Central Michigan University

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Inside CMU's Speech-Language Pathology Clinic: success is 'amazing'

CMU graduate student Greg Mason plays guitar and sings along while other student clinicians work one-on-one with children on the words and motions that go with the upbeat song.

Photo by Peggy Brisbane
CMU University Communications

RSS Print

Media Contact(s):

Tracy Burton
989-774-1072
tracy.burton@cmich.edu

TO VIEW A VIDEO, CLICK HERE.

When it comes to helping children develop speech and language skills during therapy, Central Michigan University student clinician Greg Mason often brings in his guitar, playing and singing songs with children that promote both rhythm and motion.

"Music is a great way for the kids to learn because it's a repetitive task, and it helps them to learn sequential order of things as well as new language," said Mason, after working with a group of children in CMU's Speech-Language Pathology Clinic. "We've been fortunate enough to really see them develop their social, speech and language skills here. It's amazing to see how much these kids grow."

The overall learning experience inside the clinic is unique for CMU students, too, said Mason, a graduate student in CMU's communication disorders master's program.

"Our professors are always right here to guide us as we work with the children," Mason said. "I am learning so much. Our time in the clinic has prepared me for my work with children in the future. I understand the importance of assessing their gains so that the speech therapy is always progressing and therapy time is optimized to its greatest potential."

Parents are seeing firsthand the skills and expertise that CMU student clinicians bring to the clinic.

Dawn Wirt drives an hour each way to take her son to CMU for therapy. It's a lot of time and energy, but in the end, Wirt says it's worth every minute.

"Holden is our foster child who we've now adopted. When he came to us when he was 3, he didn't speak at all," she said. "Since coming to sessions at CMU, he now makes more sounds and says more words on his own without any queues."

Holden also was one of 75 children who participated in a six-week camp recently offered through the clinic. It was designed for children and young adolescents with communication disorders who can benefit from an intensive intervention program.

"He gained so much," Wirt said. "The CMU students were very attentive and gave Holden a lot of one-on-one time, and that's what he needed the most."

This fall, CMU student clinicians and CMU clinic supervisors are continuing their work with Holden and many other children who attended the camp, held in the Carls Center for Clinical Care and Education. The camp included a combination of communication development, social skills instruction, and recreational experiences that involved speech development exercises and other activities such as outdoor time, games, crafts and music.

Suzanne Woods, who has been a clinical supervisor for the past 27 years, said this kind of therapy allows children to have a learning experience that also helps build their self-esteem.

"Seeing is believing, and the smiles on kids' faces and watching them grow and achieve their goals here is just amazing," said Woods, also a professor in CMU's communication disorders program. "This is their haven, and they are not singled out because they have a communication disorder. Here everyone is on the same plane. They don't have to worry about being teased or laughed at."

To learn more about CMU's Speech-Language Specialty Clinics, visit http://www.cmich.edu/chp/x2969.xml