Natalie Schaeffer
Professor
Communication Arts, Sciences and Disorders
Location: 4146 Boylan Hall
Phone: 718.951.5282
Fax: 718.951.4167
Email:
Natalie Schaeffer was a senior speech-language pathologist in a hospital from 1976 to 1996 and began teaching at Brooklyn College in 1996. She coordinates annual seminars for the Department of Speech Communication Arts and Sciences; presented at state and national conventions; teaches courses on aphasia, voice, motor speech and during seminars; supervises speech pathology students who are treating clients in the clinic.
Education:
D.A., Adelphi University - 1996 (Speech Language Pathology)
Areas of Expertise:
Aphasia (language disorders, usually in adults), motor speech disorders (neurologically based speech-voice disorders, voice disorders, stuttering, child language, swallowing disorders).
Books and Publications
Wrote an article< published in the Journal of Voice entitled, Comparison of post dysphonic participants with participants with normal voices. (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2017
"Multidimensional Voice Data on Participants With Perceptually Normal Voices From Ages 60 to 80: A Preliminary Acoustic Reference for the Elderly Population." Journal of Voice. Accepted on Oct. 6. (Books and Publications: Forthcoming Publications) 2014
"Assessment of Voice Disorders." Clinical Assessment and Professional Report Writing in Speech-Language Pathology. Eds. Stein-Rubin & Fabus. New York: Cengage Learning. Expected 2012. (Books and Publications: Forthcoming Publications) 2011
Assessment of Voice Disorders. New York: Delmar-Cengage Learning. (Books and Publications: Book (Authored)) 2011
Galletta, E.E. and N. Schaeffer. "Assessment of Aphasia." A Guide to Clinical Assessment and Professional Report Writing in Speech-Language Pathology. Eds. Stein-Rubin and Fabus. New York: Delmar-Cengage Learing. Expected 2012. (Books and Publications: Forthcoming Publications) 2011
Schaeffer, N. and A. Sidavi. "Toward a More Quantitative Measure to Assess Severity of Dsyphonia Post Therapy: Preliminary Observations." Journal of Voice. (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2011
Schaeffer, N. and C. Stein. In A Guide to Clinical Assessment and Professional Report Writing in Speech-Language Pathology. Eds. Stein-Rubin & Fabus. New York: Delmar-Cengage Learning. Expected 2012. (Books and Publications: Forthcoming Publications) 2011
"A Therapy Method for Severe Apraxia of Speech." Seminars in Speech-Language. Referred. (Books and Publications: Forthcoming Publications) 2008
Schaeffer, N. and A. Sidavi. "Towards a More Quantitative Measure to Assess Severity of Dysphonia: Preliminary Observations." Journal of Voice (referred journal). In review. (Books and Publications: Forthcoming Publications) 2008
"Speech Breathing Behavior and Vocal Fold Function in Dysphonic Participants Pre- and Post-therapy During Connected Speech: Preliminary Observations." Contemporary Issues in Communication Sciences and Disorders: 61-72. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2007
"Effects of Differential Prolongations of Phrases on Perceptions of Speech Naturalness." Contemporary Issues in Communication Sciences and Disorders: 152-59. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2006
Schaeffer, N., S.A. Cavallo, M. Wall and C. Diakow. "Speech Breathing Behavior in Normal and Moderately Severely Dysphonic Subjects During Connected Speech." Journal of Medical Speech-Language Pathology: 1-18. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2002
Schaeffer, N. and N. Eichorn. "The Effects of Differential Vowel Prolongations on Perceptions of Speech Naturalness." Journal of Fluency Disorders: 335-48. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2001
"Effects of Differential Prolongations of Phrases on Perceptions of Speech Naturalness." Contemporary Issues in Communication Sciences and Disorders October. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 1996
Creative Work
Presented a poster at Faculty Day entitled Comparison of Post-Voice Therapy Participants with Participants with Normal Voices. 2017
Coordinated an article with the Publications Office about the aphasia therapy group I conduct with the students and clients in the Speech and Hearing Clinic. "Just Making Conversation." Brooklyn College Magazine Fall. 2003
Wrote articles in the Speech-Language Pathology and Audilogy program's newsletter, 2003-present. 2003
Awards, Honors and Fellowships
Awarded full professor effective August 27, 2018. (Awards and Honors) 2018
Finalist for Excellence in Teaching Award. (Awards and Honors) 2008
PSC-CUNY grant. $3,107; July 1, 2003 - June 30, 2004. (Awards and Honors) 2004
Letter of recognition from Louise Hainline, regarding service given at Graduate Open House, October. (Awards and Honors) 2003
Faculty Council award, in recognition of service given on the Graduate Admissions Standards Committee, June. (Grants and Fellowships) 2002
PSC-CUNY Grant. $4,791; July 1999 - December 2000. (Grants and Fellowships) 1999
Research Activities
This study compared Post therapy dysphonic voices with normal voices.
