Susan Berkowitz

I have been a speech-language pathologist for 40 years, before which I worked with kids with autism. I have been in the classroom, therapy room, and worked as an administrator. I have worked in public and nonpublic schools. I currently specialize in alternative-augmentative communication for nonverbal students and in training staff to implement aac in their classrooms. I teach workshops locally and nationally on augmentative communication and on teaching literacy skills to students with complex communication needs, and have written CEU on-line courses for SLPs about AAC. I have published research articles in peer reviewed journals, and spent considerable time working on translating research into practice.

Working with students with significant special needs has taught me to do whatever works - which can be different for every student in the group. While I have a strong background in applied behavior analysis from working with kids with autism, I utilize a wide variety of strategies and styles! I want to teach teachers and SLPs to consider all options for teaching students with Complex Communication Needs because we need to presume competence for ALL kids. I feel strongly that if a child doesn't learn HE has not failed. WE have.

I have had research papers published in peer review professional journals, and have presented at numerous national and international conferences and on webinars. I have also written more than 16 professional CEU hour courses for an on-line university program for SLPs about AAC. And have recently written a book about AAC implementation for parents, teachers, and SLPs. My blog has been named one of the top 5 AAC blogs, one of the top100 Language blogs and top 100 speech therapy blogs.

I have a B.A. in Psychology, M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology, M. Ed. in School Administration, and extensive graduate level classes in Special Education (enough for a whole other Master's degree - but why?). I believe this varied background has given me a deeper understanding of what these kids - and their teachers - need.

I have 2 (grown) children, 1 husband, and 2 cats. I spend as much spare time as I can in my art studio, creating unique jewelry and mixed media assemblage art dolls, or just stealing time for a quick sketch.