Child Communication Lab

The Child Communication Lab (CCL) explores child language development and intervention to improve communication outcomes for children who are developing language typically, children with an increased likelihood for language disorders, and children with identified language disorders. We use an integrated research, practice, and professional development approach focused on collaborative practices (e.g., working with parents, caregivers, teachers) in natural environments (e.g., home, community, school).

Current Projects

Our team is working on several current and ongoing research, practice, and professional development projects including:

Caregiver coaching practices in early intervention practice
Embedded intervention strategies
Implementing Family Guided Routines Based Intervention (FGRBI )
Influence of materials and activities on parent-toddler communication
Early communication screening measures
Strengths-based assessment and intervention
Scholarship of teaching and learning related to communication sciences and disorders and related fields
Interprofessional education and practice

Get Involved

Prospective PhD Students

Lab director, associate professor, and graduate coordinator Jennifer Brown is currently accepting new PhD students. If you are interested in applying to the PhD in Communication Sciences and Disorders program , please email Brown before beginning your application process.

Undergraduate Students

If you are interested in participating in the lab, please complete the CCL interest form . The number of available opportunities for students to participate in the lab varies each semester based on current projects. Participation in the lab is based on a mutually agreed selection process that includes student interest, commitment, and schedule aligned with specific project needs. Students who are selected to participate in the lab enroll in a research-directed course (e.g., CMSD 4960R, CMSD 4970R).

Recent Publications

Lane, J.D. & Brown, J.A. (2023). Child communication research and practice: Collaborative roles for behavior analysts and speech-language pathologists . Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 10(1), 104-112.
Wiegand, S. & Brown, J.A. (2023). Embedding culturally responsive evaluation within implementation science in early intervention . Young Exceptional Children, 26(2), 92-102.
Romano, M., Brown, J.A., Coogle, C., Ottley, J., & Lakey, E. (2023). What to teach before talking: Supporting children to develop strong early communication skills across home and school routines . Young Children, 78(2).
Eshelman, V.T., Lieberman-Betz, R.G., Vail, C.O., & Brown, J.A. (2023). An examination of patterns of caregiver responsiveness and toddler communication in early childhood classrooms . Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education, 44(1), 80-94.
Lieberman-Betz, R.G., & Brown, J.A, Wiegand, S.D., Vail, C.O., Fiss, A.L., & Carpenter, L.J. (2023). Building collaborative capacity in early intervention preservice providers through interprofessional education . Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 54(2).
Wiegand, S.D., Brown, J.A, & Lieberman-Betz, R.G. (2022). Autism spectrum disorder screening practices of Part C early intervention providers: A brief report . Journal of Early Intervention.
Bawayan, R. & Brown, J.A. (2022). Language sample analysis consideration and use: A survey of school-based speech-language pathologists . Clinical Archives of Communication Disorders, 7(1).
Romano, M., Lorio, C., Delehanty, A., Eugenio, J., Abarca, D., Trivedi, B., & Brown , J.A. (2022). Family routines in caregiver-implemented early interventions: A scoping review . Journal of Early Intervention, 44(4), 371 – 392.
Bawayan, R. & Brown, J.A. (2022). Diagnostic decisions of language complexity using informal language assessment measures . Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 53(2), 466-478
Coogle, C., Lakey, E., Ottley, J., Brown, J.A., & Romano, M. (2021). Embedded learning opportunities for children with and without disabilities . Young Children, 76(4).
Byrd, A. & Brown, J.A. (2021). An interprofessional approach to dialect-shifting instruction for early elementary school students . Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 52(1), 139-148.
Lorio, C., Romano, M., Woods, J.J., & Brown, J.A. (2020). A review of problem solving and reflection as caregiver coaching strategies in early intervention . Infants and Young Children, 33(1), 35-70.
Biel, C., Buzhardt, J., Brown, J.A, Romano, M., Lorio, C., Windsor, K., Kaczmarek, L., Gwin, R., Sandall, S., & Goldstein, H. (2020). Language interventions taught to caregivers in homes and classrooms: A review of intervention and implementation fidelity . Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 50 (1), 140-156.

