Education
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Ph.D. in Hearing and Speech Sciences,
2026
Dissertation: Examining the Acceptability, Appropriateness, Feasibility and Adoption of Culturally Responsive Practices of SLPs in Schools - University of Tennessee Health Science Center, MS in Speech-Language Pathology, 2020
- Florida State University, BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders, 2018
Area(s) of Specialization
pediatric language disorders, severe disability, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and family centered practices. Clinical experience in public school, private practice, and university clinic settings
Achievements (past 5 years)
Publications
Sinclair, R. L., Finke, E. H., & Wu, L. (2025). Speech-language pathologists' experiences working with culturally and linguistically diverse families: A scoping review. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 34(2), 908-930.
Presentations
- Sinclair, R. (2025, November). Caregiver Perspectives of Culturally Responsive Care in Speech Language Pathology: A Narrative Review. Technical session presented at the annual conference of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA), Washington DC.
- Sinclair, R., Barry, L., (2025, October). From Crisis to Connection: Integrated Trauma Informed Principles in Family Centered Practices for SLPs. Oral Seminar presented at the annual conference of the Tennessee Association of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists (TAASLP), Knoxville, TN.
- Sinclair, R. (2025, May). Caregiver Perspectives of Culturally Responsive Care in Speech Language Pathology: A Narrative Review. Poster presentation at Graduate Research Day, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN.
- Barry, L., Grissom, A., Sinclair, R. (2024, December). SLP Perspectives on Caregiver-Child Play Interactions: Elevating Caregivers in the Coaching Process. Oral Seminar presented at the Annual Conference of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Seattle, WA.
- Sinclair, R. (2024, May). SLP Experiences Working with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families: A Scoping Review. Poster presentation at Graduate Research Day, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN.
- Barry, L., Grissom, A., Sinclair, R. (2024, May). SLP Perspectives on Caregiver-Child Play Interactions: Elevating Caregivers in the Coaching Process. Oral Seminar presented at the Graduate Research Day, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN.
- Sinclair, R. (2023, November). SLP Experiences Working with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families: A Scoping Review. Technical session presented at the Annual Conference of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Boston, MA.
- Barry, L., Grissom, A., Sinclair, R. (2023, November). A Good Place to Start: Planning AAC Interventions Around Naturally Occurring Supports. Oral Seminar presented at the Annual Conference of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Boston, MA.
- Grissom, A., Hecker-Deel, O., Sinclair, R. (2023, November). Literacy Decision Model: A Tool for Clinicians to Support Individuals with Complex Communication Needs. Oral Seminar presented at the Annual Conference of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Boston, MA.
- Sinclair, R. (2022, November). SLPs Working with culturally and linguistically diverse families. Technical session presented at the Annual Conference of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), New Orleans, LA.
- Sinclair, R. (2022, May). Parent Involvement and Family Centered Practice in Schools. Oral Seminar presented at the AAC Doctoral Student Think Tank, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA.
Awards
- Outstanding Doctoral Student in Speech and Hearing Sciences (2026)
- 2025 1st place poster presentation, UTHSC Graduate Research Day
- Imhotep Society induction 2025
- Research Travel Award Recipient (May 2022, November 2022, 2023, 2024)
About Rachel Sinclair
Dr. Sinclair is a speech-language pathologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at Loyola University Maryland. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings serving pediatric clients alongside her doctoral studies. Her research focuses on enhancing family-centered outcomes for students receiving SLP services in school settings. Specifically, she uses implementation science practices to aid school SLPs in providing responsive, individualized services to students who do not belong to the majority identity. Dr. Sinclair is passionate about elevating the student experience and loves to foster curiosity and connection with her students. When she’s not on campus, Dr. Sinclair is learning a new craft or at the park with her two golden retrievers.