Easel with post-its of ideas in foreground. In the background are adults sitting and working at a table together.

Workshops & talks

Interested in providing training to your organization?

Organizations can request workshops and talks to provide education on a topic of interest, related to the field of communication and neurodevelopmental conditions. Available in person or virtually, as well as in English or Spanish. See below for options.

A computer screening displaying the presentation slides of Dr. Jessica Kinard; in the background, the audience sits in an auditorium setting.

Your organization may be interested in requesting a workshop or talk if:

  • You want to provide clinical training to professionals or students

  • You want to offer workshops or education for laypeople in the community, such as parents and families

  • You want to discuss research in the field of communication and neurodevelopmental disorders

  • You want to workshop how to create a place of belonging for individuals with communication needs

Adults sitting in chairs arranged in a circle

Examples of organizations that may wish to request a workshop or talk:

  • Clinical or medical groups

  • Colleges and universities

  • Schools, daycares, or other educational organizations

  • Libraries, recreation centers, or other community organizations

  • Religious institutions

  • Volunteer organizations

  • Employers or places of business

Teaching philosophy

Jessica Kinard, PhD, CCC-SLP, received doctoral and postdoctoral training at UNC Chapel Hill in Speech and Hearing Sciences, as well as Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. She has led workshops and presentations about communication development and disorders for over 15 years, nationally and internationally, to both professional and non-professional audiences. Dr. Kinard has also taught undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral level courses to students from a variety of fields, such as speech-language pathology, psychology, special education, occupational sciences, and neurodevelopment. Dr. Kinard’s teaching philosophy is founded on principles of adult learning, such as:

  • Conveying enthusiasm for the content, the participants, and our time together

  • Providing evidence-based, organized content with clear learning outcomes

  • Encouraging active participation, collaboration, and autonomy

  • Relating content to real-life applications and previous experiences

  • Challenging participants with higher-order learning

Workshop Topics

You are welcome to request a topic of interest related to your organization’s needs. Examples of topics that Dr. Kinard has presented on include:

  • Autism

  • Articulation and phonology

  • Bilingualism

  • “Challenging” behaviors

  • Clinical assessment methods

  • Communication and play development

  • Communication disorders

  • Cultural and linguistic diversity

  • Developmental disabilities

  • Evidence-based interventions

  • Family-centered principles

  • Faith communities

  • Inclusion

  • Interdisciplinary collaboration

  • Neurodevelopment

  • Parent and child interactions

  • Parent coaching interventions

  • Research methods

  • Telehealth

  • Translation and adaptation

Course Feedback

  • "This class was by far my favorite class I have taken all year. The material was current and relevant to my interests and field. Classes were engaging and provided great information."

  • "I could clearly see how much effort and dedication the professor put into it [the course]."

  • "Kinard put a lot of time and effort into the class; she gave a lot of feedback and ways to improve; she was enthusiastic and loved what she taught."

  • "I really feel like the information that we learned are things that every person should know, especially individuals who want to have or work with kids. This is an excellent course and professor that should be kept around!"

  • "I learned so much helpful information in the workshop! One of the best trainings I've attended!"

  • "Very knowledgeable, training very interesting & HELPFUL"

  • "Presenter was very engaging and knowledgeable. We were given lots of resources to use."

  • “exelente, me encanto la presentación con las experiencias"

  • "Las estrategias estan claramente expuestas y organizadas para poderlas identificar y evaluar"