Development And Application Of A Pressure-sensing Electropalatograph For The Assessment And Treatment Of Speech Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,750.00
Summary
A multidisciplinary team of researchers aim to develop a unique, advanced, computer-based speech device that speech pathologists can use to assess and treat a variety of speech disorders. The device will record the location, timing and pressure of tongue contacts against the roof of the mouth (palate) during speech using innovative sensors embedded in an artificial plate placed over the roof of the mouth. State-of-the-art 3D graphics will be used to display tongue-to-palate contacts to both spee ....A multidisciplinary team of researchers aim to develop a unique, advanced, computer-based speech device that speech pathologists can use to assess and treat a variety of speech disorders. The device will record the location, timing and pressure of tongue contacts against the roof of the mouth (palate) during speech using innovative sensors embedded in an artificial plate placed over the roof of the mouth. State-of-the-art 3D graphics will be used to display tongue-to-palate contacts to both speech pathologist and patient.Read moreRead less
Epilepsy and speech disorders are common diseases in the Australian population that have major genetic contributions. To improve clinical care I will study our unique set of patients with epilepsies or speech impairments. Discovery of genes will provide new information that will improve diagnosis, treatment and counselling of patients and their families. This will enhance long established Australian clinical and research expertise in epilepsy and speech disorders.
A Telehealth Adaptation Of A Treatment For Chronic Stuttering
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$389,400.00
Summary
Stuttering can have devastating effects on psychological development, social adjustment, and the realisation of educational and vocational potential. Best practice treatments for chronic stuttering in adulthood and late adolescence stop or reduce stuttering with a systematic process of speech restructuring. However, speech restructuring treatment for chronic stuttering is specialised and resource intensive. Probably half of Australians with chronic stuttering cannot access such specialised treat ....Stuttering can have devastating effects on psychological development, social adjustment, and the realisation of educational and vocational potential. Best practice treatments for chronic stuttering in adulthood and late adolescence stop or reduce stuttering with a systematic process of speech restructuring. However, speech restructuring treatment for chronic stuttering is specialised and resource intensive. Probably half of Australians with chronic stuttering cannot access such specialised treatment services because of distance and lifestyle factors, and because clinicians do not have the resources to provide the treatment. These problems present a research challenge. The present project aims to meet this challenge by developing an innovative treatment model for adults who stutter based on telehealth. This treatment model will make the treatment accessible to all rural and urban dwelling patients with chronic stuttering, and will make the treatment deliverable by every clinician. The research will have significant impact for many end users.Read moreRead less
From Discovery To Innovation In Stuttering Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,124,148.00
Summary
Stuttering starts in 2-3-year olds and if not controlled causes a lifetime of social anxiety, and hinders educational and vocational achievement. Recent discoveries by the current team and colleagues have shown the disorder to be far more prevalent, and more of a public health problem, than previously thought. The team has developed efficacious treatments for stuttering children and adults. However, no country can afford the health care needed for all who stutter. The present research is designe ....Stuttering starts in 2-3-year olds and if not controlled causes a lifetime of social anxiety, and hinders educational and vocational achievement. Recent discoveries by the current team and colleagues have shown the disorder to be far more prevalent, and more of a public health problem, than previously thought. The team has developed efficacious treatments for stuttering children and adults. However, no country can afford the health care needed for all who stutter. The present research is designed to solve this problem by developing standalone Internet based stuttering treatments. These will be evaluated in a stepped care treatment approach for people who stutter, in Australia and internationally.Read moreRead less
Neurobiology Of Childhood Speech And Language Disorders: Advancing Diagnosis, Prognosis And Management
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,961.00
Summary
Half a million Australian children have a speech/language disorder, tripling their changes of poor academic outcomes, limited employment options and social isolation. Current speech therapy is outdated, focusing on symptoms and ignoring important evidence on underlying aetiologies. I will transform detection, diagnosis and treatment of speech/language disorders to optimise patient outcomes, by identifying and translating findings on genes and brain pathways leading to these conditions.
Understanding Childhood Speech And Language Disorders: What Goes Wrong, When And Why It Matters?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$466,849.00
Summary
My vision for the next five years is to improve greatly the diagnosis, prevention and management of childhood communication impairments. Making a difference for these children and their families means improving our understanding of how speech and language develops, what goes wrong, when, and why it matters. My research program will target each of these topics and outline a plan for translation, that is how to get the new knowledge and best evidence into practice.
How Language Develops, What Goes Wrong, And Why It Matters: Following The Early Language In Victoria Study To Age 13
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$857,242.00
Summary
One in five children start school with low language. Little is known about the long term effects on developmental, educational attainment and other outcomes later in life. In this landmark study we will track the children's language, literacy and wellbeing from ages 8 to 12 years. We will capture the children's ability as they finish their primary school education and prior to the crucial transfer to high school.
The Contribution Of Dopamine To Regulation Of Orofacial, Limb And Trunk Control: System Or Function Specific Effects?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$493,124.00
Summary
Treatment for Parkinson's disease, including dopamine replacement therapy and deep brain stimulation, fail to produce the same beneficial effects on all movement systems. Whereas limb function is the primary beneficiary of these treatments, other functions such as speech and postural control are less responsive. Critical to the research is the postulate that such differences may have arisen due to the fact that previous studies of dopamine and movement control have investigated distinct motor sy ....Treatment for Parkinson's disease, including dopamine replacement therapy and deep brain stimulation, fail to produce the same beneficial effects on all movement systems. Whereas limb function is the primary beneficiary of these treatments, other functions such as speech and postural control are less responsive. Critical to the research is the postulate that such differences may have arisen due to the fact that previous studies of dopamine and movement control have investigated distinct motor systems via the assessment of distinct movement constructs, making cross system comparisons an impossible task. The proposed research will assess the effect of Parkinson's disease, deep brain stimulation and dopamine on identical muscle functions within the orofacial, trunk and limb muscle systems. To this end, the results generated from this resarch have the potential to reconceptualise working models of brain-muscle relationships. Further the research will provide guidance for future studies that aim to eradicate trade-off effects (e.g. limb function improved but not speech) relating to symptom relief for people with Parkinson's disease.Read moreRead less