Sie Center’s new speech language pathologist Amanda Seligman

The Sie Center for Down Syndrome’s new speech language pathologist Amanda Seligman shares important speech development tips for parents of children with Down syndrome.

Amanda Seligman and ShimaThe Sie Center for Down Syndrome at Children’s Hospital Colorado is one of the largest multi-disciplinary teams in the world providing medical care and research for children with Down syndrome.

Recently, Amanda Seligman, M.A., CCC-SLP, joined the Sie Center as the team lead for speech language pathology. Global sat down with Amanda to learn more.

To make an appointment with Amanda Seligman, please call 720-777-6750.

1. What inspired you to be part of the Sie Center?

I joined the Sie Center in December 2013. I was inspired to be a part of the Sie Center by the incredible children this clinic serves as well as the expertise and talent of the other employees who work here.

2. How did you first get involved in care for children with Down syndrome?

Way back in college, I worked at a summer camp for children who are differently-abled and there was a week for children with Down syndrome. I had so much fun that week, and it later inspired me to become motivated to work at the Rise School of Denver, an inclusive preschool that serves many families of children with Down syndrome, which eventually led to my position at the Sie Center.

3. Describe your role as a speech language pathologist at the Sie Center.

The Sie Center speech language pathologist completes speech language consultations in the Sie Center multi-discipline clinic to answer questions and provide recommendations and strategies to support families with helping their child communicate more effectively. I also provide full speech language evaluations, individual and group speech language treatment, and parent education programs.

4. What makes the Sie Center and its multi-disciplinary team so unique?

Sie Center for Down Syndrome

It is unique to have a center with so many excellent professionals working together to help children with Down syndrome maximize their health and potential.

5. What has been the most surprising thing you’ve discovered since starting to work at the Sie Center?

I have been surprised by the limited awareness of Down syndrome in many communities across the state.

6. What are your hopes for clinical research at the Sie Center?

Over time I hope that the Sie Center speech team will be involved in research on speech and language development and treatment for children with Down syndrome.

7. What are your long-term goals for helping improve the lives of children with Down syndrome?

Long term, I would love to see the Sie Center speech language therapy team grow both in staff, programming, and outreach to help meet the communication needs of children with Down syndrome.

8. What’s the most important thing you think parents of a child should know in terms of speech development?

It is important to create opportunities for your child to communicate throughout the day during everyday routines. Try not to anticipate your child’s needs. Instead, hold back things you know your child wants and wait to allow them an opportunity to initiate communication with you, whether they use a gesture, facial expression, sign, or word. Tune into your child’s natural communication and then model words that match their intent. For example, if your child reaches to indicate he wants his juice, say/model the word and sign, “juice.” Make sure to do this every time, in a consistent fashion. Kids with Down syndrome need lots of practice learning how to be powerful communicators, and parents can help by setting the stage for this practice.

9. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m originally for Cincinnati, Ohio, and attended undergraduate school at Indiana University-Bloomington and then graduate school at CU Boulder. When I’m not busy working with children with Down syndrome, I enjoy being in the mountains, practicing and teaching yoga, and spending time with my husband, friends and family.

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