John McCarthy

John McCarthy is a professor of Communication Disorders and Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Professions. He teaches courses on AAC, interprofessional education, pre-professional orientation, and introduction to communication disorders. His research includes improving computer interfaces and expanding the creative possibilities for children and young adults requiring AAC.

Education

• PhD, Communication Sciences and Disorders, The Pennsylvania State University, 2004
• MS, Communication Disorders, The Pennsylvania State University, 1999
• BM, Music, The Pennsylvania State University, 1996

Research Interests

• Developing better computer user interfaces and expanding the creative possibilities for children and young adults with complex communication needs.
• Improving inter professional education outcomes with a focus on technology tools.

Publications

• Hajjar, D.J., McCarthy, J.W., Benigno, J.P., Montgomery, J.W., & Chabot, J. (2019). Weaving participation, interaction, and technology across recreational experiences: Perspectives from volunteers, caregivers, and people with complex communication needs. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 35(3), 217-228 https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2019.1597161
• Boster, J.B., & McCarthy, J.W. (2019). Constructing programs for direct-care staff should rely on foundational theories to support adults with intellectual disabilities. Evidence-Based Communication Assessment and Intervention https://doi.org/10.1080/17489539.2018.1567022
• McCarthy, J.W., DiGiovanni, J.J., Ries, D..T,, Boster, J.B., & Riffle, T.L. (2019). Exploration of head related transfer function and environmental sounds as a means to improve auditory scanning for children requiring augmentative and alternative communication. Assistive Technology, DOI: 10.1080/10400435.2018.1559897
• Hajjar, D.J., McCarthy, J.W., & Hajjar, M. (2018). Supporting communication partners in a leisure setting to enhance social interaction and participation for individuals with complex communication needs. Clinical Archives of Communication Disorders, 3(3), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.21849/cacd.2018.00437
• Huist, A.E., McCarthy, J.W., Boster, J.B., & Benigno, J.P. (2018). Using video to teach early language concepts and symbols to children with complex communication needs. Communication Disorders Quarterly. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/1525740118780419
• McCarthy, J.W., Benigno, J. P., Broach, J., Boster, J., & Wright, B.M. (2018). Identification and drawing of early concepts in children with autism spectrum disorders and children without disability. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 2(2), 155-165. https://doi:10.1080/07434618.2018.1457716
• McCarthy, J.W., & Boster, J.B. (2018). A comparison of the performance of 2.5 to 3.5-year-old children without disabilities using animated and cursor-based scanning in a contextual scene. Assistive Technology, 30(4), 183-190.. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2017.1307883
• Boster, J.B. & McCarthy, J.W. (2018). Designing augmentative and alternative communication applications: The results of focus groups with speech-language pathologists and parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 13(4), 353-365. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2017.1324526
• McCarthy, J.W. & Hajjar, D.J. (2017). Matching the mode, the time, and the situation. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 2(4), 106-114. https://doi:10.1044/persp2.SIG12.107
• McCarthy, J.W., & Dietz, A. (Eds.). (2014). Augmentative and alternative communication: An interactive clinical casebook. San Diego, CA: Plural Publishing. ISBN 13: 978-1-59756-449-6

Grants

• Co-Principal-Investigator: Virtual Reality Simulations to Address Provider Bias and Cultural Competency. Ohio Colleges of Medicine Government Resource Center (GRC) Providers as Allies in Equity and Care (PAEC) initiative via Ohio State University ($1,059,421) (Includes 51% match) (2018-2019)
• Co-Principal-Investigator: Health-Care Access Initiative #1- Interprofessional Health Teams Project. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services via Ohio State University ($1,612,532) (Includes 51% match) (2016-2017)
• Co-Investigator: Autism Outreach to School SLPs. Autism Speaks. ($5,000)(2016)
• Co-Investigator: Enhancing Undergraduate Student Learning Through the Construction of Evidence-Based Materials to Families of Children with Autism with Graduate Student and Faculty Mentorship ($20,700) Ohio University 1804 Fund (2014-2016)
• Co-Principal-Investigator: Health-Care Access Initiative #1- Interprofessional Health Teams Project. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services via Ohio State University ($2,050,703) (Includes 51% match) (2013-2015)
• Co-Investigator: Health-Care Access Initiative #1- Interprofessional Health Teams Project. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services via Ohio State University, ($864,846.34) (2012-2013) (Includes 51% match)
• Principal Investigator: Technology Augmented Team-Building in Interprofessional Health Science Graduate Education. Ohio University 1804 Fund ($21,163) (2012-2013)
• Principal Investigator: Improving auditory scanning interfaces in AAC devices. American Speech-Language Hearing Foundation New Century Scholars Competition ($10,000) (2008)
• Principal Investigator: Technology, arts, and communication: An interdisciplinary education, service, and research pilot project to benefit individuals with and without disabilities. Ohio University 1804 Fund ($15,433) (2006-2007)
• Principal Investigator: Personal narratives and individuals requiring AAC. American Speech-Language Hearing Association-Advancing Academic-Research Careers Competition ($5,000) (2006-2007)

Awards and Honors

• National Society of Leadership and Success Excellence in Teaching Award (2018)
• Research and Creative Activity Award, College of Health Sciences and Professions, Ohio University (2018)
• Ohio University Faculty Newsmaker (2016 & 2017) from media coverage of research and expertise
• Best Poster Award: National Association of Teachers of Singing for poster, “The saliency of the “singer” identity and the pursuit of the “ideal” singer as measured by the SIAA (Singer Identity and Attitudes) questionnaire” (2016)
• Research and Creative Activity Award, College of Health Sciences and Professions, Ohio University (2015)
• Community-Engaged Research Award, College of Health Sciences and Professions, Ohio University (2014) ($8847)
• Ohio University College of Health and Human Services Exemplary Teaching Award (2008)
• Ohio University College of Health and Human Services Student Advisory Council Outstanding Teacher Award (2006)
• Editor’s Award (2004): Augmentative and Alternative Communication for article “Performance of typically developing four- and five- year old children with AAC systems using different language organization techniques”

University/Professional Service

• Member, Ohio University Individualized Interdisciplinary Program Committee (2012-present)
• Advisor for Creative Expressions (2012-present)