As a university training facility, the Speech and Language Clinic allows graduate students from the McKay School Department of Communication Disorders to perform therapy under the supervision of licensed speech language pathologists. The clinic has provided evaluation and treatment services in speech, language, voice, fluency, aphasia, traumatic brain injury and aural rehabilitation since its inception 30 years ago.

“Our number one goal is to provide the best education we can to our students and the best way to do that is to provide the highest quality speech and language services to our clients,” said Lee Robinson, director of the BYU Speech and Language Clinic for 13 years.

In addition to therapy, the clinic provides community outreach initiatives, support groups, seminars, guest speakers, and continuing education. “In addition to being an important teaching facility, these additional services have become a huge benefit to the community,” Robinson noted.

With easy access to professional faculty and current technologies, the clinic provides a well supported environment for student clinicians to learn from a variety of difficult, challenging, and interesting cases. Graduate students like Michelle Nelson manages her own cases and applies evidence-based methods she has learned in graduate classes.

“The tables have turned as my clients have taught me so many lessons, and in doing so changed my life,” Nelson said. “They are devoted and determined.”

The opportunity to immediately apply concepts learned in the classroom to practical experience in the clinic is invaluable to graduate students like Nelson. “I’ve loved learning in this hands-on environment,” she said. “The whole process solidifies what I’m learning as it adds context, meaning, and purpose to what I’m doing.”

Devotion and determination are characteristic of Nelson as well. “I have much to learn, but my time here has given me an excellent foundation and reinforced my love for this career. As I start my internships and future career, I’m confident I will know how to work with, interact with, and teach clients needing communicative help.”

July 10, 2012