News and Events
Enrollment for Early Language Group open
The Penn State Speech and Hearing Clinic announces enrollment is currently open for the Early Language Group (ELG), a preschool language enrichment group. This program meets two mornings per week and provides intensive language exposure and experience, ideal for preschoolers learning English as a second language and children with language delays or disorders.
ELG is a structured yet flexible small group experience for preschoolers, providing rich language stimulation and opportunities to learn and practice language, communication, and socialization skills. The group conducts typical preschool activities such as circle time, story time, and crafts while enjoying healthy snacks, active play, singing, and dramatic play. All activities integrate opportunities for language learning.
ELG is led by communication sciences and disorders graduate students studying speech-language pathology and working under supervision of a licensed speech language pathologist. Children with a variety of developmental profiles and general developmental delays can benefit from participation in ELG. The group has also been very beneficial for children learning English as a second language.
ELG takes place at the Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic in the Ford Building on Penn State's University Park campus. Most activities take place in a large child language room that is arranged like a preschool classroom. Parents may observe their children from an adjacent room.
Applications are being accepted for summer and fall sessions. Call 814-865-5414 or email Eileen Kowalski (emk15@psu.edu) for more information.
Light Receives Faculty Scholar Medal
Dr. Janice Light, Distinguished Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorder, has been named the recipient of the Faculty Scholar Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Social and Behavioral Sciences . This category was open to scholars in HHD, Liberal Arts, and other colleges. The award ceremony will be held in the Spring where Dr. Light will receive her medal and the engraved plate, recognizing her as the Faculty Scholar for Outstanding Achievement for 2008.
Devlin Received Alumni Recognition for Student Excellence Award
Courtney Devlin has been selected to receive one of the Alumni Recognition for Student Excellence Awards for 2008. This award is sponsored by the College of Health and Human Development Alumni Society and is presented to a senior in each academic unit of the College for outstanding performance, achievement and contributions within his/her major. Congratulations Courtney!
Multicultural Interest Group formed
A Multicultural Interest Group has been formed in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. The main goal of the group is to provide students with an exciting way to expand their knowledge about multicultural issues in the field, as the caseloads of practicing SLPs and audiologists are becoming increasingly diverse.
The first meeting of the Multicultural Interest Group will be held on Tuesday, February 12, at 6:00pm in 104 Chambers. As chair of the CSD diversity committee, Dr. Hammer will serve as the advisor to the group. If you have any questions, please contact Deanna Shelly (dls5013@psu.edu) or Dr. Hammer (cjh22@psu.edu).
Scholarship Application Required
All HHD students wishing to be considered for scholarships for 2008-2009 must complete a College of Health and Human Development online scholarship application. The deadline for scholarship applications is April 30, 2008.
Golf Tournament Benefits Communication Sciences and Disorders researcher
Proceeds from a charity golf tournament in September 2007 were donated to the College of Health and Human Development to benefit Dr. Janice Light’s research in communication disorders. The donation of $20,000 was made possible through the Joe Strada Sr. Memorial Fund.
More than 100 members of the community participated in the First Annual Forklift, Inc. Charity Golf Tournament, which took place on September 15, 2007 at the Armitage Golf Club in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The purpose of the event was to raise awareness of autism and of Dr. Light’s research, which has improved the lives of those with autism by enabling them to communicate in ways not previously thought possible.
Dr. Light, Distinguished Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders in Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development, is a leading scholar in the area of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), which helps people with severe communication disabilities, including those with autism, to communicate. Her research has enabled people with communication disabilities to communicate through the use of AAC tools such as signs, communication books, and computer-based assistive technologies.
Speaker Series Welcomes Wilkinson
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Speaker Series welcomes Krista Wilkinson, Ph.D., Associate Professor at Emerson College, who will give the presentation “An interdisciplinary approach to AAC research and practice with children with intellectual disabilities: Applications of behavioral and cognitive sciences.”
Wilkinson's presentation will be delivered Thursday, January 31, 2008, 4:00-5:00 p.m. at the Bennett Pierce Living Center, 110 Henderson Building, University Park. All Communication Sciences and Disorders faculty and students are encouraged to attend.