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Department of Disability Studies

The Department of Disability Studies aims to become the lead centre for teaching, professional skills development and research on disability related issues in Sri Lanka. At the DDS all teaching and research programs are underpinned by a disability studies paradigm.

WELCOME TO

Department of Disability Studies

Undergraduate Programmes

Offers courses for Speech and Hearing Science degree.

SHS Student Portal

Student Portal for SHS Degree Program.

OT Student Portal

Student Portal for OT Degree Program.

Research

The department is engaged in multidisciplinary research.

Research Projects - Batch 7

	Index No	Student Name	Supervisor	Research Title
1	SH/2013/002	Basnayka S.M.T.S.	M.D.K. de Silva	A study on noise annoyance in secondary school classrooms in a selected school in Vavniya.
2	SH/2013/004	De Silva N.A.N.S.	Dr. Nimisha Muttiah	Parents’ perception on the use of AAC for their children with complex communication needs diagnosed with ASD.
3	SH/2013/005	Devagiri K.M.B.	Dr. S. Hettiarachchi	Developing a resource tool based on the translation and adaptation of the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) framework to Sinhala speaking adults: a pilot study.
4	SH/2013/006	Dilhara S.J.T.	T. Lokubalasooriya	Screening for phonological and alphabetic awareness of Sinhala speaking children with Dyslexia; designing a digital solution.
5	SH/2013/007	Dilrukshi H.M.H.	Dr. Saumya Rathnayaka	Comparison between self-reported voice characteristics and clinical voice assessment among individuals with Parkinson’s disease in a government hospital setting.
6	SH/2013/008	Dinega K.	Dr. Tamara Handy	Knowledge and attitudes among Tamil medium primary school teachers on dyslexia in Batticaloa district.
7	SH/2013/009	Disanayaka D.M.L.A.	Rangika Perera	Home environment factors that influence achievement of reading skills among 9 year old Sinhala speaking children in a government school in Gampaha district.
8	SH/2013/010	Dissanayaka D.M.P.M.	Dr. Saumya Rathnayaka	Comparison between video based and picture based procedural discourse assessment tasks used of for the clients with post stroke aphasia.
9	SH/2013/011	Dissanayaka D.M.I.P.K.	Amandi Kaldera	A comparison between receptive and expressive language skills in 2-4 year children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Western province.
10	SH/2013/013	Fernando S.C.N.W.	D.A. Bakmeewewa	Knowledge, attitude, and practices of speech and language therapists delivering dysphagia related health information to patient with concomitant post stroke aphasia and swallowing difficulties.
11	SH/2013/014	Gamaga V.S.P.	L.K.E. Chathurika	Hearing protection behaviour among workers in a gloves manufacturing factory in Sri Lanka.
12	SH/2013/015	Gamage P.D.M.H.	Dr. Prasanna Galhena	Adaptation and validation of the Radboud Oral Motor inventory for the assessment of Parkinson’s disease.
13	SH/2013/017	Gunasekara W.G.D.S.	Dr. Nimisha Muttaiah	Nurses’ perception and knowledge of communication needs among adults with acquired communication disorders in government hospital settings in Gampaha district.
14	SH/2013/021	Jayarathna T.V.	Dr. Chamila Meththananda	Knowledge and attitudes of caregivers towards Aphasia within the government hospital settings in the Gampaha District; based on Life Participation Aphasia Approach (LPAA)
15	SH/2013/024	Jeenath Fathima M.S.	G. Sivasubramaniam	Awareness level of voice problems among preschool teachers in Trincomalee District, Kinniya Education Zone
16	SH/2013/025	Kandegama K.G.S.D.	L.D.Ileperuma	Voice handicap index measurement as a screening tool in evaluation of patients with voice disorders
17	SH/2013/032	Kumara J.A.L.R.	M.D.K de Silva	Attitudes, knowledge and beliefs of Sri Lankan SLTs on people who stammer.
18	SH/2013/036	Luxmy G.	B.N. Jayasena	A survey on parental knowledge about early hearing detection and intervention of infants aged 0- 2 years in Jaffna district.
19	SH/2013/037	Madhushani H.A.H.	Dr. Tamara Handy & T. Lokubalasooriya	Parent’s perspectives on social skills of their children with specific learning disorder in primary school in the Western province.
20	SH/2013/038	Madushani U.L.A.N.	Dr. S. Hettiarachchi	Developing and pilot testing pseudo-word repetition stimuli for Sinhala speaking children aged between 4-5 years.
21	SH/2013/039	Madushan S.K.T.L.	Dr. Thusitha Wickramasinghe	Challenges encountered and strategies adopted by parents in applying AAC based technologies with the children with disabilities.
22	SH/2013/040	Mahagamage B.A.	Dr. Miyuru Chandrasena	Parental experience of experience and challenges of having a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a qualitative study based in Rathnapura district, Sri Lanka.
23	SH/2013/042	Nishadini L.G.C.	Dr. Ranamali Rodrigo	Knowledge and attitudes of public health midwives regarding autism spectrum disorder.
24	SH/2013/043	Nissanka N.B.A.D.	Amandi Kaldera	A comparison of restrictive and repetitive behaviour between 2-4-year-old children with autism spectrum disorder and children with typical development in Gampaha district.
