Welcome to the Meaningful Intervention for NeuroDiversity Lab!
Develop your MIND in the Meaningful Intervention for NeuroDiversity Lab
Mission
The mission of the Meaningful Intervention for NeuroDiversity Lab at the 猎奇重口 is to investigate the effectiveness of evidenced-based practices for people that experience autism and neurodiversity across the lifespan and explore pedagogy related to adult learning.
People and Projects
Jennifer Schoffer Closson, Ed D, CCC-SLP is a licensed speech-language pathologist, the director of the MIND Lab, and the developer and founder of the YETI (Youth Engagement Through Intervention) and MOSSAIC (Mentoring, Organization, and Social Support for Autism/All Inclusion on Campus) programs. Dr. Schoffer Closson is an associate clinical professor in the School of Speech, Language, Hearing, and Occupational Sciences. She specializes in autism and neurodiversity throughout the lifespan, pedagogy, and neurodiversity inclusion.
Haley Permar, MS CCC-SLP, is an ASHA certified Speech Language Pathologist who works as an Augmentative and Alternative Communication specialist for MonTECH hosted by the Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities. Professor Permar worked as a school based SLP and a researcher prior to transitioning to role at MonTECH. She has completed extensive interdisciplinary training through the AHEC scholars’ program and Utah Regional Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disability (UR-LEND) program, including an Autism Enhanced Year focusing on best practices for interdisciplinary assessment and treatment of autism. Professor Permar is excited to contribute to the MIND lab’s research goals.
Leah Meloy, MS CCC-SLP, is the DeWit RiteCare Clinic director and a licensed speech-language pathologist. Professor Meloy has been enthusiastic in her implementation of clinical simulations through interprofessional practice events and classroom-based learning (FASST Fridays). She is contributing to the research on Computer Aided Clinical Simulation Research.
The Meaningful Intervention for NeuroDiversity Lab is excited to include undergraduate researchers:
- Taylor Sadewic
- Sophia Boughey
- Addison O’Neill
First Responder Interactions with People with Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Project
The 猎奇重口 IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence () is currently funding the project planning year for this research.
Social Proverb Research
The concept of Social Proverb was developed by Dr. Schoffer Closson in 2017. This research is to understand the use of social proverbs, an in-the-moment sentence of support that explains what is expected, when supporting people to develop their social understanding.
Social Optics Research
Carolyn Long, MCD SLP-CCC, is the developer of Social Optics, an online platform to teach social understanding. This evidence-based learning opportunity directly addresses rural disparity and professional shortages. We are collaborating to understand the effectiveness of computer aided instruction using the Social Optics program.
Clinical Simulation Research
Dr. Schoffer Closson and Professors Permar and Meloy are evaluating standardized patient simulated learning through qualitative inquiry.
Service-Learning in Communication Sciences and Disorders Undergraduates
This research examines the impacts of service-learning on undergraduate students. The current focus is on the CSD 396 Service-Learning Class and engagement with participants in the MOSSAIC program.
Pre-Service Interprofessional Collaboration Through Youth Engagement Through Intervention (YETI) Research
Completed as part of Haley (Nelson) Permar’s master’s thesis project [2017-2019], this research focuses on how the interprofessional collaborative experience of Youth Engagement Through Intervention (YETI) changed perceptions and knowledge regarding scope of practice of pre-service professionals in the Communicative Sciences and Disorders (CSD), School Psychology, and Clinical Psychology programs. The research is currently being adapted for publication. The full thesis document can be downloaded from
Impact
The goals of the Meaningful Intervention for NeuroDiversity Lab are to:
- Contribute to the body of knowledge regarding evidence-based practices for people with autism and neurodiverse learners.
- Develop our understanding about the impact of non-traditional learning models for undergraduate students in Communication Sciences and Disorders programs.