2012 Bilingual Symposium

by Nathan Cornish on February 7, 2012

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Greetings ¡Adelante! readers! After a bit of a hiatus, Bilingual Therapies is proud to bring back our monthly blog. We will publish the list of our upcoming articles in the next few weeks. We invite you to let us know if there are any topics or potential authors that you would like to see featured on ¡Adelante!. For this month’s article, we are pleased to let you know a little more about the Bilingual Symposium coming up in July:


Bilingual Therapies 2012 Symposium in Orlando, Florida
We at Bilingual Therapies hope that 2012 finds you in good spirits. The office staff is buzzing with the thoughts of being in the happiest place on earth this summer-Disney World! The 2012 symposium will be held at the World Center Marriot. We are very proud to announce our speakers and topics for the 2012 Symposium.

The Application of Dynamic Assessment to Bilingual Phonological Disorders
-Brian Goldstein, Ph.D., F-CCC-SLP, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Description:
In assessing bilingual children speech-language pathologists must differentiate disorders from differences. Dynamic assessment is one alternative assessment practice available to clinicians to make that distinction. That practice, however, is less often used for phonology compared to other domains of language. The purpose of this seminar is to discuss the application of dynamic assessment to bilingual phonology.

Grammatical Development of Spanish/English speakers: Applications to Clinical Practice
-Raquel Anderson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Associate Professor, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Description:
In this session, information concerning the development of grammatical skills in both English and Spanish of young dual language learners will be discussed. Thus, the focus will be on the 0-5 population, although early school age will also be covered. Strategies for evaluating and assessing grammatical skill in dual language learners in general, and Spanish/English learners in particular, will be presented, with implication for treatment of grammatical deficits. Although the presentation will focus on Spanish, the data/research presented will be broad in nature, thus permitting participants to apply the information to other dual language learners.

Bilingualism and Cognition across the Lifespan
-Maria L. Muñoz, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Associate Professor, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
Description:
The purpose of this session is to review recent research on bilingualism and cognition in children and adults and draw implications for the assessment and treatment of language and cognitive impairments across the life span. Differences, advantages, and costs associated with bilingualism have been demonstrated on tasks of language processing, memory, attention, and executive functioning. Topics of interest include the organization of and access to semantic memory, strengths in executive functioning that may be provide some protection against cognitive decline later in life, and increased demands on attentional control.

The Dynamics of Bilingualism in Stuttering
-Edna J. Carlo, M.S., CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Description:
This session will introduce participants to cultural and linguistic aspects to be considered when assessing and treating bilingual speakers who stutter. Prof. Carlo will discuss theoretical aspects in relation to bilingualism. She will also address frequently asked questions and myths to specifically differentiate between stuttering and lack of language proficiency. Specific examples from Spanish and available clinical resources will be presented.

The Bilingual Practitioner as a Leader, Advocate, and Educator
-Nate Cornish, M.S., CCC-SLP, Co-Clinical Director, Bilingual Therapies, Inc., Skokie, IL
-Melissa White, M.A., CCC-SLP, Co-Clinical Director, Bilingual Therapies, Inc., San Antonio, TX
Description:
As the United States becomes increasingly culturally and linguistically diverse, bilingual speech, language and hearing professionals find themselves taking on leadership and advocacy roles for the communities they serve. This keynote session will highlight ways that practitioners serve their clients- and the larger CLD community- outside of the therapy room. Resources for educating and collaborating with colleagues, families and the public will be discussed.

If you are as excited about this symposium as we are, register at www.bilingualsymposium.com.  Hope to see there!

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Music in Speech Therapy with Children Who Are Bilingual: What Works?

by Ruth Crutchfield on May 2, 2011

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Dr. Ruth Crutchfield, SLP.D., CCC-SLP
University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, TX

Dr. Ruth Crutchfield is a lecturer and clinical supervisor at the University of Texas-Pan American. Dr. Crutchfield graduated with her master’s degree in Communication Disorders Bilingual/Bicultural from UTPA in December of 1997 and has held the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association since then. Dr. Crutchfield received her Doctor of Speech Language Pathology in May of 2010. She practiced for seven years in the public school system and for four years as the director of speech-language pathology at a pediatric outpatient rehabilitation center. For the last three years, Dr. Crutchfield has been a clinical instructor and supervisor at the University of Texas-Pan American where she teaches language disorders in children, speech science and clinical report writing. Her experiences range from working as an SLP in the school system, working with the geriatric population in a nursing home and outpatient facility, and working with the pediatric population in all scopes in an outpatient rehabilitative facility. She has attended various workshops (i.e. SI for SLP’s, M.O.R.E., Beckman Oral Motor, Visual Phonics, Therapeutic Listening, Autism, Feeding Strategies, Dysphagia, Apraxia Kids, Fluency Therapy – Efficient Strategies, PROMPT, Carbone’s Verbal Behavior Therapy to name a few) from which knowledge she is able to draw from when forming a prescriptive treatment plan.

