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Shannon M. Theis, PhD, CCC-SLP

Program Director
Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences, College of Health Sciences
Education
Post-Doctoral Research, University of Wisconsin Waisman Center, Vocal Tract Development Lab
PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison
MS, University of Wisconsin-Madison
BS, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Areas

Outcomes research, acoustics, health-related quality of life

Contact Info:
600 S. Paulina St.
1016D AAC
Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 563-6034
Links:
Biography

Shannon M. Theis, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an assistant professor with the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences. Theis has specialized in caring for children with craniofacial anomalies/cleft lip and palate, feeding/swallowing difficulties, pediatric voice/resonance and upper airway disorders for nearly 20 years. She has advanced training in stroboscopy, pediatric FEES (fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing), videofluoroscopic swallow studies and nasopharyngoscopy. She has presented both nationally and internationally on the topic of craniofacial anomalies, as well as teaching courses in voice disorders, speech science, medical speech-language pathology, speech sound disorders and craniofacial anomalies. Theis is an active clinical researcher and presenter and has published several articles and book chapters related to pediatric voice and feeding. Her research interests include pediatric outcomes and health-related quality of life. 

Publications

Theis, SM & Connor, NP. Health-related quality of life in pediatric dysphonia. In McMurray, JS, Hoffman, M, & Braden, M (Eds.), Multidisciplinary Management of Pediatric Voice and Swallowing Disorders. Anticipated for publication in 2019.

Rogers, B & Theis, SM. (2019). Neurodevelopmental assessment of feeding and swallowing. In JC Arvedson, L Brodsky, and MA Lefton-Greif (Eds.), Pediatric Swallowing and Feeding: Assessment and Management (3rd ed., pp. 75-148). San Diego: Plural Publishing.

Meredith, ML, Theis, SM, McMurray, JS, Zhang Y, & Jiang JJ. Describing pediatric dysphonia with nonlinear dynamic parameters. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 2008, 72: 1829-1836.   

Connor, NP, Cohen, SB, Theis, SM, Thibeault, SL, Heatley, DG, & Bless, DM. Attitudes of children with dysphonia. Journal of Voice, 2008, 22: 197-209.
**2008 Journal of Voice Best Paper Award**

Theis, SM (2011) Reflux in children and its effects on assessment and management of voice disorders from an SLP perspective. Perspectives on Voice & Voice Disorders, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Special Interest Group 3 publication.

Wilson, JJ, Theis, SM, & Wilson, EM.  Evaluation and management of vocal cord dysfunction in the athlete.  Current Sports Medicine Reports, 2009, 8(2): 65-70.

Theis, SM & Heatley, DG (2009) Evaluation and treatment of pediatric gastroesophageal reflux and its effects on voice. Perspectives on Voice & Voice Disorders, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Special Interest Division 3 publication. 

Theis, SM (2010) Pediatric voice disorders: Evaluation and management. ASHA Leader, November 2010.

Heatley, DG, Theis, SM, van Leer, E, & Connor, NP (2008). Progress on Development of a Validated and Age-Appropriate Pediatric Voice Quality of Life Instrument. American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO). American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Proceedings.

Theis, SM, Connor, NP, & McMurray, JS (2006) Pediatric Laryngotracheal Reconstruction: Case Studies. Perspectives on Voice & Voice Disorders, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Special Interest Division 3 publication.

Robbins, JA, Gangnon, RE, Theis, SM, Kays, SA, Hewitt, AL, & Hind, JA. The Effects of Lingual Exercise on Swallowing in Older Adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2005, 53(9): 1483-1489.

Grants

Invited Presentations:

  • Theis, SM (In planning, 2020). Pediatric Voice Assessment. Session presented as part of the online voice conference entitled, Voice Assessment and Treatment Across the Lifespan, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
  • Theis, SM (February 2017). Craniofacial Anomalies/Cleft Lip & Palate: Speech & Resonance Disorders. Presented at Portland State University Professional Development Workshop Series, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Department of Speech & Hearing Sciences, Portland, OR.
  • Theis, SM & Brockman, J (August 2016). Cleft Palate Speech Disorders. Session presented at the Oregon Speech Pathology Academy, Portland, OR.
  • Theis, SM, Gubbels, S, Marchant, W, & Ploch, J (May 2015). Waisman Center Day with the Experts: Cochlear Implants, Clinician Panel, Madison, WI.
  • Theis, SM (April 2015). Feeding Infants with Cleft Lip and/or Palate. Session presented at the Women, Infants & Children (WIC)-Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Birth Defects Nourishing Special Needs Network, Wisconsin Dells, WI.
  • Gamradt, J & Theis, SM (March 2015). A Toolkit of Strategies for Advancing Communication Skills for Children with Down Syndrome. Waisman Center Day with the Experts: Down Syndrome, Madison, WI.
  • Theis, SM (July 2014). Pediatric Voice Assessment. Workshop presented at the International Phonosurgery Symposium, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, Madison, WI.
  • Theis, SM (November 2014). Airway, Feeding, and Swallowing Difficulties in Children with Cerebral Palsy. Waisman Center Day with the Experts: Cerebral Palsy, Madison, WI.
  • Theis, SM (February 2014). Cleft Care in China: Visiting Educator. Invited session presented at the annual meeting of the Wisconsin Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Association (WSHA), Madison, WI.
  • Theis, SM (March 2012). Evaluation and Treatment of Pediatric Voice Disorders. Invited short course presented at the Indiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ISHA), Indianapolis, IN.
  • Theis, SM (March 2012). Evaluation and Treatment of Resonance Disorders. Invited short course presented at the Indiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ISHA), Indianapolis, IN.
  • Theis, SM & McMurray, JS (July 2012). New Advances in Pediatric Voice Disorders.  Workshop presented at the International Phonosurgery Symposium, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Madison, WI.
  • Theis, SM, Dailey S, & Grames, L (November 2011). Children with Tracheostomy, Voice, or Resonance Disorders in the Schools. Invited short course presented at the annual meeting of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), San Diego, CA.
  • Theis, SM & Blakeslee, SD (April 2010). Pediatric Voice Disorders: Evaluation and Treatment. Invited web seminar for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Professional Development.  
  • Theis, SM (May 2009). Acoustic Analysis of Voice Production. Workshop presented at Explore the Voice, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Madison, WI.
  • Theis, SM (May 2009). Cleft-Related Speech Disorders. Invited session as Visiting Educator through Resurge International (formerly known as Interplast Organization), Department of Stomatology, Chengdu, China.
  • Theis, SM (May 2009). Cleft Palate and Velopharyngeal Dysfunction. Invited session as Visiting Educator through Resurge International (formerly known as Interplast Organization), Department of Stomatology, Chengdu, China.
  • Theis, SM, McMurray, JS & Miller, G (November 2008). The Pediatric Larynx: In Utero to Puberty. Invited short course presented at the annual meeting of the American Speech- Language Hearing Association (ASHA), Chicago, IL.
  • Theis, SM & Pritchard, J (November 2007). Feeding an infant with cleft palate.  Session presented at the Wisconsin Association of Lactation Consultants, Madison, WI.
  • Theis, SM & McMurray, JS (February 2006). Voice Issues in Early School-aged Children: Ask the Experts. Web Forum on Pediatric Voice Disorders, Sponsored by American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Special Interest Division 3, Voice & Voice Disorders.