NSSLHA presents Ms. Anne Davis from PCDA

On Monday, November 6, NSSLHA hosted a special guest, Ms. Anne Davis from the Pasadena Child Development Associates, Inc. (PCDA). We were pleased to have Ms. Davis share about her background and current experiences as well as information on PCDA. Ms. Davis has over 20 years of experience working with children and adults. Shortly after receiving her Masters degree, she worked in a special needs school for children with neuromusculur and physical challenges. Following, she worked at a school with children with autism and emotional impairments. Ms. Davis also provided services in a hospital setting (rehabilitation and acute care) and offered private services before arriving at PCDA. She is currently the lead speech and language pathologist at PCDA and is a Hanen certified instructor for parents.

PCDA is a private clinic serving children from birth to 12 years of age. This private child development group provides evaluation, consultation, and intervention services through a multi-disciplinary team that includes a developmental pediatrician, child development/parenting clinical nurse specialists, marriage and family therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, child development specialists, behavior specialists, dietitians, developmental interventionists, and music therapists.

Although PCDA is a private group, they differ from a private therapist in many ways. First and foremost, their philosophy drives them to “include the families in all aspects of care, work across disciplines and in a collaborative way to gain a more complete understanding of the child, and the most effective intervention possible; and use a play-based, relationship approach to promote social-emotional development.” Based on their core beliefs, the organization provides services that are strongly influenced by Dr.

Stanley Greenspan’s DIR Approach, which includes “Floor Time” (a method of incorporating the socioemotional development of a child into the therapy provided).

Their clientele includes children from a variety of disabilities, and therapy is provided in either individual or group sessions. Primary caregivers are required to attend every session to receive coaching in helping their child in daily routines.

A unique opportunity for professionals employed at PCDA is attending their weekly meetings. In general, the professionals from all different disciplines get together for discussions. Once a month, a speaker will present on a topic of interest. On other occasions, a clinician will bring a videotape of one of their 50-minute sessions, and the professionals present will discuss what they see. This time of clinical reflection enhances growth and knowledge, as professionals from different disciplines share their perspective on the child’s socioemotional development and collaborate for therapy to provide the best services available. PCDA is one of the few work settings that practice this method of clinical reflection.

Ms. Davis encourages future SLPs to contact her to tour the facility or observe a session. If you are interested, please contact her at (626) 793-7350 or e-mail her at anne@pasadenachilddvelopment.org.

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Thank you Ms. Davis!

NSSLHA meeting on November 6, 2006 in KH B-111 from 6:15 - 7:00 P.M.

Hello!

Please join us this Monday for our monthly NSSLHA meeting! Sadly, this will be our last NSSLHA meeting for the year (unless there is an overwhelming demand from you to have another one tenth week… ;). To end with a big hoopla, we will once more host a special guest.

We proudly present Ms. Anne Davis from the Pasadena Child Development Associates, Inc.

From their website~

Anne Davis, MS, CCC/SLP is currently the lead speech and language pathologist at PCDA and has over 20 years experience working with children and adults with communication challenges in a variety of settings. She works collaboratively with parents and other professionals to encourage communication throughout the child’s daily life. She is a Hanen certified instructor of parents and has a special interest and expertise in Augmentative Communication, dysphasia, and medically complex children.

We are extremely excited to have Ms. Davis share about child intervention and specific techniques. As the number of diagnoses for disorders and disabilities continue to increase in children, it is important for speech-language pathologists to be well-equiped with various types of intervention (or at least have some knowledge of them). With Ms. Davis' background and experience, we anticipate a great exchange of information.

In addition, we will provide more information on the upcoming NSSLHA elections and what you can expect next year from NSSLHA. We already have many more special guest presenters on the calendar!

We invite you to join us this Monday for an informative get-together. Our meeting will be in King Hall B-111 at 6:15 P.M. As always, X-hour snacks will be served.

See you there!

Happy Halloween!

NSSLHA wishes you all a safe and happy Halloween!

P.S. If you haven't heard, the NSSLHA Newsletter is hot off the press! Pick one up by the COMD Front Desk ASAP!

~Stay tuned for our next NSSLHA meeting, on November 6~

Announcements

Just a few announcements and reminders~

1. Don't forget that you can begin paying for Winter 2007 tuition! Late fees for continuing students begin November 13! The Fee Analysis form is available here, or forms are available next to the drop box by the Cashier's Office.
2. Beginning Fall 2006, CSULA increased health fees $15 (but forgot to add it in the Fee Analysis). Don't forget to pay ASAP to avoid being dropped from your classes!
3. Visit the NSSLHA Snack Closet! A variety of snacks, candies, and drinks are available for a student discount price. Check back often as there are always new additions. Just drop your cash in Locker #23...and it's ok to tell NSSLHA to "keep the change!" :)
4. We are still open for Fall 2006 membership enrollment (or the entire academic year). Please see any of the NSSLHA officers and/or attend the next monthly meeting in November!
5. Need a blue book, scantron, or $150 textbook voucher (if you qualify)? Visit ASI in the King Hall D-Wing! You must be a CSULA student with a current school ID to obtain any of the following services.

• · $150 for Textbooks (Applications are avaliable NOW)
• · Free Scantrons and Blue Books
• · Discounted Movie Tickets

Q&A Wednesday: Getting A's

What do you need to do to get all A's?

For those of you who are in the undergraduate classes, you may notice that enrollment has increased as much as 30%! Unfortunately, that translates to fiercer competition. There really are no new tricks; just reminders to not procrastinate when studying for exams and completing projects and to immediately seek clarification of topics. If you are not comfortable asking a question in class or during office hours, remember that most of your professors are easily accessible via e-mail. Take advantage of the assistance that is offered, such as the Phonetics discussion conducted by one of our top grad students!

As for graduate students, time management is incredibly important…especially when you should study, study, study! In addition, try new study techniques:

· Audio-record lectures. It can be challenging capturing all pertinent notes the first time around. Recording lectures is a surefire way of capturing all the notes missed in lecture when you listen to them again! It is obviously time-consuming but for some classes, it can be well worth the time.

· Flashcards and other visual guides. You may be surprised at how much of a visual learner you actually are. Use colored pens and highlighters when you create flashcards and visual study guides (e.g., flowcharts, diagrams, tables).

· Join a study group. Sometimes hearing a fellow classmate re-explain a concept makes it more understandable and more impressionable (hence, making recall a bit easier during the exam).

· Create mnemonics. Mnemonics Neatly Eliminate Man's Only Nemesis - Insufficient Cerebral Storage. ;) Need we say more?

