Alessandra Marshall
SLPD, CCC-SLP
My Mission
As a passionate SLP, I believe that every person has the right to safety and connection in the community. Building genuine relationships is an essential part of the human experience. Connections built on shared experiences and interests encourage a supportive community, and allow us to learn more about ourselves and each other. Supporting people with complex communication needs in the community means honoring connection through all modalities of communication and creating accessible environments where these genuine relationships can begin to flourish, in turn enhancing quality of life.
I seek to create community where communication, physical, sensory, emotional, and regulation supports are accessible and celebrated as these are the keys to connection! In striving to do this, we must center ourselves around research and lived experience. Both evidence-based practices and advocate voices are foundational to my practice!
Experience
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NYU ASD Nest Support ProjectI am currently a Social Development Intervention Specialist (Research Scientist) for the ASD Nest Support Program at NYU Metro Center. As a SDI Specialist, I provide on-site and remote consultation to SLPs in the NYC public schools, and support collaborative discussions across school community settings. I provide NYC public schools and families with professional development to establish and implement inclusive cultures and educational practices for autistic learners.
NYC Department of EducationDuring my 6 years in a Bronx District 75 NYC DOE school, I collaborated with the educational team to conduct assessments and create IEPs. I adapted 6th through 8th grade curriculum to be accessible to students with various classifications. I also served as the Assistive Technology Liaison for elementary, middle, and high school sites. I attended trainings provided by various DOE departments, as well as those offered Apple Education, Nearpod, and Spotify SoundTrap. I provided professional development for staff and conducted individualized and group parent outreach and workshops for families.
Graduate Clinician Experience
As a graduate clinician at LIU Post, I interned at Parker Jewish Institute Rehabilitation Center, Hemlock Park - Brentwood Elementary, ACDS - Plainview, and the Ladge Speech and Hearing Clinic. In these settings, I provided speech and language therapy to individuals ranging in age from 2 to 104, with an emphasis on AAC to improve access to authentic communication.
Paraprofessional Experience
As a paraprofessional, I supported students with multiple disabilities in a self-contained, elementary classroom setting and school environment. My years of experience as a paraprofessional provided me with the understanding that interdisciplinary approaches combined with home-school collaborations are essential for student success.
Education
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Northwestern University
Speech Language Pathology Doctorate, 2023
Speech Language Pathology
Coursea - Emory University
Research Certification, 2022
Qualitative Research Design
Long Island University, Post
Master of Arts, 2016
Speech Language Pathology
Magna Cum Laude
Long Island University, Post
Bachelor of Science, 2014
Speech Language Pathology and Audiology
Cum Laude
SLP-D Projects
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Culminating Project
I designed a qualitative research study that aims to identify SLP decision-making process in regard to AAC evaluations and provision of services for students with varying communication support needs.
Teaching and Learning Manifesto
My Manifesto was developed based on a deeper understanding of foundational knowledge in theories and concepts that I believe are critical to teaching and learning.
Policy Analysis Project
For my public policy analysis, I examined Special Education policies, such as classroom settings based on Least Restrictive Environment under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and its impact on provision of High School Diploma for student with disabilities.
Policy Digital Media Abstract
To further the impact of my policy analysis project, I developed a policy media abstract that could be utilized as a social media campaign. This abstract aims to bring awareness to the connection Least Restrictive Environment and academic success and quality of live for disabled students.
AAC Improvement Plan Poster
I created a process improvement plan aims to improve the request process for Assistive Technology evaluations in the academic setting. This plan considers current barriers of effective referrals, and suggests possible adjustments through goal setting, intervention plans, and data collection.
Business Proposal
I developed a business proposal with components of operational processing, financial management, operations, organizational behaviors, marketing, and leadership based on my future goals to develop a space that fosters communication and connection.
Organizational Behaviors Analysis
I utilized the knowledge gained in my SLP-D courses to design a tool kit of key elements for leadership, collaboration, motivation, and congruence in the workspace.
Trainings & Awards
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Apple Learning Coach Program - Current Candidate
Apple Learning Coach is a professional learning program for coaching educators to help K-12 teachers get the most out of Apple products. Coaches engage in an online course that provides a dynamic mix of self-paced lessons and virtual workshops with Apple Professional Learning Specialists and fellow coaches. The program has been awarded the ISTE Seal of Alignment for Coaches.
GLP & Delayed Echolalia - Meaningful Speech
This course by Meaningful Speech advances therapists' support of spontaneous and natural communication for children who are Gestalt Language Processors. The course examines how to identify, evaluate, and work with any child who communicates with delayed echolalia (often referred to by scripting).
25 Contact Hours
Learn, Play, Thrive Neurodiversity Summit 2024
This summit featured lectures and discussions from a neurodiverse panel who have spent their careers learning deeply on topics that cut to the core of what it means to be affirming. Courses focus on deepening understadning around AAC, Feeding Support, Gestalt Language Processing, Cultural Responsiveness, and Trauma Informed Care.
15 Contact Hours
Ethics & Neurodiversity
Autistic OT Sarah Selvaggi-Hernandez highlights the importance of related service providers addressing health, rights, and consent by tying together our professional codes of ethics and the neurodiversity model to teach concrete ways to support neurodivergent clients.
1 Contact Hour
Let's UNMASC: Understanding the Needs & Motivations of Autistic Social Communication
Autistic SLPS, Rachel Dorsey and V Tisi, teach a concrete system to guide clinical reasoning for Autistic social communication that centers authenticity & acceptance while considering the reeal demands of daily life.
5.75 Contact Hours
Award for Continuing Education (ACE) 2023
The ACE is ASHA's formal recognition of SLPs who have demonstrated their commitment to lifelong learning by earning.
70+ contact hours
CITI Program: Social & Behavioral Research
CITI Program provides online human subjects research training for researchers conducting or planning to conduct biomedical or social-behavioral-educational research.
Authentic AAC: Implementing AAC Systems for Autonomy & Connection
Kate McLaughlin gives tools to support emergent communicators in a way that fosters autonomy, self-determination, and connection to those around them.
12 Contact Hours
Neurodiversity-Affirming SLP Practices: An Autism Summit 2022
This summit featured lectures and discussions from a neurodiverse panel about Gestalt Language Processing Literacy, Sensory Regulation, and SLP service provision and evaluations that embrace authentic, neurodiversity -affirming practices.
12 Contact Hours
Goal Writing for Autistic Students
Autistic SLP, Rachel Dorsey, teaches through lectures, case studies, and resources to guide SLPs towards strengths-based goals and a neurodiversity- affirming approach to evaluations and service provisions for Autistic students.
10.5 Contact Hours
Award for Continuing Education (ACE) 2022
The ACE is ASHA's formal recognition of SLPs who have demonstrated their commitment to lifelong learning by earning.
70+ contact hours
CITI Program: Human Research, Biomedical Research, & Basics
CITI Program provides online human subjects research training for researchers conducting or planning to conduct biomedical or social-behavioral-educational research.