25	SH/2013/044	Pathirana N.M.S.L.	B.N. Jayasena	Survey on knowledge and practices in vocal hygiene among pre-school teachers in Ratnapura district
26	SH/2013/045	Pathmasiri M.D.I.M.	Lasanthi Dakson	Attitudes of teacher trainees on inclusive education: A study of primary pre-service teachers at National College of Education.
27	SH/2013/046	Piyarathna M.D.T.M.	D. A. Bakmeewewa	Caregiver knowledge and perspectives on the recommendation of texture modified food in the management of patients with dysphagia.
28	SH/2013/047	Prasadini H.T.S.K.	Dr. Saumya Rathnayaka	Comparison of speech and functional communication skills between patients with stroke-related dysarthria and normal aging adults aged above 60 in Western province
29	SH/2013/048	Priyangani O.A.S.	Rangika Perera	Awareness of learning difficulties among primary school teachers in Colombo district.
30	SH/2013/050	Rajakaruna R.H.M.N.M.	Rangika Perera	Teachers’ perception on collaboration with speech language therapists to improve reading skills of Sinhala speaking children with reading difficulties in two mainstream primary schools in Colombo district.
31	SH/2013/051	Rajakaruna R.M.D.S.	D.A. Bakmeewewa	A study to determine factors considered by SLTs in decision making for oral versus non-oral feeding in acute post stroke patients.
32	SH/2013/052	Ranathunga R.M.B.N.	Dr. S. Hettiarachchi	Clients’ and caregivers’ perspectives of barriers and facilitators to follow post-stroke dysphagia recommendations given by speech language therapists.
33	SH/2013/053	Rathnayake R.M.P.M.	Yvonne Weerasinghe	Prevalence of dysphagia in neurodevelopmental disorders below 5 years old children and effect of their quality of life in Colombo District.
34	SH/2013/054	Ravihari M.G.I.	Dr. S. Hettiarachchi	Developing and pilot-testing an oropharyngeal dysphagia screening tool for children with cerebral palsy aged 4;0 -6;0 years.
35	SH/2013/055	Roxiya R.J.	Dr. Nimisha Muttiah	Gestural production of typically developing children of 8 to 15 months living in Jaffna.
36	SH/2013/056	Samanmalim.K.S.	L.K.E. Chathurika	Evaluating the status of dysphagia among clients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in state sector hospitals in Western province.
37	SH/2013/057	Sankeetha M.	L.D. Ileperuma	A survey on knowledge and attitudes on risk factors of voice disorders of primary school teachers of Kilinochchi district.
38	SH/2013/058	Sewwandi L.A.G.S.	Dr. Nimisha Muttiah	Pre-service speech language therapists’ perception of Augmentative and Alternative Communication systems in Sri Lanka.
39	SH/2013/059	Shanmugaraj V.	Dr. Nimisha Muttiah & D.A. Bakmeewewa	Augmentative and Alternative Communication systems in Acquired neuro-communication disorders in adults living in Sri Lanka; Where do we stand?
40	SH/2013/060	Silmiya U.	Vasuki Rajasingham	A qualitative study on the functional use of expressive vocabulary in a sample of 3-5 year old Tamil speaking children with ASD from the Batticaloa district.
41	SH/2013/066	Tennakon T.M.N.D.	T. Lokubalasooriya	Reading fluency and reading comprehension skills of Sri Lankan Sinhala speaking children with specific learning disorder.
42	SH/2013/067	Thilakarathne J.A.L.I.	B.N.Jayasena	A survey on vocal hygiene practices among female primary school teachers in the Minuwangoda educational zone.
43	SH/2013/069	Udayanganee G.H.B.	D.A. Bakmeewea	Knowledge and practices of oral hygiene in patients within stroke setting; the role of speech language therapists and related primary health care providers.
44	SH/2013/071	Wickramasinghe M.O.S.	Isuru Dharmarathne	Administration of Sinhala Behavioural Paediatric Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS) to normative and clinical population in Gampaha and Colombo districts, Sri Lanka: a pilot study.
45	SH/2013/072	Wijesiri J.S.U.	Dr. Miyuru Chandrasena	Interventions to develop communication in children with ASD used by SLTs in Sri Lanka.
46	SH/2013/073	Wijesundara W.M.N.D.	Dr. S. Sumanasena	Knowledge and perceptions about cortical visual impairment in children among 3yr speech language students.
47	SH/2012/001	Abeyarathna M.G.N.I	Dr. S. Sumanasena	Vocabulary acquisition through story reading by an adult in Sinhala speaking in a selected pre-school from Rathnapura District.
48	SH/2012/013	Dharmawardena S.M.B.U.	Yvonne Weerasinghe	Identify feeding difficulty in Western province neonates using NeoEAT- breastfeeding assessment tool as a preliminary study.
49	SH/2010/022	Gowsiga .K	Dr. Kumarendran & Gayithri Sivasubramaniam	Phonological processes and associated factors among Sri Lankan Tamil speaking typically developing children in Chavakachcheri urban council area.
50	SH/2012/026	Kopika T.	G. Sivasubramaniam	Survey on primary teachers’ awareness about impact of voice problems in Vavniya district.
51	SH/2012/051	Rupasingha K.P.B.H.	Dr. S. Sumanasena	Phonological awareness of Downs syndrome
52	SH/2012/060	Thanusha K.	Dr. Tamara Handy	Determining the children’s current level of comprehension in relation to WH- questions for Tamil speaking children between the age of 3-4 in Karaveddy MOH division.
53	SH/2012/061	Thusyanthan K.	Dinusha Nonis	Awareness about early childhood stuttering among the pre-school teachers in Kilinochchi Educational Zone.

