ABSTRACT
The purpose of this research study was to evaluate the communication of individuals with Sotos syndrome in order to better characterize common speech and language patterns. Sixteen children with Sotos syndrome received an in-depth communication assessment using standardized procedures. Assessments of speech skills, language skills, voice, fluency, and social-pragmatic interactions were completed. Results of the evaluations indicated that individuals with Sotos syndrome are prone to: (a) language impairments (particularly expressive), (b) speech sound production impairments, (c) voice impairments, (d) dysfluencies (stuttering), and (e) average social-behavioral pragmatic interaction characteristics.
Subject(s)
Abnormalities, Multiple/pathology , Developmental Disabilities/pathology , Growth Disorders/pathology , Language Disorders/pathology , Speech Disorders/pathology , Abnormalities, Multiple/genetics , Articulation Disorders/pathology , Child , Child, Preschool , Histone Methyltransferases , Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase , Humans , Infant , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics , Language Tests , Mutation , Nuclear Proteins/genetics , SyndromeABSTRACT
According to the 2000 United States Census, the Asian population in Houston, Texas, has increased more than 67% in the last ten years. To supplement an already active consumer health information program, the staff of the Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library worked with community partners to bring health information to predominantly Asian neighborhoods. Brochures on health topics of concern to the Asian community were translated and placed in eight informational kiosks in Asian centers such as temples and an Asian grocery store. A press conference and a ribbon cutting ceremony were held to debut the kiosks and to introduce the Consumer Health Information for Asians (CHIA) program. Project goals for the future include digitizing the translated brochures, mounting them on the Houston HealthWays Website, and developing touch-screen kiosks. The CHIA group is investigating adding health resources in other Asian languages, as well as Spanish. Funding for this project has come from outside sources rather than from the regular library budget.
Subject(s)
Asian , Community-Institutional Relations , Health Education/organization & administration , Information Services/organization & administration , Libraries, Medical/organization & administration , Academic Medical Centers/organization & administration , Consumer Advocacy , Cooperative Behavior , Humans , Needs Assessment , Program Development , TexasABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Obturators have been developed for surgical defects caused by cancer of the maxillary sinus and alveolar ridge. Outcome research is necessary to develop evidence-based practice guidelines. METHODS: Thirty-two consecutively treated maxillectomy patients seen in the Facial Prosthetics Clinic at UNMC from 1994 through 1996 had their defects obturated for 1 month when speech intelligibility, speaking rate, nasality, and communication effectiveness were measured. RESULTS: With the obturator removed, mean speech intelligibility was 61%, speaking rate was 138 words per minute, and nasality was rated as 5.8 on a 0-7 point scale. With the obturator inserted, mean speech intelligibility was 94%, speaking rate was 164 words per minute, and nasality was rated as 1.6. The mean self-perception of communication effectiveness was 75% of what it was before the diagnosis of cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Obturation is an effective intervention for defects of the maxillary sinus and alveolar ridge on speech performance. Variations in effectiveness were noted based on site of defect and patient satisfaction with the intervention.
Subject(s)
Communication , Maxillary Neoplasms/surgery , Palatal Obturators , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Maxilla/surgery , Middle Aged , Postoperative Period , Speech Intelligibility , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether there is an increased prevalence of voice problems among telemarketers compared with the general population and if these voice problems affect productivity and are associated with the presence of known risk factors for voice problems. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey study. SETTINGS: One outbound telemarketing firm, 3 reservations firms, 1 messaging firm, 1 survey research firm, and 1 community college. PARTICIPANTS: Random and cluster sampling identified 373 employees of the 6 firms; 304 employees completed the survey. A convenience sample of 187 community college students similar in age, sex, education level, and smoking prevalence served as a control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic, vocational, personality, and biological risk factors for voice problems; symptoms of vocal attrition; and effects of symptoms on work. RESULTS: Telemarketers were twice as likely to report 1 or more symptoms of vocal attrition compared with controls after adjusting for age, sex, and smoking status (P<.001). Of those surveyed, 31% reported that their work was affected by an average of 5.0 symptoms These respondents tended to be women (P<.001) and were more likely to smoke (P =.02); take drying medications (P<.001); have sinus problems (P =.04), frequent colds (P<.001), and dry mouth (P<.001); and be sedentary (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Telemarketers have a higher prevalence of voice problems than the control group. These problems affect productivity and are associated with modifiable risk factors. Evaluation of occupational voice disorders must encompass all of the determinants of health status, and treatment must focus on modifiable risk factors, not just the reduction of occupational vocal load.
