Susan Berkowitz

About me: I have been a Certified Speech-Language Pathologist since 1978, working with students with severe language disorders, with complex communication needs, and with students who need to use AAC. I worked for 8 years at a state residential facility in their child development program. I have been both a Director of Communication and Director of Education at non-public schools. I have also co-taught language based classes in a public school setting for 8 years, and hold a teaching certificate for "aphasia" classrooms. I have been published in professional, peer-reviewed journals and presented at National and International conferences around the U.S. I have worked with Augmentative-Alternative Communication since 1973, when I first taught signs to children with nonverbal autism. The first symbol system I ever worked with was Blissymbols. The times sure have changed. I spent 20 of the last 27 years performing AAC evaluations at a local nonprofit-run technology center one day per week. I ran my own private practice, where I performed AAC evaluations for both families and school districts, and provided consultations around implementation at school and home. Working with this population decades ago forced me to make my own therapy materials, as the industry was sadly lacking in that area. I've turned some of those therapy ideas into apps; 2 iOS apps (Question It and SoundSwaps) and a Windows based app (Early Language Development - AAC). I also sell my therapy materials here on Boom, on TPT, and on Etsy. I remain committed to giving every child a voice.

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