Research Projects - Batch 5

Student No	Name	Supervisor	Research Topic
SH/2001/001	Liyana Arachchi, LAKM	Ms. S.P.Rathnayake	Confrontational naming of nouns and verbs of individuals with aphasia following stroke and traumatic brain injury in Western Province
SH/2011/002	Amarasinghe, KWGDY	Ms.P.D.M. Nonis	Narrative and procedural discourse performances following TBI: A comparative study.
SH/2011/005	Assam, K	Dr.S.P.Sumanasena	The awareness amongst the pre-school teachers about speech & Language Therapy services for children in need from the Trincomalee District.
SH/2011/008	Bandara, MAHD	Ms.T. Lokubalasooriya	Acquisition of Sinhala vowels and vowels modifiers among children in Kurunegala District.
SH/2011/009	Bandara, NGWP	Dr.D.Bandaranayake	Voice risk factors, awareness of voice risk factors and vocal hygiene techniques used by the students in the Faculty of Music at the Uni. of Visual & Performing arts.
SH/2011/010	Bandaranayake, BMLM	Ms.S.P.Rathnayake	Intervention strategies practiced by Speech Therapists on sub system approach for dysarthria following stroke in Government Hospitals in Sri Lanka
SH/2011/011	Chiranthanee, HAM	Ms.T.Wijesinghe	Sri Lankan Employers’ knowledge and attitudes towards employees who shutter.
SH/2011/014	Dewpura, DDH	Dr.S.Mettananda	Usage of assessment & Intervention tools for hyper functional voice disorders by Sri Lankan speech & Language Therapists.
SH/2011/016	Dissanayake, DMTM	Ms.S.P.Rathnayake	Frenchay Aphasia screening test adaptation for patients with post-stroke Aphasia in the SL Sinhala speaking context.
SH/2011/017	Edirisinghe, EANS	Dr.S.P.Sumanasena	The perception of the school teachers in Gampaha District on participation f children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at the school setting.
SH/2011/020	Ekanayake, KVD	Dr.S.Mettananda	Parent’ perspectives on Speech & language therapy provided for children with autism spectrum disorder who attend speech and language therapy clinics in Gampaha District.
SH/2011/025	Gunathilake, DMKM	Ms.P.D.M.Nonis	Executive functions following traumatic brain injury (TBI) comparison between TBI and non-brain injured individuals.
SH/2011/026	Gunawardena, BVWN	Dr.S.Hettiarachchi	Swallowing related quality of life in adult with past-stroke dysphagia.
SH/2011/028	Hewage, WHSS	Dr.S.Mettananda	Timeliness of speech & Language Therapy intervention received by children with Down syndrome attending the speech & Language therapy clinic at University of Kelaniya
SH/2011/029	Janadari, KRPGC	Ms.T. Lokubalasooriya	Classroom strategies used by the primary school teachers for the children with reading and writing difficulties in the Kelaniya Educational Zone.
SH/2011/030	Jayamanne, MWIU	Ms.T.Wijesinghe	Parents’ views on stuttering and how to it affect their child: A study of primary school children who stutter attending speech Therapy clinics in Colombo & Gampaha District.
SH/2011/031	Jayasinghe, VPKBK	Ms.S.Kalupahana	Comparison of maximum duration of voiced & unvoiced sounds in adults with and without laryngeal Pathology
SH/2011/033	Jenistan, T	Ms.S.Saleem	Early words production of 12 o 18 months old Sri Lankan Tamil speaking children from Kilinochchi District.
SH/2011/034	Kalisto, E	Ms.T.Wijesinghe	Awareness about stammering of Primary school teachers in Mannar District.
SH/2011/035	Karunathilake, KMMGSL	Ms.S.P.Rathnayake	The adaptation and validation of stroke and aphasia quality of life scale (SAQOL – 39) for the Sri Lanka Language in the Sri Lankan context.
SH/2011/036	Kurukulasooriya, KDD	Ms.Lasanthi Daskon Attanayake	A descriptive study on Birth Related Risk factors that cause speech and language delay& or disorder in children attending specific speech & Language Therapy clinic.
SH/2011/038	Langappuli, HD	Dr.S.P.Sumanasena	The strategies practiced by special education teachers to facilitate communication and language for children with Down syndrome in the special education units in the Gampaha District.
SH/2011/041	Madeepola, RACR	Dr.N.Muttiah	Knowledge and perceptions about speech and language therapy services among Sinhala medium primary mainstream teachers and special education teachers and special education teachers in Kelaniya.
SH/2011/042	Madushanka, WSVMK	Ms.P.D.M.Nonis	A comparative study of memory performances between traumatic brain injured & non brain injured individuals.
SH/2011/043	Madushani, HKC	Ms.S.Nanayakkara Mr.B.N.Jayasena	Relative effectiveness of a vocal Hygiene Programme among Primary school teachers with self-reported voice problem in Matara educational zone.
SH/2011/046	Malarvily, S	Ms.S.Saleem	The study on typical phonological error pattern of three years old Sri Lankan Tamil speaking children from the Mannar District
SH/2011/047	Manel, AGM	Ms. Samanthi Kalupahana	barriers faced by the family members when communicating with laryngectomees .
SH/2011/048	Marambage, JI	Dr. Dakshika Bandaranayake	A study on identifying the voice quality and associated factors among primary school teachers in government school in Rathnapura educational zone.
SH/2011/050	Nanayakkara, SR	Ms. Lasanthi Daskon Attanayake	Employment opportunities for young persons with disabilities in the public and private sectors in Sri Lanka; perception of graduates with disabilities
SH/2011/051	Nasreen, MAF	Ms. Shakeela Saleem	A normative study data of phonological processes in monolingual Sri Lankan Tamil speaking children and bilingual Sri Lankan Tamil – English speaking children in mixed dialect.
