Scott T. Palasik, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Scott T. Palasik, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Title: Associate Professor
Dept/Program: School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / Speech-Language Pathology
Office: Polsky 184G
Phone: 330-972-8185
Fax: 330-972-7884
Email: spalasik@uakron.edu

Biography

I’ve been a certified SLP for many years, so my primary area of interest is developing a stuttering therapy approach called the Mindfulness Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Somatic Stuttering Treatment (MASS Treatment). This approach has a theoretical foundation in the cognitive behavioral sciences psychotherapy approach of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT will be used to address cognitive behaviors (thoughts) related to stuttering in order to create psychological flexibility. It combines the use of meditation (mindfulness) activities to increase a client’s awareness and willingness to connect with all thoughts and language. Another piece of this treatment is somatics, movements related to valued-based postures and general body activities. The last component of MASS Treatment is addressing the physical behaviors of stuttering with whatever techniques the client feels comfortable using; remembering that therapy is client-centered, not clinician-centered. In summary, the MASS Treatment will address Mind, Body, and Speech to essentially help the WHOLE person.

I’m also the director of the Mindfulness behaviors ACT and Social cognition Stuttering Lab (MASS Lab).The first purpose of this lab is to perform research related to unconscious and conscious perceptions toward People Who Stutter (PWS) and People Who Don’t Stutter (PWDS), sexual orientation, racism, and disparate levels of meditators by utilizing Implicit Association Tests (IAT). These tests (IATs) along with the theoretical foundations of Media Equation provide a base for exploring implicit and explicit social attitudes with the use of digital technology.  By performing research with several colleagues across the country, we are able to develop some unique experiments to examine human social interactions while measuring indirect and direct perceptions.

Another line of research currently being examined are the behavioral and social cognitive impact of sound on eating. This line of research was developed with a student at the University of Southern Mississippi in collaboration with a colleague in North Dakota.

Personal interests include being a musician (singer and song writer) along with the owner of a publishing company for fictional and nonfictional manuscripts. I’m also an avid outdoorsman; I love to hike, run, ski, along with other sports. Finally, Toastmasters has been an instrumental part of my life in order to develop communication and leadership skills. I owe part of my success as a professional and individual to this organization.

Background

The inspiration to become an SLP was first generated during my Associates in Science degree in Business Administration at Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC). HVCC provided opportunities to explore my interests and develop the individual I longed to be. After graduating from HVCC, I attended Syracuse University receiving a Bachelors and Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology.  Following my time at Syracuse, I moved to Chicago and spent seven years servicing elementary school-aged children along with nursing facility clients with Speech, Language, Cognitive, and Dysphagia disorders. This priceless time vaulted my decision to continue my education and move forward to attend a university for a PhD.

So, in 2006 I moved from Chicago to Ohio to pursue a doctorate degree with a focus in Stuttering Disorders and secondary cognates in Counseling and Neurogentics at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). At BGSU I actively participated in research exploring psychosocial and social cognition concepts related to stuttering along with research examining perceptions toward graduate supervision. I further had the pleasure to be a member of a psychophysiology and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) psychology lab. Finally, I had the unique and great honor to be a chapter leader for the Northwest Ohio National Stuttering Association for four years.

Upon graduating from BGSU, I became a faculty member at the University Of Southern Mississippi (USM). At USM I developed the Mindfulness Behaviors and Social Cognition Stuttering (MASS) Lab for two years where I started continuing the research line of implicit and explicit perceptions toward PWS and PWDS. I also performed research with students pertaining to dysphagia and sound along with parent perceptions’ of the impact television has on their speech and language disordered children.  Finally, USM provided me the chance to teach Stuttering Disorders, Traumatic Brain Injury, Voice Disorders, and Introduction to Communication Disorders classes while supervising graduate students.

Most Recent Invited Presentations

  • Palasik, S. (October, 2012). The Hexiflex Model for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for clients who stutter. Presentation conducted at the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association District 6 – Fluency Symposium, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Kuster, J., Allen, M., Eldridge, K., Palasik, S., Shapiro, D., Williams, D., Klein, J. (2012, October). Voices: Past and Present – Paths toward recovery from stuttering Panel Presentation. Presentation conducted at the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association District 6 – Fluency Symposium, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Palasik, S. (2012, October). The Experts Speak- The Paths to Recovery: The Cost of Courage is the Freedom to Speak, International Stuttering Awareness Day Convention (ISAD), http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/isad16/isadcon16x.html
  • Palasik, S. (2012, January). Preschool and School Stuttering Treatment and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Presentation conducted at Bay Area Speech and Hearing Association (BASHA )Conference, Mobile Alabama.
  • Palasik, S. (2011, September). Using Implicit Association Tests (IAT) to measure unconscious and conscious attitudes toward people who stutter and people who don’t stutter. Presentation conducted at University of Southern Mississippi Psychology Colloquium Seminar, USM.
  • Palasik, S., & Hannan, J. (2010, October). Dealing with chronic sorrow and the loss of a “fluent child” (a personal story).  Online manuscript conducted for the International Stuttering Awareness Day Convention (ISAD),  http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/isad13/isadcon13.html

