Oliver Wendt
Assistant Professor
Special EducationEducational Studies
Oliver is an Assistant Professor of special education whose research interests are in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) including the efficacy of AAC strategies, graphic symbols, manual signs, Picture Exchange Communication System, and speech-generating devices for those individuals on the autism spectrum that present with little or no functional speech. Another strand of research focuses on the iconicity of graphic symbols, in particular multicultural and cross-linguistic aspects of graphic symbol acquisition. Dr. Wendt specializes in single-subject experimental designs in addition to systematic reviews and meta-analyses of single-subject and group design data.
Dr. Wendt is co-founder of an AAC software company by the name of SPEAK MODalities LLC, which is dedicated to providing the best evidence-based AAC solutions for developing communication, speech, and language skills in individuals with autism and/or severe communication disorders. The following video link shows some of the innovative technologies developed through the partnership between Dr. Wendt’s AAC research lab and SPEAK MODalities.
- Ph.D. — Special Education/Transdisciplinary AAC Program, Purdue University (2006)
- M.S. — Rehabilitation Sciences – Developmental Disabilities, University of Cologne, Germany (2000)
- M.A. — Special Education/AAC, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1998)
- B.S. — Education and Psychology, University of Cologne, Germany (1996)
- 2006 – Present
Assistant Professor
Special Education, and Assistant Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
College of Education, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
- 2005 – 2006
Instructor
Special Education, Department of Educational Studies
College of Education, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
- 2004 – 2005
Doctoral Research Fellow
Transdisciplinary AAC Program, College of Education
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
- 2000 – 2004
Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant
College of Education, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
- 1996
Rehabilitation Counselor
Workshop for People with Disabilities, Calden, Germany
- 1995
Direct Care Worker
Christophorus Home for People with Multiple and Profound Disabilities, Gottingen, Germany
- 1993 – 1994
Civilian Service
Preschool for Children with Developmental and Multiple Disabilities
German Red Cross, Hannoversch Muenden, Germany
Dr. Oliver Wendt’s research investigates the efficacy of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies including graphic symbols, mobile technologies, and speech-generating devices for individuals on the autism spectrum that present with little or no functional speech. Dr. Wendt specializes in single-subject experimental designs and meta-analyses of these studies. He is first editor of the textbook “Assistive Technology. Principles and Applications for Communication Disorders and Special Education” (Emerald Publishing). Dr. Wendt serves on the editorial boards of the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Evidence-based Communication Assessment and Intervention, and Evidence-based Practice Briefs. He is the 2005 recipient of the Editor Award for the Most Significant Research Article in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (together with Schlosser, Angermeier, & Shetty). In 2013, Dr. Wendt received the Purdue Focus Award for outstanding contributions to disability accessibility.
Selected Publications
- Wendt, O., Yip, J., & Zentner, M. (2016). Generating behavioral and neurophysiological evidence for mobile technologies in augmentative and alternative communication. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 60, 761.
- Heyvaert, M., Wendt, O., Van den Noortgate, & Onghena, P. (2015). Randomization and data-analysis items in tools for reporting and evaluating single-case experimental studies. Journal of Special Education, 49, 146-156.
- Wendt, O. (2014). Experimental evaluation of SPEAKall! An evidence-based AAC app for individuals with severe autism. Communication Matters, 28, 26-28.
- Hassink, J. M., & Wendt, O. (2014). The efficacy of the Cycles Approach: A multiple baseline design. Journal of Communication Disorders, 47, 1-16.
- Boesch, M., Wendt, O., Subramanian, A., & Hsu, N. (2013b). Comparative efficacy of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) versus a speech-generating device: Effects on social-communicative skills and speech development. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 29, 197-209.
- Boesch, M., Wendt, O., Subramanian, A., & Hsu, N. (2013a). Comparative efficacy of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) versus a speech-generating device: Effects on requesting skills. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 7, 480-493.
- Wendt, O., & Miller, B. (2012). Quality appraisal of single-subject experimental designs: An overview and comparison of different appraisal tools. Education and Treatment of Children, 35, 109-142.
- Wendt, O., Quist, R. W., & Lloyd, L. L. (Eds.)(2011). Assistive Technology. Principles and Applications for Communication Disorders and Special Education. Bingley, UK: Emerald Publishing.
- Wendt, O. (2009). Research on the use of graphic symbols and manual signs. In P. Mirenda & T. Iacono (Eds.), Autism Spectrum Disorders and AAC (pp. 83-139). Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes.
- EDPS 52000 — Characteristics of Students with Severe Disabilities
- EDPS 57100 — Advanced Assistive Technology
- EDPS 68800 — Single Subject Research Designs
- SLHS 51300 — Clinical Research and Treatment Efficacy
- SLHS 51900 — Evidence-based Practice I: Approaches
- SLHS 52500 — Language and Communication in Autism Spectrum Disorders
- SLHS 54000 — Augmentative and Alternative Communication
