State School & University Programs

Kean University

Address; 1000 Morris Ave, Union, NJ, 07083
Department Chair:  Dr. Alan Gertner, Executive Director
NJSHA Contact Person:  Dr. Kate Nealon
NSSLHA Advisor:  Ellen Heeden (add in addition to Kate Nealon)
Program Director:  MA Co-Coordinators dr. Joanne Cascia and Dr. Kate Nealon

Monmouth University

Address; 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
Department Chair: Patrick R. Walden, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
NJSHA Contact person: Patrick R. Walden, Ph.D., CCC-SLP and/or Brittan Khan, M.S., CCC-SLP
NSSLHA Advisor: Erik Raj, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
M.S.Ed. in SLP Program Director: Patrick R. Walden, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Montclair State University

Address: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
1515 Broad St. Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Department Chair: Janet Koehnke, PhD, CCC-A
NJSHA Contact person: Kate Papas, MS, CCC-SLP- Clinic Director/ Janice Dittelman, MS, CCC-SLP Clinical Externship Coordinator
NSSLHA Advisor: Rosemary DeStephan, MS, CCC-SLP
Program Director:  Dr. Joan Besing (AuD & SLP)

Rutgers University

MS in Speech-Language Pathology Program

Address: Department of Rehabilitation & Movement Sciences, Rutgers School of Health Professions
65 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ 07107
Department Chair:  Dr. Nancy Kirsch (Rehabilitative & Movement Sciences)
NJSHA Contact Person:  Dr. Kristen Victorino
NSSLHA Advisor:  Dr. Kristen Victorino and Kelly Pena
Program Director:  Dr. Celeste Domsch (SLP Program Director)

Seton Hall University

Address: 123 Metro Boulevard Nutley NJ 07110
Department Chair: Vikram Dayalu, PhD
NJSHA Contact person: Natalie Neubauer
NSSLHA Advisor: Anthony Koutsoftas

Stockton University

Address: School of Health Sciences, 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway, NJ 08205
Department Chair: Amy Hadley
NJSHA Contact Person:  MaryAnn Schiattarella
NSSLHA Advisor: Kelly Maslanik & Diane Laverty

William Paterson University of New Jersey

Address; 300 Pompton Road, Wayne, NJ 07470
Department Chair:  Dr. Jim Tsiamtsiouris
NJSHA Contact Person:  Betty Kollia
NSSLHA Advisor:  Eileen Fasanella
Program Director:  Dr. Jim Tsiamtsiouris

Spotlight on Monmouth University’s Program for Research and Support for Rett Syndrome

By Brittany L. Khan, MS, CCC-SLP and Cathleen Givney, MS, CCC-SLP, Monmouth University

The Program for Research and Support for Rett syndrome (RTT) at Monmouth University is a unique program that provides a range of services, support, education and treatment for individuals with RTT and their families. The program was created as a collaboration between the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at Monmouth University, and The New Jersey Rett Syndrome Association (www.njrsa.org) under the guidance of Drs. Patricia Remshifski and Theresa Bartolotta, both speech-language pathologists with a shared interest in enhancing the quality of life for individuals with RTT and their families, and to providing education for professionals who support this population. RTT is a rare genetic disorder that occurs primarily in girls and more rarely in boys (rettsyndrome.org). RTT can lead to impairments in many different domains, including communication and motor skills. Most individuals with RTT are unable to verbally communicate; however, they can express communicative intent and with therapy, can often communicate through augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices.

The Program for Research and Support for Rett Syndrome also provides a location for students and professionals to engage in research, as well as conduct treatment and assessment for communication impairments. One of the proudest accomplishments of the program is the support provided for both families and professionals who work with individuals with RTT. Faculty and students involved in the program are dedicated to supporting the community of individuals impacted by RTT. Current and past initiatives of the Program for Research and Support for Rett Syndrome include: support groups for families; continuing education opportunities for speech-language pathologists, educators and other therapists, medical professionals, families and students; faculty and student led research initiatives involving RTT topics; and affordable and specialized speech-language therapy at the Center for Speech and Language Disorders at Monmouth University.

