Contact Information

CV

Biography

Heather Leavy Rusiewicz, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is the Department Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. She is also Program Director of the Speech Production Clinic within the Duquesne University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic. She received her bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in Communication Science and Disorders from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Rusiewicz clinical and research experiences are focused on children and adults with speech sound disorders. Her areas of interest include gestures, prosody, and speech sound production in children and adults. She is particularly interested in the dynamic entrainment of speech and manual movements. Dr. Rusiewicz explores dynamic coordination of speech and hand movements for both clinical application for developmental and disordered processes of speech and for improved pedagogical practices.

Dr. Rusiewicz research also explores the integration of music and speech production. She has several ongoing research endeavors that investigate the interaction of music, gestures, and speech production. These scholarly activities include collaborative projects in the areas of vocal pedagogy, music theory, and beatboxing.

Additionally, Dr. Rusiewicz is interested in the scholarship of teaching and learning in the education of students studying communication sciences and disorders with a particular emphasis on the use of technology for teaching and learning. Lastly, Dr. Rusiewicz is involved in community engaged teaching and research with the aim to promote the discipline of SLP, embolden students to be civic-minded advocates for their clients, and to sustain relationships with community partners to serve the local and broader community.

Education

  • Ph.D., Communication Science and Disorders, University of Pittsburgh, 2010
  • M.A., Communication Science and Disorders, University of Pittsburgh, 1999
  • B.A., Communication Science and Disorders, University of Pittsburgh, 1997

Research Interests or Expertise

  • Entrainment of Speech and Manual Movements
  • Pediatric Speech Sound Disorders
  • Prosodic Characteristics of Speech
  • Gesture Production
  • Typical Speech Development
  • Qualitative Outcomes of Individuals with Speech Sound Disorders and Their Families
  • Integration of Music and Speech-Language Pathology
  • Beatboxing in Speech Intervention
  • Experiences of Technology use in Graduate SLP Education

School

About

  • Member, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
  • Member, Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association (PSHA)
  • Member, Southwestern Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association (SWPSHA)
  • Daley, C., Rusiewicz, H.L., Grabowski, J., & Schreiber, J. (2022). Impact of manual mimicry hand gestures on the articulatory accuracy, vocal technique, and expressivity of select German phonemes among collegiate voice majors. International Journal of Research on Choral Singing, 10, 108-130.
  • Armstrong, C., Rusiewicz, H.L., Micco, K., & Chen, Y. (2021). Ultrasound visual biofeedback and accent modification: effects on consonant and vowel accuracy for Mandarin English language learners Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 30(5), 349-364
  • Daley, C. & Rusiewicz, H.L. (2021). Featured Article: Manual mimicry in the teaching and learning of phonemes for singing. Journal of Singing, 77(4), 521-533.
  • Daley, C. & Rusiewicz, H.L. (2020) Spatiotemporal hand-gesturing in the teaching and learning of non-native speech sounds in singing. Proceedings from the 2020 Symposium on Research in Choral Singing. International Journal of Research in Choral Singing, 8, 63.
  • Overby, M. & Rusiewicz, H.L. (2018). Impact and perceived benefits of a problem-based learning workshop for continuing education in speech-language pathology: A pilot study. Teaching & Learning in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
  • Rusiewicz, H. L., *Maize, K., & *Ptakowski, T. (2017). Parental experiences and perceptions related to childhood apraxia of speech: Focus on functional implications. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 1-12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2017.1359333
  • Rusiewicz, H. L., & Rivera, J. L.* (2017). The effect of hand gesture cues within the treatment of/r/for a college-aged adult with persisting childhood apraxia of speech. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 26(4), 1236-1243.
  • Rusiewicz, H.L. & Esteve-Gibert, N. (2018). Set in time: Temporal coordination of prosody and gesture in the development of spoken language production. In P. Prieto & N. Esteve-Gibert (Eds). Prosodic Development in First Language Acquisition. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
  • Vick, J. C., Campbell, T.F., Shriberg, L.D., Green, J., Truemper, K., Rusiewicz, H.L., & Moore, C. (2014). Data-driven subclassification of speech sound disorders in preschool children, Journal of Speech-Language-Hearing Research, 57, 2033-2050.
  • Rusiewicz, H.L., Shaiman, S., Iverson, J.M., & Szuminsky, N. (2014). Effects of perturbation and prosody on the coordination of speech and gestures. Speech Communication, 57, 283-300.
  • Rusiewicz, H.L., Shaiman, S., Iverson, J.M., & Szuminsky, N. (2013). Effects of prosody and position on the timing of deictic gestures. Journal of Speech-Language-Hearing Research, 56, 458-470.
  • Campbell, T.F., Dollaghan, C., Janosky, J., Rusiewicz, H.L., Small, S.L., Dick, F., Vick, J., and Adelson, P.D. (2013). Consonant production after pediatric traumatic brain injury: A prospective cohort study. Journal of Speech-Language-Hearing Research, 56, 1023-1034.
  • Vick, J.C., Campbell, T.F., Shriberg, L.D., Green, J.R., Rusiewicz, H.L., Venkatesh, L., & Moore, C. (2012). Distinct developmental profiles in typical speech acquisition. Journal of Neurophysiology, 107, 2885-2900.
  • Rusiewicz, H.L. (2011). Synchronization of speech and gesture: A dynamic systems perspective. Proceedings from the 2nd Gesture and Speech in Interaction (GESPIN), Bielefeld, Germany. Abstract retrieved from http://coral2.spectrum.uni-bielefeld.de/gespin2011/final/Rusiewicz.pdf
    Shriberg, L.D., McSweeny, J.L., Anderson, B.E., Campbell, T.F., Chial, M.R., Green, J.R., Hauner, K.K., Moore, C.A., Rusiewicz, H.L., & Wilson, D.L. (2005). Transitioning from analog to digital audio recording in childhood speech sound disorders. Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics, 19, 335-359

