School-Based SLPs: Word-Finding Disorder - What It Is and How to Treat It (Grades PK-12)

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What is Word-Finding Disorder and how can school-based SLPs best support this population of students? Learn about a cognitive linguistic disorder that is present in approximately 50% of students with learning disabilities and 25% of students with speech-language impairments. These students often have difficulty answering questions in class, use vague references like "thing" for words you'd expect them to know, produce long pauses when speaking, and demonstrate mazing such as repetitions, revisions, and fillers like "um" and "ah." It is critical as school-based SLPs that we understand and can assess and treat this disorder.

In this seminar, outstanding Speech-Language Pathologist, author and national presenter Courtney Seidel draws from her extensive experience working with grades PreK-12 students with Word-Finding Disorder to share the very best strategies for building your toolbox of ways to identify and treat Word-Finding Disorder in students with whom you work. You'll view many video segments that illustrate the process of assessing and treating Word-Finding Disorder.

At the end of the day, you will feel equipped and empowered to work with students with Word-Finding Disorder and will be armed with an overflowing toolbox you can use immediately. This is a seminar you won't want to miss!

Over the years I've been repeatedly surprised at how many children on my caseload demonstrated word-finding difficulty. Word-Finding Disorder is often overlooked, even though the prevalence is high among learners with language impairment and learning disabilities. In fact, it's present in up to 25% of students with language impairment and 50% of students with learning disabilities. And we know firsthand our caseload is comprised mostly of students with language impairments and/or learning disabilities.

Have you ever wondered what that "missing piece" is for students who have worked on vocabulary and demonstrate knowledge of the word during a session, but are not able to use it later? Do your students demonstrate circumlocution and "talk all around" a word, describing it rather than naming it? Students with word-finding challenges often have difficulty answering questions in class, use vague references like "thing" for words you'd expect them to know, produce long pauses when speaking, and demonstrate mazing such as repetitions, revisions, and fillers like "um" and "ah."

As SLPs, we play a vital role in helping students remedy these issues, and yet our traditional expressive language intervention doesn't address their needs. Without intervention specific to word retrieval, a Word-Finding Disorder results in significant expressive language problems that profoundly affect a student's day-to-day life, including learning and social communication. Word-finding difficulty can impact reading, writing and even test taking. This is why it's important for school-based SLPs to be able to identify the signs of Word-Finding Disorder, assess it, and properly treat it.

I'm excited to share what I've learned that can help students on your caseload improve their expressive language. My goal is to ensure you have the tools and resources needed to address this "missing piece" for your students. Video examples from real sessions will be used to model a variety of assessment and intervention strategies to increase your confidence in identifying and treating Word-Finding Disorder. You'll leave with a toolbox of practical, evidence-based approaches you can use immediately to assess and treat Word-Finding Disorder.

P.S. The Word-Finding Disorder digital handbook you'll receive is filled with screening tools, assessment resources, treatment plan templates, goal banks, rubrics for progress monitoring, and much more, so you can start this work tomorrow.

Extensive Digital Resource Handbook You will receive an extensive digital resource handbook specifically designed for this seminar. Included in the handbook are:

For in-person seminars, registrants will also receive a printed copy of the resource handbook as long as their registration is received in the BER office at least 15 calendar days before the event.

Consultation Available Courtney Seidel will be available for consultation regarding your questions and the unique needs of your own program.

ASHA - CEUs You will be required to fully attend the program, actively participate, and complete a self-assessment and program evaluation.

ASHA-Required Disclosure Statement for Courtney Seidel: Presenter for the Bureau of Education & Research and receives honorarium compensation No relevant nonfinancial relationships exist.

Semester Credit Option Up to four graduate level professional development credits are available with an additional fee and completion of follow-up practicum activities. Details for direct enrollment with University of Massachusetts Global, a nonprofit affiliate, will be available at this program.

Meet Inservice Requirements Participants of both the Live Online Seminar and those completing the Recorded Version online can receive a certificate of participation that may be used to verify five continuing education hours. State CEUs are available for both versions of the course. For specific details, visit www.ber.org/ceus.

What you'll learn

• Characteristics and academic impacts of Word-Finding Disorder (WFD) that every school-based SLP should know how to identify and support
• Practical treatment approaches that are individualized, effective, and evidence-based for Word-Finding Disorder
• Current, powerful strategies and assessment tools to help you address word-finding deficits using the latest research and best practices in school settings
• Receive an extensive WFD digital resource handbook filled with step-by-step activities, materials, and resources designed to make your word-finding intervention systematic, evidence based, and effective