Contact: Maridith Geuder
A camp being held this week [June 5-9] at Mississippi State is giving eight young people with speech disabilities a chance to learn while having fun.
Now in its third year, Camp Jabber Jaw pairs youngsters who have severe speech disabilities with those with typical speech abilities, said Janie Cirlot-New, camp director and a staff member of the university's T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability.
A speech pathologist and augmentative and alternative communication specialist, New said the camp is structured to offer fun activities for children and their families while providing age-appropriate learning opportunities.
"We hope to provide a fun and friendly stage for improving interactive communication skills," she said.
Horseback riding and swimming are among play activities for the group, which this year ranges in age from six to 19. During the learning periods, they share the common experience of using augmentative and new alternative communication devices, including microcomputer-based portable devices.
"Only a small percentage of the population must use these communication devices to speak," New observed. "As a result, they often are alone in their community."
While Camp Jabber Jaw permits participants to expand their use of the specialized equipment, it simultaneously enables family members to learn more about the devices while sharing ideas and visiting with communication professionals. For professionals and students in augmentative communication intervention, it provides invaluable training.
Jabber Jaw campers conclude their MSU experience Friday [June 9] with the presentation of a play at 10 a.m. in Simrall Hall auditorium. The performance is open to all.
Camp Jabber Jaw 2000 participants include Nicholas Brassett and Christian Brassett of Baton Rouge, La.; Gabriel Toney of Jackson; Anna Lee and Elizabeth Roberts of McLain; Claire Myers of Madison; Angel Willis of Natchez; Hannah Southerland of Sontag; and Sarah Coffey, Shelley New, K.C. New, and Patrick McFadyen, all of Starkville.