A research lab aimed at enhancing the lives of people with communication limitations has been established by two professors from the U of A College of Education and Health Professions. 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, have developed the lab with the goal of improving interaction between individuals with limited speech and others in various contexts.
As part of their efforts, they are hosting a free camp for children this summer. The WE CARE-sponsored camp is designed for children ages 4-10 who are Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) users or candidates. The camp will take place on campus from July 8-26, running from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Children participating in the camp do not need to be experienced AAC users; they can be new users or simply children who would benefit from AAC supports.
During the camp, children will be paired with non-AAC user peers for a STEM-themed experience. Families are encouraged to sign up for all three weeks of the camp, but they 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.
Lorah and Holyfield have extensive experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have limited speech, such as autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome. They developed the Augmentative and Alternative Communication research lab at the U of A to focus on developing and evaluating strategies and technologies that can enhance communication for these individuals.
For more information about the camp or to apply, interested individuals can contact Lorah at lorah@uark.edu or Holyfield at ceholyfi@uark
