Leaving No Age Group Underserved: A Spotlight on Adolescents

This course aims to underscore the significance of offering services to underserved adolescents. We will begin with an emphasis on the importance of adolescents by delving into current statistics and discussing the potential lifelong consequences of language disorders. Next, we will offer practical goals and activities that SLPs can implement when working with adolescents. Finally, we will propose ways SLPs can advocate effectively for adolescents with language disorders, ensuring they receive the necessary support and resources needed for academic and social success.

Explore Course

LIVE 5pm ET Wednesday 7/24/24

Adolescence, spanning from puberty to full maturity (roughly ages 10-19), is marked by significant physical, mental, social and linguistic changes. This stage necessitates specialized services, distinguishing adolescents from children and adults. As language development continues adolescents also face complex academic language and literacy challenges. Literacy skills become crucial as students transition from learning to read to reading to learn, especially impacting those with language disorders. Language disorders can affect speaking, understanding, reading, and writing, leading to poor academic performance and limited future opportunities. Despite these consequences, adolescents with language disorders are underserved. Most SLPs work with younger children, highlighting the need for a focus on adolescent services. SLPs can support adolescents by targeting cross-curricular and discipline-specific language and literacy skills, using tools like high-utility novels, and advocating through collaboration, education, and community engagement. Addressing these needs can promote adolescents' academic and developmental success.

Presenters

Kristin Nellenbach
Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Kristin Nellenbach, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Louisiana Tech University. Her areas of research interests include literacy development and disorders in youth 12 to 22 years of age with a special focus on assessment of reading comprehension.
Carrie Knight
Ph.D., CCC-SLP, SLP
Carrie Knight, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, SLP (C) is an Assistant Professor in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Louisiana Tech University. Her areas of research interests include literacy development and disorders in youth 16 to 26 years of age with a special focus on writing skills.

Learning Objectives

Define the adolescent period of development with possible associated language disorders.
Describe ways to provide SLP services to adolescents.
Create opportunities to advocate for adolescents with language disorders.

Agenda

5 minutes	Introductions & Disclosures
10 minutes	Why Adolescents Matter
25 minutes	What SLPs Can Do to Address Language Disorders in Adolescents
15 minutes	How SLPs can Advocate for Adolescents with Language Disorders
5 minutes	Wrap Up & Take-Aways

Disclosures

Financial Disclosures:	Kristin Nellenbach receives a salary as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Louisiana Tech University. Carrie Knight receives a salary as an Assistant Professor at Louisiana Tech University.
Non-Financial Disclosures:	Kristin Nellenbach is a member of ASHA, ASHA’s SIG # 10 & 16, and NBALSH Carrie Knight is a member of ASHA, ASHA’s SIG # 10, SAC-OAC, IALP
Content Disclosures:	Kristin Nellenbach has no additional content information to disclose. Carrie Knight has no additional content information to disclose.
In-Kind Donations:	This course is being sponsored by SLP Toolkit and SLP Now.

ASHA

This course is offered for .1 ASHA CEUs, Intermediate Level, Professional Area