Meet Lynn Coyle-Handy: Changing Careers After Two Decades

in National NSSLHA Member on by National NSSLHA Share
Lynn Coyle-Handy with husband, Peter, and dog, Rio

After nearly two decades as an early intervention child development specialist and former school social worker, Lynn Coyle-Handy’s changing careers and going back to college to become a school SLP—where she can shift her focus onto helping children with communication challenges; specifically, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Quick Facts About Lynn Master’s in psychology from LaSalle University New Jersey-certified school social worker Current post-baccalaureate…

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Curing Autism Would Erase Me: Discouraging Ableism, Encouraging Advocacy

in National NSSLHA Member on by Alicia Parsons Share
Alicia Parson's graduating high school

As a child, the world seemed so alien to me. For some reason, everyone else appeared to have an internal rulebook of norms that I didn’t. Eye contact felt extremely uncomfortable, but it was so important to everyone else. No one liked to play like I did. I could read words by the age of 2, but I struggled to dress myself. I walked on…

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From “Imposter” to Insider: How I Found My Niche in Research Audiology

in National NSSLHA Member on by Merry Spratford, AuD, CCC-A Share
Merry Spratford in HADL Recording Studio

Science magazine defines imposter syndrome as “the feeling that one doesn’t belong or deserve their success, and that they will be discovered as a fraud.” When I first began my audiology career and discovered my niche of research audiology, I distinctly felt imposter syndrome slipping into my psyche. Research audiology was a career track I hadn’t considered before: In fact, I hadn’t even known it…

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Newly Installed Communication Board on Playground Encourages Inclusion

in Local NSSLHA Chapter on by Lena Nazzal Share
Lena Nazzal with young client at playground

Communication is such an integral part of life, and for many, the ability to speak verbally can easily be taken for granted. Individuals with severe communication impairments may have difficulty with certain aspects of life—including daily activities, independence, and self-perception. When those who are nonverbal experience difficulty communicating with others effectively, people may think they’re not intelligent, not comprehending conversations, or even unable to make…

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