Child language and autism spectrum disorders across the lifespan.

• NYS Licensed SLP, Clinical Associate Professor, UB Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic,2016-present
• NYS Licensed SLP, Clinical Assistant Professor, UB Speech-Language and Hearing  Clinic, 2002-2016
• NYS Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, Clarence Central School District, Clarence, New York, 1999-2003
• Graduate Externship and summer position, Bornhava, Snyder, NY, 1999
• Graduate Externship, Kaleida Health Amherst-General Neuro Rehab Center Amherst, New York

• Tindle-Shupe Award for clinical excellence, SUNY at Buffalo
• Mary B. Mann Award for outstanding clinician, SUNY at Buffalo
• Magna Cum Laude, Ithaca College

Project pARTicIP-ATE: ARTistic experience, InterProfessional Education and Access through Expressive Technology, Spring/Summer 2016, Clinical/Student/Artist Liaison and Project Member

The Children’s Guild Foundation, Communication Café:  Brewing Your Potential, March 2016 ($9,400) Funding received for a joint project with Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center for a social language skills group for teens.   Pilot program was completed summer 2015 at the UB Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic.  The grant funded support for the program at our clinic from July 2016-June 2017.  BHSC was the applicant. 

Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, Communication Café:  Brewing Your Potential, December 2015 ($9,400) Funding received for a joint project with Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center for a social language skills group for teens.  Pilot program was completed summer 2015 at the UB Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic.  The grant funded space for the program, supervisory release time, and program materials for the program at our clinic from July 2016-June 2017.  BHSC was the applicant. 

The Peter and Elizabeth Tower Foundation, SAS Training Program, January 2013-2015 ($135,000)  Primary Investigator. Two year grant focuses on best practices for the improved development of social-emotional and social-pragmatic language in children with Asperger’s, high- functioning autism or characteristics of the two. 

Clinical Internship at Minds and Hearts, A Clinic for Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Conditions, Brisbane, Australia, July-August 2011

• CDS 595/596: Practicum: Speech and Language
• CDS 485/580: Speech Pathology in the Schools
• CDS 600: Independent Study Pragmatic Language Disorders and Treatment
• CDS 151 Intro to Communication Disorders   

Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center 2016 Continuing Clinical Competency (CCC) Workshop Series Presenter, May 4^th, 2016

Topic: Implementation of the Evidence-Based Secret Agent Society for Children with Social Pragmatic Concerns               

ASHA Convention 2015: Changing Minds- Changing Lives- Leading the Way, Denver, Colorado- November 13^th, 2015

Poster: Implementation of an Evidence-Based Social Skills Program for Children

with Characteristics of ASD

Erie 1 BOCES ½ day Continuing Education Workshop, March 20^th, 2015

Topic:  Social and Pragmatic Language Evaluation and Treatment

Translating Science and Research into the Art of Therapy NYSSLHA’s 54^th Annual Convention Presenter, April 2014

Topic: Evaluation and Treatment of Adolescents and Young Adults with Pragmatic Language Disorders

Lancaster School District: Two Day Guest Speaker for Psychologist, Social Workers and Speech-Language Pathologists, March 2012

Day 1: Assessment of Social/Pragmatic Language and Higher Level Language Skills 

Day 2: Treatment of Social/Pragmatic Language Disorders

Minds and Hearts: Asperger's Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Conditions Clinic, Brisbane, Australia, Guest Presenter, July 2011 Topic: The Pragmatics of Asperger’s Syndrome

Hamburg Schools First Annual Distinguished Speaker, May 2010 Topic: Asperger’s, Autism and Nonverbal Learning Disability

SHAWNY Schools Group, Guest Speaker, November 2009 Topic: Adult Pragmatic Language: Evaluation and Treatment

Western New York Center for Autism Research: Symposium on Autism Research in Western New York, Speaker, May 2008 Topic: Assessment and Treatment in Humans: The Social Language Program at the UB Speech Language and Hearing Clinic

Williamsville Central School District, ½ day conference, March 2007Topic: Asperger’s Syndrome vs. Nonverbal Learning Disability: Characteristics, Assessment, and Treatment

SHAWNY Schools Group, Guest Speaker, March 2007

Topic: Asperger’s Syndrome vs. Nonverbal Learning Disability: Characteristics, Assessment, and Treatment

SUNY at UB, Department of Rehabilitation Science, Guest Lecturer, Spring 2007  Topic:  Augmentative and Alternative Communication

SUNY at UB, CDS, Intro to Communication Disorders Course: Guest Lecturer, Fall 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008

Topic:  Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center 2006 Continuing Clinical Competency (CCC) Workshop Series Presenter, June 2006

Topic: Asperger’s Syndrome vs. Nonverbal Learning Disability: Characteristics, Assessment, and Treatment

Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center 2004 Continuing Clinical Competency (CCC) Workshop Series Presenter, March 2004 Topic: Asperger’s Syndrome: Characteristics, Assessment, and Treatment

Co-Chair of the Autism Committee for the NY State 2015 NYSSLHA Convention, Sept 2014-April 2015

Admissions Committee, January 2004-April 2012

Teacher Certification Committee/ Officer, September 2003- present

The Western New York Center for Autism Research, April 2008-August 2013

Board of Directors for Autistic Services, April 2008- October 2013

SHAWNY Executive Board , 2002-2005