Select Presentations:
  • Yurick, B. & Rusiewicz, H.L. (2022, November). Speech in the Spotlight: Integrating Music and Movement to Support Speech Development via Digital Platforms. Technical Clinical Session to be presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA.
  • Rusiewicz, H.L., Icht, M. Micco, K., Pickard, C., Carl, M. & Kim, J. (2022, November). Can Beat That! An Introduction to Looping Beatboxing into Speech-Language Pathology Practices. Seminar to be presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA.
  • Pickard, C., Rusiewicz, H.L., Micco, K., & Kim, J. (2022, November). Beatboxing Integrated With Speech Therapy: Engagement and Experiences of Young Adults With Down Syndrome. Poster to be presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA.
  • Pickard, C., Rusiewicz, H., Micco, K., Miladinov, A., Yanchak, M., & Kim, J. (2020, November). 12257: Experiences and perceptions of individuals following interactive beatboxing programs. Proposal accepted at the Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, San Diego, CA (Convention canceled).
  • Rusiewicz, H., Carlos, K., & Adams, E. (2020, November). 12864: The transition to online learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Phenomenological study of graduate student experiences. Proposal accepted at the Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, San Diego, CA (Convention canceled).
  • Rusiewicz, H., Daley, C., & Grabowski, J. (2020, November). 11677: Effect of hand gesture cues on articulatory accuracy of German consonants and vowels in singing. Proposal accepted at the Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, San Diego, CA (Convention canceled).
  • West, K., Winnor, A., Rusiewicz, H., & Sinkovich, M. (2020, November). 12290: Discover the details: Building capacity in educational dysphagia management. Proposal accepted at the Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, San Diego, CA (Convention canceled).
  • Brydon, M., Moore, M., Rusiewicz, H., & Weidner, M. (2020, November). Exploring PhD training and career opportunities in speech-language pathology. Proposal accepted at the Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, San Diego, CA (Convention canceled).
  • Rusiewicz, H.L. (2020, September). Communication Challenges for Educators During a Pandemic. Workshop presented via the Center for Teaching Excellence, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Rusiewicz, H.L. (November, 2019). Mimicry multisensory approach for the treatment of speech sound disorders. Technical Clinical Session presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Orlando, FL.
  • Rahill, C., Rusiewicz, H.L., Micco, K., & Belardi, K. (November, 2019). The effects of a visible communication partner on beat gesture production. Technical Clinical Session presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Orlando, FL.
  • Daley, C. & Rusiewicz, H.L. (March, 2018). Hands to mouth: Manual mimicry in choral singing and conducting. Workshop presented at the ACDAEAST - American Choral Directors Association - Eastern Region, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Rusiewicz, H.L. & DeLisio, P. (November, 2018). Using gestures to facilitate learning of phonetics: A study of embodiment in the classroom. Poster presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Boston, MA.
  • Bulgarelli, R., Moyer, L., Micco, K., & Rusiewicz, H.L. (November, 2018). Embracing community engagement in speech-language pathology education: An experience focused on movement, music, and literacy. Poster presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Boston, MA. Recipient of free registration fees to convention secondary to highest scorers within ASHA's PROmoting the next GENeration of Researchers (PROGENY) program.