:Results and Conclusion. The dysphonic participants' voices improved significantly post therapy in comparison with their pre-therapy voices. The statistics, however, showed a significant difference between normal voices and post therapy dysphonic voices. This result may be related to the fact that the therapy took place over a semester, and the post dysphonic voices required more time to incorporate all the new vocal behaviors.
2018
Article published by the Clinical Research: Open Access, entitled, Comparison of pre and post stimulation results with dysphonic participants on the Multidimensional Voice Program. 2016
Recognized by the Journal of Voice for having 136 professionals read my published article entitled, "Student Training to Perceptually Assess Severity of Dysphonia Using the Dysphonix Severity Percentage Scale." 2014
"Comparison of Pre- and Post-stimulation Results With Dysphonic Participants on the Multidimensional Voice Program." In progress. 2013
Schaeffer, N. and A. Sidavi. "Student Training to Perceptually Assess Severity of Dysphonia Using the Dysphonic Severity Percentage (DSP) Scale." Journal of Voice. 2013
"Mutidimensional Voice Data on Participants With Normal Voices From Ages 60-80: An Acoustic Reference for the Elderly Population." To be presented at Brooklyn College on Faculty Day (May 17) and Student Science Day (May 10) by students who participated in this research. Will eventually be submitted to the Journal of Voice. 2012
Kim, S. and N. Schaeffer. "Estimates of Subglottal Pressure During Singing as Related to Five Approaches/Directions With Inexperienced and Trained Singers." To be sumitted to an appropriate journal when completed at the end of 2012 or in 2013. 2012
Reviewed a manuscript for Contemporary Issues in Communication Sciences and Disorders. 2008
Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums
Organized a seminar for the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders entitled
"Stuttering Assessment and Treatment " presented by Chagit Edery, Ph.d.on March 29, 2019. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2019
Coordinated a seminar for the Department of Speech Communication Arts and Sciences entitled "Differential Diagnosis of apraxia, dysarthria, and phonological problems, given by Heather Clark, Ph.D. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2018
Organized the annual conference entitled Reflective Supervision/in Room Supervision presented by Dr. Elaine Geller and Dr.Judith Esposito. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2017
Organized the annual conference for the Department of Speech Communication on counseling, entitled Solution Focused Brief Therapy: Facilitating the Therapeutic Relationship. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2016
"Multidimensional Dimensional Voice Data on Participants With Normal Voices From Ages 60 to 80: An Acoustic Reference for the Elderly Population" poster. Faculty Day. Brooklyn College. May. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2013
"Instrumentation Illustrating Normal and Dysphonic Voice" poster. Faculty Day. Brooklyn College. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2009
"Instrumentation Illustrating Normal and Dysphonic Voice" poster. New York State Speech, Language and Hearing Association Convention. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2009
"Speech Breathing Behavior and Vocal Fold Function in Dysphonic Participants Pre- and Post-therapy During Connected Speech: Preliminary Observations" poster. New York State Speech, Language and Hearing Association Convention. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2007
"Voice Disorders and Vocal Hygiene." Conservatory of Music, Brooklyn College. April. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2006
"Voice Disorders, Before and After Therapy." Faculty Day. Brooklyn College. May. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2006
"Voice Disorders." Board of Education. Brooklyn, N.Y. January. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2005
"Speech Breathing Behavior in Normal and Moderately to Severely Dysphonic Subjects During Connected Speech." American Speech and Hearing Association Convention. November. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 1999
Professional Leadership
Presented a workshop on vocal techniques for appropriate use of voice to professors and others interested in preserving their voices when teaching. (Professional Leadership: Public Service) 2018
Elected to be on the Appointments Committee. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2017
Continue to serve on Faculty Council, fall. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2014
Member, search committee to interview and select new graduate students for enrollment in the Speech-Language Pathology graduate program. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2013