Recent Presentations

Brown, J.A. (2023). Exploring and promoting strengths-based clinical writing of undergraduate CSD students. Poster presented at the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders Annual Conference. Orlando, FL.
Brown, J.A., El Amin, M., Wiegand, S., Tyson, T., & Nalley, A. (2022). Comparison of early communication screening measures for toddlers. Technical research session presented at the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention. New Orleans, LA.
Brown, J.A., O’Brien, K.O., Bawayan, R., Kemp, A., & Meredith, J. (2022). Improving clinical outcomes by pursuing a PhD: Panel discussion of clinicians turned clinical researchers. Session presented at the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention. New Orleans, LA.
Mathis, N. & Brown, J.A. (2022). Exploring college students’ perceptions of early language experiences. Technical research session presented at the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention. New Orleans, LA.
El Amin, M. & Brown, J.A. (2022). Child directed speech features in bilingual Arabic-English caregivers. Technical research session presented at the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention. New Orleans, LA.
Bawayan, R. & Brown, J.A. (2022). School-based SLP diagnostic decisions of language complexity using informal language assessment measures. Technical research session presented at the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention. New Orleans, LA.
Romano, M., Lorio, C., Delehanty, A., Eugenio, J., Abarca, D., Trivedi, B., & Brown, J.A. (2022). Family routines in caregiver-implemented early interventions: A scoping review. Virtual poster session presented at the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention. New Orleans, LA.
Lieberman-Betz, R., Brown, J.A., Vail., C., Wiegand, S., & Poole, M. (2022). Evaluation of an interdisciplinary personnel preparation program. Session presented at the Division of Early Childhood Conference, Chicago, IL.
Wiegand, S., Lieberman-Betz, R., & Brown, J.A. (2022). Improving autism screening practices in part c: A pilot study. Session presented at the Division of Early Childhood Conference, Chicago, IL.
Lane, J. & Brown, J.A. (2022). Improving interdisciplinary collaboration in research and practice in early childhood: Teaming BCBAs and SLPs. Panel presentation (session moderator: Ann Kaiser) presented at Conference on Research Innovations in Early Intervention (CRIEI). San Diego, CA.
Brown, J.A., El Amin, M., Wiegand, S., Tyson, K., & Nalley, A. (2022). Early communication screening measures for toddlers: Comparisons across parent report and automated analysis tools. Poster presented at Conference on Research Innovations in Early Intervention (CRIEI). San Diego, CA.
Wiegand. S., Brown, J.A., Lieberman-Betz, R., & Vail, C.O. (2022). Case-based approach to interprofessional education: Examination of an intensive summer institute. Poster presented at Conference on Research Innovations in Early Intervention (CRIEI). San Diego, CA.
Bawayan, R. & Brown, J.A. (2021). A survey of the language sample analysis practices of school-based speech-language pathologists. Technical research session presented at the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention. Washington, D.C.
El Amin, M. & Brown, J.A. (2021). Different toys, different outcomes? How types of toys impact child and caregiver communication. Poster presented at the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention. Washington, D.C.
Lieberman-Betz, R.G., Brown, J.A., Vail, C.O., & Wiegand, S. (2021). Interprofessional training: A comparison of in-person and virtual events. Session presented at Division for Early Childhood Virtual Conference.
Romano, M., Lorio, C., Delehanty, A., Eugenio, J., Abarca, D., Trivedi, B., & Brown, J.A. (2021). Family routines in caregiver implemented interventions: where we stand, where we are headed. Poster presented at Division for Early Childhood Virtual Conference.
Wiegand, S., Brown, J.A., & Lieberman-Betz, R.G. (2021). Screening for ASD: Experiences of Part C providers. Poster presented at Division for Early Childhood Virtual Conference.
Tyson, K., Wiegand, S., Lieberman-Betz, R., & Brown, J.A. (2021). Transition to Telehealth: BCBAs serving children with autism. Poster presented at Division for Early Childhood Virtual Conference.
Tyson, K., Wiegand, S., Lieberman-Betz, R., & Brown, J.A. (2021). ABA in EI/ECSE: Using DEC Recommended Practices to support families. Session presented at Division for Early Childhood Virtual Conference.

Meet the Team

Associate professor and graduate coordinator Jennifer Brown is the Child Communication Lab director in the Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education .

Download a list of current CCL students

CRIEI Conference Faculty and PhD Students