine, Murray, Janice, Symbolisation towards literacy, CM Study Day, Stirling, Scotland, November 12, 2014, Communication Matters Invited Talk, 2014

Smith, Martine, Improving the odds: Evidence-informed instruction to support decoding, recoding and reading, AAC By the Bay, San Jose, USA, February 27-March 1, 2014, Bridge School, San Francisco Invited Talk, 2014

Smith, Martine, Murray, Janice, Symbolisation towards Literacy, CM Study Day, London, UK, March 13, 2014, Communication Matters Invited Talk, 2014

Smith, M., Tinney, G., Deasy, J., Changing the literacy landscape, Bulletin, (April ), 2010, p16 - 17 Journal Article, 2010

Smith, Martine, A tale of transitions: Fragile skills and shaky scaffolds on the path to literacy, AAC By the Bay, San Francisco, September 14-17, 2009, The Bridge School Invited Talk, 2009

Smith, Martine, Literacy and AAC: Effective assessment and intervention, La Coruna University, Spain, Oct 15-17, 2009 Invited Talk, 2009

Smith, Martine, Vocabulary instruction and aided communication, AAC By the Bay, San Francisco, Sept 14-17, 2009, 2009 Conference Paper, 2009

Pictures to Print: Problems, Puzzles and Principles in, editor(s)Allan Wilson , In AAC 2000: Practical approaches to Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Edinburgh, CALL Centre, University of Edinburgh, 2000, pp10 - 15, [Smith, Martine M.] Book Chapter, 2000

Research Expertise

Projects

  • Title
    • Becoming an aided communicator
  • Summary
    • This is an international cross-linguistic project across 19 sites, coordinated by the University of Oslo, focusing on the language and communication development of children with severe speech and physical impairments who rely on graphic symbols and/or electronic communication devices to communicate. The research seeks to explore the interrelationships between receptive and expressive communication skills across spoken and graphic modalities, in children aged 5-15 years. Children acquiring language using graphic symbols typically are exposed primarily to speech as the primary mode of communication, but rely primarily on graphic symbols for their own expressive communication. The impact of this modality asymmetry is poorly understood. Most of these children have little access to role models who are expert in their own communication systems and many may be more expert in the use of their graphic symbols than the adults who are expected to support their communication development. The international collaboration with this project creates the potential for exploring the solutions to this unusual communication situation that are created by a uniquely large cohort of participants.
  • Title
    • What does it take to communicate using graphic symbols?
  • Summary
    • Children communicating using graphic symbols typically produce expressive output that is limited in terms of syntactic complexity and frequently different in terms of structural features relative to an expected spoken utterance. It is not clear whether these features reflect (1) underlying language difficulties that are manifested in both graphic and spoken modalities, with only the graphic modality available for inspection; (2) strategic accommodation to the time demands of aided communication; or (3) modality specific adaptations. One of the more productive avenues for exploring the value of each of these candidate explanations is the involvement of typically developing children, who have the potential to generate output both in graphic symbols and in speech. This research project explores the impact of varying sentence constructions on (1) the interpretation and (2) the generation of descriptions of events across spoken and graphic symbol contexts in typically developing children aged 5-7 years.
  • Funding Agency
    • Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
  • Date From
    • 2010
  • Date To
    • 2013
  • Title
    • Remembering symbols: Validating a symbol span task.
  • Summary
    • Assessing the working memory skills of children with severe speech and physical impairments is challenging, because of the contraints in terms of motor response accessible. The most commonly used tool is an adapted version of the digit span task, with number displays presented visually so that participants can select digits from the display. The goal of this project is to develop and validate accessible symbol- and text-based working memory tasks, initially with typically developing children and subsequently with children with severe speech and physical impairments. The research involves collaboration with the University of La Coruna and Manchester Metropolitan University.

Keywords

ALTERNATIVE AND AUGMENTATIVE COMMUNICATION; Alternative Communication Systems; Childhood Communication Disorders; Developmental disorders of speech and language; Disability; LANGUAGE ACQUISITION; LANGUAGE DISORDER; LITERACY

Recognition

Representations

Editor, Augmentative and Alternative Communication 2016-2018

Associate Editor, Augmentative and Alternative Communication Journal 2007-2015

Associate Editor, Child Language Teaching and Therapy journal 2009-2015

Member of the Board of the Central Remedial Clinic 2018-2020

Member of the Speech Language Therapists Registration Board, CORU 2013-2021

Member of Expert Advisory Group for youngballymun project 2010-2015

National Designated Expert with the Research SubCommittee of the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies 2010

Member of the Health and Social Care Professionals Research Group 2013-2015

Member of advisory group for Dublin City Children's Services Literacy subgroup 2010-2012

Member of the Scientific Programme Committee, IALP Congress, Greece 2010

Member of the Scientific Programme Committee, ISAAC Conference, Barcelona 2010

Awards and Honours

Visiting Professor, Manchester Metropolitan University 2018-

Fellow Trinity College Dublin 2010

AAC Editor's Award for best paper 1992

Memberships

Irish Association of Speech & Language Therapists (IASLT) 1990 – 2019

International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication 1990 – 2019

President of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, (ISAAC) 2005 – 2007

President-Elect, Executive Committee ISAAC 2003 – 2005

International Affiliate American Speech-Language Hearing Association 2008 – 2020

Board Member, International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP) 2014 – 2017

Member International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics 2014 – 2019

European Literacy Network member 2018 – 2020

Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists (RCSLT) 2003 – 2008

Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE) 2004 – 2007

Chair, AAC committee, IALP 2018 – 2021