Education:

Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, Special Education; University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 2016.

M.S. in Speech and Hearing Science; Arizona State University, 2007

B.A. in Communication Disorders & Spanish; University of Wisconsin Madison, 2004

Teaching: 

Dr. Larson’s teaching is rooted in creating meaningful, experience-based learning that cultivates curiosity and critical thinking. She encourages students to question and critique assumptions in the field. She is also committed to lifelong learning in her own teaching practice, actively seeking and incorporating student feedback to continuously improve her courses and prepare the next generation of speech and hearing professionals.

Current Courses:

• CDIS 312 Speech and Language Development
• CDIS 346 Cultural Humility in Communication Sciences and Disorders
• CDIS 614 Early Childhood Language Assessment and Intervention
• CDIS 688 Culturally Responsive Practices in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
• CDIS 689 Cultural Responsiveness: Global Experiences
• CDIS 695 Clinical Practicum

Areas of Interest:  

Dr. Larson leads research that aims to advance equity in early childhood systems for young children and their caregivers. Her work focuses on three key areas, including: the development, validation, and use of culturally and linguistically responsive screening and early assessment tools for multilingual children; culturally sustaining and responsive interventions focused on caregiver coaching in natural environments; and systems work to examine and improve access to, and the quality of, early childhood services.

Publications (selected):  

McKenna, M., Soto-Boykin, X., Larson, A. L. & Delgado, D. (2025) Speech language therapists’ training, confidence, and barriers when serving bilingual children: Development and application of a national survey. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00498

Larson, A. L., Castillo, A., Hall-Lande, J., *Zhagui, M. (2025) Latine voices to inform EI practice: Espero que nos escuchen. Young Exceptional Children, 28(1), 31-43. https://doi-org.ezp3.lib.umn.edu/10.1177/10962506251323280

Larson, A. L., Caballero, R., Snyder, P., Griebel, S., *Valentin, R., Bourret, C. (2023). Gathering perspectives on VALI: A technology-based coaching intervention to increase Spanish-speaking caregivers’ use of naturalistic language intervention strategies. Perspectives, 8(2), 234-253. https://doi.org/10.1044/2023_PERSP-22-00194

Larson, A. L., Romano, M., Meyers, C., *Eugenio, J., & Olsen, S. (2022). Exploration of web-based professional development to support caregiver-coaching in telepractice. Perspectives, 7, 616–634. https://doi.org/10.1044/2021_PERSP-21-00089

De Anda, S. Cycyk, L. M., Moore, H., *Huerta, L., Larson, A. L., King, M. (2022). Psychometric properties of the English-Spanish Vocabulary Inventory in Toddlers with and without early language delay. Journal of Speech-Language-Hearing Research, 65(2), 672-691. https://doi.org/10.1044/2021_JSLHR-21-00240

Larson, A. L., Baralt, M., *Hokenson, J., Hammer, C. S., Barrett, T., *DeVilbiss, N. (2022). A randomized controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of the Háblame Bebé mobile application with Spanish-speaking mothers with lower incomes. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 31(2), 722-738. https://doi.org/10.1044/2021_AJSLP-21-00094

King, M., Larson, A. L., Buzhardt, J. (2022). Exploring the classification accuracy of the Early Communication Indicator (ECI) with Dual-Language Learners from Latinx backgrounds. Assessment for Effective Intervention, 47(4), 209-219. https://doi.org/10.1177/15345084211027138

Soto-Boykin, X., Larson, A. L., Olszewski, A., *Velury, V., & *Feldberg, A. (2021). Who is Centered? A Systematic Review of Early Childhood Researchers’ Descriptions of Children and Caregivers from Linguistically Minoritized Communities. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 41(1), 18-30. https://doi.org/10.1177/0271121421991222

Larson, A. L., An, Z. G., Wood, C. A., Uchikoshi, Y., Cycyk, L. M., Hammer, C. S., Escobar, K., *Roberts, K. (2020). Social validity in early language interventions for dual language learners: A systematic review of research. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 40(1), 39-51. https://doi.org/10.1177/0271121419901289

De Anda, S., Larson, A. L., Cycyk, L. M. Communication evaluation and assessment for Latinx infants and toddlers: A guide for practitioners. (2020) In McLean, M., Banerjee, R., & Squires, J. (Eds.), Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children Recommended Practices Assessment Monograph. The Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children.

