I’ve been fortunate to have worked in public schools for 24 years, both as a special education administrator and a speech language pathologist, and I’d love to share my knowledge with your organization. I am recently retired from the highest ranking school system (in special education) in my state and have spent the last several years re-energizing the speech/language and deaf education programs in my district. I can do the same for your district or private facility. Does your staff need training, observation or motivation? Do your policies and procedures need streamling or updating? Are you unsure how to manage the huge task of keeping up with legal and ethical requirements of our field? Do you have CF-SLPs or SLP Assistants in need of supervision? Are you considering a shift from a caseload approach to staffing with a workload approach? Let’s talk. If you’re interested in learning more, email me at miamcdaniel@gmail.com
Speaking- it’s what we as SLPs do, and it’s what I’ve been doing for over 10 years. As a leader in my public school district, speaking is something I do continually…mostly in the form of professional development for SLPs and other educators. I have years of experience presenting to special educators who teach limited verbal/nonverbal students, general education teachers earning certification in special education, SLPs, teachers who work with students who have severe behavioral challenges, and even other special education leaders. I’ve had the honor of presenting at the district and state level, and I’d love to take my presentations even further! I currently have the following professional development available for your clinic, school district or facility:
- IMPLEMENTING INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE THERAPY -WHY YOU SHOULD & HOW TO MAKE IT WORK Having provided inclusive language therapy in classroom from PreK through 8th for over 10 years (before it was even “a thing”), this is a topic I am truly passionate about. While it’s challenging, it can be done, and I’ll explain and show 6 ways to get it done. (1.5-2 hours)
- Audience: School SLPs and SLPAs or School SLPs and their co-teacher counterparts if possible
- WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WORKING WITH CHILDREN WITH AUTISM This training has been a favorite of SLPs in my district and is frequently requested by special education and early intervention teachers. It includes a tiny bit of eye opening research to help attendees understand what makes kids with ASD tick, and then lots of practical strategies teachers and therapists can start doing right away to gain students’ attention and reach them. This 3 (or more) hour training covers everything from strategies to develop firm joint attention and teaching kids to wait to preventing prompt dependancy and addressing echolalia and eye contact.
- Audience: All Pediatric SLPs,SLPAs, OTs, PTs, Special Education Teachers, Early Intervention Teachers, Adapted PE Teachers
- IMPLEMENTING SPEECH AND LANGUAGE RTI FROM START TO FINISH Response to Intervention (RTI) has been mandated in our state for nearly a decade now. As a result, all students with speech and language concerns/referrals must undergo a multi-tiered system of support prior to an evaluation being conducted. I have had the opportunity to be involved in this process since the beginning, and it’s been quite an adventure trying to work out all the kinks. Don’t reinvent the wheel; let me show you how to systematically make it happen – along with grab and go materials to start using right away! (3 hours)
- Audience: School SLPs, SLPAs, Speech Program Coordinators
- BUILDING YOUR STUDENTS’ VOCABULARY Learn a little about what factors impact a student’s vocabulary and how vocabulary impacts literacy and school success. THEN, learn what to do about it! Walk away with numerous strategies that are proven to improve students’ vocabulary and see them at work in classrooms. Attendees may be shocked to learn that some popular practices we’ve all used to improve vocabulary are actually a collosal waste of time! Finally, leave with clever ideas to engage students and a list of which words to teach (K-12th grade) and why! (1.5 hours)
- Audience: SLPs, SLPAs, Special Education Teachers, General Education Teachers (particularly ELA teachers)
- SELECTIVE MUTISM Learn about selective mutism and what it takes to reach these students and uncover what’s behind their lack of communication (without them uttering a word). Leave with a plan to help your students with selective mutism and a tool to educate staff about this growing disorder. (1-1.5 hours)
- Audience: SLPs, SLPAs, Special Education Teachers, General Education Teachers, School Psychologists, Interventionists
