Speech-Language-Hearing (University of Kansas)
Background: During my master’s program I participated in a personnel preparation grant consisting of specialized coursework and field experiences supporting students who use AAC in their general education classrooms. This experience allowed me to see the many benefits of inclusive education as well as the many challenges and barriers that students who use AAC and their families face. Following the completion of my master’s degree, I decided to continue into a doctoral program with hopes of improving the educational experience for students with complex needs.
Current Interests: Broadly, my research interests lie with the implementation of AAC in inclusive school settings, particularly for students with significant support needs. I’m also interested in the impact of AAC on families and the provision of family-centered services, which my most recent research activities have focused on. However, I also realize the significant need for intervention research and would like to explore this further during my doctoral program.
Dissertation Chair: Dr. Jane Wegner
Presentation Topic: Comparing the Perspectives of Families and School-Based SLPs on the AAC Experience (PDF)
Discussion Topics: Recruiting Dyads, Methodology for Data Collection and Analysis