Emma Cockerel (left) and Shirley Smit.
Communication Disorders and Sciences students are gaining valuable experiences through Honors Program learning contracts.
The students are completing learning contracts that enhance their professional preparation while also completing the Honors Program.
Emma Cockerel, a senior from Eden, NY, is fulfilling an internship with Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center at its Wheelock Primary School location in Fredonia, NY, with Judith Milloy, a speech language pathologist.
Direct Individual Relationships, or technically child-led therapy, along with the importance of updated and personalized materials, keeping track of trials and goals and communicating with every member of the children’s care team are key takeaways of the internship, Ms. Cockerel said.
“All of these points are crucial for creating a comfortable and productive environment for the children, to ensure they are getting the best care possible,” explained Cockerel, who also has a minor in Athletic Coaching.
The internship program at Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center’s Wheelock Early Childhood Center provides students with field experience in speech and language pathology. “Interns gain valuable insights by observing and assisting various educational professionals, enhancing their understanding of the multidisciplinary environment in the school,” Ms. Milloy said.
Since September, Cockerel has assisted by creating picture symbols, organizing therapeutic materials and observing therapy sessions.
“Many of our children here at the center require Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) materials, and with therapists often overwhelmed with various responsibilities, Emma’s contributions have been invaluable,” Milloy commented. “By developing these materials, she has made a significant impact on the children, and the entire team.”
Cockerel’s immediate plan after graduation is to enroll in graduate school, most likely remaining at SUNY Fredonia, as she already has many connections in the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences and the area.
Shirley Smit, a senior from Hopewell Junction, NY, is completing two experiences: a research-based course HONR 390: CDS Research Project working with Associate Professor Bridget Russell, and INDS 490: ASL Internship, with Adjunct Lecturer Lori Woodard.
Learning how to use instrumentation for voice assessment and how to create and implement therapy plans for patients with Parkinson’s disease are two key takeaways Ms. Smit identifies of the research experience, “Cough Strengthening Treatment Impact on Vocal Health in Parkinson’s Disease,” with Dr. Russell.
Smit assists in collecting and analyzing data as they investigate whether respiratory strength training exercises, such as EMST and smTAP, improve or diminish vocal health in Parkinson’s patients.
“This research not only provides Shirley with hands-on experience in a critical area of speech pathology but also sets her apart as a candidate for graduate programs. Her medical experience may open up externship placements and inspire future doctoral studies in the field,” Russell said.
“I have also learned how the research process develops in the field of speech-language pathology,” added Smit, who also has a minor in Spanish. She presented at the New York State Speech, Language, and Hearing Association convention in White Plains, NY in May.
Smit, who is completing her second American Sign Language internship, recognizes the complexity of the language and also the significance of recognizing the users of this language as being members of a cultural and linguistic minority group, Ms. Woodard explained.
“I believe Shirley’s goal is to become a SLP (speech-language pathologist) that works with members of this group, and, in order to be an effective SLP, one needs to continue to try and improve their skills by using the language and immersing in it as much as possible,” Woodard said. “Shirley will make an exceptional SLP!”
Through her internship, Smit has been able to continue her education in American Sign Language and apply her knowledge to support beginner ASL classes, raise awareness for the deaf community and study the connection between the deaf world and her future career in speech-language pathology.
Smit plans to attend graduate school for speech-language pathology.
The Honors Program pillars – "Learn. Lead. Live." – prioritize opportunities for students to gain applied-learning experience (internship, study abroad, research project, or independent study), which may be substituted in place of any one Honors course. The flexibility helps Honors students gain professional skills while also completing the program. It also helps dovetail the program to the needs of different majors, who may need to complete an internship.
More Honors Program information is available at its website.