Member, Search Committee to select a professor for the Department of Speech Communication Arts and Sciences. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2013
Member, search committee to interview new students for acceptance into the Speech-Language Pathology program. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2012
Member, Admissions Committee to select students for the graduate program in speech-language pathology. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2010
Member, Search Committee to select a professor for the Department of Speech Communication Arts and Sciences. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2010
Organized a conference for the Department of Speech Communications Arts and Sciences, Cleft Palate and the Craniofacial Child: Assessment, Therapy and Management, presented by Etoile M. LeBlanc. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2010
Chairman, Research Committee for Faculty Council. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2009
Chairman, Research Committee/Faculty Council. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2009
Member, Search Committee to select a new professor. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2009
Member, Faculty Council, 1998-2008. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2008
Member, Programs Committee. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2008
Member, Promotion Committee. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2008
Member, committee to revise the comprehensive examination. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2007
Member, Graduate Admissions Standards Committee, 1998-2000 and 2007. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2007
Member, Records Committee. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2007
Member, Search Committee for Hiring of New Faculty, 2002-03 and 2007. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2007
Member, committee to revise the comprehensive examination. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2006
Member, Promotion Committee for the College. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2005
Member, Search Committee for Department Director. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2004
Member, Committee on Basic Skills. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2003
Spoke at student meetings, attended student presentations, advised students at student orientation/graduate open house, mentored students, and guided students in independent research, 2001-present. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2003
Member, Faculty Disciplinary Committee, 2002-03. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2002
Community Activities
Began a Voice Enhancement session, once a week, for professors who wish to use their voices appropriately when teaching to maintain positive and protective use of voice. 2019
Member, Faculty Council. 2018
Participated in the Interview Committee to choose students for the graduate program in Speech Communication Arts and Sciences. 2016
Participated on the committee to choose undergraduate students for scholarships. 2016
Had student present a poster session for Science Day on an article published, entitled Comparison of Pre and Post Stimulation Results on the Multidimensional Voice Program. 2015
Member, General Education Committee. 2015
Member, Search Committee to choose and accept incoming graduate students in the Department of Speech Communication Arts and Sciences. 2015
Participated in a committee to revise the General Education curriculum. 2015
Participated in the committee to choose candidates for full professor. 2015
Participant, committee to interview new students for acceptance into the graduate program of Speech Communication Arts and Sciences. 2014
Organized a presentation regarding narratives in preschool and school-age children, given by Lydia Soifer at Brooklyn College. 2011
"Voice Disorders: Anatomical and Physiological Aspects, Assessment, Treatment and Management," presented by Michael PItman and Simeon Blitman. 2009
"Childhood and Adult Apraxia," presented by Donald Freed, March. 2008
"A Counseling Model of Speech-Language Pathology: Incorporating a Self-Adjusting Approach to Therapy," presented by Phillip Schneider, May. 2007
"Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Executive Function," presented by Donna Geffner, March. 2006
"Practical Treatment Strategies for Preschool and School-age Children Who Stutter," presented by J. Scott Yaruss, March. 2005
"Current Trends in Dysphagia Management: Linking Research to Clinical Practice," presented by Luis F. Riquelme, Emilia Santo and colleagues, March. 2004
"Stroke and TBI: Neurological Update and Clinical Intervention," presented by Martha Burns, March. 2003
"Clinical Assessment and Treatment of Voice Disorders and Professional Voice Training," presented by John A. Haskell, Robert Orlikoff and Ralph Zito, chairman of the Voice and Speech Department of the Juilliard School of Drama Division, March. 2002
