FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2011
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124
aperkins@pa.muw.edu
MUW speech-language pathology graduate students help at Camp Jabber Jaw
COLUMBUS, Miss. – Ten speech-language pathology graduate students from Mississippi University for Women provided their resources to Camp Jabber Jaw for youth with complex communication disorders.
The five-day residential camp for participants 5 to 16 years was recently held at the T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability on the campus of Mississippi State University.
MUW SLP graduate students worked as counselors/communication partners for students attending the camp, according to Joy Townsend, interim department chair and instructor of speech-language pathology.
“It’s a double win because they are able to interact with these campers who have significant disabilities and use augmentative/assistive devices to meet their communication needs,” she said. “They are also exposed to new technology and models of communication therapy. It is an invaluable, unique experience for the graduate students. It is quite rare for a university to offer this type of intensive experience with augmentative communication. And, it is rewarding to participate in providing a true camp experience for these children.”
MUW student Amber Williamson from Philadelphia, said, “It’s been interesting to see kids of different ages and with different devices come together and interact with one another.”
Amber Brands from New Madrid, Mo., added, “Camp has been a lot of fun and I’ve learned a tremendous amount about augmentative communication.”
Campers attended the program with a caregiver. Activities included horseback riding, arts and crafts, swimming, dancing and language activities.
MUW students have been involved with the camp since its establishment in 1997. The camp is funded primarily through Project START of the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services and donations from individuals and community organizations.
For more information, call (662) 325-1028.
