A publication of the Atlanta Speech School's Clinical Services DepartmentFall 2011
    
Editor's Note: The Atlanta Speech School’s Clinical Services Department is proud to publish Connections, a quarterly newsletter that includes information for parents about topics related to child development, parenting tips, and family activities. We hope you find the newsletter helpful and welcome your feedback. We are excited to continue to deliver the Connections newsletter in an electronic format this year. This is the first issue for the 2011-2012 school year. This issue will introduce new members of the clinical staff and fall interns as well as provide announcements about upcoming programs and dates. Future issues will continue to include articles written by our clinical staff members. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Tina Rashid, frashid@atlspsch.org.
 
 

Introducing our New Clinical Staff    
This year we welcome two new clinical staff members:

Adrienne Edlin, M.A. is a new Learning Specialist on our clinical staff. She earned her undergraduate degree from Indiana University and a master’s degree in the Reading Specialist Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She previously worked as a lead teacher in an elementary school in New York and has served as a reading tutor. Given her strong background in assessment, Adrienne will provide assessment services in our Learning Evaluation Clinic and Kenan Preschool program in addition to serving children in our Learning Lab. While Adrienne enjoyed working in New York, she stated, “I am excited to be living back in Atlanta. I'm a 6th generation Atlantan.”
 
Lindsey Mays, M.S. is an Occupational Therapist who is joining our staff this year. Lindsey earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and completed her master’s degree in Rehabilitation Science/Occupational Therapy at Medical University of South Carolina. Lindsey has previous experience in both clinic and hospital settings. She has also worked as a tutor and paraprofessional in an elementary school special education program. In addition to providing services in our Occupational Therapy Clinic, Lindsey will be serving students in the classroom in the Stepping Stones preschool program. When asked how she felt about joining the Atlanta Speech School staff, Lindsey replied, “I am so happy and excited to be part of the Atlanta Speech School family!”
 

Highlighting Fall Semester Interns    
In support of our mission, The Atlanta Speech School contributes to the professional development of future educators and clinicians by providing learning experiences for student interns. Under the direct supervision of a licensed or certified professional, student interns work collaboratively to teach classroom lessons, provide individual therapy and assessments for students, and attend parent conferences.
 
This semester we are fortunate to have two graduate student interns:

Amanda Watje
is a speech-language pathology intern from the University of Virginia. Amanda is here full-time and is working in the Wardlaw School and Stepping Stones. Her internship will be from August 29-November 25, 2011.

Renee Frisbee will be completing her Level II internship in occupational therapy. She is from Cleveland State University. Renee will be here full-time and her internship runs from September 26- December 16, 2011.

 

Upcoming Programs    
Parenting with Love and Logic – First class starts October 4, 2011
 
Parenting with Love and Logic is an approach to raising children that provides loving support from parents while at the same time expecting children to be respectful and responsible.

The Love and Logic philosophy:
• Offers simple and practical techniques
• Encourages healthy communication
• Helps parents have less stress and more fun
• Puts parents back in control
• Helps raise responsible children
• Prepares children to live in the real world

Course fee - $50 per family. Fee includes course materials, light refreshments, and seven two-hour classes. The course is open to Speech School families, as well as the general community. Space is limited. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Scholarships are available for Speech School families. For more information, please contact Kim Allocca at 404-233-5332, ext. 3186 or kallocca@atlspsch.org.


Toddler Talk and Play – First session starts October 13, 2011
 
Toddler Talk & Play is a four-week prevention and enrichment program designed to equip parents with the skills necessary to stimulate their toddler’s speech, language, social, and motor skill development. Children in the program should be between the ages of 18-26 months who are not currently receiving intervention services for a known developmental delay. Each week, parents and toddlers will participate in fun and engaging educational activities that are designed to foster development and prepare children for preschool. For more information, or to register, please contact Fontina Rashid, Clinic Coordinator, at 404-233-5332 or frashid@atlspsch.org.


Social Skills Group – Start date to be determined
 
Our clinical services have been expanded to offer a social skills group that will help children improve their interpersonal relationships, social communication skills, and problem-solving abilities. We have adopted a research-based program, Skillstreaming, which has been used for many years to teach preschool and school age children a variety of prosocial behaviors. It includes engaging lessons that involve modeling and role-playing, with games and activities that children generally find fun and supportive. The program is appropriate for preschool children (age 4) through 5th grade, and children are assigned to groups based upon age and skill level. Group sizes will be limited to four to six children so that each child receives individual attention to support his or her social development. For more information, please contact Dr. Fontina Rashid at 404-233-5332 or frashid@atlspsch.org.


Upcoming Clinic Dates    

 
September 22 No Speech & Language sessions - Planning Day
October 4 Parenting with Love and Logic begins
October 10 Columbus Day - School Closed
October 13 Toddler Talk & Play Session 1 begins
November 21-25 Thanksgiving Break - School Closed
 
 

    
 
 
 3160 Northside Parkway NW, Atlanta, GA 30327 • Phone: (404) 233-5332 • Fax: (404) 266-2175

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