· Ask questions in class. It really is true that if you are wondering about something at least three others are too. Be the brave one who actually asks!

Having said all that, do not lose sight of your education – it is not all about getting A’s anymore. A solid “B” is just as valuable if you have worked hard, understood the material, and did your best. In the long run, the most important thing is that you learn. (We know, it sounds cheesy, but it's just the truth!)

Aim for the “A,” but give yourself some leeway if you don’t always get the “A.”

Lastly, don’t forget to celebrate your achievements during and at the end of the quarter! Sometimes rewarding yourself even with something small and simple is just what you need to keep you going!

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Keep your eyes open for our monthly newsletter next week!

First NSSLHA Meeting of Fall 2006

Hello!

Thank you to all of those who made it to our first meeting of the year! We were extremely excited to see many new faces in addition to our faithful members. We hope to see even more people in our next meeting!

Many thanks to Dr. Ivory from our Audiology Department for updating students on the present situation with Audiology programs in the U.S. As many of you are aware, the last Master’s degree students will have graduated from accredited universities prior to December 2006. The transition from Master’s level practice to a clinical doctorate honors the new standards for professional education and requirements set forth by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA), American Academy of Audiology (AAA), and ASHA. Therefore, all graduates must have doctoral degrees to qualify for national certification beginning January 1.

Because of this transition, many Audiology programs will no longer be accredited, including the majority of programs in California. According to Dr. Ivory, there are currently 72 “viable” Doctoral Programs (accredited institutions that are admitting and graduating students). At present, 18 states have only one program (including California), and there are 13 states that do not have any programs.

In California, the one currently available program is the joint University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and San Diego State University (SDSU) program. However, there are two prospective programs in development.

• 1) University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) – San Francisco State University (SFSU) joint program
• Contact Marcia Raggio, Ph.D. at (415) 338-7653
• 
  
• 2) University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) – California State University, Northridge (CSUN)
• Contact Steve Sinclair, Ph.D. at (818) 677-2852

Please be advised that these two programs are currently in discussion; there is no prospective date yet for when the programs will be accredited to grant doctoral degrees.

What should a student interested in Audiology do?

Either program at UCSF/SFSU or UCLA/CSUN may accept applicants for Fall 2007. Prospective students should contact the program directors to ask when they will begin accepting applications. Be aware that the date anticipated may change so frequently check back with the school.

Alternatively, you may consider looking into other programs located out of state. Competition is fierce in (overpopulated) California. For those who wait for the two California joint programs to begin accepting applicants may face the largest applicant pool in these schools’ history. Regarding programs outside of California, keep in mind that prospective students of ethnic minorities may be at an advantage. Many programs are currently promoting diversity amongst their cohorts.

Although programs in rural areas may not be as appealing as sunny Southern California, Dr. Ivory advises finding a program that can/will send you wherever a student desires for the fourth year of clinical off-campus externship. This option will allow students to travel back home for their fourth year in the program. Simply stated by Dr. Ivory, “Get in a program. Make progress. Get out.”

For more information on Audiology programs, please visit the ASHA website at http://www.asha.org and contact the programs directly.

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Following was an open forum where second year graduate students in the SLP program answered questions informally presented. Thank you to our panel of contributors! To give students different perspectives on the graduate program at CSULA, NSSLHA invited several second year graduate students with varying backgrounds:

• Vanessa – part-time student; received Bachelor’s degree from CSULA; part-time SLP; full-time mother!
• Nancy – full-time student; post-baccalaureate studies completed at CSULB
• Kristin – full-time student; post-baccalaureate studies completed at State University of New York at Fredonia; relocated her and hubby all the way to California; NSSLHA Newsletter Editor
• Kim – full-time student; post-baccalaureate studies completed at CSULA on the one-year track; NSSLHA President
• Cheryl – post-baccalaureate studies completed at CSULA on the one-year track; full-time student; NSSLHA Secretary

Our graduate students come from all walks of life. With their knowledge and experience, they responded to the following questions presented~

This is my first quarter here as a post-baccalaureate student. I am also on the one-year track (finishing all pre-requisites to apply for the graduate program in one year). Am I supposed to apply now, even though I’ve been here less than a quarter?

If you are planning to begin a graduate program in Fall 2007, then now is the time to begin the application process. Although your application will only list one quarter of grades received in post-baccalaureate courses completed, the schools also consider your undergraduate coursework and GPA. Keep in mind that they will continue to examine prospective students’ grades after receiving applications. For CSULA, the deciding committee (a.k.a. your professors) have easy access to your grades. For other schools, they will require official transcripts at the time applications are submitted and when the programs begin next Fall.

If you haven’t spoken to your advisor yet, make an appointment as soon as possible to ensure that you will complete all of the coursework required prior to the graduate program.

What is the average GRE score? What is a “safe” score?

Although the minimum score is 900, we recommend a score of at least 1000. In the past, Dr. Klein has provided a chart delineating average GPAs and GRE scores from past cohorts in a graduate school applicant meeting in December or January. Plan to attend that meeting for more information on applying.

If you have already received a GRE score, it is okay to ask your advisor if they think your score is competitive enough. Keep in mind that every year consists of a different applicant pool so averages will differ from year to year. Just because the minimum is 900 doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t apply if you received a lower score.

Would you recommend requesting letters of recommendations from the professors here or from my undergraduate program?

This is really a judgment call on your own part. If you have a reference that can speak highly about your academic work, character, and strengths then requesting a letter from this person will likely be a better referent than one who doesn’t really know you and simply vouches that you received a good grade in the class. Do your best to get letters from people who really know you and can emphasize your personable traits as well.

On the other hand, asking the professors here can be beneficial since they are the deciding committee. If you have impressed them, the odds are that they will write a good letter for you.

All professors are extremely busy and will be asked to complete many letters of recommendations. Therefore, requesting a letter earlier on in the process is a good idea. Don’t forget to follow-up. Remember that they are doing you a favor so be respectful and considerate of their time.

Lastly, it is a good idea to prepare a packet for each professor. Suggestions for enclosures include:

• Application essay (even if it is a rough draft)
• Resume/Vitae
• Letter of Recommendation form and due date
• Self-addressed stamped envelope

Is there a difference between a Masters of Science and Masters of Art Degree?

The difference is that an MS degree requires more science classes. In the long run, employers do not seem to prefer one or the other, as long as you graduate from an accredited institution and have a state license.

Will I have to quit my job?

