Contributions to Science

Vocal biomarkers of speech impairment in cerebral palsy

2019 - ongoing

My programmatic line of research aims to identify early predictors of communication impairment in cerebral palsy (CP) through the study of infant vocal behaviors. My central hypothesis is that neurological damage resulting in a CP diagnosis will also impact the early development of the speech-motor system. This work is informed by an infrastructural framework of vocal development which presumes that prelinguistic vocal production is foundational to later speech production. My research is richly grounded in my experience as a speech-language pathologist where I served preschool and school-aged children with CP and other neurodevelopmental disorders with complex communication needs. The long-term goal of this work is to facilitate earlier diagnosis to support treatment planning and improved communication outcomes of children with speech impairment and CP.

Featured papers:

Infant vocal fitness signaling and the origins of language in humans

2015 - 2022

My predoctoral work evaluated social and nonsocial factors associated with infants' vocal fitness signaling of general wellness and developmental progress to caregivers. Grounded in an evolutionary-developmental biology (evo-devo) framework, this research presumes that infant vocalizations follow a natural logic of development that emerges along a similar trajectory as the pathway to language in the human species. The fitness signaling hypothesis is based on the assumption that there exist positive selection pressures on advanced vocal behaviors that support the emergence of language in infants.

Featured papers:

Open science practices in communication sciences and disorders

2020 - ongoing

My secondary line of research evaluates attitudes and behaviors associated with the use of open science practices across scientists in communication sciences and disorders (CSD). We aim to further our understanding of our field's knowledge, interests, and perceived barriers in actively engaging in open science practices.

Featured papers:

Upcoming and Recent

Conference Presentations

SRCLD 2023

Symposium on Research in Child Language Disorders

Madison, WI June 1-3, 2023
Poster

An examination of the relationship between early vocal production and later language abilities in young children with cerebral palsy

Long, H. L., Hayes, S., Christensen, L., & Hustad, K. C.

Imp Sci IS for All

2023 Implementation Science IS for All Conference

Virtual April 27-28, 2023
Lightning Round Poster

Exploring speech-language pathologists' perceptions of a team-based AAC evaluation program: A qualitative study 

Long, H. L., Elmquist, M., Marshall, S., & Seale, J.

55th Gatlinburg Conference 2023

Kansas City, MO April 11-13, 2023
Poster

A scoping review of vocal development in infants with and at risk for neurodevelopmental disabilities and speech impairment 

Long, H. L., Hayes, S., Christensen, L., & Hustad, K. C. 
Tuesday, April 11, 2023, 6:00-7:30 pm

ASHA 2022

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association annual convention

New Orleans, LA November 17-20, 2022
Panel Symposium

Precursors to Language in ASD and Other Developmental Conditions 

Oller, D. K., Su, P., Long, H. L., Yoo, H., Farran, L., Adams, E., Bene, E. R., Burkhardt-Reed, M. M., & Ramsay, G.


iPoster

Longitudinal communicative participation in children with and at risk of cerebral palsy between 18-60 months

Long, H. L., Elmquist, M., Natzke, P., & Hustad, K. C.


iPoster

Preverbal and verbal communication and interaction development in toddlers with cerebral palsy  

Elmquist, M., Long, H. L., Soriano, J., & Hustad, K. C.