SH/2011/052	Nayakarathne, MNDC	Ms.Samanthi Kalupahana	Voice quality of people undergoing radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer
SH/2011/053	Nihara, VL	Ms. Asela Chandrasekara	The knowledge and attitudes about dysphagia among nurses in government hospitals in Sri Lanka.
SH/2011/055	Niroshani, KAS	Ms.Isuru Dharmarathne	Awareness and attitudes towards inclusive Education among Government school teachers in Gampaha district.
SH/2011/056	Nuwanthi, KHT	Dr.S.Hettiarachchi	Development of a tool for assessment of colloquial Sinhala syntax for Pre-school children.
SH/2011/058	Perera, PHS	Ms.S.P.Rathnayake	Development of assessment tasks to identify lexical deficits among individuals with aphasia based on “Cognitive neuro psychology model” in the Sinhala speaking Sri Lankan Context.
SH/2011/059	Perera, SAKJ	Dr.S.P.Sumanasena	The pre-school teachers’ perspectives on language and communication skills on 03-05 year old children in selected pre-schools from Gampaha District.
SH/2011/062	Maddepola, RACR	Dr.N.Muttiah	Knowledge and perceptions about speech and language therapy services among Sinhala medium primary mainstream teachers and special education teachers in Kelaniya Educational Zone.
SH/2011/063	Rathnayake, MSM	Ms. S.Kalupahana	Maximum phonation time of healthy people in the Colombo District.
SH/2011/066	Rathnayake, RATM	Ms. S.Kalupahana	Client perception of Pre-operative consultation before total laryngectomy.
SH/2011/067	Sachinthani, KLB	Ms.S.P.Rathnayake	Developing assessment tasks to identity Intelligibility of Prosody of patients with dysarthria following stroke in Sri Lankan Contest.
SH/2011/069	Samarathunga, DWMS	Ms. I.Dharmarathne	Lexical semantic deficits in Sinhala speaking persons with post stroke aphasia: evidence from single word auditory comprehension
SH/2011/073	Sewwandhi, PN	Dr.S.Hettiarachchi	A Correlation study of receptive vocabulary knowledge in children with cochlear implants & Hearing Peers in Western Province.
SH/2011/074	Silva, ACL	Dr.N.Muttiah	Awareness of nursery teachers regarding childhood speech and language difficulties in Kaluthara District.
SH/2011/075	Siriwardena, KMNW	Dr.R.Rodrigo	Maternal assessment of speech and language status and need for intervention among children of Wattala medical officer of health area.
SH/2011/079	Vinogini, FAN	Dr.S.Hettiarachchi	Parents perception of eating skills of pre-term Vs full term infants from birth to 3 years in Mannar District.
SH/2011/083	Wijerathne, MASS	Ms.I.Dharmarathne	Parental attitudes towards participation in Speech & Language Therapy University clinics in the Western Province of Sri Lanka.
SH/2011/085	Yapa, YMUI	Ms. Thilanka Wijesinghe	A comparison of stuttering speech characteristics in Sinhala and English bilingual children with stutters in Sri Lanka
SH/2011/086	Senevirathne, AY	Ms.T.Lokubalasooriya	Is visual spatial attention, a Red Flag for reading and writing difficulties? A Sri Lankan comparative study.
SH/2011/087	Sanjeewani, MDA	Ms. L.D.Attanayake	Factors associated with clinic attendance of clients of the speech and language therapy clinic, Department of Disability Studies, Ragama.
SH/2011/091	Rangebandara, T	Dr.R.Rodrigo	Characteristics of children referred from Colombo North Teaching Hospital (NCTH), Ragama for speech & Language therapy services at Multi-Disciplinary Clinic at university of Kelaniya.
SH/2011/092	Chandani, NAI	Dr.N.Muttiah	Awareness of special education teacher trainees’ regarding learning disabilities in National college of education.
SH/2011/007	Balasooriya, B.M.L.K.	Ms.Asela Chandrasekera	Development of duration pattern test to assess temporal processing abilities in normal hearing young adults.
SH/2011/013	Dayarathne, A.M.D.N.	Ms.B.N.Jayasena	Development of a pitch pattern sequence test to assess temporal processing abilities in normal hearing young adults of the Faculty of Medicine, Ragama.
SH/2011/018	Edirisinghe, E.A.P.R.	Ms.L.K.E.Chathurika	Performance scores of Sinhala speaking children on translated Parents’ Evaluation of Aural/ oral Performance of Children (PEACH) rating scale
SH/2011/021	Ekanayaka, W.E.M.M.L	Ms.B.N.Jayasena	Development of a Sinhala Dichotic Digits Test to access binaural integration and separation abilities in normal hearing young adults
SH/2011/027	Hansinee, B.A.	Ms.L.K.E.Chathurika	Factors influencing auditory identification in early intervened children
SH/2011/032	Jayatissa, B.G.U.K.	Ms.Dumini de Silva	Hearing related quality of life in senior citizens with hearing loss in Colombo District.
SH/2011/039	Livera, W.A.L.H.	Ms.Dumini de Silva	Socio-demographic and hearing aid related that influence use of hearing aids
SH/2011/044	Madhushani, P.G.S.	Ms.L.D.Ileperuma	Auditory effects among 18-45 year old workers of a textile plant in Seeduwa, Sri Lanka.
SH/2011/072	Senanayaka, S.M.D.P.	Ms.Ayeesha Nazeer	Development of a lip-reading assessment tool for Sinhala speaking adults in Sri Lanka
SH/2011/078	Vijetha, V.	Ms.Ayeesha Nazeer	Knowledge and attitudes among pregnant mothers in Jaffna district on infant hearing loss and early intervention.
SH/2011/081	Weerasinghe, U.W.P.M.	Ms. Renuka Fonseka	Developing a daily hearing aid function, use care & maintenance checklist for parents of preschool children in Western Province
SH/2011/089	Subasinghe, R.A.I.A.	Ms.L.D.Ileperuma	Hearing status and Noise exposure levels of workers at a Washing Plant in Dankotuwa, Sri Lanka
SH/2011/090	Herath, H.M.T.C.K.A	Ms.Asela Chandrasekera	Psychological morbidity & resilience – Associated with tinnitus in a Sri Lankan population.