Research Initiatives and Clinical Practica
RTT is an incredibly complex disorder and can lead to severe impairments in communication. The Program for Research and Support for Rett Syndrome provides opportunities for students to engage in cutting-edge research and develop their skills in identifying research needs within the context of RTT. Through the Program for Research and Support for Rett Syndrome, Monmouth University graduate students and faculty have presented at the state level at the New Jersey Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NJSHA) Annual Convention and at the national level at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Annual Convention. Additionally, Monmouth University faculty have been invited to present their research internationally at the European Rett Syndrome Conference. Current and past research initiatives include examining eye gaze as an access method for AAC in RTT, community-based service learning projects, and clinical outcomes for communication in individuals with RTT. Most recently, faculty and graduate students from Monmouth University presented a retrospective case review at the 2019 ASHA Convention in Orlando, Florida. Findings of this study provided preliminary evidence that individuals with RTT can make gains in communication well into adulthood. Findings also suggested that there is no ceiling on when high-tech AAC can be introduced and successful in aiding communication for an individual with RTT.

In coordination with the Center for Speech and Language Disorders, students have the opportunity to provide assessment and intervention to persons with RTT during their on-campus clinical practica. In consultation with clinical supervisors, faculty specializing in AAC and RTT, as well as family and caregivers, students develop individualized treatment plans rooted in current research and best practice to improve social interactions, communication independence, the ability to convey needs and intentions, and increase the individual’s participation in the community. Through the Program for Research and Support for Rett Syndrome students have the unique opportunity to dive deeper into the complex communication and therapeutic needs of individuals with RTT and immerse themselves in the challenging yet rewarding work of exploring alternate ways to meaningful communication with this population.

Events and Future Directions
The Program for Research and Support for Rett Syndrome provides educational and treatment opportunities to individuals with RTT, fosters student engagement in research and service learning projects in the community, and provides information and support to family members. The program holds regular symposia and continuing education events on a variety of topics related to RTT. Some of the past symposium topics included interprofessional care in RTT, Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display (PODD) communication books, and communication and literacy. The symposia are typically held at the Monmouth University campus and several have been co-sponsored by the New Jersey Rett Syndrome Association. Many events attract guest speakers from around the world as well as attendees from a wide range of disciplines. These events allow professionals, families and students to extend their knowledge base related to RTT, as well as network with one another and formulate research questions that can be investigated in future studies. In 2018, The Program for Research and Support for Rett Syndrome proudly welcomed Dr. Olga Timutsa, the President of the Rett Syndrome Association of Russia. Dr. Timutsa visited Monmouth University to investigate the variety of services for individuals with disabilities that are offered in the United States. As the Program for Research and Support for Rett Syndrome moves forward, goals for the future include strengthening the relationship with the New Jersey Rett Syndrome Association, increasing awareness about the communication potential for individuals with RTT, and providing students with meaningful clinical experiences that will prepare them to work with individuals with complex communication disorders.

Contact Information:
Program for Research and Support for Rett Syndrome at Monmouth University: rett@monmouth.edu

 NJSHA Convention Student Call for Posters

NJSHA invites university students to present research at the Annual Convention.

Requests for Participation in Student Research Projects

The New Jersey Speech-Language-Hearing Association is committed to supporting the education and training of graduate students in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology in the State of New Jersey. The Board of Directors has determined that, upon request, NJSHA will forward requests to participate in research projects conducted by students to the membership through email if the following conditions are satisfied:

• The request to distribute the solicitation for participants in research must be sent to the President of NJSHA by the Program Director/Department Chair of the program in which the student is enrolled. The student must be enrolled in a program in Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology, or Communication Sciences and Disorders in an institution of higher education located within the State of New Jersey and be a current member of the Association.
• The request must be accompanied by a statement that says that the research and all related documents have been approved by the Institutional Review Board of the institution.

The email that will be sent to NJSHA members will contain a statement that says that this research has been approved by the IRB of XXX University and that NJSHA does not bear any responsibility for the content and nature of the research.

Requests for Participation in Member Research Projects

The New Jersey Speech-Language-Hearing Association is committed to supporting research in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology in the State of New Jersey. The Board of Directors has determined that, upon request, NJSHA will forward requests to participate in research projects conducted by members to the membership through email if the following conditions are satisfied:

• The request to distribute the solicitation for participants in research must be sent to the President of NJSHA. The person submitting the request must be a member of NJSHA in good standing and must be either a primary investigator or co-investigator on the project.
• The request must be accompanied by a statement that says that the research and all related documents have been approved by the Institutional Review Board of the institution.

The email that will be sent to NJSHA members will contain a statement that says that this research has been approved by the IRB of XXX University or Healthcare Institution and that NJSHA does not bear any responsibility for the content and nature of the research.