Dr. Norimune Kawai, '02

During a recent trip to Japan, former SLHS clinical instructor and CLC supervisor (1986-2003) Sheila Goetz and CU alum Dr. Janice Zelazo, Ph.D. accepted an invitation from SLHS Alum Dr. Norimune Kawai, PhD to speak to his undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty members, at Hiroshima University. Dr. Kawai is an assistant professor in the Center for Special Needs Education Research & Practice at Hiroshima University, Japan. His primary area of interest involves speech and language disorders. Particularly, his research topics are listeners' auditory perceptions of stuttering, attitudes toward people who stutter, and speech motor activities of people who stutter.

Dr. Nori Kawai with Sheila Goetz, Dr. Janice Zelazo & students, Hiroshima University

With translation provided by Nori, Sheila and Janice talked about special education, professional roles of speech-language pathologists, and early intervention services in the US. While many special education services continue to be offered in Japan in segregated settings, a new national law similar to IDEA is forcing colleges and universities to understand and address the concept of inclusion in their pre-service training programs. Nori and his colleagues were especially interested in discussing the impact on the education system, both for students with disabilities as well as, teachers-in-training.

Miyoko Matsumoto, who studied with the INREAL program and with the CLC team from 1986-1988, accompanied Sheila and Janice during other travels in Japan and offered her expertise on the differences in services and roles between Japan and USA. Miyoko has a private practice in Tokyo where she spends most of her time working with children in their preschool programs. She works with a transdisciplinary team of private practitioners with a focus on addressing special needs in an inclusive setting. Miyoko teaches INREAL strategies to teachers in Japan and Bali. She participates in an INREAL study group in the Tokyo area.

Sheila Goetz, Dr. Janice Zelazo, Dr. Keiko Gondo & Miyoko Matsumotos

 
 
 
CDSS Alumni Dr. Keiko Gondo, '85 ( (see bio) joined Sheila, Janice and Miyoko in Tokyo for a traditional Japanese lunch in a downtown restaurant. Sheila also caught up by phone with alumnus Caroline (Elkin) Abourezk who now lives in Tokyo with her husband and children and works at The American School in Japan.

(For background on the Licensure issue see earlier In Touch article)

An end-of-year report submitted by Kathy Boada, Terry Eberly and MeLea Mihok, of the CSHA Licensure Committee reveals that they have been extremely active since January, "meeting monthly to secure licensure for speech pathologists and audiologists in the state of Colorado." The committee succeeded in selecting a lobbyist, Jennifer Mello, to assist in the pursuit of a licensure law that will meet the needs of Colorado speech-language pathology professionals and consumers alike. Jennifer facilitated a meeting between members of the CSHA Licensure Committee and administrators from the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) in order to prepare them for submission of the sunrise application for licensure. "Currently, the Licensure Committee is hard at work drafting that document. The committee is pleased with the level of participation of CSHA members from all work settings in the drafting of this document and of the assistance from Eileen Crowe at ASHA. The Committee also sent out special thanks to Renee Karantounis, Kaylee Skidmore, Stephanie Coe, Catherine Curran, Kathy Fahey, Connie Carson, Brianna Lay and Audrey Serazio."

Summary of other Committee Activities 2010: (continued)

Dr. Lorainne Olson Ramig

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has bestowed the Honors of the Association to Dr. Lorraine Ramig. ASHA recognizes members for their distinguished contributions to the discipline of communication sciences and disorders and is the highest honor they bestow. Dr. Ramig obtained a Doctorate in Speech Science from Purdue University. She currently holds the positions of Professor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Science at the University of Colorado-Boulder, Senior Scientist at the National Center for Voice and Speech, Denver, CO, and Adjunct Professor at Columbia University, New York City. She is Co-founder of LSVT Global, a research based, proprietary speech therapy approach invented by its founders. Most recently, LSVT Global has begun to train PTs and OTs on a derivative of the speech treatment that is directed at improving the whole body movements of Parkinson patients. Dr. Ramig has over 25 years experience in teaching and student supervision at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and her research on voice treatment for Parkinson disease has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for over 15 years. A reception in Honor of Dr. Lorraine Ramig was held at ASHA 2010 in Philadelphia. It was sponsored by SLHS, LSVT Global, Inc., the National Center for Voice and Speech, Denver, CO, and the Department of Biobehavioral Sciences at Teacher College, Columbia University. The reception followed a formal awards ceremony on November 19th. See brief ASHA video below on Dr. Ramig's background. Congratulations Lori!

