May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, and students and faculty at Gannon University are helping make communication more accessible through the university’s Wellness Speech and Language Clinic.
Under the guidance of licensed speech-language pathologists, graduate students in Gannon’s program assist community members with screenings, evaluations, and treatment for a variety of communication needs.
One of those patients is Andrew, who is nonverbal due to a rare genetic disorder. Through therapy at the clinic, student clinicians Emmalene Rosenberg and Lauren Billingsley have helped him learn to communicate using a tablet-based device with symbols.
Dr. Katya Hill, Chair of Communication Sciences at Gannon University, says Andrew’s progress has been remarkable.
“When we first started the evaluation with this patient, he could not identify any symbols functionally, and he’s playing Uno.”
The clinic gives graduate students hands-on experience while also providing vital resources and support for members of the Erie community.