Your advisor will highly recommend that you not work during the graduate program, but for some, it is necessary. Keep in mind that you can apply for financial aid and scholarships. CSULA offers a variety of scholarships and the Communication Disorders Department also offers its own, apart from the CSULA Financial Aid Department.

What is the graduation rate?

The graduation rate is very high, as is the percentage of students who pass the Praxis exam on the first attempt. In fact, the Praxis passing rate is higher than the national average – which is a testament to our professors’ intelligence and skill in relaying their knowledge to us!

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Good luck to prospective applicants!

NSSLHA Meeting on October 9, 2006 in KH B-111 @ 6:20 P.M.

Hello!

NSSLHA at CSULA invites you to our first meeting of the school year!

Please join us on Monday, October 9, in King Hall B-111 during the X-hour (6:20 - 7:15 P.M.). As always, we will have X-hour snacks beginning at 6:06 P.M.

For the first time in NSSLHA history, we will have an exclusive question and answer night. Guest answerers include our second year graduate students who are eager to dispel any myths and calm all nerves. Guest questioners include you! Come find out the *real deal* behind getting into graduate school! Come ask about ANY undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or graduate class (or professor). Or just come shoot the breeze with us!

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting and hope you enjoy our exclusive forum held by and for you!

Q&A Wednesday: Contacting Advisors

What is the best way to contact my advisor?

The best method of communication varies among professors so don't be afraid to ask your advisor what the preferred method is. For some (i.e., Dr. Flint, Dr. Manasse, Dr. Peterson), E-mail is usually the quickest way to receive a response. For others (i.e., Dr. Klein), speaking in person is preferred. Our e-mailing professors generally respond within 24 hours.

If you are sending an especially important/time-sensitive E-mail, don'’t hesitate to add a "read receipt" or ask for confirmation via E-mail! There have been times when E-mails sent to our professors are not received (no fault of theirs; strictly a faulty CSULA network server) so make sure you follow up for important issues! If at all possible, avoid following up at the last second.

Alternatively, the COMD front desk has an appointment book where you can reserve a meeting time with your advisor, sans Dr. Klein. Please set up a time with Dr. Klein in person.

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Do you have a question that you would like answered? Leave us a “comment” with your question, and we will answer it! This is truly a genuine scenario of “there are no stupid questions” so ask away! Your questions can be “anonymous” (just don’t put in your real name where it asks for your name).

Save Money on Clinic Materials

If you are thinking about purchasing some of your own clinic materials then you will want to check out Lakeshore Learning Outlet Store’s big sale this weekend only!

Keep reading to see this week's Wednesday Q & A!

Q&A Wednesday: Keeping Track of Deadlines

Will my advisor help me keep on track with all requirements, deadlines, etc. without me having to ask?

Unfortunately, your advisor will not be the main person keeping you on track with graduate requirements. You are responsible for meeting deadlines, setting up necessary appointments with your advisor, and completing applications and paperwork. At the graduate school orientation on September 19, 2006, the advisors handed out a document that described the deadlines for requirements during your graduate studies. Think of it as a two-year syllabus, and keep that schedule handy because those deadlines will creep up on you!

That is not to say that your advisor will not help or remind you, but he/she will not be able to remind you of all upcoming deadlines. An easy solution is to use organizers or calendars. A great method is to enter deadlines into MS Outlook Calendar with reminders that give you enough time to meet the deadlines (e.g., two weeks). Another great resource is your classmates! You all have the same deadlines so keeping each other accountable is another great way to ensure all requirements are met.

One thing that your advisors will remind you is to keep all your paperwork (and/or copies) in case any questions arise!

First Fall NSSLHA Meeting on October 9, 2006 in KH B-111 @ 6:20 P.M.

Welcome back to school!

NSSLHA invites all COMD students (SLPs & Auds) to join us for our first meeting of the academic school year! We have an exciting year planned and we want you to be part of it!

Stay tuned for more news on what specialties we will feature at the next meeting, on Monday, October 9, 2006!

Please join us on Monday in King Hall Basement-111 during the X-hour (6:20 - 7:10 P.M.) for special guest speakers and X-hour snacks!

Q& A Wednesday: Tough Classes and Tips

What are the tough classes to watch out for? Any tips?

To be completely honest, it is difficult to pinpoint which classes are tough. There is no one class that everyone will agree is the toughest (or easiest). Every class is challenging in its own respect because each has different requirements and expectations. Some classes require more writing while others require presentations. What is most important is realizing where your strengths are. One way of looking at the classes is to think that they are all equally challenging; all classes require some amount of rote memorization along with synthesis/analysis and application of that information. All of our professors are extremely adept at teaching you; however, your way of receiving the information may not jive with their teaching methods.

Remember, "challenging" does not mean impossible!

There are many ways to make your educational career easier. Start off by honing your time management and organizational skills. As crazy as it sounds, a great suggestion is studying ahead of time. A simple way is to review your notes just once either the same night of lecture or immediately before class. Many students audio-record lectures and listen to them, whether it be in their cars or even at the gym (what better way to combat lecture-induced lethargy than by exercising?). Also try different study techniques; if you have never studied with flashcards before, it's not too late to try them. Again, it may also depend on the class material. For instance, creating charts and flashcards for neuro classes can be quite helpful. Discussing educational theories in detail with your classmates can help you memorize them more efficiently.

Above all, remember that your classmates are your best allies. If study groups are beneficial, meet with your classmates. You all will have the same/similar schedules so finding a time to meet on campus should be relatively easy. Remember, a study group doesn't mean there has to be ongoing discussion. You can all sit around a table and ask a question when one comes up. Quizzing each other is often helpful. Please do not be afraid to ask your professor a question! If you are not comfortable asking in class, ask them via e-mail or during his/her office hours.

Although this often happens, try your best to avoid forgetting all information immediately after you complete an exam. You will quickly realize that class material can overlap in graduate school. The more you remember, the less you have to study the next time around. One of the best ways to retain learned information is to learn it “as you go.” If you cram it all in the weekend before the test you will forget it. However, if you learn it over between when it is taught and when it is tested you are much more likely to remember it.

Our professors are a closely-knit team who work proficiently and efficiently to provide us with knowledge. They are well-aware of what material each of them has taught us so they confidently assume you have mastered that "old" material. It is in your best interest and knowledge to not spend class time asking the professor to review material that should have been learned already from a previous quarter. There is only so much time before you will begin clinic and externships. The more new information you gain, the more confidence you will have when you become a student clinician.

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Check back next week for another Q & A!

First Day of School Eve

Hello hello!

