In this presentation, the audience will learn about pragmatic (social) language skills exhibited by children from three through eight years of age. Pragmatic language skills discussed will include: initiating conversation, eye contact, turn taking, play skills, sharing, social greetings, reading body language, and asking/answering questions.  The presenters will also explain why pragmatic skills are important for school/camp, provide red flags that indicate a possible deficit in skills which may warrant intervention, and provide examples of secondary behaviors resulting from decreased pragmatic skills.  Finally, tips and activities to enhance pragmatic language development will be shared and discussed.

About the Presenters:

Amy Machut, M.S., CCC-SLP is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist who graduated from Miami University  with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology.  She went on to receive her Master of Science in Speech Pathology at Loyola College in Maryland, during which time she assisted in several research projects for children with communication disorders.  Amy is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and has attended several specialized trainings, including PROMPT and Applied Behavior Analysis.  She has a passion for working with children on the Autism Spectrum and continues to dedicate herself to improving the speech and language skills of all her clients.   

Abby Yakey, M.A., CCC-SLP is a  licensed Speech-Language Pathologist who graduated from Miami University in Ohio with a Bachelor of Science and subsequently a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology.  Abby is a member of the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association (ASHA).  Licensed also as an Early Intervention Specialist, Abby has specialized in working with children ages birth to three.  Her areas of interest include oral-motor/feeding disorders, language development, and the birth to three populations.