Communicative Disorders

Saint Mary’s launches new communicative disorders major, and makes a difference for people with disabilities

Experience, academic inquiry, and passion. These are three qualities intrinsic to the new communicative disorders major at Saint Mary’s. This is the first year the College will offer a major in this area of study, which has been a minor at Saint Mary’s since the mid-90s. It is the first communicative disorders major offered by any college or university in the northern Indiana area.

“We are able to provide a great resource for our students here,” says major program coordinator Susan Latham. She took the lead in proposing the new major to the College’s curriculum committee. It was a long and fruitful process resulting in a course of study that will launch its students into a variety of rewarding careers.

According to Latham the major is a course for students interested in learning about psychology, language development, and many other disciplines related to communicative disorders in people from birth to the elderly. It is also a jumping-off point for students who are interested in pursuing graduate work in speech pathology or audiology.

“The best part about the communicative disorders program at Saint Mary’s is that we get a lot of experience working with people in therapy,” says Mary Kate Daday, a senior who is majoring in both psychology and communicative disorders.

The communicative disorders program requires students to complete 25 hours of observation of a certified speech and language pathologist (SLP) in the field before students can begin their clinical practicum senior year. In addition, throughout their studies, students will assess, diagnose, and write a treatment plan for a client who receives assistance through the Speech-Language-Hearing Services at Saint Mary’s College program. They also administer therapy under Latham’s supervision.

That’s where passion for the study of communicative disorders and the people who are living them comes in. “I love how my professors help me see the big picture and not focus on the disability,” says Daday. “They teach me to focus on the individual and how I can help him or her reach his full potential.”

Daday echoes a philosophy that Latham works to instill in her students. “Saint Mary’s prepares students to make a difference in the world,” says Latham. “Students can heighten a person’s potential to facilitate meaningful relationships, and to restore self-esteem, dignity, and independence.”