Project Overview
Primary Objectives
The primary objectives of the LLDP project were to facilitate the professional education and development of speech-language pathologists able to increase the diversity of the workforce and who are committed to working in demographically diverse schools.
To provide research-based academic and field-based practicum experiences to enable participants to acquire the five specialized competencies, in collaboration with education agencies and other disciplines. The five competences are (explained in more detail below)
- Using culturally sensitive methods
- Conducting contextually relevant assessment methods
- Providing intervention to develop language and literacy
- Using inclusive methods on collaborative interdisciplinary teams, and
- Demonstrating professionalism skills and strategies for lifelong learning.
To prepare professionals with skills for contributing to the knowledge base by participating in such activities as disseminating information about best practices in serving culturally diverse students with language and literacy disabilities in schools.
Trainees developed professionalism projects, which facilitated their abilities to disseminated information about best practices. Such projects included:
- Engaging in workshops designed to increase cultural sensitivity
- Developing and presenting case studies
- Mentoring elementary and middle school students about the field of speech-language pathology
- Engaging in research, with faculty supervisors, related to the language development and/or disorders of children from diverse cultural/linguistic backgrounds
- Developing and implementing in-services for educators and related health professionals about the role of speech-language pathologists with literacy development and disabilities.
Number of students trained
41 Students were funded on this project.
Where are they now?
The recipients of the LLDP traineeship and graduates of WMU Speech Pathology & Audiology program are now working in many different settings with children from a variety of age groups, as well as cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Some of the LLDP graduates work with young children in settings such as preschools, public and private schools in both urban and rural cities, and in medical settings such as hospitals. Others are working with older children, teenagers and adults in settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes. Still others are self-employed, choosing to work with children in private practices.
