Nearly 200 students and professionals will gather at the “Language and Literacy: Improving the Effectiveness of Speech-Language (and Literacy) Services for Children” workshop Friday, Oct. 15 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Multipurpose room in the Williams Center. Dr. C. Melanie Schuele, certified, licensed speech-language pathologist, is the main presenter.
The workshop is sponsored by the Youngerman Center and the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences at SUNY Fredonia.
Dr. Schuele teaches hearing and speech sciences at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, where her research focuses on the development of complex syntax and the effectiveness of literacy interventions, particularly phonological awareness interventions. She is currently the principal investigator on two training grants from the U.S. Department of Education, which focus on developing specializations in language and literacy for students at the doctoral and master's degree level. Dr. Schuele was associate editor for Language, Speech, and Hearing Services from 2007-2009 and she currently serves as chair for ASHA’s Research and Scientific Affairs Committee.
The morning session of the workshop will focus on clinically-relevant research that informs speech-language pathologists on identification of children, development of phonological awareness, reading, and writing, and on reading (dis)abilities of children with speech-language impairments. The morning will conclude with a consideration of how research has led to changes in policy and scope of practice.
The afternoon session will help participants identify their unique role(s) in addressing literacy and use case studies to highlight evidence-based practices and best practices for addressing the language and literacy needs of children with speech-language impairments. Consideration will be given to the needs of preschool and school-aged children.
