Rate My Professor Shaun Ziegenfusz

Dr. Shaun Ziegenfusz is a Lecturer Level B in the School of Health Sciences and Social Work at Griffith University, specializing in teaching within the Master of Speech Pathology program. He earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Queensland between 2002 and 2005, a Master of Speech Pathology Studies, a Master of Special Education from Griffith University, and a Doctor of Philosophy from Griffith University in 2024. His PhD thesis, titled 'The Educational Needs and Supports of School-Aged Students with Developmental Language Disorder,' was conferred following his completion of doctoral studies that began in 2018. As a certified practising speech pathologist with over ten years of clinical experience, Dr. Ziegenfusz previously worked in roles supporting individuals with communication disorders before transitioning to academia.

An early career researcher in the fields of disability, education, and health, Dr. Ziegenfusz focuses on Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), investigating academic achievement, sensory profiles, stakeholder perspectives on educational needs and supports, and genetic aetiologies of childhood speech disorders. Notable publications include 'A systematic review of the academic achievement of primary and secondary school-aged students with developmental language disorder' (2022, cited 132 times), 'Genetic aetiologies for childhood speech disorder: novel insights from a whole-genome sequencing study of 201 families' (2022, cited 65 times), 'Sensory Profiles in School-Age Children with Developmental Language Disorder' (2022, cited 17 times), 'Stakeholder perspectives on educational needs and supports for students with developmental language disorder' (2024), and 'Using social media to share universal messages about Developmental Language Disorder' (2025). In 2022, he won Griffith University's 3 Minute Thesis competition for his presentation on DLD, highlighting his ability to communicate complex research effectively. Dr. Ziegenfusz serves as course convenor for Foundations of Speech Pathology (7702AHS) and Transition to Professional Practice (7728AHS). Beyond academia, he is Co-CEO and Co-Founder of The DLD Project, advocating for DLD awareness through initiatives like university building light-ups for DLD Day, public talks at education summits, podcast appearances, and committee roles on the Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder International Committee and as Co-Chair of Speech Pathology Australia Queensland Branch. His work advances inclusion and support for individuals with DLD in educational and community settings.