Amber Thiessen

Amber Thiessen, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Houston's College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. She focuses on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for adults with acquired neurological disorders, teaching graduate courses in cognitive disorders and AAC. Her research emphasizes improving communication outcomes through AAC display design and communication partner training.

• Ph.D., Speech-Language Pathology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• M.S., Speech-Language Pathology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• B.A., Speech-Language Pathology, University of North Dakota

Dr. Thiessen’s research investigates augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) displays for adults with traumatic brain injury and aphasia. She employs eye-tracking technology to measure visual attention patterns and explores communication partner/facilitator training to enhance treatment efficacy. Current projects include comparing grid displays and visual scene images in AAC interventions.

Recent publications highlight trends in visual scene display utility, personalized treatment for aphasia, and brain-computer interface (BCI) applications in AAC. Her work bridges clinical practice and technological innovation.

Dr. Thiessen has received research funding from the University of Houston, including GEAR grants and CLASS Research Progress Grants as Principal Investigator. These support projects like “Personalized Images as Communication Supports” and “Theme Identification in AAC Displays.”

• Principal Investigator for 2019 GEAR grant on personalized AAC images
• Principal Investigator for 2017 CLASS grant on theme identification

She mentors students, including co-author Brewer C.H., and collaborates with faculty like Thistle and Brown. Her lab contributes to advancements in neurorehabilitation and assistive technology.