Thank you to all graduate students who showed up to tonight's (mandatory) meeting. As Dr. Peterson noted, we have an incredibly diverse crowd of graduate SLP and Audiology students from New Zealand to the Philippines and New York to California!

Tonight, the second year and part-time grad students hosted a casual Welcome Soiree for the first year grads. To the left are our five lucky raffle winners of Starbucks or Target gift cards (left to right: Nancy, Vanessa, Diane, Ira, and Janet). Congratulations!

At tonight's Welcome Party for the new first year graduate SLP students, a few students anonymously submitted questions they were afraid to ask aloud. Over the next few weeks, we will post one question and answer a week. These questions are not necessarily specific to first year graduate students at CSULA. Therefore, we encourage you to read the posts, too! If you have questions, you are always welcome to slip them into Locker #23 anytime or in the NSSLHA suggestion box during our meetings (or in the Clinician Prep Room).

Please mark you calendars for our first NSSLHA meeting of the year! Although our meetings are generally the first Mondays of each month, we are observing Yom Kippur; therefore, our meeting will be on October 9th during the X-hour (6:10 - 7:00 P.M.). Stay tuned for further updates!

Have a great first day of school!

Making a Wish for Cole's Creation

From ColdStoneCreamery.com:

Celebrate the 5th Annual World's Largest Ice Cream Social and Support the Make-A-Wish Foundation® with Cold Stone Creamery

To support the Make-A-Wish Foundation® during the month of September, Cold Stone Creamery will be selling Make-A-Wish wall stars to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Visit your local Cold Stone Creamery and try a very special “Make-A-Wish Creation™” inspired by Cole, a 10 year old Wish Child from Colorado. Cole’s Creation combines chocolate ice cream with fluffy yellow cake, chocolate chips and rainbow sprinkles.

To cap off this special month, please join us for the 5th Annual World’s Largest Ice Cream Social at participating Cold Stone Creamery locations nationwide, a special night to join together and share the simple pleasures of life with a FREE ice cream, family activities and good-natured fun.

Search our site for a location near you. On September 28th from 5:00 - 8:00pm, guests will be treated to a serving of Cole’s Creation*. In exchange for the free Creation, customers are encouraged to make donations to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

*Free Creation refers to a 3 ounce portion of Cole’s Creation served in a cup.

Graduate Students Meeting

Hello all!

First things first ~ congratulations to our incoming class of first year graduate students! We welcome you with much excitement and anticipation! Getting into the program is just the beginning of your new career, and we want you to know that we are here for you. Who better to share in your awesome achievements, report/project-induced agony, and (embarrassing) learning experiences than students who have been there already? So don't forget to join us after the mandatory meeting on September 19th for a little soiree in the COMD Department! We will even give you the dime tour of the King Hall Basement wing!

Part-Timers and Second Year Graduate Students ~ congratulations on making it part-way/halfway through the program! Think of how much you have learned and experienced just within the past year. It may get harder, but it is only going to get better. You are that much closer to your degree. ;)

To new and returning undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students, we warmly welcome you back to a new school year! You are always more than welcome to approach any of us for questions, concerns, and periodic reality checks. ;)

To all COMD students ~ We are looking forward to a new school year with you! Come and get involved with NSSLHA! Time flies fast (when you're having fun) so we encourage you to make the most of every learning opportunity. Remember that (great love) and great achievements involve great risks. Just ask any of us "veteran" graduate students ~ we have shared in more great risks in the classroom and clinic than we care to blog about!

Stay tuned for our first Fall NSSLHA meeting!

ASHA Mentor Program

Hello!
Just a reminder that September 30 is the last day to apply for the ASHA Mentor/Mentee program!

For more information, please see our August 16th entry. Join today!

Saving & Shopping for a Cause

From www.NSSLHA.org :

First Book is a national nonprofit organization that gives children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. In neighborhoods across the country, First Book Advisory Boards unite leaders from all sectors of the community to identify the most effective community-based literacy programs reaching children living at or below the poverty line and provide them with First Book grants of free books and educational materials. First Book has distributed more than 43 million new books to children in need in hundreds of communities nationwide.

Just $25 spent on back-to-school shopping, a couple of great beach reads, or the latest CD or DVD release will help get one economically disadvantaged child their very own, and perhaps very first, new book. So bring your shopping lists - and this coupon (PDF format) - to your local Borders store August 26-27. Borders will donate 10% of the proceeds from your purchases to First Book, who will use those funds to provide new books for children nationwide. You will benefit not only from the 10% taken off your purchase, but from the knowledge that you personally are giving children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books.

To learn more about First Book, please visit www.FirstBook.org.

ASHA Mentors

As a member of ASHA/National NSSLHA, you are invited to join the mentoring program! Directly from ASHA correspondence:

Take a S.T.E.P. Forward
Learn something new!

Summer's almost over, and the fall semester is right around the corner. You're thinking about ways to stay ahead of the game. You know what you need to do, and you're putting your plan into action.

Your 'Checklist for Success':

√ Research programs that I want to attend for graduate school

√ Identify employment options for my Clinical Fellowship

√ Think about my thesis topic

√ Look for a mentor

For your mentor search, we have a simple solution: Join the ASHA S.T.E.P. (Student to Empowered Professional) 1:1 mentoring program for students who are from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds and enrolled in CSD programs. It's free, it's easy! Go to The ASHA Gathering Place to complete your profile online, and ASHA will match you with a mentor.

You've got questions — We've got answers.
Get a mentor...Enroll today!

Fall Quarter

Hello returning students!

Yes, it's already that time again! Time to pay tuition!

As if fees weren't already high, Late Fee for continuing students begins August 14 (and September 21 for new/readmitted students). Don't be late! :)

Fall 2006 fee analysis form available HERE.

Stay tuned for our first Fall meeting! See you in September!

NSSLHA Gifts to You

Happy (almost) middle of summer quarter!

As a special treat NSSLHA presents a list of wordless picture books to you! This list of books will be useful for picture description activities, language sampling, story telling, story starters, increasing vocabulary and more!

Click on the above link or in the Newsletter column to the right under "Extra-Extra" to print your copy today!

Thank you for supporting NSSLHA at CSULA!

Happy 4th of July

NSSLHA wishes you and your families a happy and safe holiday! Enjoy your day off!

Welcome Back!

After a quick, yet hopefully refreshing break NSSLHA shouts, “Welcome back COMD Students!” We hope you had a relaxing, fun and stress-free vacation and are ready to jump back into ear canals, laryngeal areas and neurotransmitters!

Have a great summer quarter and best of luck!

Congratulations Graduates!

