As a speech-language pathologist at the Jane and Richard Thomas Center for Down Syndrome at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, I’ve worked exclusively with children with Down syndrome (DS) for the last 7 years. My personal journey with DS started in 1988 with the birth of my sister April.

The views expressed on this blog are personal and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer.

In addition to clinical care, I enjoy traveling and speaking about Down syndrome. For more information or to arrange a speaking engagement please contact me at jennifer.bekins@cchmc.org.

Credentials

MS: Loyola College in Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 2001
BA with Highest Honors: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 1999
Certification: ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence, 2001
Certification: Hanen Certified Clinician, 2006

Publications, Most Recent

Bekins, J. Dreams realized: the gift of Down syndrome. Down Syndrome Pregnancy, February 17., 2011

Bekins, J. Your child’s therapy: Weighing the options. Down Syndrome News, 2009; 32 (4): 60-61.

Presentations, Past Two Years (More topics available upon request)

• Bekins, J. and Turner, K.: Fantastic Feeders: Successful Feeding Skills in Children with DS. Presented at the National Down Syndrome Congress Convention; August, 2012; Washington, DC
• Bekins, J.: Communication Disorders in Later Childhood and Adolescence. Guest Instructor at the University of Cincinnati; May 29, 2012; Cincinnati, OH.
• Bekins, J.: Communication Disorders in Children with Developmental-Behavioral Disorders. Guest Instructor at the University of Cincinnati; March 6, 2012; Cincinnati, OH.
• Bekins, J.: Understanding Communication: Children and Adolescents with Down Syndrome, Is my child too old for speech therapy?, and Speech and Children with Down syndrome. Presented at the Greater Richmond Down Syndrome Association Spring Education Conference; March 16-17, 2012; Richmond, VA.
• Bekins, J.: Understanding Childhood Apraxia of Speech and Down Syndrome. Presented for the Northwest Ohio Speech Language Hearing Association; September, 2011; Sylvania, OH.
• Bekins, J. Reaching for the STARs: Speech Therapy and Research Working Together. Presented at the National Down Syndrome Congress Convention; August, 2011; San Antonio, TX.
• Bekins, J. and Carroll, G.: Together we can make a difference: Improving communication, behavior, and learning outcomes at school and home. Presented at the Wyoming Down Syndrome Association Family Conference; June 2010; Casper, WY.

Professional Organizations

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Member since 2001
• Hanen, “It Takes Two to Talk” Trained Clinician

None of the advice I give is a substitute for evaluation and treatment by a certified speech-language pathologist. Any ideas taken from this blog should be discussed with your child’s treating therapist to ensure proper use. My aim is to provide families, friends, and professionals ideas for promoting appropriate oral-motor, feeding, speech, and language skills as it relates to the child with Down syndrome.

The Content on this blog is protected under copyright and intellectual property laws. No content or images herein may be redistributed without written permission. © 2013