WVU Speech-Language Pathology student helps provide assistive technology evaluations through RISE
For some children, a tap on a screen can open a world of communication that would otherwise be inaccessible. But, through an innovative partnership at West Virginia University, graduate student Addie Ivey, hopes to help children better connect with the world around them.
Ivey, a master’s student in the West Virginia University School of Medicine’s Speech-Language Pathology program, put her classroom learning into practice by participating in RISE, or Rehabilitation and Integrative Services for Enablement. The program, hosted in partnership with Wheeling University and local assistive technology professionals, provided free pediatric evaluations to West Virginia families.
RISE allowed Ivey to help children use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices — specialized tablets that support people with speech or language impairments.
During the event, Ivey joined students from the School of Medicine’s Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy programs to evaluate children with multiple disabilities and recommend assistive technologies to help children move, learn and communicate.
“I was really excited for another hands-on activity that would allow me to apply what we’ve been learning in a practical setting,” Ivey said. “It was a great and informative experience. I enjoyed collaborating with other students and gaining insight into their field.”
The team-based approach didn’t end with the evaluations. After each client visit, students and faculty gathered for a group debrief to share their professional perspectives.
“During our group debrief, I had the opportunity to explain the speech-language pathology perspective to the other students and vice versa,” Ivey explained. “This interdisciplinary exchange enriched my understanding of collaborative care.”
“Working alongside other professionals is extremely beneficial,” she added. “Not only is it a valuable learning opportunity for students, but it’s also informative for families to have multiple professionals present simultaneously. This collaborative approach enhances the support provided to clients and their families.”
Originally from Pittsford, New York, Ivey completed her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the School of Medicine. For graduate school, she knew she wanted to continue her training at WVU.
“Continuing into the master’s program felt like a natural next step, given the strong academic foundation and supportive community I had already found,” she said. “WVU has always felt like home to me.”
During her time in the Speech-Language Pathology program, Ivey has had clinical placements at the WVU Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic, West Fairmont Middle School, and a skilled nursing facility in Clarksburg.
“I’ve gained extensive clinical experience that has significantly broadened my knowledge across various areas,” she said. “Each of these settings is vastly different, offering unique challenges and learning opportunities that have prepared me for a diverse range of professional scenarios.”
Beyond her coursework and clinical placements, Ivey has also participated in research trips, hands-on training in swallowing evaluations, and activities in WVU’s STEPS lab — all of which, she says, have strengthened her practical skills and prepared her for her future.
Looking ahead, Ivey hopes to work in a children’s hospital after earning her degree. “I’m passionate about pediatric care and aspire to be part of a multidisciplinary team that makes a meaningful impact on children’s lives,” she said.
To learn more about the WVU Speech-Language Pathology program or pathways to this degree, visit medicine.wvu.edu/communications-sciences-and-disorders/speech-language-pathology-ms/.