To all of our graduates,

NSSLHA congratulates you on your achievements and wish you the best in your future endeavors!

We share (again) with you, a special poem that one of our honored guests presented at the graduates' banquet on June 2, 2006~

Our Deepest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel unsure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

by Marianne Williamson
A Return to Love

Good Luck on Finals!

NSSLHA wishes everyone in the COMD department the best of luck on finals! Believe in yourself and know you always know more than you think you do. Trust in yourself, your knowledge, your abilities and your studying! You can do it, you will do it and before you know it Friday will be here and it will be time to play!

May Meeting is a Success!

On Monday, May 22, NSSLHA held its last meeting for the quarter/school year. Congratulations to those who are graduating! We wish you the best in your endeavors!

For the last meeting of the quarter, NSSLHA invited Ms. Melea Balwan from Casa Colina in Pomona, to present her experiences about working in an acute rehabilitation center.

Ms. Balwan has been an SLP in the medical setting for approximately five years now. Upon graduation, she began working at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Downey. Last year, she began working at Casa Colina. Casa Colina is well known for its continuum of care, from hospital care to outpatient services to residential programs.

Casa Colina’s inpatient services (hospital) include acute rehabilitation, ventilator weaning, and a senior evaluation program. Ms. Balwan works in acute rehabilitation, where “everyday is different and every patient is different; every time you see a patient it’s a different experience. It makes it exciting, challenging and tough.”

In Casa Colina’s acute rehabilitation hospital, patients come from a variety of injuries, but all are “medically stable.” Because of the setting, the length of stay depends on the diagnosis upon admittance and severity level of the injury. Most patients stay between two and four weeks. Unfortunately, the short stay causes quite a challenge for the teams.

A typical day for SLPs consists of seeing 6 to 7 patients in a very diverse setting. Depending on the patient, SLPs will see patients either individually or in a group setting. SLPs work with patients who have suffered from a wide array of deficits: cognition, speech, language, dysphagia, trachea decanulation, spinal cord injury, ventilator weaning, voice, etc. Because of the variety of patients, SLPs collaborate with teams of professionals on a daily basis. The teams typically consist of medical doctors, occupational therapists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, nurses, and other specialized clinicians. Although Casa Colina’s inpatient rehabilitation hospital consists of 68 beds, the SLPs are not on all of the cases. SLPs provide services as needed; typically, they carry approximately 75% of the cases. Currently, Casa Colina employs 4 inpatient and 3 outpatient SLPs.

At Casa Colina, dysphagia is a condition that the clinicians place extreme importance on. Each new patient receives a dysphagia evaluation, whether it is a doctor’s order or not. In addition, much treatment centers on dysphagia. For example, there is a daily treatment session at lunch time for patients with a certain severity level of dysphagia (e.g., thin liquid diet). Because most patients have concomitant disorders, one of the challenges for an SLP is deciding how to spend the one hour of treatment. Treatment goals closely relate to the priorities and goals of others involved such as the family, occupational therapist, and physical therapist.

Ms. Balwan concluded that the medical setting is extremely lacking SLPs. If interested in working in a medical setting, Ms. Balwan recommends observing and finding information on cognition and other neuro-trauma topics that are not typically covered in a course

For more information or questions, please contact Ms. Melea Balwan at mbalwan@casacolina.org

Pizza & Presentation

As we wrap up the Spring quarter, we invite you to join us on tonight, Monday, May 22, 2006 from 6:15 - 7:00 P.M. for the last meeting of the quarter! We have invited a very special guest from Casa Colina, Ms. Melea Balwan. Casa Colina is well recognized as a hospital, outpatient center, transitional living center, and children's service center. Ms. Balwan will share her personal experience and insight on the acute rehabilitation center.

From Casa Colina's website:

"Inpatient services are provided in a new state-of-the-art hospital for a wide range of medical conditions that include brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, stroke, orthopedic conditions, respiratory disorders, multiple trauma, neurological diseases, wounds and burns."

We are quite honored to have Ms. Balwan. We hope you will join us tonight in KH B-111 from 6:15 - 7 P.M. to hear this special presentation .... and have the dinner of champions -- PIZZA!

See you there!

Big Sunday '06...is this Sunday, May 7!

From BigSunday.org:

On May 7, 2006 up to 25,000 volunteers (!) of all ages will join Mayor Villaraigosa and volunteer at more than 200 different non-profit sites. It’s all part of BIG SUNDAY ’06, L.A.’s Annual Day of Service.

BIG SUNDAY volunteers come from neighborhoods all over Los Angeles – and volunteer in neighborhoods all over Los Angeles. There are volunteer opportunities for every passion, every talent, and every age. Projects are scheduled throughout the day to work with any schedule. Projects can last anywhere from one hour to all day.

Everything about BIG SUNDAY is completely non-denominational, non-political and free. All anyone is asked for is their time and their talent. The day is totally underwritten by private, corporate, and foundation grants and donations.

BIG SUNDAY projects are designed to be completed in one day; however, for many, BIG SUNDAY is just the beginning of an involvement that continues throughout the year.

BIG SUNDAY is not just a community service day. It is a community building day, too. You see, the idea behind BIG SUNDAY is that no matter who you are, no matter where you live, no matter what you do, everyone has some way they can help someone else.

YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW

BIG SUNDAY started in 1999 as Temple Israel of Hollywood’s Mitzvah Day. By last year, BIG SUNDAY had evolved into an annual, city-wide volunteer day involving more than 8000 volunteers from more than 100 different synagogues, churches, schools, offices and clubs at nearly 150 different non-profits!

At the same time, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has – first as city councilman, then as mayor – sponsored nearly one dozen very successful and popular local community days of service. Last fall, at his first Citywide Day of Service, more than 7500 volunteers worked together to do dozens of projects at six public high schools across Los Angeles!

Now, it is with enormous anticipation and excitement that Mayor Villaraigosa’s office and Big Sunday have joined forces for BIG SUNDAY ’06, L.A.’s Annual Day of Service. Our goal is to become the largest citywide volunteer day in America, not in response to a man-made or natural disaster, but simply because that is the kind of people we are, and this is kind of city we live in.

Please join us. After all, whoever you are, whatever you do, we can use your help.

Everyone helps, everyone wins.

For more information on the over 230 volunteer opportunities in and around LA for Big Sunday '06, please visit here.

Next NSSLHA meeting on May 22, 2006 in KH B-111 @ 6:20 P.M.

Hello!

Please note that rather than meeting on the first Monday of the month (as usual), we are holding a special End-of-the-Spring-Quarter meeting!

