Nancy C. Brady

Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Professor
Director of Graduate Studies, Ph.D. Program

She/her/hers

Contact Info

nbrady@ku.edu

Dole Human Development Center, 3001
1000 Sunnyside Ave
Lawrence, KS 66045

Office DHDC 3019

Biography —

Nancy C. Brady is a professor in the department of Speech Language Hearing Sciences and Disorders and an Investigator in the Life Span Studies at the University of Kansas. Dr. Brady’s research focuses on understanding how pre-speech communication develops, identifying aspects of pre-speech communication directly related to language development, and developing interventions aimed at promoting language by strengthening these foundational skills. A certified Speech Language Pathologist, Dr. Brady’s research informs clinical practice, particularly for individuals with severe autism, Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, rare disorders associated with intellectual disabilities, and children with sensory impairments such as deaf-blindness. Dr. Brady’s research program has resulted in over 80 peer- reviewed journal articles plus an edited book, numerous book chapters and conference presentations. Her research has been supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, US Department of Education and Autism Speaks. Dr. Brady contributes to the development of future clinicians and scholars through classroom teaching, mentorship and active participation in departmental activities.

Research —

Nancy Brady studies the development of communication and language in young children and in individuals with developmental disabilities and autism. Her research has focused on describing development of gestures and pre-speech vocalizations, beginning augmentative communication use, and negotiations of conversational breakdowns. She is one of the creators of the Communication Complexity Scale, an assessment of prelinguistic communication behaviors.

Teaching —

I strive to provide an engaging and inclusive environment for students, emphasizing experience-based education whenever possible.

research methods
language disorders
autism
language development

Selected Publications —

Brady, N., Fleming, K., Hicks, T., Fielding-Gebhardt, H., & Boorom, O.* (2024). Contextual Variables Associated with Challenging Behaviors in Adolescents with Fragile X Syndrome. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1-8.

Muller, K.,* Brady, N. & Fleming (2022). Alternative receptive language assessment modalities and stimuli for autistic children who are minimally verbal. Autism. 26 (6). 1522-1535

Brady, N., Swinburne Romine, R., Fleming, K., Holbrook, A., Muller, K., Kasari, C. (2018). Reliability and Validity of the Communication complexity Scale. American Journal of Speech Language Pathology - Volume 27.

Barton-Hulsey, A., Wegner, J., Brady, N., Bunce, B., Sevcik, R. (2017). Comparing the Effects of Speech-Generating Device Display Organization on Symbol Comprehension and Use by Three Children With Developmental Delays. American Journal of Speech Language Pathology - Issue 2 | Volume 26. https://doi.org/10.1044/2016_AJSLP-15-0166.

Ogletree, B., Brady, N., Bruce, S., Dean, E., Romski, M., Sylvester, L., Westling, D. (2017). Mary's Case: An Illustration of Interprofessional Collaborative Practice for a Child With Severe Disabilities. American Journal of Speech Language Pathology - Issue 2 | Volume 26. https://doi.org/10.1044/2017_AJSLP-15-0065.

Schmidt-Naylor, A., Saunders, K., Brady, N. (2017). Developing the Alphabetic Principle to Aid Text-Based Augmentative and Alternative Communication Use by Adults With Low Speech Intelligibility and Intellectual Disabilities. American Journal of Speech Language Pathology - Issue 2 | Volume 26. https://doi.org/10.1044/2016_AJSLP-15-0047.

Warren, S., Brady, N., Fleming, K., Hahn Mattie, L. (2017). The Longitudinal Effects of Parenting on Adaptive Behavior in Children with Fragile X Syndrome. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - Issue 3 | Volume 47. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10803-016-2999-7.

Komesidou, R., Brady, N., Fleming, K., Esplund, A., Warren, S. (2017). Growth of Expressive Syntax in Children With Fragile X Syndrome. Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research - Issue 2 | Volume 60. https://doi.org/10.1044/2016_JSLHR-L-15-0360.

Hahn Mattie, L., Brady, N., Wehmeyer, M., Brown, I., Percy, M., Fung, W., Shogren, K., Fung, W. (2017). Speech, Language, and Communication Assessments and Interventions. M.L. Wehmeyer, I. Brown, M. Percy, W.L. Fung, K.A. Shogren, W.L. Fung (Eds.). A Comprehensive Guide to Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. (pp. 447-460). Paul H Brookes Pub Co. [9781598576023].

Hahn Mattie, L., Brady, N., Fleming, K., Warren, S. (2016). Joint Engagement and Early Language in Young Children With Fragile X Syndrome. Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research - Issue 5 | Volume 59. https://doi.org/10.1044/2016_JSLHR-L-15-0005.

Thiemann-Bourque, K., Brady, N., Mcguff, S., Stump, K., Naylor, A. (2016). Picture Exchange Communication System and Pals: A Peer-Mediated Augmentative and Alternative Communication Intervention for Minimally Verbal Preschoolers With Autism. Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research - Issue 5 | Volume 59. https://doi.org/10.1044/2016_JSLHR-L-15-0313.