Melanie's New CD

Alumna Melanie Potock, ’93, a Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist, Oral Facial Myologist and Feeding Specialist, practicing out of Longmont Colorado, has found a creative niche in her area of expertise. Melanie started her business Chatter Bug, a successful private practice, over 9 years ago. Her interest and passion in finding creative ways to serve clients and parents grew and recently spurred her to launch a second business. We were fortunate to have caught up with Melanie and hear all about it: “My Munch Bug is my new business to promote my CD and my book. I have always wanted to create a children's CD that focuses on positive interactions with food." Melanie’s products focus on the fundamentals of parenting in a place we don't often think about for intervention--the kitchen! Melanie explains her unique approach and products:

Composer Joan Langford & Author Melanie Potock, collaborators

"The CD, Dancing in the Kitchen: Songs that Celebrate the Joy of Food includes professional tips from me inside the CD packaging on how to encourage your child to be an adventurous eater. It also includes a few familiar favorites, such as On Top of Spaghetti (our version is sweet and whimsical!) and songs written by Joan H. Langford, an acclaimed children's singer and songwriter living in Lafayette, CO. Joan and I collaborated on most of the songs by writing lyrics that include my tips to keeping mealtimes fun and stress free. The lyrics to many of the songs tie into my philosophy: Keep it light, keep it fun and reward each step, one at a time. Parents are telling us they can listen to the CD with their kids over and over because the variety of styles (Latin, pop, blues...even silly opera) keep it interesting for everyone in the family. Melanie’s CD is available on her website (www.mymunchbug.com) and will be available in mid November on www.cdbaby.com/

"My new book Happy Mealtimes with Happy Kids: How to Teach Your Child About the Joy of Food is a parent guidebook on the basics of feeding children 6 months to 6 years. The book is also available on my website www.mymunchbug.com and on www.lulu.com. The book is designed to be a quick and easy read - that's all parents really have time for! They just want their questions answered as effectively and efficiently as possible. (continued)

Children in CLC

(From the 2010 CLC Annual Report)
The Child Learning Center Outreach Program benefits early childhood care and education centers in the community by enhancing professional development in the areas of early language and literacy and providing information for families to build the foundations for children’s successful learning in later years. Two Boulder early childhood centers were selected for participation in the outreach program during the past school year--Boulder Day Nursery and the Parent Cooperative Preschool at the First Presbyterian Church. Six teachers in three classrooms participated.

Activities included classroom observation and follow-up coaching by a team from the Child Learning Center. The Early Language and Literacy Classroom Observation tool (ELLCO) was used to inform planning processes for coaching of teachers through the project. A minimum of six coaching sessions were arranged with each teacher over the September through May program. Workshops were provided for participating teachers at the selected sites. Parent education workshops focused on early language and literacy development in the home were offered to all parents in the selected sites.

See the full 2010 CLC Annual Report

Meghan Walton with her Mom, Patty (Ogrodnick) Walton, '85

Meghan Walton was overjoyed when she received word of her acceptance into the SLHS program in pursuit of her BA. In her own words; “When I found out I was accepted into the program at CU, I was thrilled beyond belief. Ever since I can remember, the University of Colorado at Boulder has always been where I envisioned myself attending school. This is an incredible university and I can’t wait to take on everything it has to offer.” Meghan is well positioned to follow in some robust footsteps. Meghan’s mother, Patty (Ogrodnick) Walton, attended SLHS (then CDSS) from 1982 to 1985. Patty was the kind of student university programs hope to attract. Not only did she excel in academic and clinical work, she energized her fellow students by planning events that brought faculty and students together. Always willing to help and learn, she was an exemplary student. Patty is now a successful speech pathologist, gifted therapist and author of books on stuttering intervention.

Meghan Walton

Patty’s energy and success has obviously extended to her daughter Meghan who has been exposed to the field of Speech Pathology most of her life. Meghan volunteers for FRIENDS: The Association of Young People of Stutter, helping with the Friends’ day workshops held in Denver and attending their conferences for 12 years. “As I grew up, I was able to witness the impact that this convention had on people who stutter and their families. For example, professors told a young man, who desired to be a teacher, that he could never achieve this goal because of his stuttering. Through FRIENDS, he was able to gain the confidence to become a teacher, despite everything his professors had told him. Another man, whom I grew up with, dreamed of working in law enforcement. The only way he would be able to achieve this was by gaining control of his stuttering. He tried therapy many times in the past but never had success and had given up on it. My mom was able to convince him to try one more time with her help, eventually leading to his success. My friend is now enrolled in the Austin Police Cadet class". Meghan has also assisted her mother on group therapy outings, has attended the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association national convention and was a research assistant, videotaping hours of therapy for data collection. Combined with Meghan’s other high school activities, which include figure skating, Spanish language studies, and leadership roles, her pre-professional path is a valuable predictor of the kind of university student Meghan will be.

