Erik X. Raj, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is an Associate Professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology. As a fully certified speech-language pathologist through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, he is licensed to practice in the states of New Jersey and Michigan. He received his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Wayne State University as a Thomas C. Rumble University Graduate Fellowship recipient, with additional support from the Kosciuszko Foundation and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation.

While at Wayne State University as the lead doctoral student investigator within the Stuttering Research Lab, he organized and assisted in studies that explored public perceptions of stuttering, and factors that influence the psychosocial experiences of people who stutter. Additionally, he clinically supervised within Wayne State University’s Intensive Stuttering Clinic where he oversaw and facilitated multidimensional stuttering treatment to teenagers and adults who were diagnosed with childhood-onset fluency disorder.

At Monmouth University, Dr. Raj teaches courses and advises students within the Department of Speech-Language Pathology’s Graduate Program, as well as within the University’s Minor in Communication Sciences and Disorders. His current research agenda examines computer and Internet technologies and its implementation to speech-language therapy and education. In addition to developing numerous educational iOS apps and designing browser-based video games for children with communication difficulties, Dr. Raj regularly presents interactive workshops, at the national and international level, where he demonstrates how speech-language pathologists can use digital technologies to motivate and teach individuals on their caseloads.

As a dedicated clinician, each summer Dr. Raj works as a facilitating speech-language pathologist at Camp Shout Out in Middleville, Michigan. This one-of-a-kind sleep away summer camp for young people who stutter allows practicing clinicians and graduate students the opportunity to participate in a hands-on, unique continuing education training specifically in the area of fluency disorders. This residential, interactive therapeutic experience in a traditional summer camp environment continues to mold him as a practitioner.

Education

Ph.D, Wayne State University – Detroit, MI

Research Interests

Current research focuses on exploring the implementation of digital technologies to speech-language therapy and education.

Scholarly Articles

• Dignazio, L. E., Kenny, M. M., Raj, E. X., & Pelkey, K. D. (2020). Stuttering-related podcasts: Audio-based self-help for people who stutter. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups. Advanced online publication. https://doi.org/10.1044/2020_PERSP-20-00014

• Hughes, C. D., Daniels, D. E., Raj, E. X., & Ghent, A. (2019). Using actors and peers in the clinical education of stuttering: Results from a mixed methods study. Clinical Archives of Communication Disorders, 4(1), 21-34. https://doi.org/10.21849/cacd.2019.00031

• Trichon, M. & Raj, E. X. (2018). Peer support for people who stutter: History, benefits, and accessibility. In B. J. Amster & E. R. Klein (Eds.), More than fluency: The social, emotional, and cognitive dimensions of stuttering. (pp. 187-214). San Diego, CA: Plural Publishing.

• Raj, E. X., Ahmed, N. N., & Hughes, C. D. (2017). Digital guest speakers who stutter: Student perceptions of videoconferencing within a fluency disorders course. Clinical Archives of Communication Disorders, 2(3), 238-249. https://doi.org/10.21849/cacd.2017.00213

• Raj, E. X., & Daniels, D. E. (2017). Psychosocial support for adults who stutter: Exploring the role of online communities. Speech, Language and Hearing, 20(3), 144-153. https://doi.org/10.1080/2050571X.2016.1253533

Presentations/Invited Talks

Selected Presentations

Raj, E. X. (2020, November). Mobile video game apps as valid therapeutic tools for the treatment of fluency disorders. American Speech-Language Hearing Association Annual Conference, San Diego, CA. (Conference cancelled due to coronavirus disease pandemic.)

Dignazio, L. E., Kenny, M. M., Raj, E. X., & Pelkey, K. D. (2020, November). Stuttering-related podcasts: Audio-based self-help experiences for people who stutter. American Speech-Language Hearing Association Annual Conference, San Diego, CA. (Conference cancelled due to coronavirus disease pandemic.)

Raj, E. X., Chmela, K., Daniels, D. E., Palasik, S., Shields, L., & Campbell, J. (2020, November). Summer camp experiences for young people who stutter: A qualitative analysis of camp shout out. American Speech-Language Hearing Association Annual Conference, San Diego, CA. (Conference cancelled due to coronavirus disease pandemic.)

Daniels, D. E., Chmela, K., Raj, E. X., Palasik, S., Shields, L., & Campbell, J. (2020, November). A survey of clinical training experiences of students and clinicians who attend camp shout out. American Speech-Language Hearing Association Annual Conference, San Diego, CA. (Conference cancelled due to coronavirus disease pandemic.)

Dignazio, L. E., Kenny, M. M., Raj, E. X., & Pelkey, K. D. (2020, April). Stuttering-related podcasts: Audio-based self-help experiences for people who stutter. New Jersey Speech-Language Hearing Association Annual Conference, Long Branch, NJ. (Conference cancelled due to coronavirus disease pandemic.)

Raj, E. X. & Tellis, G. (2019, November). Expanding SLPs’ competency in social networking, telepractice, and apps: The next frontier in fluency therapy. American Speech-Language Hearing Association Annual Conference, Orlando, FL.

Raj, E. X. & Pelkey, K. (2019, November). Stuttering podcasts: A therapeutic tool to help facilitate learning & meaningful discussions. American Speech-Language Hearing Association Annual Conference, Orlando, FL.

Hayden, J., Coalson, G., & Raj, E. X. (2019, July). Dear world I stutter: Exploring therapeutic change through letter writing. National Stuttering Association Annual Conference, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Raj, E. X. (2019, June). Mobile device apps for children who stutter: Using humor to discuss the affective and cognitive components. International Stuttering Association World Congress, Hveragerdi, Iceland.

Trichon, M. & Raj, E. X. (2018, November). Self-help activities for people who stutter: Committee recommended guidelines for professionals & activity leaders. American Speech-Language Hearing Association Annual Conference, Boston, MA.

Suros. J. M. & Raj, E. X. (2018, November). Discovering the potentiality of mindfulness in treatment of adults who stutter. American Speech-Language Hearing Association Annual Conference, Boston, MA.

Amster, B., Klein, E., Kleinow, J., Boyle, M., Mancinelli, J., Beilby, J., Yaruss, J. S., Starkweather, W., Givens, J., Sisskin, V., Trichon, M., Raj, E. X., & Coleman, C. (2018, November). Addressing social, emotional, & cognitive issues in people who stutter. American Speech-Language Hearing Association Annual Conference, Boston, MA.

Benge, H., Simpson, K. & Raj, E. X. (2018, November). Effect of treatment environment on the adult who stutters. American Speech-Language Hearing Association Annual Conference, Boston, MA.

Parada, S. A. & Raj, E. X. (2018, November). Social media/social networking and adolescents with communication disorders: 21st century therapeutic considerations. American Speech-Language Hearing Association Annual Conference, Boston, MA. Trichon, M. & Raj, E. X. (2018, July). When SLPs participate in self-help activities – Preliminary results. National Stuttering Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.

Professional Associations

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Camp Shout Out (MI) facilitating speech-language pathologist

Monmouth University’s National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) Chapter Advisor

Awards and Honors

2021 – International Conference on Logopedics (Katowice, Poland) Invited Keynote Speaker

2020 – Monmouth University Summer Faculty Fellowship

2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 – American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Award for Continuing Education

2019 – Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Conference (East Lansing, MI) Invited Keynote Speaker

2017 – Wayne State University Invited Commencement Speaker for the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Grant Support/Academic Funding

2018, Monmouth University Creativity and Research Grant

2018, Monmouth University School of Education Mentoring Program Grant

2016, Monmouth University Creativity and Research Grant

2015, Monmouth University School of Education Mentoring Program Grant