KSHA Convention

I've been meaning to post this earlier, but I've been busy this week. Anyways, last week Wednesday-Friday I was in Louisville for the KSHA (Kentucky Speech and Hearing Association) Convention. I went with several girls from my class. There were 6 of us in a hotel room which was a lot of fun! We went to several sessions and I definitely learned a lot. I actually thought some of the topics would be over my head because I'm only a semester and half into the Communication Disoders major, but I understood a lot! Thursday night, I participated  in the Praxis (exam to practice as a Speech-Language Pathologist) bowl which was exciting. Unfortunately we didn't win, but we came close, considering the winning team was all second year grad students! I have to say overall it was a good experience to learn more about the field and get to know the girls in my class better. 


A plus about the convention being in Louisville was.... on Friday I was able to see my high school friends and got out to eat. I always enjoy seeing them :) 


Here are the sessions I attended:

Lessons From the Appalachian Trail
Jeffrey Alt, MS, CCC-SLP
Level of Instruction: Beginner
Jeffrey Alt takes you on his highly acclaimed and entertaining adventure along the 2,160-mile Appalachian Trail. Alt shares ‘edge of your seat’ tales, involving bears, bugs, blisters, skunk bedmates and hilarious food cravings, intertwined with profound, unique and powerful "life lessons," that he transfers to the real world. Alt lived in the woods for 147 days, dedicating his journey to his disabled brother, Aaron. Alt inspired an annual walk which has raised more than $250,000 for the disabled. Alt will share how setting big goals will enable you to “Hit a Home Run for Communication Disorders.” SLPs and Audiologists will gain insight into ways of achieving their own goals and dreams, while working in the clinical, educational or research setting.
At the end of the session, participants will have insight to keep the ‘big picture’ in focus as they navigate their work environment and have insight on how important it is to set big goals and go after them.

Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing: Treating the Child and Supporting the Family
Erin Redle, PhD, CCC-SLP, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Level of Instruction: Beginner
This session focuses on treating the behavioral and physiological aspects of feeding and swallowing disorders. Intervention for the behaviors observed with feeding, texture selectivity, oral-motor delays and improving safety during swallowing, will be discussed. Additionally, the impact of feeding disorders on families will be discussed and strategies to support the caregiver and the family through this process will be highlighted.  Case studies will be used to integrate this information.


Career Networking - Resume Writing and Interviewing Skills, Part 1 
Alan Smith, PhD, MS, CCC-SLP; Rebecca Clark, MEd, University of Louisville
The job market is tough!   Ace the job search by learning how to network effectively.  Your career opportunities will increase by being better prepared than your competition.  This session focuses on career networking – the #1 job search skill.   Presenters will provide best-practice techniques on using social media for the career search as well as other types of networking.   Learn the right and wrong ways to network.     Participants will be coached on how to present their “elevator pitch” and will practice these skills during the session.  This workshop is for students who are nearing graduation, new professionals, and seasoned professionals who are   may be seeking a new career opportunity.


Giggle, Wiggle, Clap and Learn - Move Your Body and Your Brain
Jane Kitson, BS, Pocket Productions
Level of Instruction: Beginner
Children are natural wigglers and this energy can be used as a learning experience!  This enthusiastic session includes dozens of easy to replicate activities that foster language development coupled with kinesthetic learning. Participants will be doing activities that they can immediately use in their work with young children, fostering important skills such as rhythm, repetition and rhyme.  Of course, there will be lots of clapping and laughing too!  Perfect for those who are looking for new ways to enhance the language to literacy connection in children ages two through seven!!! Activities that are age appropriate for stimulating auditory awareness, listening skills, language use and oral motor skills, will be presented in this lively fast paced session that is hands-on, user friendly and FUN.  Participants will be actively involved in dozens of new activities that include props, costumes, puppets and visuals, designed to enhance oral language skills in young children.


Add a Slice of Music - Add a Slice of Fun!
Jane Kitson, BS, Pocket Productions
Level of Instruction: Beginner
Sing your way through a day that is packed with language activities guaranteed to light the fire of learning in young children. Music can and will enhance early language skills.  Join Jane Kitson as she shares dozens of new action songs that are ready to be taken back to your classroom to strengthen language skills!  Wear comfortable clothing that will enable you to move, as you wiggle and jump your way to an exciting, fun-filled day with your children. New and easy musical activities will be explored, as they provide an engaging opportunity to experience new words and concepts through rhythm, repetition and rhyme: a critical way to improve language skills in young children.  Participants will feel empowered as they leave this workshop with new ideas that are ready to roll. This session is packed with fun and laughter, a key element in working with young children. Get ready to move and learn things you can use right away, as you work with children ages two through seven.