Meghan recalled attending the ASHA conference in Chicago in 2008 while she was in high school. “It showed me that there were so many more areas of speech language pathology than I realized. I went to several presentations and found all the information very interesting. I came back with a new appreciation for the field. These experiences have inspired me to become a speech therapist". Currently, Meghan is most interested in stuttering, “…because I have been exposed to it the most. I have met hundreds of people who stutter and have seen the pain that families experience and how hard it is for them to find good help. I have also seen how speech therapy can change the lives and have a positive impact on the lives of people who stutter. By becoming a speech therapist for people who stutter, I will be able to make a difference in their lives just like I see my mom do everyday. I am also very interested in cluttering because it is so fascinating. There are many different symptoms that can be related to cluttering, as well as the lack of self-awareness that makes cluttering hard to work with. I am excited to learn more about it in school". Meghan’s story, her experiences under the watchful eye of her mother, and now her chosen program of study, fulfill a valuable family legacy, for her family and for CU.

We congratulate all 2010 SLHS Graduates and are pleased to feature four new alumni--BA students who recently graduated with honors from SLHS. Amanda Huesleman, Danielle Kemp, Jenny Chang, and Isa Miranda Down received their bachelor degrees at SLHS’s graduage ceremony held on May 7, 2010. In addition to this article, they can be seen together in a photo on SLHS Department webpage here

Amanda with her mother and boyfriend, Kirk

Amanda Huesleman is from Arvada, CO, and she received her BA Magna Cum Laude after attending the University of Colorado from the Fall of 2006 to Spring 2010. Amanda’s research while at SLHS looked at the effects of parents’ de-contenxtualized scaffolding of language hearing levels in children with hearing loss and in children with cochlear implants. Amanda enjoys traveling and exploring new places. Following graduation, she is looking forward to a three-week camping and road trip to California, which will be followed by a trip to Hawaii. Next year Amanda will continue her studies while attending CU-Denver to pursue her masters in special education.

Danielle with her parents Kirk and Flora and brother Zach

Danielle Kemp graduated Summa Cum Laude from SLHS this spring. Danielle is from Lafayette, Colorado and double majored in SLHS and Spanish Literature and Language. Her top interests were child language and bilingualism. Danielle expressed that one of her favorite memories was “working with my primary honors thesis advisor Dr. Pui-Fong Kan”. Dr. Kan’s research focuses on child language learning, language disorders, and bilingualism. Danielle worked with her in the Child Language and Learning Lab while developing her thesis titled Adjective Gender Agreement in Situations of Language Contact and Specific Language Impairment. Danielle's study used existing data on children with Specific Language Impairment (SLI) to determine errors in their use of the article in Spanish, specifically the adjective constituent of the noun phrase, which also marks gender agreement. Results demonstrated that "as compared to typically developing children, children with SLI do not demonstrate a robust functional production of the gender agreement paradigm in the adjective". She concluded that "gender agreement in the adjective should be considered in bilingual children with SLI when developing...therapy goals and strategies." Danielle is enthusiastic about her future plans which include remaining in Boulder for another 2 years while attending the SLHS Masters Program. Her plans also include many activities, “anything outdoors, hiking, running, fly fishing, camping and being with her family and friends. Danielle is also actively involved at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students).

Jenny with her Father, Sister, and Mother

Jenny Chang is from Littleton, Colorado and studied at CU for 4 years. Jenny graduated Summa Cum Laude with her Bachelor’s degree. She also received the Jacob Van Ek Award for superior academic achievement and outstanding contributions to the University and Boulder Community. During Jenny’s studies she became interested in anatomy, speech science, bilingual neurolinguisitics, and language acquisition in bilingual cultures. Jenny told us that when she switched her major to SLHS she “felt a huge burden off my shoulders”. Jenny gave high marks to the guidance she received as a student. “Dr. Brenda Schick, Dr. Neerja Sadagopan, and Dr. Pui Fong Kan made my time as an SLHS major extremely rewarding as well as intellectually stimulating. The entire faculty of SLHS has such passion for their fields and for the populations they serve”. When not studying, Jenny loves running and yoga. "I also enjoy volunteering my time to homeless ministries and I also enjoy working with children, whether it is babysitting or childcare. I love my community of friends and mentors, so I spend as much time with them as possible as well.” Jenny’s goal is to become a physician's assistant. No doubt with the strength of her academic performance and her appreciation of her experience thus far, she is sure to accomplish her goal.