Ongoing Research

1 Profiling objective video-fluoroscopic measures of swallowing in children

Dharmarathna, I., Miles, A., and Allen, J.

The current practice of instrumental assessment of swallowing in children is often criticized for its subjectivity in interpretation, resulting in lack of reliability and validity to identify respiratory and physiological manifestations of swallowing in children. As the gold standard swallowing assessment, Video-Fluoroscopic Study of Swallowing (VFSS) has the potential to objectively describe the process of swallowing, by visualizing oral, pharyngeal and oesophageal phases of swallowing along with airway protection during swallowing. The project aims to develop a protocol to obtain timing, displacement and respiratory objective measures of swallowing in children using Video-Fluoroscopic Study of Swallowing (VFSS), in order to describe swallowing physiology and underlying physiological manifestations leading to dysphagia in children. The study is anticipated to be the first study to develop objective normative VFSS measures for paediatric population and compare with a range of aetiologies. The findings will expand the clinicians’ knowledge on swallowing development across ages and aetiologies and to help identify swallowing disorders in children, which will lead to more individualised and focused intervention for children. (PhD research project 2017-2020, The University of Auckland, New Zealand)

2Development of culturally and appropriate clinical assessment tools for paediatric dysphagia in Sri Lanka

Dharmarathna, I., Perera, S. and Jayawardane, D.

Prevalence of swallowing difficulties/ dysphagia is increasing, as the survival rates of children who are born prematurely or with severe medical complications increase, due to rapid progress in medical and surgical management for infants. Dysphagia in children leads to long-term consequences affecting physiological, nutritional and social aspects of children with dysphagia. Early detection and diagnosis of dysphagia by a qualified Speech and Language Therapist can lead to early intervention, reducing its long-term effect and improved quality of life. Instrumental investigation play a critical role in detecting dysphagia accurately, compared to less reliable clinical feeding assessment. However, access to instrumental assessment for dysphagia management is often non-existent in Sri Lankan clinical context, leaving the clinicians to depend on the clinical feeding assessment to diagnose the condition. The feeding behaviour of a child during clinical feeding assessment can be varied from his/ her feeding behaviour in natural environment. This has led to utilize parents/caregivers to aid clinical decision-making on child’s feeding behaviour, using parent-report tools worldwide. Due to its cultural and social sensitive nature, child feeding behaviour considered ‘typical’ or ‘discorded’ in one culture, is not applicable to another culture. The multi-tiered project aims to develop culturally appropriate assessment tools for clinicians in Sri Lanka. Most of the clinical tools used internationally in English has to be both culturally and linguistically appropriate to Sri Lanka. Therefore, the project focuses on to develop tools to be used in two Sri Lankan native languages, Sinhala and Tamil. In the first phase, two parent-rating tools were considered for validation and adaptation. The validation of the Behavioural Paediatric Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS, Crist, Napier- Phillips, 2001) in Sinhala language and utilization of the Paediatric Eating Assessment Tool (Pedi-EAT, Thoyre et al, 2014) are targeted in two undergraduate research projects of the BSc (Hons) Speech and Hearing Sciences. The BPFAS is translated to Sinhala language and norms are developed for Sri Lankan children between 2-4 years. The Sinhala version of the Pedi-EAT was used in order to identify feeding difficulties in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) between 3-6 years in Sri Lanka, aiming to describe any atypical patterns of feeding in children with CP. This phase of the project is planned to be completed by September 2018, making both Sinhala-Pedi-EAT and Sinhala-BPFAS accessible to paediatric healthcare professionals in Sri Lanka. The next phase would aim to complete normative study of the BPFAS and translate the BPFAS and the Pedi-EAT to Tamil language. It also aims to use the tools to identify feeding difficulties in children with Down syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Sri Lanka. The BPFAS and Pedi-EAT can be used to gather information on feeding/ swallowing skills of children, which would lead to effective early identification and intervention.

3Newborn Hearing Screening at the University Pediatric Unit of the North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Ragama

Jayasena, B.N., Ileperuma, D., Silva, D., Chathurika, L.K.E., Chadrasekara, J.M.A.U.

Early detection and intervention of hearing impairment in newborns has gained worldwide recognition in the recent years. Adverse consequences of late detection is minimized when hearing is screened by as early as 1 month of age, hearing loss detected by 3 months of age and intervention for hearing impairment is employed by 6 months of age. Sri Lanka lags behind in implementing newborn hearing screening programmes in a wider scale. The proposed descriptive cross-sectional study aims to initiate a newborn hearing screening programme at the North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Ragama by identifying hearing impairment among all newborn well-babies at the University Pediatric Unit and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) – University Pediatric Unit. Hearing screening will be conducted using Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) for well-babies and a combination of OAE and Auditory brainstem Response (ABR) for babies admitted to the NICU. Those who fail the initial screen before discharge from the hospital will be rescreened at not later than 1 month of age. Those who failed the rescreen will be referred to the Audiology Clinic of the Faculty of Medicine, Ragama by 3 months of age for detailed audiological evaluation. The gathered data will be analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Statistical significance will be set at p<0.05, all analyses will be performed using SPSS statistical software version 21.0. All babies will be recruited to the study with permission from hospital officials and consent from parents. Measures to ensure the safety of the babies and confidentiality of the information gathered will be taken. The study findings will be used constructively to highlight the importance including newborn hearing screening in to the routine newborn hearing care services in hospitals.
Ongoing (2015 -)

Completed research

1Development of Sinhala Spondees and Sinhala Paired Words for Testing of Speech Recognition Threshold

D., Silva, Chadrasekara, J.M.A.U., Chathurika, L.K.E., Jayasena, B.N., Ileperuma,D., Colonne, U.

