BACKGROUND	Bachelor's degree 1975: Speech/Language Pathology; minors: Psychology, English      Master's degree 1977: Speech/language Pathology      PhD 1996: Special Education Technology & Teacher Education; liberal arts: sociology      Master's degree 2010: Reading      Years in the educational field: 30+      It was a little over 25 years ago that I had my introduction to the field of augmentative and alternative communication.  Since that time, I have worked with many individuals who need support for their communication with others.  I now use these picture communication displays, or topic boards, as an additional mode of presentation with even more diverse groups.  They provide a visual mode for the auditory language they are hearing and also provide a visual guide to organize their own language.       In 2006, I adapted the tools to be used as support for written language.  Individuals may incorporate the Topics for Written Language topic boards as personal resources.  The visual structure that follows a subject-verb-object sequence also helps to guide word order when creating unique expressions.
SERVICES        Speaking Engagements:	The Changing Role of the SLP in the context of RtI (Response to Intervention) Response to Intervention Building Language to Support Literacy Augmentative and Alternative Communication IDEA and NCLB
Consultations	Special education AAC

My experience is diverse and varied, beginning as a school-based SLP, moving to an AAC/AT Specialist, and now Assistant Director of Exceptional Student Services.  I have also served as a college or university professor for George Mason University, Johns Hopkins University, and most recently, Metro State College in Denver.  For the past 30 years, I have provided many seminars and workshops, from AAC to organizational change to law/policy-based presentations.  I have initiated, planned and implemented new programs.  I have been involved in establishing policies based on IDEA since it was 94-142.  :)

I taught AAC at the graduate level at George Mason University, Fairfax, Va, from 1992 - 2000.  The content of this course included an emphasis on vocabulary selection and design in AAC systems.  I taught assistive technology courses at Johns Hopkins - on tools and on policies and procedures.  I have served as an adjunct at Metro State College in Denver, Colorado, teaching the following courses: Language Acquisition, Communication Disorders in the Classroom, and Assessment, Methods, and Assistive Technology for Severe Disabilities. I have been a member of ASHA since 1975 and a member of ISAAC and USSAAC for nearly 20 years.  I have attended many annual conferences and specialized conference sessions over the last 30 years that have dealt with communication issues and solutions.  Recently, I presented at the CSUN conference and the Denver Metropolitan Speech/language Symposium.  I enjoy teaching others!  This is apparent in the positive feedback I have received from my many presentations and course evaluations.  Please don't hesitate to inquire (see Contact Info).