Stay tuned for more news on what specialties we will feature at the next meeting, on May 22, 2006!

Good luck with midterms and congrats to the future first-year graduate students on their decisions for this Fall!

Team NSSLHA @ the MS Walk

After months of preparation, fundraising, and anticipation, Team NSSLHA at Cal State LA represented at the National Multiple Sclerosis Walk! This fantastic team raised $2,222.00!

Although the MS Walk was set to begin at 9 AM, walkers actually officially began at 8:45 AM. At 8:47 AM, half of Team NSSLHA was already separated from the other half.* Oops! That wasn't because they were racing to the Finish Line to be first in line for Louise's Trattoria...that was because the walk was supposed to start at 9 and some of us really wanted our free chocolate protein bar, bottled water, and fruit!
*The unlost half is represented in this picture. The gentleman in back is NSSLHA Vice-President's significant other, not a random picture-crasher.

See NSSLHA Treasurer in the blue? She is looking out for her lost team members. What a sport! She helped reunite the team. Phew!






Hundreds of volunteers and corporate sponsors supported the thousands of walkers. With so many people walking, there was no way we could have sprinted if we wanted to! Instead, we leisurely strolled past the LA Memorial Coliseum, tyco drummers, Exposition Park, many babies in strollers, the Natural History Museum, groups of volunteers with cookies, water, and fruit, and the California Science Center. Team NSSLHA is proud to say that even though we strolled around and through USC, we did not cut corners! We walked every bit of the 5K route. :)

Some of us (i.e., our awesome Team NSSLHA Co-Captain who doubles as our NSSLHA Newsletter editor)* were so excited to see the Finish Line (not because it was such a long walk, but because we felt a great sense of accomplishment) that we started taking pictures when we saw the Finish Line. The other Co-Captain commented, "Um, shouldn't we actually cross the Finish Line?"

*She was not the only one. She just happened to be singled out because we love her so much. :)




So we did and kiddo volunteers awarded each walker with medals! We are truly winners!*

*Sans NSSLHA President and a loyal NSSLHA member, this is a picture of the lost-for-a-few minutes half.





What a success Team NSSLHA was!

Next year, we hope you will join us when we are even more prepared with matching bunny ears or shirts, balloons, NSSLHA signs along the route, and an airplane banner message to cheer us on.

Okay, we're slightly kidding about the latter, but definitely serious about the former.

Thanks again to all participants and donors for truly helping the National Multiple Sclerosis Society fight and find a cure.

NSSLHA presents Marilyn Van Dyke, SLP & Mother of Child with Asperger's

In honor of April being Autism Awareness Month, NSSLHA invited Marilyn Van Dyke to speak at yesterday’s meeting. Van Dyke is a speech-language pathologist, CSULA Special Education professor, and mother of a 15 year-old teenager with Asperger’s Syndrome. As if that weren’t enough to keep her busy, she is also currently pursuing her Doctorate’s Degree in Special Education through a joint UCLA and CSULA program.

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Both autism and Asperger’s are classified under Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). Oftentimes, Asperger’s is considered a mild form of autism or Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A key characteristic of Asperger’s is that the individual generally communicates different to the accepted norm. People with Asperger’s generally lack understanding of social customs and will “freely speak their mind.”

For the Van Dykes, parenting a child with Asperger’s was almost like reliving their youth. Both parents began informal treatment early on with getting their son extremely involved with peers on a regular basis. They knew that peer interaction was key to helping him improve his social skills (pragmatics!). When their son was younger, the Van Dykes would fearlessly bring him to regular outings and birthday parties to engage him in any activity that would facilitate social interactions and friendships. As kid Son grew older, Mom and Dad got “hip” with the times and learned (and played) Pokemon cards and video games with their Son to help him “fit in with the crowd.” As kid Son matured into a young teenager, Mom and Dad found themselves learning about text messaging and even going to rap concerts for their Son’s sake. Pursuing these interests gave their Son a way to engage in successful social interactions with peers.

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Future Dr. Van Dyke also gave a brief breakdown of autism. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), the three diagnostic criteria for autism are:

1. Impairments in social interactions. In particular, eye-gaze, reciprocity, and joint attention are key characteristics to note. At as early as a few months old, researchers have noted how “different” babies with autism interact. “Even as a baby, holding and feeding is not the same at as young as 6 months,” commented Van Dyke. “It is the impairment in this particular area that distinguishes [autism] from other disorders.”
2. Impairments in communication. “This is the true back and forth, or pragmatics. It is the social use of language.” Van Dyke noted that those who are high-functioning will still have impairments in communication, such as understanding emotions.
3. Restricted or repetitive range of interests. People with autism can have an extremely narrow range of interests. For Van Dyke’s son, numbers were his main interest. Anything with numbers would captivate him (e.g., basketball scores).

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We thank Marilyn Van Dyke for sharing her expertise as well as personal experience with regards to autism.

More free coffee! @ Peet's

On April 3, Peet's coffee is kicking off their 40th Anniversary Celebration! Enjoy a complimentary drink at any location.

See here for more info (and the "coupon" for a free coffee drink). G0 here to locate the closest location to you. :)

Cheers!

Next NSSLHA meeting on April 3, 2006 in KH B-111 @ 6:15 P.M.

Welcome back from Spring Break! We hope you all had a wonderful time off!

As we spring into the new quarter, we hope you will join us for our next NSSLHA meeting!

In honor of April being National Autism Awareness Month, we have arranged a special guest speaker for you! Graduating from CSU Fullerton, Ms. Marilyn Van Dyke is an SLP in a school district, and she is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Special Education through a joint doctoral program between CSULA and UCLA (Hooray! A Ph.D. candidate! ASHA must be thrilled! Double hooray! A CSULA "student" just like us! :). Future Dr. Van Dyke is also the mother of a child with autism. Come hear her speak about her firsthand experience both as a clinician and as the special mother of a special child with autism.

The next NSSLHA meeting is on Monday, April 3, from 6:15 to 7:00 P.M. in King Hall B-111. As always, X-hour snacks will be served.

See you there!

P.S. We will be selling the remaining SLP clipboards! First come, first served!

Juan Last Chantz

One last chance to purchase the speech and language (dysphagia) clipboard! If you haven't purchased yours yet, reserve your copy for $17 by March 28!

Please contact either Kristin, your fabulous Newsletter Editor, or Cheryl, NSSLHA Secretary, at the e-mail links on the side bar.

For more information, please visit February 28th's posting here.

Textbook sellbacks

Shh...don't tell the CSULA bookstore...

