Research group Speech and Language Therapy: Participation through communication
Being able to communicate is essential for interpersonal contact and participation in society. Communication is so common that we often do not realise how the daily life of someone with a communicative disability is impacted by their condition. Our research group aims to improve the self-reliance of people with such disabilities.
Lines of research within the research group
Together with lecturers, students and municipal organisations, this research group conducts research into the early detection of language deficiencies in children, as well as the methods that are used for this purpose by Youth Health Care (NWA application for Resilient Youth!). We develop instruments aimed at functional outcome measures, such as questionnaires that measure intelligibility (ICS-NL), communicative participation (FOCUS-NL) and people’s quality of life (SAQoL-39NL). With the development of the communication toolkit (CommuniCare), we seek to prevent situations in which people with aphasia receive the wrong kind of care. In addition, we measure the effect of certain interventions, such as special education for children with language development disorders, and examine which factors are of influence on its efficacy (IntervenTOS).
Projects
- TO-ENGAGE
- SPEECH
- COM-PROM
This line of research focuses on increasing expertise regarding blended care (regular care combined with online care) and interprofessional care. Our work contributes to the increase in agency and interaction and the social participation of people with a communicative disability, through the development of effective language therapy tools, such as the online modules in the Logoclicks and LogoGames projects, and the implementation of communication training for healthcare professionals (CommuniCare project). This also means that we conduct research that focuses on cooperation, such as partnership with parents (COMPLETE project) and loved ones (CommuniCare project), in which we increase the agency of people with a communicative disability that limits their ability to interact with their environment.
Projects
- CommuniCare
- COMPLETE
Publications
- Putting participation first: The use of the ICF-model in the assessment and instruction of L2 pronunciation
- 1001 Small Victories: Deaf Academics and Imposter Syndrome
- A systematic scoping review on contextual factors associated with communicative participation among children with developmental language disorder
Education
The Research group Speech and Language Therapy: Participation through communication is linked to the bachelor programme in Speech Therapy at the HU. All affiliated lecturers may participate in the research. The knowledge that is acquired and the products we design are incorporated into the educational programme, in consultation with the relevant departments and lecturers. Bachelor students from various degree programmes regularly contribute to our research projects.
Collaboration
We work closely with the Koninklijke Auris Groep, with NSDSK, independent speech therapists, and with the professional association NVLF. We also collaborate and consult with various patient associations, including a network of professionals and organisations involved with patients with acquired brain injuries.
Our professors and researchers
Ellen Gerrits
Professor Speech and Language Therapy: Participation through communication Show profile
Eline Alons
PhD candidate Speech and Language Therapy: Participation through communication Show profile
Ilvi Blessenaar
Researcher Speech and Language Therapy: Participation through communication Show profile