Larson, A. L., Cycyk, L. M., Carta, J., Hammer, C. S., Baralt, M., Uchikoshi, Y., An, Z. G., Wood, C. A. (2020). A systematic review of language-focused interventions for young children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 50(1), 157-178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2019.06.001

Coogle, C., Larson, A. L. & Ottley, J. R., Root, A. K., & Bougher-Muckian, H. (2019) Performance-based feedback to enhance early interventionist’s practice and caregiver and child outcomes. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 39(1), 32–44. https://doi.org/10.1177/0271121419831414

Larson, A. L. & Wackerle-Hollman, A. (2018). The words within the word gap: Addressing the need for person-centric approaches when communicating with families about language development. In Corr, C. & Miller, D. (Eds.), Trauma, Abuse, and Toxic Stress (Young Exceptional Children Monograph Series No. 17). The Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children.

Larson, A. L. (2016). Language screening for infants and toddlers: A literature review of four      commercially available tools. Communication Disorders Quarterly, 38(1), 3-12. doi: 10.1177/1525740115627420

Larson, A. L., & Rahn, N. L. (2015). Vocabulary instruction on Sesame Street: A content analysis of the word on the street initiative. Language, Speech and Hearing Services in Schools, 46(3), 207-221. doi: 10.1044/2015_LSHSS-14-0079

Presentations (selected):

Larson, A. L., Griebel, S., Cross, S., & Zhagui, M. (2024, December). Feasibility and fidelity of VALI: A technology-based asynchronous coaching intervention for Spanish-speaking Latine caregivers. Paper presented at the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention. Seattle, WA.

Cycyk, L., Larson, A., Blanchard, S., & Batz, R. (2024, February). Equity in Part C: What we know and where we go next. Panel presented at the biennial Conference on Research Innovations in Early Intervention. San Diego, CA.

Larson, A. L., Griebel, S., Morillas, A., *Cross, S., *Valentin, R., *Meraz Barrera, J., & Snyder, P. (2023, November). Using preferred family activities for culturally-responsive interventions. Paper presented at the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division of Early Childhood Conference on Young Children and their Families. Minneapolis, MN.

*Cross, S., Larson, A., Griebel, S., *Morillas, A., *Valentin, R., *Meraz Barrera, J. (2023). Following Latinos’ lead: Caregiver reflections on “observe and respond”. Poster presented at the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division of Early Childhood Conference on Young Children and their Families. Minneapolis, MN.

Larson, A. L., Hall-Lande, J., Castillo, A., Vang-Lee, Z., Li Yang, J., Washington, J., Fagge’Tt, A., Fabre, B., *Tyrrell, E., & *Meraz Barrera, J. (2023, November). Engaging for equity: Gathering caregiver perspectives on Part C. Paper presented at the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division of Early Childhood Conference on Young Children and their Families. Minneapolis, MN.

Castillo, A., Larson, A. L., Hall-Lande, J. & *Meraz Barrera, J. (2023, November). Understanding Latine families’ experiences in Early Intervention. Poster presented at the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division of Early Childhood Conference on Young Children and their Families, Minneapolis, MN.

Larson, A., Snyder, P., Caballero, R., Griebel, S., *Valentin, R., Bourret, C. (2022, November). Caregiver coaching with culturally valid language interventions: A model for Spanish-speaking families in Early Intervention. Paper presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention. New Orleans, LA [online].

Hall-Lande, J., Larson, A., & Dimian, A. (2022, November). Equitable access to Part C Early Intervention services and supports: Data trends and recommendations. Poster presented at the Association for University Centers for Disability. Washington, D.C.

Larson, A., Hall-Lande, J., & Dimian, A. (2022, September). Linking state data systems to evaluate equitable access to Early Intervention. Paper presented at the International Society on Early Intervention. Chicago, IL.

Larson, A., Snyder, P., Caballero, R., Griebel, S., Bourret, C. (2022, February). Co-creating caregiver-coaching interventions for Spanish-speaking Latinos: Challenges and opportunities. Poster presented at biennial Conference on Research Innovations in Early Intervention. San Diego, CA.

De Anda, S., Cycyk, L., Moore, H., *Huerta, L., Larson, A., King, M. Validity and reliability of the English-Spanish Vocabulary Inventory. Paper presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention. Washington D.C. [online].

Soto, X., Escayg, K., Gardner-Neblett, N., Larson, A., & Olszewski, A. J. (2021, March). Identifying and Disrupting Systemic Racism in the Early Childhood Education of Black and Latinx Children. Conversation Roundtable presented at the Symposium for Research in Child Development. Minneapolis, MN [online].

Peredo, T., Cycyk, L., Larson, A., & Hammer, C.S. (2020, February). Adapting early language interventions for Latinx populations: Social validity considerations. Panel presented at the biennial Conference on Research Innovations in Early Intervention. San Diego, CA.

DEC Recommended Practices Group (2018, October). Creating and updating the DEC Recommended Practices: The inspiration and the challenge. Keynote address presented at the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division of Early Childhood Conference on Young Children and their Families. Orlando, FL.