Evidence-Based Practice in Speech-Language Pathology: Creating Effective Therapy Materials

Author

• Avalee Dunkley, Utah State University

Date of Award

5-2026

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Departmental Honors

Department

Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education

Department name when degree awarded

Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences

Abstract

Evidence-based practice is a fairly new topic in speech-language pathology, gaining traction among professionals in the field in the last twenty years. Evidence-based practice is the integration of high-quality research, patient cultural and social values, and clinician expertise to treat a patient. Patients are more likely to progress when these three factors are combined. This paper explores four areas of speech-language pathology that are commonly treated in school-aged children: speech sound disorders, language disorders, social communication disorders, and the use of augmentative and alternative communication. Each section gives a summary of the disorder and how the disorder can be treated through tested research methods. 

SLPs use evidence-based treatment approaches and are expected to create materials that are tailored to their patient. For example, if the SLP chooses to use the minimal pairs approach to treat a child with a mild to moderate phonological disorder, the SLP would create word pair flashcards that contrast the child’s error phonemes with their target phonemes. An example of word pairs could be key/tea, go/doe, cup/tup. 

Using the researched evidence-based practice, corresponding materials were made for each topic that could be used in a speech-language therapy session. Oftentimes, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are expected to have their own library of materials to use in therapy and are not provided with them. I have seen SLPs use materials from a wide range of sources, whether from the internet or speech-language pathology companies, that have costed them hundreds of dollars to acquire. Creating a base of materials now in my undergraduate degree gives me a headstart when I join the workforce, and in this process, I have taught myself how I can create my own therapy materials based on evidence-based practice.

Recommended Citation

Dunkley, Avalee, "Evidence-Based Practice in Speech-Language Pathology: Creating Effective Therapy Materials" (2026). Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects. 1108.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/honors/1108