Speech audiometry provides information pertaining to sensitivity to speech and the understanding of speech. Speech recognition threshold (SRT) testing is the procedure that assesses an individual’s hearing threshold level for speech. For speech audiometry findings to be precise in assessing a person’s understanding of speech, individuals should be tested with stimuli of their native language. There are various stimuli for testing speech recognition threshold developed in different languages. With reference to Sinhala, empirical data representing the appropriateness of the stimuli used for testing SRT is not available. The purpose of this study is to develop speech material in Sinhala (word lists) for testing SRT. Four lists of Sinhala spondiac and paired words will be developed and equivalence analysis of difficulty between the word lists will be evaluated for a group of subjects with normal hearing and hearing impaired. Completed (2013)

2Noise Induced Hearing Loss, where do we stand?

Bakmeewewa, A.D.S., Jayasena, B.N., Chathurika, L.K.E.

The study investigated the presence of hearing loss in individuals exposed to environments with elevated/hazardous levels of continuous noise in and around Colombo city limits. 292 participants, aged 20-40 years, were divided in to two groups; occupational and non-occupational, based on the environment in which they experienced noise. The occupational group comprised of 59 factory workers, 50 full time three wheeler drivers, 67 professional musicians and 47 traffic police officers, with a noise exposure of at least 8 hours per day. The non-occupational group comprised of 69 who use public transport systems for travel on a daily basis with a minimum of 2 hours of travel each day. All participants were subjected to a series a of tests which included a brief medical history, otoscopy examination, Weber and Rinne tuning fork tests and Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission (DPAOE) screening. Failing the DPOAE screen with a positive Rinne and Weber lateralized to the better ear, with a negative medical history and normal otoscopy findings indicated hearing loss due to noise exposure. Of all occupational groups, three wheeler drivers (40%) had the highest prevalence of hearing loss followed by traffic police officers (30%), factory workers (24%) and musicians (19%). The group tested for non-occupational hearing loss demonstrated a considerable number of referrals (19%). Greater loss was observed at 4 kHz and 5 kHz in both the groups, indicating a possibility of hearing loss due to noise. Trends observed suggest that continuous exposure to noise while with minimal auditory protection, to be a key factor in causing hearing loss in healthy young adults. It is possible that the prevalence of occupational hearing loss is under estimated due to the small sample numbers and also as the groups were selected from within a limited working location. Therefore, it is suggested that a large-scale longitudinal study with greater sample diversity, would help confirm the suggestions drawn here.

Research Projects - Batch 3 (Speech and Language Therapy)

Index no	Name	Research	Supervisor
(SH/2009/001)	A.K. Bagam	Effectiveness of vocal hygiene education among primary school teachers	Ms. Thilanka Wijesinghe
(SH/2009/002)	D.G.C.R Bandara	Speech intelligibility in relation to oral motor skills after oral cancer treatment	Ms. Samanthi Kalupahana
(SH/2009/006)	D.M.N.S Delgamuwa	Relationship between alaryngeal speech and the time started to use the device	Ms. Samanthi Kalupahana
(SH/2009/008)	R.M.N.L Dharmathilaka	Prevalance of risk factors, level of knowledge on the risk factors and hyper-functional voice problems in primary school teachers.	Ms. Thilanka Wijesinghe
(SH/2009/009)	D.M.N Dulani	Awareness among ‘Special Education Teachers’ about alternative communication methods use for students with hearing impairments (HI) in deaf school in the Western province.	Dr. Shyamani Hettiarachchi
(SH/2009/010)	K.C.K Gajanayake	awareness of speech and language therapy services among special education teachers in kandy district
(SH/2009/011)	Gowritharan	Awareness on speech and language therapy services among the special education teachers and primary mainstream school teachers in Mullaithivu district.
(SH/2009/012)	G.P Gunathilake	Study in barriers of accessing and utilizing speech and language therapy services; caregiver's perspective of adult clients	Dr. Chamara Wijesinghe
(SH/2009/015)	S.H. Hettiarachchi	The speech and language therapy referral systems for the adult population in selected government and private health care settings in Gampaha and Colombo districts in Sri Lanka	Dr. Samanmali Sumanasena
(SH/2009/017)	H.G.D Jinadasa	Effectiveness of vocal hygiene education among Buddhist monks.	Ms. Thilanka Wijesinghe
(SH/2009/020)	Malaka Manoj	Parents’awareness on available services for children with hearing impaired in western province.	Dr. Shyamani Hettiarachchi
(SH/2009/021)	N.S.P Kumara	Prevalence of risk factors for hyper functional voice disorders in Buddhist monks, their knowledge on risk factors and actions taken to reduce risk factors.	Ms. Thilanka Wijesinghe
(SH/2009/023)	W.A.D Lakshaman	A normative study on documenting phonological processes exhibited by 2;0-2;11 year old Sinhala speaking children in the Kurunegala District, Kuliyapitiya Zone.
(SH/2009/024)	K.V. Lakvijaya	Access to written information in aphasia service delivery; A study therpy settings out of Colombo.	Ms. Dinushee Atapattu
(SH/2009/025)	M.A.C.T.T Mallawarachchi	Study in barriers of accessing and utilizing speech and language therapy services; caregiver's perspective of child clients	Dr. Chamara Wijesinghe
(SH/2009/027)	M.D.P H Mendis	Parents’awareness on available services for children with hearing impaired in Uva province.
(SH/2009/030)	M.A.K.N Perera	Communication interventions that influence the employment of persons with disabilities	Dr. Samanmali Sumanasena
(SH/2009/032)	U.A.S Prasadika	Relationship between speech intelligibility and three common sites of tumor	Ms. Samanthi Kalupahana
(SH/2009/033)	N.G.Y.N Priyadharshani	Awareness of speech and language therapy services among parents with special needs children in six special schools in kandy district.
(SH/2009/034)	D.G.I Priyangika	Awareness of Speech and Language Therapy services among Sinhala medium government primary school teachers in Kandy educational zone.
(SH/2009/035)	R.M.U.K Rathnayake	Awareness of Speech and Language Therapy services among other Health Professionals	Dr. Chamara Wijesinghe
(SH/2009/037)	M.H.M Saafeer	A normative study on documenting phonological processes exhibited by 3;0-3;11 year old Sri Lankan Tamil speaking children in the Batticaloa District.	Dr. Shyamani Hettiarachchi
(SH/2009/038)	M.T. F. Sajana	A normative study on documenting phonological processes exhibited by 3;0-3;11 year old Sri Lankan Tamil speaking children in the Ampara District, Kalmunai Zone..	Dr,Shyamani Hettiarachchi
(SH/2009/039)	P.P.U Savithri	The speech and language therapy referral systems for the pediatric population in selected government and private health care settings in Gampaha and Colombo districts in Sri Lanka	Dr. Samanamali Sumanasena
(SH/2009/042)	R.S.A Siri	Awareness among ‘Special Education Teachers’ about alternative communication methods use for students with hearing impairments (HI) in deaf school in the north Western Province.
(SH/2009/049)	D.C.K Withanage	Developing aphasia-friendly health information; characteristics that affect readability of written information given to persons with aphasia.	Ms. Dinushee Athapaththu
(SH/2009/051)	N.W.A.D Nisansala	Access to written information in aphasia service delivery a study in colombo district	Ms. Dinushee Athapaththu
(SH/2009/53)	S.A. Kaushalya	Collaborative goal setting in aphasia therapy; a comparison between speech language therapist and client goals.	Ms. Dinushee Athapaththu
(SH/2009/055)	W.G.N Gamage	Speech intelligibility in relation the surgical management in glosectomy patients	Ms. Samanthi Kalupahana