...But selling back your textbooks online may get you more gas and textbook money than selling back to the bookstore!

Actually, if you do sellback, you will get more money back. ;)

All sites are very user-friendly, such as Amazon and half.com.

Scholarships

Just a reminder that now may be the perfect time to apply for scholarships! (Simply because it's
Spring break. and we actually have some time. Sort of.).

A number of scholarships are available through ASHA. Please visit their website or click here.

CSULA also offers a number of scholarships. For more information, visit here.

Super Duper Inc. sale!

St. Patrick's Day Special!
Save 25% on your web order of Super Duper Phonological Awareness products today and Friday only, March 16-17, 2006.
Just select the products that you wish to purchase!

ASHA's Award Programs for Students and New Faculty

From ASHA:

To foster leadership and promote careers in academia and research, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) has created several award programs(http://www.asha.org/students/). These programs are available to undergraduate, master's, AuD, and PhD students enrolled in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) programs; postdoctoral fellows; and new faculty.

The Minority Student Leadership Program is open to racial/ethnic minority students at the levels listed above, who wish to enhance their leadership skills, interact with leaders in the professions, and learn how their association works. Now in its 8th year, this program has given over 200 students' insight into their leadership abilities and a better understanding of how leaders affect change in their professional association and has empowered these students to take risks and meet their own challenges.

The Students Preparing for Academic & Research Careers — SPARC Award, the Advancing Academic-Research Careers — AARC Award, the Student Research Travel Award, and the Minority Student Travel Award were all instituted to increase and retain CSD scientists and faculty. The SPARC and AARC Awards were developed as part of ASHA's Focused Initiative on the PhD Shortage in Higher Education. SPARC's primary focuses are to promote PhD career development for CSD undergraduate and graduate students and to increase the number of PhD teacher–scholars and students who choose higher education as a career option. The AARC Award addresses the shortage of PhD-level faculty by encouraging those at the beginning of their academic research careers to remain in higher education.

ASHA developed the Student Research Travel Award to encourage budding scientists to pursue careers in science and research. This award is available to undergraduate, master's and doctoral students who are the first authors on a technical paper. The Minority Student Travel Award is open to underrepresented racial/ethnic minority students interested in pursuing research. These new scientists will attend the 16th Annual Research Symposium, "Issues of Development and Plasticity of the Auditory System," at the 2006 ASHA Convention in Miami, FL.

Visit 2006 ASHA Award Programs(http://www.asha.org/students/) for application, deadline, and submission information.

First Ever Starbucks Break!

If you're a Starbucks aficionado and need a quick "pick-me-up" (not the late night "pick-me-up" -- that's for after finals) for that 1:30, 4:30, or 7:30 PM final, Starbucks is serving up a complimentary "tall" cup of coffee!

Today only, from 10AM to 12 PM, visit any Starbucks and they (should) be serving a 12 oz. cup of freshly brewed "Coffee of the Day."

For more info, please visit this online news clip.
If we're lucky, maybe they'll come to us. ;)

**Trivia: Did you know that their mild coffees have more caffeine than their regular, full-body coffee? Cheers!

Kicking off MS Awareness week

It's MS Awareness Week!
We'll keep this short and sweet since we all have final exams looming. :)
Please visit today's special webcast by going here. Today's special webcast features Dr. Peter Calabresi of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, presenting on "Repairing MS Damage and Protecting the Nervous System."

Happy studying!

Final Exam Schedule

At least for the "evening" classes ;)

Class hours & Days	Final Exam Day	Date	Time
Monday only classes
starting between 4:20 and 6:00 p.m.	Wednesday	Mar 15	4:30 - 7:00 p.m.
starting between 6:00 and 7:50 p.m.	Wednesday	Mar 15	7:30 - 10:00 p.m.
starting at 8:00 p.m. or later	Saturday	Mar 18	7:30 - 10:00 p.m.
Monday/Wednesday classes
starting between 4:20 and 6:00 p.m.	Wednesday	Mar 15	4:30 - 7:00 p.m.
starting between 6:00 and 7:50 p.m.	Wednesday	Mar 15	7:30 - 10:00 p.m.
starting at 8:00 p.m. or later	Saturday	Mar 18	7:30 - 10:00 p.m.
Tuesday only classes
starting between 4:20 and 6:00 p.m.	Tuesday	Mar 14	4:30 - 7:00 p.m.
starting between 6:00 and 7:50 p.m.	Tuesday	Mar 14	7:30 - 10:00 p.m.
starting at 8:00 p.m. or later	Saturday	Mar 18	4:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday/Thursday classes
starting between 4:20 and 6:00 p.m.	Tuesday	Mar 14	4:30 - 7:00 p.m.
starting between 6:00 and 7:50 p.m.	Tuesday	Mar 14	7:30 - 10:00 p.m.
starting at 8:00 p.m. or later	Saturday	Mar 18	4:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday only classes
starting between 4:20 and 6:00 p.m.	Friday	Mar 17	4:30 - 7:00 p.m.
starting between 6:00 and 7:50 p.m.	Friday	Mar 17	7:30 - 10:00 p.m.
starting at 8:00 p.m. or later	Saturday	Mar 18	10:45 - 1:15 p.m.
Thursday only classes
starting between 4:20 and 6:00 p.m.	Thursday	Mar 16	4:30 - 7:00 p.m.
starting between 6:00 and 7:50 p.m.	Thursday	Mar 16	7:30 - 10:00 p.m.
starting at 8:00 p.m. or later	Saturday	Mar 18	1:30 - 4:00 p.m.

In case you need to check for final exam times for other classes, please visit Cal State LA's website (click here).

Don't forget that you can pick up a free scantron and blue book from ASI (just bring your current student ID card). Good luck everyone!

NSSLHA presents the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Congratulations to pre-graduate student winner Ms. Anna Lim! She was the lucky raffle winner of the fabulous SLP-oriented clipboard!

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Tonight, NSSLHA welcomed two representatives from the Southern California Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS). Ms. Julia Hakim is the Programs Mangers of Knowledge/Family Programs and Ms. Mercy Murcia is the Programs Manager of Public Information/Education. Together, they presented information on multiple sclerosis (MS).

Multiple sclerosis is a degenerative disease of the brain and spinal cord (collectively called the “central nervous system” or “CNS,” according to Dr. Nancy Manasse, NSSLHA @ CSULA’s advisor). In particular, MS causes gradual destruction of the myelin that surrounds neurons located throughout the CNS. In many individuals, the demyelinization causes various symptoms depending upon which neural signals are interrupted. The symptoms that individuals experience vary from one person to another. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness or tingling sensations in the limbs. Severe symptoms include paralysis, loss of vision, and/or cognitive decline. Many individuals with MS also experience difficulties with speech production, which is where SLPs come into the picture!

