ASHA 2023 Convention Unveiled: Navigating Non-Traditional Paths
The Big Picture SLP is back from the ASHA 2023 Annual Convention, and we are thrilled to share a whirlwind of fresh perspectives! Buckle up for a deep dive into the highlights before we unfold the Big Picture
Key Sessions:
Michelle Hernandez, MsEd (Doctoral Student), and Dr. Katrina Fulcher-Rood (The Big Picture SLP) present at the annual ASHA convention.
AI in Higher Education: Sumit Dhar, Ph.D., CCC-A, from Northwestern University, talked at the Researcher-Academic town hall meeting about insights about the growing impact of AI in education. The resounding message: Embrace it or be left behind. Stay tuned for an upcoming newsletter on the effects of AI in our field.
Dynamic Assessment in Schools: Dr. Giselle Núñez, Dr. Cate Crowley, Dr. Buren, Tara Bailey, and Brittany Martin from Chicago Public Schools demonstrated how they implemented district-wide training on dynamic assessment practices. A potential game-changer, these shifts demand support, buy-in, time, space, and meticulous planning.
Culturally Responsive Research: Dr. Keisha Lindsay Nurse's talk was a masterwork, unveiling the necessity of critically examining research frameworks for cultural responsiveness. This talk should be required viewing for all in our field.
Psychiatric Conditions in Communication Treatment: Meara Kuhfahl and Dr. Rebecca Bawayan delved into the often-overlooked aspect of treating clients with co-existing psychological conditions—a call to consider the holistic impact on clients during assessments and treatments.
Project OPEN Grant Update: The convention wrapped up with a session close to my heart. Dr. Lori Geist, Dr. Jeff Higginbotham, Dr. Sofia Benson-Goldberg, Dr. Karen Erickson, and others shared findings and updates on an AAC grant I'm actively involved in.
Language Maintenance in Bilingual Children: Dr. Anny Castilla-Earls and colleagues showcased the comparable language development rates of bilingual children, even those with language disorders, offering valuable insights into the multilingual landscape.
A transformational talk for me was “Taking the Road Less Travelled: Non-Traditional Career Paths in Research and Academia” by Dr. Kathryn Crowe, Dr. Karla Washington, Dr. Helen Blake, Marie Ireland, Dr. Keisha Lindsay Nurse, and Michael Maykish. These presenters shared their non-traditional career stories, each unveiling a unique journey. Each story highlighted their successes and the winding, unpredictable paths that brought them to where they are today. They emphasized the importance of staying true to oneself and debunked the idea that there's only one valid career trajectory in our field.
For years, I believed academia was my only path. It looked like this—a bachelor's degree, a master’s degree, a clinical fellowship year, the pursuit of a Ph.D., and then an academic journey marked by teaching, research, publishing, and service. After over a decade of working in academia, I was not fulfilled or working in a way that aligned with who I was and what excited me the most - this is what each presenter demonstrated. Every person exuded excitement and passion about their current roles, and their stories validated my departure. Thank you to all involved in preparing and presenting this talk! Your courage and innovation are inspiring. Diversity in career paths and thinking is precisely what our field needs right now!
Poster Session Highlight:
In addition to absorbing insights, I had the honor of presenting a poster session with my former master’s student, now PhD student, Michelle Hernandez! Our session titled "The SLP Perspective: Current Practices, Challenges, and Future Directions for Assessing English Language Learners" unveiled findings from our qualitative study examining the assessment practices of SLPs evaluating the language abilities of bilingual children with potential language disorders.
A Tapestry of Unique Journeys:
So, here's to the non-traditionalists, the outliers, the ones who dare to tread off the beaten path. Let's celebrate diversity in our professional narratives and amplify the voices shaping the future of speech-language pathology.