Introduction

It is important to acknowledge that music is used in the area of speech therapy largely due to the influence that has been received by the field of music therapy itself.  Music therapy is a profession that is delving on its own to provide proof of its effectiveness in rehabilitation of individuals with various disabilities.  For speech therapy, speech-language pathologists (SLP’s) have been using music to enhance their treatment plan.  At times, music is used to mark the beginning or ending of a session, or to enhance a certain activity that the SLP has prepared where a specific song emphasizes the language concept that the therapist is targeting in a private setting.  SLP’s in the schools work with the special education units where music may be utilized throughout the day.  The effectiveness of its use is evident in the manner in which the students successfully transition, or that morning routine is beginning.  These are all examples of how music is naturally utilized in therapeutic settings.  Molnar-Szakacs and Overy (2006), recently found through functional magnetic resonant imaging evidence suggesting that “music, like language, involves an intimate coupling between the perception and production of hierarchically organized sequential information, the structure of which has the ability to communicate meaning and emotion” (p. 235). Molnar-Szakas and Overy (2006) provide more of a substantial basis for using music in speech therapy. However, the question is posed: Is there evidence to prove that music therapy is effective for the specific purposes of speech and language therapy and what specifically can be done that is effective in promoting treatment outcomes? [click to continue…]

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Perspectives on Being a Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist from Clinicians at Various Points in their Careers

by Nathan Cornish on April 1, 2011

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Greetings! The field of speech-language pathology, and our practice as bilingual clinicians, is always changing. Along with these outside changes, our own experiences make us evolve as individuals. It’s good to assess our own roles and views of the profession periodically, and in doing so it seems valuable to hear the experiences of others. We can be inspired by the energy and earnestness of newer clinicians, and we can benefit from the perspective and experience of more seasoned practitioners.

This month’s ¡Adelante! article is a compilation of reflections about the profession from three clinicians at different points in their careers. Sara Bayona is a recent graduate who is busily growing as a CF. Raquel Martínez has participated in a number of working environments in the few years since she completed her CFY. Karen Miranda has broad experience both as a speech-language pathologist and a speech aide. Each of them shares important insights into life as a bilingual clinician in this unique article. Please feel free to share your own in the comment section! [click to continue…]

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5 Pointers for Bilingual Students

by Melissa D. White on March 1, 2011

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Melissa D. White, M.A., CCC-SLP
University of Texas-Austin, Austin, TX

Melissa is a bilingual speech-language pathologist who has worked with culturally and linguistically diverse school age children with various communication disorders in Texas and Illinois. Previously, Melissa served as a clinical faculty supervisor for the University of Texas- Austin Speech and Hearing Center (UTSHC). There, Melissa primarily supervised graduate students during their bilingual Spanish rotations and worked as a clinical mentor on the Implementing Treatment Practices (ITP) Project, which is a training grant through the Office of Special Education, U.S. Department of Education. Melissa currently works through Bilingual Therapies at the Northside ISD in San Antonio, TX and is a Team Leader for the Mountain West region.

I’ve supervised many graduate students over the years and know that the weeks before spring break can be very stressful.  Most of you started graduate school with the goal of finishing the program and being a bilingual SLP.  What you might not have known was the roller coaster ride it was going to be.  Here are some tips to help you stay on track. [click to continue…]

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Narrative Assessments with Spanish-Speaking Children

by Anny P. Castilla on January 3, 2011

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Anny P. Castilla, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in CSD, State University of New York – Fredonia, Fredonia, NY

Dr. Anny Castilla completed her clinical degree as a speech-language pathologist in La Universidad del Valle, in Cali, Colombia. In 2008, she obtained her doctorate degree at The University of Toronto. Currently, Dr. Castilla is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences at SUNY Fredonia in New York.

It is my pleasure to share my experience and knowledge on the use of narratives as a language assessment tool in Spanish-speaking (SS) children. I have worked with narratives since I began my doctoral work in 2003. In my own research, I have used narratives to examine typical and atypical language in preschool SS. In other work with my colleagues, I have also used narratives to examine the influence of Spanish-language skills on the acquisition of English and the effect of a Spanish supplemental program on Spanish language development. [click to continue…]

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Obtaining the Knowledge & Skills Needed to Practice as a Bilingual Clinician in a Non-Bilingual Graduate Program

December 1, 2010

Nate Cornish, M.S., CCC-SLP, Director of Clinical Services, Bilingual Therapies, Inc. Nate Cornish, M.S., CCC-SLP is a bilingual speech-language pathologist, clinical director of Bilingual Therapies, and moderator of the ¡Adelante! blog. Previously, Nate provided bilingual speech-language services to secondary students and served on a city-wide bilingual assessment team in the Washington, DC Public Schools. Nate [...]

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