Child Language Research Group
PEOPLE
- Head
- Associate Professor
- School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing
- Associate ProfessorSchool of Psychology, Speech and Hearing
My research interests lie in the areas of typical speech and language development, speech and language disorders in children, and speech sound characteristics of different languages, including Te Reo Māori. I am particularly interested in determining how best to assess and treat speech sound disorders in children.My research interests lie in the areas of typical speech and language development, speech and language disorders in children, and speech sound characteristics of different languages, including Te Reo Māori. I am particularly interested in determining how best to assess and treat speech sound disorders in children.- Faculty of Science
- Registered to supervise Master's/Doctoral students
- Deputy ViceChancellor Academic
- Deputy Vice-Chancellor - Academic
- Deputy ViceChancellor AcademicDeputy Vice-Chancellor - Academic
Active research interests include language development, adolescent language disorders and traumatic brain injury.Active research interests include language development, adolescent language disorders and traumatic brain injury.- Service Unit
- Senior Lecturer Above the Bar
- School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing
- Senior Lecturer Above the BarSchool of Psychology, Speech and Hearing
My research programme investigates how cultural and contextual factors shape children’s language development, assessment, and intervention. I focus on advancing inclusive, evidence-based practices that recognise linguistic and cultural diversity and bridge developmental science with clinical application. Through empirical and translational studies, I explore parental perceptions, bilingual and multilingual contexts, and culturally responsive intervention design. My work integrates child language research with clinical practice to promote communication equity for all children, particularly those from underrepresented or multilingual backgrounds. I work as a team with others to build a culturally grounded, contextually relevant evidence base for child language therapy.
My research programme investigates how cultural and contextual factors shape children’s language development, assessment, and intervention. I focus on advancing inclusive, evidence-based practices that recognise linguistic and cultural diversity and bridge developmental science with clinical application. Through empirical and translational studies, I explore parental perceptions, bilingual and multilingual contexts, and culturally responsive intervention design. My work integrates child language research with clinical practice to promote communication equity for all children, particularly those from underrepresented or multilingual backgrounds. I work as a team with others to build a culturally grounded, contextually relevant evidence base for child language therapy.
- Faculty of Science
- Registered to supervise Master's/Doctoral students
- Associate Professor
- School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing
- Associate ProfessorSchool of Psychology, Speech and Hearing
Research interests are:
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication Technology and Strategies
- Deaf and Hearing Impairment
- AutismResearch interests are:
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication Technology and Strategies
- Deaf and Hearing Impairment
- Autism- Faculty of Science
- Registered to supervise Master's/Doctoral students
- Professor
- School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing
- ProfessorSchool of Psychology, Speech and Hearing
- Deputy Director
- Child Well Being Institute
- Deputy DirectorChild Well Being Institute
Dr. Theys’ research aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of normal speech production and speech production disorders by combining behavioral and neuroimaging approaches. To grasp the complexity of the speech production process, she uses an integrated approach of neurocomputational modeling with brain imaging and neurophysiological techniques capable of capturing the spatial ((f)MRI) and temporal (EEG) neural correlates of speech. This approach is based on state-of-the-art models, data acquisition and processing techniques, and complemented by novel, custom-developed techniques. The fundamental scientific component of this research focuses on detailed mapping of the neural speech network. This is conducted through the study of normal speech production as well as stuttering and acquired neurogenic speech disorders. Dr Theys’ studies on speech disorders also have a strong translational component. It is anticipated that understanding the neural basis of speech production problems will eventually lead to effective and personalized treatment approaches, with a positive impact on health and wellbeing.Dr. Theys’ research aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of normal speech production and speech production disorders by combining behavioral and neuroimaging approaches. To grasp the complexity of the speech production process, she uses an integrated approach of neurocomputational modeling with brain imaging and neurophysiological techniques capable of capturing the spatial ((f)MRI) and temporal (EEG) neural correlates of speech. This approach is based on state-of-the-art models, data acquisition and processing techniques, and complemented by novel, custom-developed techniques. The fundamental scientific component of this research focuses on detailed mapping of the neural speech network. This is conducted through the study of normal speech production as well as stuttering and acquired neurogenic speech disorders. Dr Theys’ studies on speech disorders also have a strong translational component. It is anticipated that understanding the neural basis of speech production problems will eventually lead to effective and personalized treatment approaches, with a positive impact on health and wellbeing.- Faculty of Science
- Registered to supervise Master's/Doctoral students
- 3 Good Health and Well Being
- 4 Quality Education
- 10 Reduced Inequalities
Fields of Research- Speech pathology
- Cognitive neuroscience
- Behavioural neuroscience
- Language, communication and culture