As Ms. Hakim disclosed, “MS is not as rare as many people think.” The *prevalence rate,* or the number of individuals affected at a given time, is an estimated 400,000 people across the United States. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. However, individuals are being diagnosed at an increasingly younger age. Less than a week ago, an article on the cover of “Wall Street Journal” described doctors becoming more aware of this disease in children and teenagers. In addition to the 10,000 children that are already diagnosed, as many as 15,000 children may be experiencing signs of the disease. Moreover, MS typically affects females more than males, as much as a 3-to-1 ratio.

Unfortunately, the cause of MS is unknown, and the progress, severity, and symptoms of MS in any individual cannot be predicted. Although treatments are available, they serve only to slow down the progression of the disease. They do not cure or reverse the disease. The difficulty in finding a cure also rests on the fact that finding a cure has a different meaning for different people, since no two individuals experience the same symptomatology and severity.

Until there is a cure, NMSS will continue to advocate for individuals with MS.

“The mission of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is to end the devastating effects of MS.”

NMSS is the “largest private sponsor of MS research in the world.” Out of every dollar that is donated, 48 cents goes to local programs and services for people with MS and their families, 31 cents goes to research and national programs, and 15 cents goes to fundraising.

NMSS funds researchers that are dedicated to finding the cause of the disease, a cure, and additional treatments. In addition, NMSS also sponsors many self-help and special interest support groups and educational programs. An extensive network of counseling and support exists for individuals with MS, their significant others, caregivers, and professionals (such as SLPs!) that surround these individuals. “Support means different thing to different people,” commented Ms. Murcia. “We have something for everyone.”

“MS attacks. Fear and unpredictability change lives forever. As [the National Multiple Sclerosis Society] continue to search for a cure, there's hope. For 59 years, the Society has been here to help people live with multiple sclerosis today and without MS tomorrow. People depend on us. This is why we depend on you.”

We hope you will join us today in fighting MS, “one person at a time,” by participating in the MS Walk on April 9^th at Griffith Park, or by donating as little as a $1 to the cause.

For more information on multiple sclerosis, volunteer opportunities, educational programs, support groups, and much more, please visit Southern California Chapter’s NMSS website or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s general website. To reach the nearest Society office, call 1-800-FIGHT-MS.

Lastly, to learn from an educational standpoint on how SLPs are directly involved with individuals with multiple sclerosis, take COMD 555 (Motor Speech Disorders)!

Hoop dreams of a teen with autism

Hope you enjoy this track from Google videos:

When the high school basketball team manager with autism "got his chance in the spotlight, he shattered everyone's expectations by scoring 20 points in four minutes."

Click here to watch the hoop dreams of a teen with autism.

:*)

P.S. Re: "people first" language ~ as future professionals, we need to be sensitive about putting individuals before their disability. According to commentator Kathy Snow of the Disability is Natural website, people first language describes what a person has, not who a person is. "It's all about respect and dignity, not political correctness."

P.P.S. The "P.S." was added in because Google referred to the teenager as "the autistic teen." =O

Happy 10th week,
Your NSSLHA Secretary with a minor case of insomnia/"2nd wind"

MS Awareness Week March 13-17

You may have noticed that several NSSLHA members are actively involved in raising awareness of multiple sclerosis. As previously mentioned (again & again ;), several of us are participating in the National MS Walk on April 9th, and we are also hosting a representative from the National MS Society at our next NSSLHA meeting on Monday, March 6!

We hope that as future communication disorders professionals, you will join us in learning more about MS and raising awareness during the week of March 13 through 17. We are not psychics (most of the time), so we cannot predict whether you will help individuals with MS in your near future, but we can assure you that the more knowledge you have of all the disorders and diseases that our future clientele may have, the better off you -- and society -- will be. :)

More information will follow.

Do you have Financial Aid?

Newsflash!
The phone number for the Center for Student Financial Aid has been changed to (323) 343-6260.

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In addition, the 2006-07 Scholarship application and CSU System-Wide Scholarship Application are now available @ http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/finaid/forms.htm.

DEADLINES – Many of the 2006-2007 Cal State L.A. scholarships are awarded for the 2006 fall quarter only. Larger awards are divided by quarters and will be processed for fall, winter, and spring disbursements.

• March 10, 2006: Deadline for new students (high school seniors, transfers, and graduates) to apply. All application materials must be in the Center for Student Financial Aid by 4:00 p.m., Friday, March 10, 2006.
  
• April 14, 2006: Deadline for continuing CSULA students to apply. (Continuing students are defined as those who have established a three-quarter CSULA GPA at the time of their application). All application materials must be in the Center for Student Financial Aid by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 14, 2006.
  

Please visit the CSULA Financial Aid website for more information.

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FAFSA Application Deadlines:

• Submit 2005-2006 FAFSA on the Web Applications by midnight Central Daylight time, June 30, 2006.
• Submit 2006-2007 FAFSA on the Web Applications by midnight Central Daylight time, July 2, 2007.

2006-07 FAFSA is now available for renewal @ http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.

Next NSSLHA meeting on March 6, 2006 in KH B-111 @ 6:20 P.M.

Remember the young & restless days of elementary school? Recesses, handball, and pizza parties for being the top-notch class...Wow, time flies!

Gear up for finals and a flashback to the good ol' days by taking a small pizza party break with NSSLHA!

On Monday, March 6, NSSLHA will throw a quick 10-minute pizza party -- in addition to the regular X-hour snack variety -- because we want to (positively reinforce you, negatively reinforce the NSSLHA officers, and) thank you for your loyal support and for being the "top-notch class"!

More importantly, we are bringing yet another fabulous guest speaker! Please join us as we welcome representatives from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society!

As you may know, some CSULA students will participate in the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Walk on April 9th. (For more information, please contact our fabulous NSSLHA Newsletter Editor/multi-media woman/creative art director/team co-captain, Kristin Reisch, or our NSSLHA Secretary/crazy E-mailer/other co-captain, Cheryl Liang).

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Not only are we throwing a pizza party and hosting a guest speaker, we have one more incentive!

One lucky raffle winner will receive an envy-*evoking* SLP/Dysphagia clipboard (see yesterday's post) -- worth $20! Envious or not, non-winners can still purchase the clipboard for the 15% discounted price of $17.

See you there!