Michelle Therrien

Michelle Therrien is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Florida State University (FSU), within the School of Communication. Her research focuses on enhancing social connections for individuals using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), emphasizing evidence-based practices in schools and communities. She holds editorial roles at the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and is active in professional organizations like ASHA and ISAAC. Her teaching spans AAC, developmental disorders, and child language development.

Education:

• Ph.D., Communication Sciences & Disorders, Pennsylvania State University
• MA, Computational Linguistics, University of Washington
• BA, English, Saint Louis University

Research Themes: Dr. Therrien’s work prioritizes social interaction, friendship dynamics for AAC users, interdisciplinary collaboration, and telepractice adaptation during crises like the pandemic. Her recent studies explore caregiver experiences with aphasia patients, pandemic-era AAC service delivery challenges, and strategies to support children with complex communication needs in inclusive settings.

Grants & Contributions:

• $20,000 FSU grant analyzing pandemic-era AAC service innovations
• $10,000 ASH Foundation grant for teacher training in AAC peer interaction
• $25,000 multidisciplinary grant studying literacy skills in children with autism

Labs/Teams: Co-developed the RouTEAM initiative fostering home-school partnerships for AAC users, and leads telepractice research initiatives addressing pandemic-era service gaps. Active in Florida State’s Communication Science & Disorders research clusters.