Dr. Alaina Davis is an Associate (tenured) Professor and the Chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Howard University where she also received her Ph.D. She is a licensed Medical Speech-Language Pathologist and Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer with the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists. Her research interest and expertise are in neurologically based communication disorders with adolescents and adults and primarily focus on traumatic brain injury/sport-related concussion.
Dr. Davis directs the Cognitive-Communicative Skills Clinic and Research Lab (CCC Skills) in which the team examines cognitive-communicative deficits associated with sport-related concussion and return-to-learn/play/activity for student-athletes following concussion. Student-athletes are supported through her role as the Lead SLP on the HU Concussion Management Team. Dr. Davis is passionate about increasing the understanding of the cognitive and communication styles of adolescents and adults from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds and identifies culturally responsive methods for cognitive-communicative assessment and treatment.
In addition, Dr. Davis has served as the Director of Graduate Assessment. She has an interest in program assessment and analyzes the effect of cognitive learning styles on significant learning in academic and clinical activities related to speech-language pathology. Dr. Davis is published in professional journals and has co-authored chapters on TBI. She is the inaugural Chair of the Committee on Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences. Lastly, Dr. Davis conducts webinars and trainings on brain injury and hosts the podcast, "Life, Language, & Lyrics."
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Howard University
2014
Speech-Language Pathology
Southern University and A&M College
2009
Communication Disorders
University of Houston
2005
Co-PI: (2024). Integrating Culturally Adapted Principles in Cognitive Communication Rehabilitation. $8,950. ASHA Grant on Multicultural Activities, ASHA.
PI: (2022). BisonOpen Summer Academy. $2,000. Howard University Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Assessment (CETLA).
PI: (2022). Teaching with Active Learning. $500. Lumen Circles Fellowship: Evidenced Based Teaching. Lumen Circles & Howard University Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Assessment (CETLA).
PI: (2021). Sport-related concussion and cognitive-communicative skills among persons from racially/ethnically diverse backgrounds. $500. 2021 Junior Faculty Writing & Creative Works Summer Academy, Howard University.
PI: (2019). Verbal reasoning and working memory skills in student-athletes with and without concussion. $10,000. Howard University Summer Research Fellowship Grant.
PI: (2019). Conference attendance and research materials. $1,000. Hughes/Liggins Fund 2019-2020- Intramural.
PI: (June 2018). The speech-language pathologist’s role in increasing knowledge and attitudes of athletes on cognitive-communication symptoms associated with concussion. $10,000. Howard University Summer Research Fellowship Grant.
PI: (2018). Learning while leading: Supporting Intercultural Development through Study Away, Madrid, Spain. $2000. Council on International Education Exchange.
Center for Cognitive-Communicative Skills Clinic and Research Lab (CCC Skills).
-Managing brain and sports-related injuries.
CHSOC Research and Creative Works Day
Verbal Reasoning, Working Memory, and Learning Strategies in Student-Athletes With and Without Concussion
The Speech-Language Pathologist’s Role in Increasing Knowledge and Attitudes of Athletes on Cognitive-Communication Symptoms Associated with Concussion
Listen: A Chat in the Garden | Dr. Alaina S. Davis, Department Chair, Communications Sciences and Disorders at Howard University, joins Monique for A Chat in the Garden
Listen: ANCDS Podcast | A Conversation with Alaina Davis and Sucheta Kamath of the ANCDS Ice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) Committee
Listen: Diversity Be Like | Diversity be like . . . Not Speaking the Queen’s English
Listen: Asha Voices | Inside the Brain with Alaina Davis
Listen: Speech Uncensored | A Speech Language Pathology Podcast
Read: ASHAWIRE | SLP Uses Social Media to Educate About TBI
Chapter 15: Traumatic brain injury in Cultural sensitivity and responsiveness in neurorehabilitation: A personalized approach for speech-language pathologists.
Specialty Neurogenics Chapters offers in-depth knowledge on various neurogenic conditions such as aphasia, traumatic brain injury, right hemisphere brain damage, the dementias, dysarthrias, and dysphagia within a cultural context.
The aim of this tutorial is to highlight racial bias and challenges for Black adult athletes' cognitive-communication disorders associated with sports-related concussion (SRC). The author discusses racial bias in SRC literature and research and cultural differences in the cognitive and communication styles of Black athletes that lead to bias. The tutorial highlights challenges placed on the Black athletes when culturally responsive practices are not used in research and clinical practice. Finally, speech-language pathology clinicians and researchers are provided with practical solutions to decrease racial barriers in SRC research and clinical practice.
Mapping Meta-Therapy Onto the Treatment of Cognitive-Communication and Language Disorders in Adults
The purpose of this clinical focus article is to explore how the concept of meta-therapy applies within the domain and treatment of cognitive-communication disorders.
The recent uprising of racism and systemic bias towards Black lives across the U.S. has been catapulted to the forefront of discussions on disproportionate representation and biased admission practices in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) programs. In particular, Black students in CSD programs nationwide have unified to demand equity in admissions, cultural awareness in courses, and statements of commitments from programs to become intentional in addressing antiracism practices.
As a profession, racism has been “staring us in the face” for countless decades, yet we have chosen to ad- dress everything else around it. As such, solutions for ending racism in the field of communication sciences and disorders (CSD), consisting primarily of the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology, requires us to know where we came from, so that we have a better blueprint of where we can go. The fact remains we are still fighting in 2020 to have, (1) our governing professional certification board do more than release a statement about racism; and (2) a space where Black academicians can speak out about biased and prejudiced practices in the academy with- out repercussion. As such, before we can attempt to “end racism”, we must first start by each inherently asking ourselves four questions.
Significance of concussions in Hawaii: From Land to Sea
This paper reviews literature discussing causes of concussion including its incidence and prevalence in Hawai'i. Furthermore, the neurophysiological and neurobiological etiologies are discussed followed by an overview of methods for identification and management of concussion. The paper serves as information for professionals in the community such as educators, military personnel, and healthcare workers to identify risks of concussion, management of symptoms, and to connect with resources and programs available in Hawai'i.
Cultural Familiarity of Figurative Expressions from Three Music Genres in African American Adults
A survey was conducted to ex- amine African American adults’ familiarity of figura- tive expressions from 3 music genres (gospel, rhythm and blues [R&B], and hip-hop).
Chapter 5: Traumatic Brain Injury in Adult Neurogenic Language Disorders: Assessment and Treatment. A Comprehensive Ethnobiological Approach
Often, books on neurogenic language disorders view individuals with these disorders as a homogeneous group--ethnically, culturally, and linguistically. This book examines how the country's ever-changing demographics require sensitivity and competency in clinicians treating individuals from diverse backgrounds, and also how those demographics relate to health disparities. As in the previous edition, this second edition addresses the three key disorders that affect adults: language/cognitive disorders associated with dementia, language/cognitive disorders associated with traumatic brain injury, and aphasia and right-hemisphere disorders.
In this episode, Alaina S. Davis, Ph.D., CCC-SLP/L, CBIST joins the show to discuss TBI and concussion management. We explore her research, the assessment process, treatment, and more!