Meadan-Kaplansky, H., Brady, N. (2016). Prelinguistic and Minimally Verbal Communicators on the Autism Spectrum: . Springer Verlag. [9789811007118].

Braddock, B., Keen, D., Brady, N., Meadan, H., Brady, N., Halle, J. (2016). Prelinguistic Communication and Joint Attention. D. Keen, & H. Meadan, N.C. Brady, J.W. Halle (Eds.). Prelinguistic and Minimally Verbal Communicators on the Autism Spectrum. (pp. 33-51). Springer Verlag. [9789811007118].

Keen, D., Brady, N., Keen, D., Meadan, H., Brady, N., Halle, J. (2016). Individualized Assessment of Prelinguistic Communication. D. Keen, H. Meadan, N.C. Brady, J.W. Halle (Eds.). Prelinguistic and Minimally Verbal Communicators on the Autism Spectrum. (pp. 101-121). Springer Verlag. [9789811007118].

Brady, N., Bruce, S., Goldman, A., Erickson, K., Mineo, B., Ogletree, B., Paul, D., Romski, M., Sevcik, R., Siegel, E., Schoonover, J., Snell, M., Sylvester, L., Wilkinson, K. (2016). Communication Services and Supports for Individuals With Severe Disabilities: Guidance for Assessment and Intervention. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities - Issue 2 | Volume 121. https://doi.org/10.1352/1944-7558-121.2.121.

Hahn Mattie, L., Brady, N., Warren, S., Fleming, K. (2015). Do Children With Fragile X Syndrome Show Declines or Plateaus in Adaptive Behavior?. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities - Issue 5 | Volume 120. https://doi.org/10.1352/1944-7558-120.5.412.

Brady, N., Storkel, H., Bushnell, P., Barker, R., Saunders, K., Daniels, D., Fleming, K. (2015). Investigating a Multimodal Intervention for Children with Limited Expressive Vocabularies Associated with Autism. American Journal of Speech Language Pathology - Issue 3 | Volume 24. https://doi.org/10.1044/2015_AJSLP-14-0093.

Brady, N., Anderson, C., Hahn Mattie, L., Obermeier, S., Kapa, L. (2014). Eye Tracking as a Measure of Receptive Vocabulary in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Augmentative and Alternative Communication - Issue 2 | Volume 30. https://doi.org/10.3109/07434618.2014.904923.

Hahn Mattie, L., Zimmer, B., Brady, N., Romine, R., Fleming, K. (2014). Role of Maternal Gesture Use in Speech Use by Children With Fragile X Syndrome. American Journal of Speech Language Pathology - Issue 2 | Volume 23. https://doi.org/10.1044/2013_AJSLP-13-0046.

Sterling, A., Brady, N., Warren, S., Fleming, K., Keller, J., Sterling, A. (2014). Effect of Sustained Maternal Responsivity on Later Vocabulary Development in Children With Fragile X Syndrome. Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research - Issue 1 | Volume 57. https://doi.org/10.1044/1092-4388(2013/12-0341).

Kasari, C., Brady, N., Lord, C., Tager-Flusberg, H. (2013). Assessing the Minimally Verbal School‐Aged Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Research - Issue 6 | Volume 6. https://doi.org/10.1002/AUR.1334.

Brady, N., Thiemann-Bourque, K., Fleming, K., Matthews, K. (2013). Predicting Language Outcomes for Children Learning AAC: Child and Environmental Factors. Journal of Speech Language Hearing Research - Issue 5 | Volume 56.

Brady, N., Fleming, K., Thiemann-Bourque, K., Olswang, L., Dowden, P., Saunders, M., Marquis, J. (2012). Development of the Communication Complexity Scale. American Journal of Speech Language Pathology - Issue 1 | Volume 21. https://doi.org/10.1044/1058-0360(2011/10-0099).

Selected Presentations —

Overcoming Challenges to Communication Assessment and Treatment in Inclusive Settings. Webinar presented as part of ASHA’s Using a Strength Based Approach in Schools online conference. Brady, N. (2024).

Identifying and Treating Toddlers with Autism. Seminar Presentation to Kansas Speech and Hearing Conference. Brady, N. & Boorom, O. (2023, September).

Show Me What You Mean - The Goldstick Family Lecture. Location: Champaign, Illinois. (10-19-2017).

Stuck in the Middle: An overview of communication challenges faced by adolescents and adults with ASD - Communication Interventions for Adolescents and Adults with Autism. (3-01-2017).

Assessment and Treatment of Nonverbal or Minimally Verbal Children with Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. - Nebraska Summer Conference on AAC. Location: Omaha, NE. (6-10-2016).

Service —

Nancy Brady is past Chairperson for the SPLH department at KU; past Chairperson for the National Joint Committee on Communication needs for Persons with Severe Disabilities; and an advisory board member for Community Living Opportunities.

Memberships —

ASHA Fellow