Riley Cantrell

Graduate clinician dedicated to helping students develop and maintain communication skills for consistent academic and personal success. Through individualized and collaborative treatment approaches, strive to equip students with the tools needed to foster meaningful communication and academic growth. By providing individualized treatment approaches tailored to the specific needs of each student, ensures that reception of the most effective and comprehensive communication instruction. Collaborate with teachers, parents, and other professionals to ensure that students have access to the resources necessary for success both in and out of the classroom. Experienced in teaching one-on-one and group lessons using a variety of teaching strategies to meet the needs of different types of learners. Flexibility and multimedia integration to maximize lesson engagement are inherent to both in-person and online instruction.

• Student Representative for Kansas Speech Language Hearing Association (KSHA)
• President of KU’s Advancement for Minority Students in Communication Sciences and Disorders (AMSCSD) program
• Student trainee for Leadership Education in Neurodevelopment and Related Disabilities (LEND)
• Student Ambassador for KU's Speech-Language Pathology Department

• Aug 2015 - May 2018: Student Volunteer at HeadStart Dallas
• May 2019 - Aug 2019: Student Volunteer at Dallas Children's Hospital
• Jan 2021 - Jun 2021: Student Volunteer at KidSpeak Speech & Language Therapy
• Dec 2022: Student Ambassador for KU Speech-Language Pathology Department

Externship at Children's Center of the Visually Impaired, Spring 2024

• During my clinical experience at CCVI, I gained valuable experience in providing tailored support for children with visual impairments. I implemented specialized strategies to enhance communication development and social interaction, collaborating closely with educators, families, and other service providers. Additionally, I adapted materials and activities to ensure all children had equal access to learning experiences. Furthermore, I played a key role in feature matching AAC device systems for therapy trials, facilitating access to communication and language development

Externship at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Fall 2023

• During my clinical experience at Nationwide Children's Hospital, I served as a pivotal member of interdisciplinary teams specializing in neurodevelopmental disorders, Down syndrome, and pediatric strokes. I honed my skills in assessing and intervening with children across a spectrum of disorders, from gestalt language processors to individuals with various neurodevelopmental and genetic conditions. This comprehensive experience provided invaluable insights and adaptable techniques to effectively address the complex communication needs of pediatric populations

Clinical Practicum Experience, Summer 2023

• Graduate Clinical Practicum Experience, Childhood Autism Referral and Evaluation (CARE) Team: Collaborated within a multidisciplinary team to evaluate children, adolescents, and select young adults with developmental concerns. Employed diverse assessment methods, including direct testing, neurologic examinations, parent rating scales, self-report rating scales, parent interviews/developmental histories, and teacher reports, to collect comprehensive data from multiple sources. Worked collectively to assess the appropriateness of diagnoses and formulate personalized recommendations, providing informative feedback to families. Prepared detailed assessment reports accessible to families via MyChart or upon request from the Health Information Management office to aid in addressing developmental concerns effectively.
• Graduate Clinical Practicum Experience, Pediatric Speech and Language Clinic: Contributed significantly to a dedicated clinic specializing in the assessment and treatment of speech and language disorders in children. Played a key role in evaluating and providing recommendations for augmentative and alternative communication devices to support children, especially those with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), in achieving improved communication outcomes. Collaborated within a co-clinician to conduct thorough assessments, create tailored treatment plans, and deliver interventions aimed at enhancing children's speech and language abilities, addressing the unique challenges associated with CAS and other disorders, and fostering improved communication skills for young clients.

Clinical Practicum Experience, Spring 2023

• Graduate Clinician, Developing Inclusion through Communication and Engagement (DICE) Team: Led therapy sessions for a diverse clientele, including pediatric clients aged four to five and an adult client. Gained valuable experience in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) treatment and assessment. Effectively addressed the unique and complex communication needs of clients within the DICE team, contributing to their improved communication skills and overall development.

Clinical Practicum Experience, Fall 2022

• Cleft Palate Team and Disability Discrimination (DDS) Evaluation Team Member: Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive language assessments for clients. Conducted assessments, including the administration of the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamental-5, language sampling, and communication observation. Prepared detailed assessment reports encompassing results, diagnoses, and personalized recommendations.
• Graduate Clinician, Horizon Academy: Assessed client needs and developed tailored treatment plans. Monitored client progress, making necessary adjustments to therapy plans. Delivered individualized therapy, either one-on-one, in small groups, or within classroom settings, to address specific client requirement