Research Projects - Batch 4

	Index No	Student Name	Supervisor	Research Title
1	SH/2010/001	Ajulin P.	Ms. G. Sivasubramaniam	Awareness about Early childhood communication Difficulties among preschool teachers in Killinochchi District, Karachi educational Zone.
2	SH/2010/002	Amarasingha A.A.C.U.	Ms. P.D.M. Nonis	Perspectives towards the use and types of non-speech oral motor exercises (NSOMEs) among Sri Lankan Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs)
3	SH/2010/005	Bamunuarachchi B.A.V.T.N.	Ms. S. Rathnayaka	Quality of voice, Coping strategies and risk factors for voice disorders among Tuition teachers in Gampaha educational zone, Western province, Sri Lanka.
4	SH/2010/006	Colonne C.A.U.T.	Ms. A.U.Chandrasekara	Effectiveness of gaze stability exercises for perceived disability of patients with chronic dizziness from peripheral vestibular dysfunction in National Hospital of SriLanka.
5	SH/2010/007	Croos s.N.	Ms. G. Sivasubramaniam	Awareness about speech and Language Therapy Services among parents of children with communication Difficulties in Mannar District.
6	SH/2010/008	De silva A.H.L.	Ms. S. Rathnayaka	Identifying the voice quality of music teachers of selected government schools in Gampaha educational zone, using a perceptual assessment and describe the risk factors and adaptation techniques
7	SH/2010/009	Gunathilaka P.D.S.P.K.	Ms. S. Kalupahana	communication barriers and adaptations made by laryngectomees using different modes if alaryngeal communication.
8	SH/2010/010	Ilmudeen M.I.	Dr. S.P. Sumanasena	Awareness about AAC system among the special education teachers at Kalmunai, Sammanthurai and Akkarapattu in Ampara district.
9	SH/2010/011	Indunil H.M.N.	Ms. E.I. Perera, Prof.Fran Hagstrom	Gestural and lexical production of typically developing children of 8 – 16 months living in Sinhala speaking environments (Ragama and Mahara, Sri Lanka)
10	SH/2010/012	Iranthika W.K.H.	Dr. S.P. Sumanasena	The parental concerns to seek intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)aged less than 5 years attending selected special clinics in western province
11	SH/2010/013	Jayarathna B.A.S.K.	Ms. S. Rathnayaka	Study on the Assessments and Intervention Methods used by Speech and language therapists for individuals with dysfluency in Sri Lankan clinical setting.
12	SH/2010/015	Jayathilaka G.P.S.P.	Ms. L.D. Ileperuma	Determination of the hearing status among 20-45 year old government and private bus drivers and bus conductors of the Kadawatha bus stand.
13	SH/2010/016	Jayawaruni U.C.	Ms. A.U.Chandrasekara	Parental Expectations and Experiences of Their Child's Cochlear Implantation
14	SH/2010/017	Jesmin N.M.	Ms. A.S.F. Shakeela	Educational professional attitudes toward children with disability in Trincomalee district
15	SH/2010/018	Kaluthanthri N.	Dr.S. Hettiarachchi	A comparative study of deaf students' and their teachers' perceived barriers and facilitators to assessing education by deaf students using sign language in the Gampaha and Colombo districts
16	SH/2010/019	Karunanayaka K.P.H.	Ms. S. Rathnayaka	Describe the voice quality, risk factors and self-perception on voice and adapted/changed behaviors related to the voice problems of children with hyper-functional dysphonia between 8-12 years of age who attending to the voice clinics at selected government hospitals.
17	SH/2010/020	Karunanayake I.H.	Ms. D.A. Bakmeewawa	Pragmatics in Aphasia: An Analysis of Discourse Performances.
18	SH/2010/021	Kodituwakku G.K.	Ms. D.A. Bakmeewawa	A Comparison of Word Retrieval Performance between Grammatical Class and Linguistic Contexts; and its effect on the information content of discourse in Individuals with Aphasia, Post-Stroke.
19	SH/2010/024	Muzna N.S.	Ms. D.A. Bakmeewawa	Retrieval of Word Classes in Monolingual Tamil Speakers with Aphasia
20	SH/2010/025	Nawarathna N.P.R.	Dr.S. Hettiarachchi	Phonological awareness skills in typically developing first language Sinhala speaking children aged 5-7 years.
21	SH/2010/026	Neelamparan E.	Ms. A.S.F. Shakeela	Speech associated attitudes among Tamil speaking children who stutter and who do not stutter in Batticalo district
22	SH/2010/027	Nirosha G.L.T.	Dr. S.P. Sumanasena	The parent’s perspectives on communication of school aged children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) attending selected special clinics and schools in Western province.
23	SH/2010/028	Nisansala H.S.C.	Ms. L.K.E. Chathurika	Normative study of tympanometry in Sri Lankan young adult population.
