2012 - 2013

ADHD and Language Impairment: Clinical Challenges
Presenters: Yaesha Joseph and Shana Smith
Faculty Supervisor: Mrs. Gina Watson and Dr. Monica Harn

ADHD is a disorder in the executive function of the brain characterized by impulsivity, overactivity, and poor attention. ADHD often co-occurs with language impairment and can present clinical challenges to the SLP if the associated behaviors interfere with effective delivery of therapy, potentially inhibiting positive treatment outcomes. This presentation overviews the primary characteristics of ADHD and the relevance of attention to language learning. Strategies for working with children who have ADHD are discussed, and case examples are presented. Case examples serve to highlight specific strategies and individual characteristics that make some strategies more useful than others for a given client.

Collaboration in Severe/Profound Classrooms
Presenters: Deshanna McDonald, Kaycie Smith, Wendy Lanier
Faculty Supervisor: Mrs. Gina Watson

In 1975 a provision was made in the Individuals with Disabilities Act that requires school districts to place students in the least restrictive environment. Additional changes, made in 2001 with the No Child Left Behind Act, sought to ensure that even disadvantaged students would receive appropriate support and services to meet state academic achievement standards. To that end, today’s educators must collaborate with a team that includes physical and occupational therapists, SLPs, and school committees along with parents and other support personnel. For SLPs, collaborative roles are clearly defined by the American Speech Language Hearing Association. Today’s SLP spends less time on traditional pull-out models of intervention and more time collaborating with educators through consultation and class-room based interventions. By their training, SLPs are experts in language acquisition and are able to contribute a greater understanding of language as a basis for literacy and other learning to the collaborative process. As a result, SLPs are an integral part of educational services provided in severe/profound classrooms nationwide.

Topic: Hypohonia – Treatment Options
Presenters: Jasmine Cunigan and Kaycie Smith
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Nandhakumar Radhakrishnan

Abstract: Hypophonia is characterized by a weak, breathy voice. Conditions that lead to hypophonia include muscle tension, vocal fold atrophy, Parkinson’s disease, and vocal fold paralysis. Though the glottal configuration of these patients seem similar, inadequate closure, the treatment options may be different. This presentation will discuss the surgical and therapeutic approaches of two patients seen in our clinic.