Mary Jo Cooley Hidecker, PhD, MA, MS, CCC-A/SLP | University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences

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Bio

Dr. Mary Jo Cooley Hidecker is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders (CSD) and in the Rehabilitation Sciences Doctoral Program (RHB-DP) in the College of Health Sciences. With training as a speech-language pathologist, audiologist, and epidemiologist, her clinical experience in assisting children and adults with complex communication disorders led her into clinical research. Dr. Hidecker received her Ph.D. in Audiology and Speech Sciences with an emphasis in family science from Michigan State University, Lansing. She was a NIH F31 predoctoral fellow. She held a NIH F32 Postdoctoral fellowship in communication disorders epidemiology, resulting in a master’s degree in epidemiology from Michigan State University.

Scholarly/Research Interests

At the University of Kentucky, Dr. Hidecker serves as the Director of the All About Communication (AAC) Lab. The long-term goal of her program of research is to improve family-centered evidence-based practice in those with severe disabilities. Her specific research emphasis is on cerebral palsy, autism, hearing loss, and Parkinson's disease. Her research interests include the relationship among effective treatment outcomes and individual and family factors as well as the use of augmentative and alternative communication.

She has co-founded the UK Rehab Maker Space with physical therapy professor Dr. Patrick Kitzman. With interested faculty and students, they are considering using 3D printing, laser engraving & cutting (GlowForge), soldering, and other makerspace tools to craft solutions for individuals with diabilities.

Dr. Hidecker enjoys mentoring students in research from highs chool through Ph.D. students. Students can be any major. If a student is interested in doing research with Dr. Hidecker, please email her at MaryJo.CooleyHidecker@uky.edu

She leads the development and ongoing research on the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) which has been translated into more than 20 languages. The CFCS is available as a free download.

She is part of the interdisciplinary research team developing the Autism Classification System of Functioning: Social Communication (ACSF:SC). Another area is looking at using allied health care telepractice to address rural health disparities.

Educational Focus

Dr. Hidecker has taught numerous undergraduate, master, and doctoral courses in the areas of Communication Sciences & Disorders.

Chapters in Books

Hidecker, M. J. C. (2019). Speech, language, hearing, and communication in cerebral palsy. In F. Miller, S. Bachrach, N. Lennon, & M. O’Neil (Eds.), Cerebral palsy [2nd Ed]. New York City: Springer International Publishing.

Hidecker, M. J. C. (2019). Augmentative and alternative communication in cerebral palsy. In F. Miller, S. Bachrach, N. Lennon, & M. O’Neil (Eds.), Cerebral palsy [2nd Ed]. New York City: Springer International Publishing.

Hidecker, M. J. C. & Workinger, M. S. (2014). Communication. In B. Dan, M. Mayston, N. Paneth, & L. Rosenbloom (Eds.), Cerebral palsy: Science and clinical practice (pp.543-564, 655-658, 669-676). London: Mac Keith Press.

Reichle, J., Hidecker, M.J.C., Brady, N.C., & Terry, N. (2003). Intervention strategies for communication: Using aided augmentative communication systems. In J.C. Light, D.R. Beukelman, & J. Reichle (Eds.), Communicative competence for individuals who use AAC: From research to effective practice (pp. 441-467). Baltimore: Brookes Publishing. Invited

Publications

Hidecker MJo Cooley, Jones RS, Imig DR, Villarruel FA. 2009. Using family paradigms to improve evidence-based practice.. Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 18(3):212-21.

Pages

Research

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AAC Lab

Research Team
CURRENT RESEARCH
Welcome to the All About Communication (AAC) Lab!

The following projects are currently being conducted in the research lab by Dr. Hidecker, Dr. Page, Dr. Schmedding-Bartley, and their team of student research assistants. If you have any questions or comments about a particular project, please feel free to contact us!

Development and dissemination of the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS). The CFCS can be used with children and adults who have cerebral palsy. CFCS translations continue to be initiated by professionals and researchers who want to use the CFCS in their native language. CFCS translations can be downloaded from my CFCS website.

Using instruments to increase understanding of functional communication

(1)— Communication Function Classification System (CFCS): The purpose of the CFCS is to classify the everyday communication performance of an individual into one of the five levels. Distinctions between levels are based on the performance of sender and receiver roles, the pace of communication, and the type of conversational partner. The CFCS focuses on activity and participation levels as described in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) www.cfcs.us

(3)—Manual Ability Classification System (MACS): The purpose of this tool is to measure how children with cerebral palsy can use their hands when using objects necessary for daily activity. The assessment is made to define the child’s typical manual performance and not their maximum performance. http://www.macs.nu/

Our research team is collaborating with McMaster University, the University of Michigan, and the University of New Mexico for this project.

Using telehealth to address rural health disparities

Rural Coordinated Care for Parkinson’s disease This feasibility study of telehealth is providing exercise, speech therapy, and medication management to people with Parkinson's disease in rural areas, specifically in Wyoming and Nevada. Please contact us to determine if you are eligible to participate. Dr. Hidecker is part of a multidisciplinary, community-based research team including researchers at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.
Research Team
ALL ABOUT COMMUNICATION (AAC) RESEARCH TEAM

Dr. Hidecker's, Dr. Page's, and Dr. Schmedding-Bartley's research activities are enhanced by the generous contribution of multiple undergraduate and graduate students. Contact them if you are interested in joining the team! No research experience needed - we will train you. Any major welcomed!

[Kirsten Kropkowski]

My name is Kirsten Kropkowski and I am a senior in the Division of Communication Disorders. I have been in Dr. Hideckers lab for 3 semesters. I am currently the undergraduate research assistant for Dr. Hidecker's Lab and I am involved in the Parkinson's Usual Care Project and the Telehealth and Older Adults Project.

[Josie Cox]

Hi, my name is Josie Cox and I am cuurently a senior in the Speech, Language, and Hearing Science program. I joined Dr. Hidecker's research team in the fall of 2017 and I am excited for all the opportunties and exoerience to be gained from it. I am working on a project on determining what constitutes usual care in Parkinson's Patients.

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Get involved in our research
Recommendation Letter Requests
Dr. Hidecker is happy to write recommendation letters for her current and former students.

Here are the questions that she considers.

Is she the best person to write a recommendation letter for you?

Consider what the institution/employer/etc would like to know. She can write letters about your performance in one of her courses and in any Hidecker Research Team activity. If the information is about your clinical skills, she usually has not watched your clinical work and cannot comment on them.

How much time does she need to write a letter?

The more advanced notice the better. She will find time among her other duties to write the letter. For graduate school applications, please talk to her by November 1.

What information does she need?

If she is completing reference letters for your graduate school application, please organize the materials as described in this checklist and provide the requested information.

Otherwise, please provide

Due date of recommendation

How to submit (e.g., mail, email, upload)

Form or letter

Purpose (e.g., scholarship, employment, study abroad)

Criteria or topics to address

Reminders about our shared history

When/where we met

Relevant classes, research, organizations, advising, or other contact

Best wishes on the next stage of your life!
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