Child Communication Lab

Introduction

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, and teachers) in natural environments (e.g., home, community, school).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, and teachers) in natural environments (e.g., home, community, and 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 Ph.D. Students

Lab director and professor Jennifer Brown is currently accepting new Ph.D. students. If you are interested in applying to the Ph.D. 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

_ Harrison, A. J., Bowman, K, Bub, K., Brown, J.A., Lieberman-Betz, R., & Vail, C. (2025). Examining sociodemographic factors related to autism screening rates of children in early intervention . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

Wiegand, S., Brown, J.A., & Lieberman-Betz, R.G. (2025). It’s not my journey, it’s theirs’: Experiences of Part C providers screening for autism. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools.
Delehanty, A., Lorio, C., Romano, M. Brown, J.A., Woods, J.J., & Wetherby, A.M (2024). Social communication and parent verbal responsiveness across interaction contexts in toddlers on the autism spectrum . American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology.
Romano, M., Brown, J.A., Coogle, C., Ottley, J., & Lakey, E. (2024). What to teach before talking: Supporting children to develop strong early communication skills across home and school routines . In M. Materson and R. Grady, Focus on Developmentally Appropriate Practice: Equitable and Joyful Learning with Infants and Toddlers. Washington, DC: NAEYC.
Coogle, C., Lakey, E., Ottley, J., Brown, J.A., & Romano, M. (2024). Embedded learning opportunities for children with and without disabilities . In H. Seitz (Ed.), Spotlight on Young Children: Observation and Assessment. Washington, DC: NAEYC.
Lieberman-Betz, R.G., Brown, J.A., Vail. C.O., & Wiegand, S. (2023). An Interdisciplinary Case-Based Approach to Preservice Interprofessional Training . In D.D. Slanda & L. Pike (Ed.S..), Handbook of Research on Interdisciplinary Preparation for Equitable Special Education. IGI Global.
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.

Recent Presentations

Brown, J.A, Vail, C.O., Lieberman-Betz, R., Harrison, A., Benton, H., Bowen, K., & Nalley, A. (2025). Supportive factors and barriers to providing high quality equitable early intervention services: A multiple perspectives analysis. Poster presented at International Society on Early Intervention Conference, Lisbon, Portugal.
Lorio, C., Delehanty, A., Romano, M., Brown, J.A., & Lanker, O. (2025). Speech-language pathologists’ knowledge and use of caregiver oaching practices across work settings. Poster presented at the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention. Washington. D.C.
Bond, J. & Brown, J.A. (2025). Systematic review of augmentative and alternative communication partner training of educators and peers in schools. Poster presented at the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention. Washington. D.C.
Bond, J. & Brown, J.A. (2025). Educator perspectives on aided augmentative and alternative communication modeling in special education classrooms. Session presented at the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention. Washington. D.C.
Romano, M., Delehanty, A., Brown, J.A. Lorio, C., & Woods, J. (2024). Practical strategies to help caregivers choose family routines as interaction contexts in early intervention. Session presented at the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention. Seattle, WA.
Bond, J. & Brown, J.A. (2024). Aided Augmentative and Alternative Communication Modeling During Dialogic Reading in Special Education Preschool Classrooms. Virtual technical research session presented at the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention. Seattle, WA.
Lieberman-Betz, R., Brown, J.A., Harrison, A.J., Bowman, K. & Vail, C. (2024). Supporting equitable services in Part C early intervention: Messages from parents, providers, and early intervention coordinators. Session presented at the Babies Can’t Wait Conference. Atlanta, GA.
Delehanty, A., Lorio, C., Romano, M., Brown, J.A., Woods, J., & Wetherby, A. (2023). Social communication and parent verbal responsiveness across interaction contexts in toddlers with and without autism. Poster presented at the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention. Boston, M.A..
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 Ph.D.: 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 the 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.

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 Ph.D.: 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.