College of Education and Human Development

Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement

Anne Larson

  • Research Associate

Anne Larson

Areas of interest

Assessment and evaluation
Caregiver coaching
Child care access and quality
Culturally-responsive interventions and measures
Early childhood; Early childhood education
Early Intervention
Families and parenting
Family engagement
Language development
Literacy development
Social validity
Special education

Biography

My research is primarily focused on the development and implementation of practitioner-supported and caregiver-implemented language assessments and interventions for young children. I am also interested in improving the efficiency and effectiveness with which early childhood services are delivered in inclusive and family-focused settings. The majority of my projects are aimed at historically marginalized populations (i.e., children with or at-risk for disabilities, families with lower income, and those who speak languages other than English), and usually include families who speak Spanish.

I use multi-method research designs in community-based settings (e.g., homes, child care, etc.) to apply an equity lens that involves and informs relevant stakeholder groups in the research. I am also interested in the role of technology to enhance feasibility, intervention fidelity, and efficacy of interventions and assessments. For example, I have led research evaluating Sesame Street’s vocabulary initiative, used Language Environment Analysis (LENA) for a descriptive study comparing the home and childcare language environments, and implemented caregiver-implemented and practitioner-supported coaching interventions through app, email, and video (asynchronous and synchronous) platforms.

I enjoy supporting student learning and research and encourage you to reach out to me if you are interested in language development and disorders, early childhood special education and early intervention, caregiver-implemented interventions, equity, and related topics.

Publications

Larson, A. L., Caballero, R., Snyder, P., Griebel, S., Valentin, R., Bourret, C. (in press) Gathering perspectives on VALI: A technology-based coaching intervention to increase Spanish-speaking caregivers’ use of naturalistic language intervention strategies. Perspectives.

Larson, A. L., Romano, M., Meyers, C., Eugenio, J., & Olsen, S. (2022). Exploration of web-based professional development to support caregiver-coaching in telepractice. Perspectives, 7, 616–634. https://doi.org/10.1044/2021_PERSP-21-00089

De Anda, S. Cycyk, L. M., Moore, H., Huerta, L., Larson, A. L., King, M. (2022). Psychometric properties of the English-Spanish Vocabulary Inventory in Toddlers with and without early language delay. Journal of Speech-Language-Hearing Research, 65(2), 672-691. https://doi.org/10.1044/2021_JSLHR-21-00240

Larson, A. L., Baralt, M., Hokenson, J., Hammer, C. S., Barrett, T., DeVilbiss, N. (2022). A randomized controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of the Háblame Bebé mobile application with Spanish-speaking mothers with lower incomes. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 31(2), 722-738. https://doi.org/10.1044/2021_AJSLP-21-00094

King, M., Larson, A. L., Buzhardt, J. (2022). Exploring the classification accuracy of the Early Communication Indicator (ECI) with Dual-Language Learners from Latinx backgrounds. Assessment for Effective Intervention, 47(4), 209-219. https://doi.org/10.1177/15345084211027138
 

Soto, X., Larson, A. L., Olszewski, A., Velury, V., & Feldberg, A. (2021). Who is Centered? A Systematic Review of Early Childhood Researchers’ Descriptions of Children and Caregivers from Linguistically Minoritized Communities. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 41(1), 18-30. https://doi.org/10.1177/0271121421991222

Zeng, S., *Pereira, B., Larson, A.L., Corr, C., *O’Grady, C., & Stone-MacDonald, A. (2021). Preschool suspension and expulsion for young children with disabilities. Exceptional Children, 87(2), 199-216. https://doi.org/10.1177/0014402920949832

Larson, A. L., Barrett, T., & McConnell, S. R. (2020). Exploring Early Childhood Language Environments: A comparison of language exposure, use and interaction in the home and child care settings. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 51, 706-719. https://doi.org/10.1044/2019_LSHSS-19-00066

Larson, A. L., An, Z. G., Wood, C. A., Uchikoshi, Y., Cycyk, L. M., Hammer, C. S., Escobar, K., *Roberts, K. (2020). Social validity in early language interventions for dual language learners: A systematic review of research. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 40(1), 39-51. https://doi.org/10.1177/0271121419901289

De Anda, S., Larson, A. L., Cycyk, L. M. Communication evaluation and assessment for Latinx infants and toddlers: A guide for practitioners. (2020) In McLean, M., Banerjee, R., & Squires, J. (Eds.), Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children Recommended Practices Assessment Monograph. Missoula, MT; The Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children

