Posts tagged SHAV

This past weekend I attended my first SHAV conference in Richmond, VA. As a first year attendee I didn’t know what to expect, and I was overwhelmed by the number of seminars available. One seminar that caught my attention was titled Using Structured ‘TEACCHing’ to Build Communication in Students with ASD. This two-hour session highlighted how the use of visual supports, such as visual schedules, can be used to increase independence and decrease behavioral issues in students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. At the end of the session we examined several of the visual supports that presenter Diane Talarico-Cavanaugh, M.ED. has created and modified. We were then encouraged to take away a few of the printed supports to use in therapy sessions. In addition to attending the seminars, I spent time walking around the exhibit hall. I explored vendor resources that can be implemented into therapy such as articulation cards, and sampled Simplythick Instant Food Thickener for the first time. Overall, this experience was educational and fun! I enjoyed expanding my education outside of the classroom and clinic, and especially enjoyed sharing the experience with Longwood peers and faculty!

Catherine Stergar

While I have been to other SLP Conferences, this was my first time at the Speech-Language & Hearing Association of Virginia’s Conference. It is always great to attend these conferences and learn the most up to date information for our field. As a graduate student, meeting professionals who are working in this field is a great reminder of what we are putting in all of our hard work for. We received a wealth of information on new products in the field from vendors and were given samples (and hula hoops). The most beneficial information however came from the courses that were offered. I had the privilege of sitting in on multiple courses on swallowing, language, and social communication. The information I learned from these courses corresponded to information that we have been taught or are learning at Longwood. It was great to know that our professors are some of the leaders in this field and to hear stories from others about how all of our information will be useful once we hit “real life.” A part of the conference that was surprisingly informational was a student luncheon that many of us attended on the second day. In this luncheon we were given a wealth of information on the steps to take immediately after graduating from our masters program. This part of the day was catered specifically to graduate students and many members of the SHAV board of directors attended and were answering any and every question we may have. I am so glad that I was given the opportunity to attend this conference.

I was recently given the opportunity to attend the 2015 Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia (SHAV)Conference in Richmond, Virginia.  At the conference, I listened to many valuable presentations and visited several booths at the exhibit pertaining to employment opportunities in speech-language pathology and displaying various speech-language products.  Many presentations were offered during the conference; however, I chose to attend presentations geared toward children, specifically for children with severe disabilities and autism.  I also attended a presentation about how to motivate children for therapy and involve them in creating their goals and tracking their own progress. I am so thankful for the opportunity I received to attend the SHAV conference and the valuable information I gained while I was there.