Isa on Graduation Day 2010

Isa Miranda Down is originally from Canada (British Columbia), and has lived in Boulder for about half of her life. Isa has been at CU for the last three years, transferring from the University of Victoria in BC. She received a BA in SLHS, also graduating Summa Cum Laude. She became very interested in the fields of physiology, anatomy, and neurology of the speech mechanism and how they all intertwine. Isa commented that her experience as an undergrad at SLHS helped her to select and focus on her interests, and she counts meeting new people and professors among her best memories. Isa shared that she "found that the SLHS program was the perfect balance: it both intrigued me and challenged me without becoming overbearing. I think that this is due in large part to the professors and the fellow students. I made a point of trying to get to know the professors, and learned much more about the field in doing so. My advisor, Dr. Neeraja Sadagopan, to name one, was an inspiration to work with, and I look forward to continuing research with her in the coming year. Her high expectations of her students' work helped push me to a new level of academic achievement". Isa loves the outdoors and her hobbies include: hiking, reading, gardening, and singing. Her plans for the future include being a research assistant for speech pathologists in the coming year while she apply to graduate programs. She plans on getting a dual doctorate in speech pathology and neuroscience. Like Danielle and Danielle, Jenny, and Isa will assuredly make us proud as she works toward her new goals. Congratulations to all new alumni!

CU Photo by Casey A. Cass

The Speech Language and Hearing Sciences recognition ceremony 2010 was held on May 7 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., at the UMC Middle Ballroom.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL GRADUATES AND WELCOME TO OUR CU SLHS ALUMNI WEBSITE!
The phrase "the last best place" was coined by William Kittredge, a well-known western writer, as the title for an anthology of stories, poems and memoirs about Montana. We'd like you to think of CU SLHS as one of your last, best places, where you worked hard, prepared for your career and shared experiences with fellow students. Stay in touch with the SLHS department and visit your alumni website often, we want to hear about your experiences as you establish and continue your career.

Here are some ways to stay in touch as a CU alum (continued):

The CU Child Learning Center, an integral part of the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, is pleased to announce the start of Early Circles, a family education and support group for families of young children with Down syndrome. They invite parents to join them for 5 family meetings this summer to share family celebrations and challenges and to discuss strategies to support communication and early literacy in your child’s daily life. The program will also provide 3 home visits per family to support strategy use in the home. , The Family Meetings will be held Friday mornings from 9 to 11:30 on June 11, June 18, June 25, July 9 and July 23. Family home visits will be scheduled prior to June 11, July 9 and July 23. For details about enrollment>

Katheryn Boada of Children's Hospital & CSHA Licensure Committee (bio at end of article)

Discussion regarding the need for new state licensure for SLP’s is percolating through Colorado work settings. An interview with Katheryn Boada, Director of Audiology, Speech Pathology and Learning Services at The Children's Hospital, brought critical aspects of the debate to light. Kathy has served as past president of the Colorado Speech Hearing Association (CSHA) and is currently an active member of CSHA’s licensure committee.

At the 2010 Metro Speech Language Conference in Denver, Kathy presented an overview of the licensure issue for Colorado. She related that, as of 2009, 48 states and the District of Columbia license their speech/language pathologists. Colorado and South Dakota do not license SLPs aside from the public school endorsement issued by the Department of Education. Basic issues faced by Colorado SLPs include: 1. whether or not Colorado should have licensure for SLPs in all settings, and 2. which format licensure should take--it can take two forms, a universal or dual system.

A universal system would require all Colorado SLPs to obtain a license under similar standards. For example, Michigan is a state that requires universal licensure for all SLPs, except for those not involved in practice such as researchers, college teachers and others employed by the department of community health or SLPs operating in other health professions. The dual, or “two pronged” system is practiced in Minnesota. There, school personnel are licensed by the state board within the scope of their school license that makes them exempt from obtaining the state SLP license. All other SLPs who graduate from a master’s program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) are required to obtain general state licensure, along with ASHA clinical experience and successful passage of the National exam in SLP or Audiology. SLPs who practice in schools and other settings are required to obtain 2 licenses. Of 48 states and 1 district that have licensure in the US, 12 operate within a universal system, 37 within a dual system.

Kathy revealed what might be a more critical incentive in that the American Medical Association (AMA) could possibly step in and define licensure for SLPs. (continued)