The Harriet L. Needleman Speech and Language Education Fund is dedicated to fostering education in the field of speech and language development and pathology through annual conferences at the Children’s Hospital, Boston.  As a speech and language pathologist for 30 years, Harriet was always developing, expanding and enhancing her diagnostic and therapeutic skills.  Each year she attended conferences, seminars and formal higher education courses in her own discipline, as well as in related fields.  Hence, it seems fitting that this established fund foster these goals for future generations of speech pathologists. She was devoted and beloved by the many children who were her clients during her career.  It is through the efforts of their parents and of those who loved Harriet that this fund has been established.

 

Harriet received her BA degree in speech and audiology from Douglass College in 1970.  She obtained her MA degree in education from Boston University in 1973 and her thesis was entitled, “Effects of early recurrent otitis media on phonological abilities in children”.

 

She was a speech and language therapist in the Boston Public School System from1970 – 1975, and supervised in the Robins Speech and Hearing Clinic - Emerson College, Boston, between 1982 – 1985.  She was a noted practitioner in the private practice of speech therapy in Needham from 1975 - 1999 and a member of the Dana Group Associates, Needham 1996  - 1999 where she provided assessment and treatment of children and adolescents and consultation to schools and professionals.

 

She was a contributing author in the text, “Hearing Loss In Children”, Burton Jaffe Ed. and Mainstreaming Children With Speech and Language Impairment. She also co-author of an in-service training manual for development of social skills in language impaired children and adolescents with Richard Dana. Ed.D.

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The first conference was held in May 2001 which was made possible because of the generosity of Harriet's family and friends. Because of their ongoing support, this annual one-day conference with nationally recognized guest speakers has remained affordable for area teachers and therapists.

 

2020

Changing Developmental Trajectories of Young Children with Autism Spectrum

 

Amy M. Wetherby, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Distinguished Research Professor of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University

L.L. Schendel Professor of Communication Science and Disorders

Director, Autism Institute, Florida State University College of Medicine

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2018

Language Evaluation and Treatment of Bilingual/ELL Children

Celeste Roseberry-McKibbin, PhD, CCC-SLP

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​2017

Spoken Language Production in Adolescents: Intervention for Narrative,

Expository, and Persuasive Discourse

Marilyn A. Nippold, PhD, CCC-SLP, University of Oregon

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​2016

Evidence-Based Language and Communication Interventions for Children with ASD and Down Syndrome
Paul Yoder, PhD, CCC-SLP

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2015

Going Deep: Vocabulary Instruction for AAC Learners
Carole Zangari, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Gloria Soto, Ph.D.

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2014

Practical Strategies to Improve Reading and Language Skills in Children from Pre-K through High School
Karole Howland, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

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2013

Childhood Apraxia of Speech: A Multi-Sensory Approach to Achieving Speech Outcomes
David W. Hammer, M.A., CCC-SLP

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2012

Pediatric Swallowing & Feeding: Simple to Complex, Let's Figure it Out
Joan C. Arvedson, PhD, CCC-SLP, BRS-S

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2011

Being Relevant to the Language/Literacy Learning Needs of School-Age Students with Diverse Abilities
Nickola Wolf Nelson, PhD, CCC-SLP

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2010

Multi-Modal Communication Strategies for Children Who Have Complex Communication Needs - Introduction to PODD Communication Books
Linda J. Burkhart, MEd

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2009

Evidence-based Practices for Addressing Communication Disorders in Children with ASD
Rhea Paul, PhD, CCC-SLP

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2008

New Insights to Phonological Assessment and Treatment of Children
Judith A. Gierut, PhD, CCC-SLP

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2007

Evidence Based Treatment of Stuttering In Preschool and School Age Children
Barry Guitar, PhD, CCC-SLP

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2006

The Role of the SLP in Creating Proficient and Fluent Readers
Alan Kamhi, PhD, CCC-SLP

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2005

Autism Spectrum Disorders: From Early Identification to Early Intervention
Amy Wetherby, PhD, CCC-SLP

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2004

Feeding the Whole Child: A Mealtime Approach
Suzanne Evans Morris, PhD, CCC-SLP

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2003

Facilitating Decoding, Reading Fluency, and Spelling: Using Research and Theory as a Guide
Kenn Apel, PhD, CCC-SLP

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2002

Management of Developmental Verbal Apraxia of Speech
Edythe Strand, PhD, CCC-SLP

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2001

Literacy for All: Beyond Decoding for Students with Dyslexia, LLD, ASD and ADHD