Most Recent Referred Presentations

  • Tyrone, B., Palasik, S., Nozny, B., Brewer, B., Mier, J. (2012, November). The effects of background noise on eating. Poster session presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, Atlanta, GA.
  • Fortenberry, H., Palasik, S. (2012, November). Television’s effects on speech and language: The parent’s perspective. Poster session presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, Atlanta, GA.
  • Palasik, S. (2012, July). Mindfulness and value-based committed action for teens and young adults who stutter. Seminar Presentation presented at The National Association of Young People Who Stutter (FRIENDS) National Conference, Denver, CO.
  • Rusnak, E., Palasik, S., Smith, M., Isnelmann, J., Burroughs, E. (2011, November). Supervisors’ perspectives on the clinical education process: A national study. Poster session presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, San Diego, CA.
  • Palasik, S., Gabel, R., Irani, F., Swartz, E., Temme, S. (2011, November). Graduate students’ approach to simulated stuttering situations (mixed methods approach). Poster session presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, San Diego, CA.
  • Kuster, J., Allen, M., Chmela, K., Eldridge, K., Rentschler, G., Palasik, S., Shapiro, D., Williams, D., Klein, J. (2011, November). Voices: Past & present: Paths toward recovery from stuttering. Seminar Presentation presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, San Diego, CA.
  • Palasik, S., Ladner, M., Reeves, S., & Wood, J. (2011, April). Bringing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to the Field of Stuttering. Seminar Presentation presented at the Mississippi Speech and Hearing Association (MSHA) Conference, Jackson, MS.
  • Rusnak, E., Palasik, S. (2010, November). Poverty and early language development: Evidence-based interventions for SLPS. Seminar Presentation presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Palasik, S., Gabel, R., & Rusnak, E. (2010, November). Words may assess implicit attitudes about fluent & stuttered speech. Poster session presented at American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Hughes, C.D., Gabel, R., Palasik, S. (2010, November). The effect of familiarity on attitudes toward stuttering. Poster session presented at American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Palasik, S., Gabel, R., & Rusnak, E. (2010, November). Assessing implicit attitudes about fluent & stuttered speakers with pictures. Poster session presented at American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Palasik, S., Gabel, R., & Rusnak, E. (2010, April). Field study results for implicit association tests (IATs) for stuttered and fluent speaker target concepts. Poster session presented at University of Toledo-Bowling Green State University 17th Annual Neuroscience Symposium, Toledo, OH.
  • Hannan, J., Palasik, S., Swartz, E., Brackenbury, K. (2010, March). A client-centered team-based counseling therapy approach with children who stutter. Seminar Presentation conducted at the Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association (OSLHA) Convention, Columbus, OH.
  • Palasik, S., Gabel, R., Rusnak, E. (2009, November). Developing stimuli for an implicit association test for stuttered versus fluent speakers. Poster session presented at American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention, New Orleans, LA. 

Publications

  • Palasik, S., Gabel, R., Hughes, C., Rusnak, E. (2012). Perceptions of people who stutter about occupational experiences. Perspectives on Fluency and Fluency Disorders, 22, 21-33.
  • Hughes, C.D., Gabel, R., Palasik, S. (2011). Talking about stuttering with a known person who stutters: Impact on Perception towards stuttering. Perspectives of Fluency Disorder, 21, 50-58.
  • Palasik, S. (2010). Development and implementation of implicit association test for perceptions toward stuttering speakers and fluent speakers. OhioLINK Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD). BGSU 1276809099.
  • Gabel, R., Irani, F., Palasik, S., Swartz, E., & Hughes, C. (2010). Treatment outcomes of the intensive stuttering therapy for adolescents and adults. In Frank Columbus (Ed.), Speech disorders: Causes, treatments, and social effects. New York, New York: Nova Science Inc.
  • Palasik, S., Irani, F., Goberman, A. (2009). Trait and state anxiety in people who stutter and people who do not stutter. ASHA Perspectives of Fluency Disorders, 19, 99-105.
  • Irani, F., Gabel, R., Hughes, S., Swartz, E., & Palasik, S. (2009). Role entrapment of people who stutter reported by K-12 Teachers. Contemporary Issues in Communication Sciences and Disorders, 36, 48-56.