Other Professional Activities
Invited to present an article at a conference in Rome Italy. The article is entitled Multidimensional Voice Data on Participants with Perceptually Normal Voices from age 60 to 80: An Acoustic Reference for the Elderly Population in Rome, Italy. 2017
"A Singing Study: The Significance of Directions" poster. Faculty Day. Brooklyn College. May. 2015
Member, Promotions and Tenure Committee to choose full professors. 2015
Organized Through the Leadership Lens: Charting a Course for Clinical Excellence, the annual conference for the Department of Speech Communication Arts and Sciences. March 13. 2015
"Pre- and Post-stimulation Results of Vocal Fold Function With Dysphonic Participants Using the Multidimensional Voice Program" poster. Faculty Day. Brooklyn College. May. 2014
"Pre- and Post-stimulation Results on Dysphonic Clents Using the Multidimensional Voice Program" poster. Faculty Day. Brooklyn College. May. 2014
Attendee, Faculty Council meetings, once a month. 2014
Created and organized the annual conference for the Department of Speech Communication Arts and sciences, entitled Improving Speech Intelligibility: The Essential Role of Prosody. 2014
Member, Promotions and Tenure Committee for upgrading professors' status. 2014
Member, Promotions and Tenure Committee, fall. 2014
Organized and recruited speakers for the annual conference for the Department of Speech Communication Arts and Sciences, "Improving Speech Intelligibility: the Essential Role of Prosody." March. 2014
Organized and coordinated the annual seminar for the Department of Speech Communication Arts and Sciences, with a presentation by Jed Baker entitled, "All Kids Can Succeed: Effective Interventions for Behavioral and Social Challenges." 2013
"Student Training to Perceptually Rate Degree of Dysphonia Using the DSP Scale" poster. Faculty Day. Brooklyn College. May. 2012
Chairwoman, search committee for an assistant professor. 2012
Coordinated a conference, Practical Strategies for School-age Children Who Stutter, given by Dr. Mark Allen. 2012
Elected to the Appointments Committee. 2012
Member, interview committee to select graduate students for the Department of Speech Communication Arts and Sciences. 2012
Organized and coordinated the annual conference for the Department of Speech Communication Arts and Sciences, presented by Mark Allen, entitled "Practical Strategies for School-Age Children Who Stutter." 2012
Reviewed an article, "Estimating Dysphonia Severity in Continuous Speech: Application of Multiparameter Spectral/cepstral Model." Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics: 1-16. 2009
Reviewed an article, "My Client's Using Non-English Sounds! A Tutorial in Advanced Phonetic Transcriptions II: Vowels and Diacritics." Contemporary Issues in Communication Sciences and Disorders. 2009
Reviewed an article, "The Effects of Phoneme Duration and Frequency on Listeners' Perceptions of Voiceless Fricatives as Sound Prolongations." Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 2009
Schaeffer, N. and A. Sidavi. "An Objective Measure to Assess Inter-Rater Reliability of Dysphonia" poster. New York State Speech, Language and Hearing Association Convention. April. 2008
Schedule the minute takers for the Department of Speech Communication Arts and Sciences. 2005-present. 2008
Active in the planning regarding the Robert Hess Committee. 2007
"Voice Disorders: Clinical Problem Solving and Discussion" roundtable discussion. New York State Speech, Language and Hearing Association Convention. April. 2006
Conducted a praxis review course on voice disorders at the New York State Speech, Language and Hearing Association Convention for students taking the National Teacher's Examination. April. 2006
Coordinated annual seminar for Speech and Communication Arts and Sciences Department, "ADHD/Executive Function Disorders," given by Donna Geffner, March. 2006
Guided a student on voice research in the MARC program and accompanied her when she presented the research at the Student Science Poster Session. 2006
"The Effects of Differential Prolongations of Phrases on Perceptions of Speech Naturalness" poster. New York State Speech, Language and Hearing Association Convention. 2005
Obtained and assigned students to externship sites and fulfilled all administrative requirements for this task. 2005
"A Therapy Method for Severe Apraxia of Speech" poster. New York State Speech, Language and Hearing Association Convention. 2004
"The Effects of Differential Vowel Prolongations on Perceptions of Speech Naturalness" poster. New York State Speech, Language and Hearing Association Convention. 2003
"Clinical Assessment of Speech Breathing and Its Importance to Treating Voice" invited mini-seminar. New York State Speech, Language and Hearing Association Convention. April. 2002
Created and coordinated the Speech Science Lab (including the instruments) in the Department of Speech Communication Arts and Sciences. 2000