The Speech Language Pathology Department at Arkansas School for the Deaf provides a variety of services. These services include, but are not limited to, identification of communication disorders through formal evaluation and treatment of these disorders. Communication disorders assisted include: articulation disorders, language disorders, hearing impairment, phonological disorders, auditory processing disorders, speech disorders related to velopharyngeal insufficiency, oral motor and feeding disorders. The Speech Language Pathologist’s provide assistance in maintenance of hearing aids, cochlear implants, and bone anchored hearing aids. The Speech Language Pathologist’s provide parent counseling of children with communication disorders from 3 to 21 years of age.
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Please meet our Staff:
Rick Porter, Director of Special Education Rick recently left the Speech Department to fulfill the role or Director of Special Education. He has been greatly missed in the therapy world; however, he has benefitted the Arkansas School for the Deaf with his new position. He has worked here since 1998, and has provided services to students across the entire campus: Lower, Middle, and High School. His therapeutic passion has been related to Hearing Impairment and Literacy. Rick received his Bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders from Arkansas State University, Jonesboro in 1996. He also received his Master’s degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, in 1998. He is currently working on Ed.S. degree from Arkansas State University. On a personal note, Rick had another passion here at Arkansas School for the Deaf…. FOOTBALL!!! He coached football from 2000 through 2012! His coaching experience was highlighted by back to back undefeated seasons against other deaf schools, and a national championship in 2007. |
Linda Crumpler, Speech Language Pathologist Linda has been the biggest asset to the faculty, students, and parents of Arkansas School for the Deaf. With 35 years of experience, a majority of the time has been with Arkansas School for the Deaf, 32 years to be exact. Not only has she provided services to those on campus, she was involved with the Outreach program here on campus. She worked 2 years in public school prior to coming to Arkansas School for the Deaf. Linda has worked with children of all ages, Pre-school through High school, as well as children across the state. Therapies include, but are not limited to, listening therapy, speechreading/lipreading therapies, pragmatic situational therapies, speech therapy, and English language therapy. In my mind, the most important thing I do in my work here at ASD, is when I am able to work with the families of children who are newly identified as Deaf or hard-of-hearing. I try to make sure they are informed of ALL the choices available to them and to their children and, most frequently, just be someone to listen to their concerns, hopes, fears and dreams for their child. Linda received a Bachelor’s in Speech Therapy and Audiology from the University of Central Arkansas, Conway in 1977. She also received a Master’s in Communication Disorders with a specialty in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 1980. She completed additional hours to complete ASHA requirements for certification in Audiology from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She was a certified SKIHI and INSITE trainer in the summer of 1996. On a personal note, although most people who work at the School for the Deaf have some family ties to deafness, I do not. When I first came here, I knew almost no sign language and had not ever been aware of the concept of Deaf culture. Fortunately, for me, I began working in the high school with some students who were excellent lip-readers. They understood what I was trying to sign and taught me most all of the signs I use today. Hopefully, I helped a few of them with their speech and language skills as well. For relaxation, I like to walk, not exactly “speed-walking”, but my version of that. When the weather is nice, you may find your child receiving therapy while walking with me around our beautiful campus! |
Jessica Franklin, Speech Language Pathologist Jessica has been a remarkable addition to the Arkansas School for the Deaf, she is always willing to help in any way she can as well as learn new things to help provide the best services to our children. With 6 years of experience, 4 of which have been here at Arkansas School for the Deaf. Prior to coming to ASD, she worked for University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences/Arkansas Children’s Hospital Centers for Children in Lowell, AR in a joint position with Schmeiding Developmental Center and KIDSFIRST. After relocating back to Little Rock she worked for KIDSource Therapy Company. Jessica has always worked with the Pediatric population. She has provided services to children with a variety of disorders. Hearing Impairment, Autism, Feeding disorders, Treacher-Collins Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, William’s Syndrome, CHARGE Syndrome, CMV, ADHD, Stuttering, Apraxia, and Down’s Syndrome are just some of the types of children she has worked with. Therapies include, but are not limited to, language therapy, articulation therapy, listening therapy, pragmatic therapy, oral motor therapy, feeding therapy, phonological therapy, and use of AAC devices. Jessica received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders from Arkansas State University, Jonesboro in 2005. She also received her Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2007. Currently, she is enrolled in the Arkansas Consortium program through the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and University of Central Arkansas to obtain her Doctorate in Communication Sciences Disorders, majoring in Child Language. She has received special trainings in “Strategies for Teaching based on Autism Research” (STAR) Program, Kaufman Early Intervention Program for children with Apraxia of Speech, Lindamood Bell Reading Program (LiPS, Seeing Stars, and Visualizing and Verbalizing), Orton Gillingham Multisensory Training, Beckman Oral Motor Program, and Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Feeding Therapy Approach. On a personal note, Jessica was born and raised in Arkansas. She has been married for almost 3 years, has a daughter, and a dog named “Gunner”. When she gets a break between work and school, Jessica likes to spend time with her family and also complete crafts (sewing, crocheting, knitting, and jewelry making). She enjoys learning new things everyday from the kids here at ASD and wants to inspire them to want to be the best they can be in whatever they strive for. |
Samara Shalom, Speech Language Pathologist Samara is the newest member of our team; she started in the Fall of 2012. She has been very motivated in learning sign language. Prior to coming to ASD, she worked for 2 years in a developmental center for both adults and preschool children. Autism, Hearing Impairment, Feeding Disorders, Cleft Palate, Cerebral Palsy, and Down’s Syndrome are a few of the types of children she has worked with. Samara received her Bachelor’s degree from University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign in 2008. She also received a Master’s degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2010. She has received training but is not certified in Orton Gillingham, Multi-sensory Approach to Phonological Processing, Picture Exchange Communication Systems, and Initiating functional use of a communication board. On a personal note, she has been married for a year, and she has one basset hound named Lexi. She is originally from Southern Illinois and moved to Arkansas in order to escape the snow! She loves being here and would really like to see every child fulfill their full potential. |