24	SH/2010/029	Nisansala T.D.K.D.	Ms. L.K.E. Chathurika	Knowledge, attitudes and practices of the estate parents regarding children's hearing and ear related problems in Matara district.
25	SH/2010/030	Nonis P.B.C.	Ms. R. Fonseka	Audiological Status and Noise Exposure Levels of Music Professionals in Ten music bands in Colombo and Gampaha Districts.
26	SH/2010/031	Padmabandu M.I.	Ms. M. D. K. De Silva	Impact of hearing aids on cognitive function and depressive signs in older adults.
27	SH/2010/032	Pallegama A.A.L.	Ms. R. Fonseka	Knowledge and Attitudes on Noise Induced Hearing Loss among the students in Vocational Training Institutes in Western Province.
28	SH/2010/033	Perera B.P.B.	Ms. D.A. Bakmeewawa	Strategies used by Speakers with Aphasia and their Communication Partners in Enhancing Communication Success
29	SH/2010/034	Premawardana A.A.D.P.	Ms. E.I. Perera, Prof.Fran Hagstrom	Verb production of Sinhala speaking children with typical development from 12 to 24 months (in Ragama and Mahara, Sri Lanka)
30	SH/2010/035	Priyadarshani M.M.L.	Ms. P.D.M. Nonis	Social participation of school age children with special needs in Kurunegala district
31	SH/2010/037	Rathnayaka R.M.L.I.	Ms. L.D. Attanayake	A comparison between teachers' and parents' perception about perceived barriers for accessing inclusive education for children using hearing devices in the Monaragala district
32	SH/2010/038	Sewwandi H.M.C.	Ms. S. Rathnayaka	Analysis of voice quality of dubbing artists using a perceptual assessment and identifying the risk factors
33	SH/2010/039	Shamra M.N.F.	Ms. S. Kalupahana	Voice Handicap Index; Translation to Tamil language and comparison of scores of Tamil speakers with and without voice disorders.
34	SH/2010/040	Singhakula S.S.M.	Ms. P.D.M. Nonis	Inclusive education teachers’ perspectives towards the implementation of inclusive education in the Kurunegala district
35	SH/2010/042	Suraweera W.M.S.L.	Ms. L.B.T.C. Lokubalalasooriya	Sri Lankan mothers' perspective of antecedents and consequences of behavioural issues of their children with autism spectrum disorders
36	SH/2010/044	Uddeepani M.G.I.	Ms. L.B.T.C. Lokubalalasooriya	Voice quality and voice related quality of life elderly over 60 years in Galle district.
37	SH/2010/046	Weerakkodi W.A.M.T.	Dr.S. Hettiarachchi	Caregivers’ perceptions of quality of life of their children with cerebral palsy in selected Sri Lankan institutions
38	SH/2010/047	Welikala D.W.T.D.	Dr. S.P. Sumanasena	Parental awareness about the influence of toys for early language development in a selected area of Kantale divisional secretariat
39	SH/2010/051	Gunathilaka M.D.M.	Miss T. Wijesinghe	Life Experiences and perceptions in education and employment of Sri Lankan young male adults with stammering
40	SH/2010/052	Bandara D.S.P.M.A.D.	MS L. D. Ileperuma	Knowledge, Ppractices and Hearing Related Symptoms Among 2nd Year Students Of the University Of Kelaniya Exposed to Leisure Noise.
41	SH/2010/053	Rajakaruna R.M.N.S.	Miss T. Wijesinghe	Preschool teachers' knowledge and attitudes towards children who are stammering
42	SH/2010/054	Priyadarshani E.G.W.	Ms.S. Rathnayaka	Attitudes and awareness of primary school teachers and their teaching strategies used for children with stammering in selected government school in Galle education Zone.
43	SH/2010/055	Withanage W.A.I.	Ms. E.I. Perera, Prof.Fran Hagstrom	Production of Multi- word utterance combinations of typically developing Sinhala speaking children of 18-24 months.(Ragama and Mahara, Sri Lanka).
44	SH/2010/056	Asela W.P.K.	Ms. M. D. K. De Silva	Effectiveness of Education Program To Improve Knowledge And Attitude Towards Age Related Hearing Loss Among Members of Kadevidhiya-West Senior Citizen Committee in Matara
45	SH/2009/003	R.M.M.M. Bandara	Ms. S. Kalupahana	Comparison of functional swallowing and voice outcomes after total Thyroidectomy.
46	SH/2009/028	S.W.P.T.D. Premasiri	Dr.S. Hettiarachchi	A comparative study of the similarities and differences in error patterns on selected literacy skills in Sinhala in 6-8 year old children with severe to profound hearing loss compared to their age- matched typically developing peers.
47	SH/2009/041	H.Shanika	Ms. L.B.T.C. Lokubalalasooriya	communication difficulties encountered by parents of children with ASD below 5 years while communicating with them
48	SH/2009/047	Weerasighe W.M.R.G.	Ms. D.A. Bakmeewawa	Stress in caregivers of persons with and without aphasia post stroke, their needs, barriers and facilitators