College of Education and Health Professions Offers Summer Camp for Children With Limited Speech

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Liz Lorah works with a child using an Augmentative and Alternative Communication device.

Two U of A College of Education and Health Professions professors who created a research lab to improve the lives of people with communication limitations are hosting a free camp for children this summer.

The WE CARE-sponsored camp is for children ages 4-10 who are Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) users or candidates. It will be held on campus July 8-26 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Participants don't need to be experienced AAC users. They can be new users or just children who would benefit from AAC supports.

AAC devices allow someone with limited speech to communicate by selecting photos or words on a tablet. AAC can improve individuals' interaction with family, friends and other communication partners in educational and social contexts.

The children will be paired with non-AAC user peers for a STEM-themed camp experience. Families are encouraged to sign up for all three weeks but must commit to at least two weeks.

The camp will be staffed by students from the college's teacher education, communication disorders and occupational therapy programs.

Camp facilitators are Elizabeth Lorah, an associate professor in special education and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and Christine Holyfield, an assistant professor in communication sciences and disorders and a speech-language pathologist. The two developed the Augmentative and Alternative Communication research lab at the U of A. The lab is focused on developing and evaluating instructional strategies and technologies for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities — such as autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome — who have limited speech.

Contact Lorah at lorah@uark.edu or Holyfield at ceholyfi@uark.edu for more information, or apply for the camp here.