Julie Adkins, MCD, CCC-SLP, BCBA

Speaker Bio:

Julie Adkins, MCD, CCC-SLP, BCBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with certificate of clinical competence (CCC) from the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA).  She graduated with her Bachelor’s of Science and Master’s degrees in communicative disorders at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro AR.  She received her certification as a BCBA from Florida Institute of Technology.  Julie has been co- owner of SPARC of AR (Specialty Pediatric & Autism Resource Center of AR), a large pediatric clinic providing speech, physical, occupation, and behavioral therapies to children and adults of all ages. She is also Co-founder of SPARC (Social Pragmatic Awareness Resource and Consulting) Center, Inc. a 501c3 non-profit to provide services not covered by insurance such as social skills and ABA.  Julie has served on the board for AANEA (Autism Awareness of Northeast Arkansas).  She has been a behavior consultant for the AR Department of Education.  Julie has been involved in working with children with autism spectrum disorders implementing LAMP strategies for many years.  She is very passionate about her work and the children she serves.  Julie has been blessed to be in many different settings such as early intervention, home, school, private school, and clinical.  She has had the opportunity to follow some children using AAC for many years, enabling her to share the hurdles and successes along the way..

Title:

Introduction to Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP)

Description:

Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) is a therapeutic approach using motor learning principles and a voice output communication aid to give non-verbal individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities a method to develop independent and spontaneous communication. Strategies to teach language/communication skills within this framework will be discussed.

Objectives:

1) Participants will recognize the role of readiness to learn and shared focus in the implementation of AAC with children with ASD.

2) Participants will recognize the importance of using motor patterning to develop motor automaticity for children with ASD who use AAC.

3) Participant will understand the importance of teaching core words and identify ways to teach core in natural activities.

4) Participant will understand the importance of teaching individual words over phrases.