Print the pageResearch and clinical considerations for minimally/non-verbal individuals: transdiagnostic perspectives
Date & Time
Thursday, April 24, 2025
8:30am - 4:00pm
Details
The Bloorview Research Institute at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is pleased to invite you to attend an event that will explore the complex communication and behavioural needs and solutions for minimally verbal/non-verbal individuals. Researchers, trainees, clinicians, academic faculty, students (e.g. psychology) and families of minimally verbal/non-verbal children, youth and adults are invited to attend.
Join us at this event that will:
- Examine the needs, supports and research agenda for minimally/non-verbal individuals
- Explore communication pathways for non-verbal individuals
- Engage with the research, clinical, academic and community sectors, families and caregivers
Program agenda
- 8:30 – 9:00 AM - Registration and networking breakfast
- 9:00 – 9:15 AM - Meeting opening and welcoming remarks
Co-Hosts:
Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou, Vice President, Research and Director, Bloorview Research Institute
Event Co-Host - 9:15 – 10:00 AM - Linguistic profiles and brain mechanisms of limited spoken language in autistic youth
Presented by: Dr. Lindsay Butler, Assistant Professor of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Connecticut Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Director, Brain and Language on the Autism Spectrum Lab - 10:00 – 10:30 AM - Access innovations for children and youth with limited functional speech and motor control
Presented by: Dr. Tom Chau, Distinguished Senior Scientist, Bloorview Research Institute - 10:30 – 10:45 AM - Refreshment break
- 10:45 - 11:30 AM - Panel session – research agenda for minimally verbal and nonverbal individuals
Moderated by: Dr. Jessica Brian, Senior clinician scientist, psychologist, Bloorview Research Institute
Panelists:
Alison Singer, President, Autism Science Foundation Canada
Natalie Richter, Principal and CEO, Natalie Richter Global
Vithangi Ramachandran, Speech-Language Pathologist, Senior Director, Speech-Language and Adult Services, South Asian Autism Awareness Centre (SAAAC)
Donna Cappelli, Family Leader, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital - 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM - Promoting Accessible Communication: Evaluating AAC Apps for Autistic Children and Youth
Presented by: Lauren Denusik, SLP/PhD student, Western University
June Coan-Brill, SLP/PhD student, Western University - 12:00 - 1:00 PM - Networking Lunch and Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) Demo
- 1:00 – 1:30 PM - Accessible language comprehension for children with significant speech and motor limitations: Tailoring a new tool for the Canadian context
Presented by: Dr. BJ Cunningham, Assistant Professor, School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Western University, Scientist, CanChild, Associate Scientist, Children’s Health Research Institute
Aileen Costigan, OT, PhD, C-BiLLT Project Manager
June Coan-Brill, SLP/PhD student, Western University - 1:30 – 1:50 PM - Using neuroimaging to assess language comprehension in autistic individuals with limited functional speech
Presented by: Dr. Morgan Barense, Professor and Glassman Chair in Neuropsychology, Director, Toronto Neuroimaging Facility, Department of Psychology, University of Toronto - 1:50 – 2:10 PM - Device development for non-verbal individuals
Presented by: Dr. Azadeh Kushki, Senior Scientist, Associate Chief of Data Science, Bloorview Research Institute - 2:10 – 2:30 PM - Facilitated discussion
Moderated by: Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou, Vice President, Research and Director, Bloorview Research Institute - 2:30 – 2:45 PM - Refreshment break
- 2:45 – 3:45 PM - A “minimal responder” profile in autistic children: toward promoting development and supporting families
Presented by: Dr. Isabel Smith, Professor, Division of Developmental Pediatrics, Autism Research Centre, Dalhousie University - Presentation of inaugural Lifetime Award in Pediatric Disability Research
Award recipient:
Dr. Isabel Smith, Professor, Division of Developmental Pediatrics, Autism Research Centre, Dalhousie University - 3:45 – 4:00 PM - Closing remarks and adjournment
Co-Hosts: Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou, Vice President, Research and Director, Bloorview Research Institute
Event Co-Host
Continental refreshments and lunch will be provided. For more information, please contact Carissa Lewis at clewis@hollandbloorview.ca.
Please click here to register. In-person registration deadline – Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