  • Armstrong, C., Rusiewicz, H.L., Micco, K., & Chen, Y. (November, 2018). Ultrasound visual biofeedback and accent modification: Effects on consonant and vowel accuracy for Mandarin English language learners. Clinical Research Technical Session presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Boston, MA.\
  • DeLisio, P. & Rusiewicz, H.L. (November, 2018). The role of ultrasound biofeedback in accent modification services: Effects on vowel accuracy for a Spanish-speaking English language learner. Poster presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Boston, MA.
  • Reade, J., Belardi, K., Marra, L., & Rusiewicz, H.L. (November, 2018). The impact of a movie-based inferencing treatment on an adult with ASD. Poster presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Boston, MA.
  • Kinney, J., Wallace, S. Matthews, L., Schreiber, J., Donoso-Brown, E. & Rusiewicz, H.L. (November, 2017). Drawing conclusions on aphasia: An examination of the relationship between word retrieval, drawing, & semantics. Poster presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Connaghan, K. & Rusiewicz, H. (June, 2017). The impact of deictic gesture on vowel acoustics in childhood apraxia of speech (4aSC21). Poster presented at the 173rd Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, Boston, MA.
  • Daley, C. & Rusiewicz, H.L. (June, 2017). Manual mimicry in vocal pedagogy: Exploring embodiment and entrainment in the teaching and learning of speech sounds for singing. Workshop presented at the Annual Symposium of the Voice Foundation, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Rusieiwcz, H.L. (2017, March). The horizon of speech sound disorders: Exploring assessment, treatment, and biofeedback. Symposium presented at the Mountain State Conference, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV.
  • Rusiewicz, H.L., Foley, E., Bauer, H., McLeod, H., McKenna, M., & Shaheen, L. (2016, November). Gestures produced by children with and without childhood apraxia of speech. Poster presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Preston, J., McAllister Byun, T., Hitchock, E., Rusiewicz, H.L., Lee, S.A., Leece, M., & Boyce, S. (2016, November). Ultrasound biofeedback for speech sound disorders: Hands-on clinical training. Short course presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Rusiewicz, H.L., DeLisio, P., & Maize, K. (2016, November). Ultrasound biofeedback & the treatment of two school-age girls with speech sound disorders. Poster presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Koshut, C., Rusiewicz, H.L., Leech, S., Perciavalle, G., Cummings, A., & Walsh, G. (2016, November). Manual mimicry gestures in the treatment of CAS: A case study of two young children. Poster presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Rusiewicz, H.L. & Connaghan, K. (2016). The influence of deictic gestures on prosodic stress produced by children with and without childhood apraxia of speech. Poster presented at the Conference for Motor Speech, Newport Beach, CA.
  • Rusiewicz, H.L. (2015, November) Apprehension to appreciation: Identification & transformation of students' comfort with & knowledge of research principles. Poster to be presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Denver, CO.
  • Rusiewicz, H.L., (2015, July). Manual mimicry: Using gestures to cue speech targets. Seminar presented at the National Conference on Childhood Apraxia of Speech, San Antonio, TX.
  • Rusiewicz, H.L., & Connaghan, K. (2014, November). Gesture-prosody interaction in young children. Poster presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Orlando, FL.