HPD Perspectives Magazine Summer/Fall 2019

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 45 BY ANNA MULLEN-KROLL, M.S., CF-SLP Local speech-language pathologists (SLPs), graduate students, parents, and children gathered at Memorial Regional Hospital’s New Garage Convention Center on June 23, 2018, for a day of networking and learning at the Speech Therapy Boot Camp. The Cleft and Cranio- facial Program at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, Florida, organized the event in honor of National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month. The boot camp was designed to simultaneously give professionals an opportunity to learn and apply their skills, allow parents to socialize, and let children engage in play-based and individualized speech therapy sessions. Thirty-six SLPs and graduate students attended a series of lectures by SLP field experts Diana Acevedo, M.S., CCC-SLP, adjunct instructor; Tambi Braun, SLP.D., CCC-SLP, associate professor; Kristen DeLuca, M.S., CCC-SLP, clinical preceptor; and Raquel Garcia, M.S., CCC-SLP, clinical preceptor. Topics ranged from anatomy and special treatment considerations to usage of therapy techniques. While the professionals were learning, so were the parents. Ann Lindahl, a parent and family advocate, along with several parent volunteers, planned the day. Parents connected with other families, discussed community resources, exchanged stories, and offered support on raising children with craniofacial differ- ences. Parents watched the movie Wonder and made scrapbook pages while their children received group and individual speech therapy with local graduate students and SLPs. During the morning hours, SLP graduate student clinicians and Child Life volunteers collaborated to target speech while playing games, making crafts, and socializing with the 18 campers. The graduate students ensured the children were using their speech strategies while doing activities specifically chosen to promote speech and language skills. “I liked playing with the dolls,” said eight-year-old Maddie. “I liked dressing up as a fireman,” said seven- year-old Marcel. Other favorite activities included making paper cubes, bowling, and jumping rope. After lunch, professionals were assigned to campers so newly acquired therapy techniques could be prac- iced. Professionals and students rotated groups to experience working with children who are just begin- ning treatment and those who are nearing discharge. Experts floated from group to group helping the professionals hone their skills throughout the rotations. “What made this camp a unique experience was that we were able to learn skills and immediately get to practice them with the campers,” said one SLP attendee. o BOOT CAMP FUN BOOT CAMP FUN DAY OF PLAY PROMOTES SPEECH STRATEGIES AND SKILLS BOOT CAMP FUN Anna Mullen-Kroll is an alumna of the Department of Speech-Language Pathology—Fort Lauderdale.