Larson, A. L., Cycyk, L. M., Carta, J., Hammer, C. S., Baralt, M., Uchikoshi, Y., An, Z. G., Wood, C. A. (2020). A systematic review of language-focused interventions for young children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 50(1), 157-178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2019.06.001

Larson, A. L. & Wackerle-Hollman, A. (2018). The words within the word gap: Addressing the need for person-centric approaches when communicating with families about language development. In Corr, C. & Miller, D. (Eds.), Trauma, Abuse, and Toxic Stress (Young Exceptional Children Monograph Series No. 17). Missoula, MT: The Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children.

Larson, A. L. (2016). Language screening for infants and toddlers: A literature review of four commercially available tools. Communication Disorders Quarterly, 38(1), 3-12. doi: 10.1177/1525740115627420

Larson, A. L., & Rahn, N. L. (2015). Vocabulary instruction on Sesame Street: A content analysis of the word on the street initiative. Language, Speech and Hearing Services in Schools, 46(3), 207-221. doi: 10.1044/2015_LSHSS-14-0079 

Presentations

Larson, A., Snyder, P., Caballero, R., Griebel, S., Caballero, R., Valentin, R., Bourret, C. (2022, November). Caregiver coaching with culturally valid language interventions: A model for Spanish-speaking families in Early Intervention. Paper presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, New Orleans, LA [online].

Larson, A., Hall-Lande, J., & Dimian, A. (2022, September). Linking state data systems to evaluate equitable access to Early Intervention. Paper presented at the International Society on Early Intervention. Chicago, IL.

Larson, A., Snyder, P., Caballero, R., Griebel, S. Bourret, C. (2022, February). Co-creating caregiver-coaching interventions for Spanish-speaking Latinos: Challenges and opportunities. Poster presented at biennial Conference on Research Innovations in Early Intervention. San Diego, CA.

De Anda, S., Cycyk, L., Moore, H., Huerta, L., Larson, A., King, M. Validity and reliability of the English-Spanish Vocabulary Inventory. Paper presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, Washington D.C. [online].

Soto-Boykin, X., McKenna, M., Larson, A., Julbe-Delgado, D. Adding confidence to our CCCs: Creating professional development for SLPs assessing and treating bilingual children. Paper presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, Washington D.C. [online].

Soto, X., Escayg, K. Gardner-Neblett, N., Larson, A., & Olszewski, A. J. (2021, March). Identifying and Disrupting Systemic Racism in the Early Childhood Education of Black and Latinx Children. Conversation Roundtable presented at the Symposium for Research in Child Development, Minneapolis, MN [online].

Larson, A. & Wackerle-Hollman, A. (2021, January). Working with families to apply strength-based approaches. Poster presented at the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division of Early Childhood Conference on Young Children and their Families, Minneapolis, MN [online].

Larson, A., Romano, M., Meyers-Denman, C. (2020, November). Proposal #10132: Caregiver Coaching via Telepractice to Encourage Family Engagement and Positive Child Outcomes in Early Intervention. Proposal accepted at the Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, San Diego, CA (Convention canceled).

Peredo, T., Cycyk, L., Larson, A., & Hammer, C.S. (2020, February). Adapting early language interventions for Latinx populations: Social validity considerations. Panel presented at the biennial Conference on Research Innovations in Early Intervention. San Diego, CA.

Kristen, R., Bundock, K., & Larson, A. (2020, February). Reviewing 50 Years of Disproportionality Research: Predictor Variables and Analysis Methods. Poster presented at the Pacific Coast Research Conference, San Diego, CA.

Larson, A., Cycyk, L., & De Anda, S. (2019, November). Recommended practices in the assessment of infants & toddlers from Latinx backgrounds. Paper presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, Orlando, FL.

Larson, A.L., & Rahn, N.L. (2015). Vocabulary instruction on Sesame Street: A content analysis of the word on the street initiative. Language, Speech and Hearing Services in Schools [Advance online publication], doi: 10.1044/2015_LSHSS-14-0079.

Larson, A., & McConnell, S. (2014, February 20-22). LENA and RtI: Progressive progress monitoring in a low-income neighborhood. Poster presented at Conference on Research Innovations in Early Intervention, San Diego, California.