Health & Fitness
Midwestern University’s Speech-Language Institute Pairs Faculty Experts, Graduate Students
Midwestern University new Speech-Language Institute offers diagnostic and therapeutic services for children and adults with speech and language disorders, cognitive impairment, stroke-related aphasia, feeding and swallowing difficulties, stuttering, voice problems, autism, developmental delay, or other communication concerns. As part of Midwestern University’s Multispecialty Clinic in Downers Grove, the Institute features graduate speech-language pathology students working under the direct supervision of clinical faculty with years of experience.
“We have speech-language pathologists with expertise in a variety of communication and swallowing disorders to work with our students in the classroom and clinic,” said Tina Veale, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Program Director, Speech-Language Pathology. “When clients come to the Speech-Language Institute, they receive services provided by graduate student clinicians who partner with faculty speech-language pathologists.”
The Speech-Language Institute clinical faculty features a group of professionals with extensive experience and includes the following:
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Megan Cuellar, M.A., CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor, researches and teaches coursework in neurological communication disorders with a specific interest in swallowing disorders, motor-speech disorders, and cognitive wellness. Clinically, she has practiced medical speech-language pathology in a variety of acute and long-term care medical facilities.
Christina del Toro, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor, teaches courses in adult language and cognitive disorders, and research methods. Dr. del Toro is interested in the assessment and treatment of word-finding impairments in individuals with post-stroke aphasia.
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Patricia Gibbons, M.A., CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor, teaches courses in dysphagia, voice and resonance disorders, clinical methods, phonological and articulatory disorders, and professional ethics. Ms. Gibbons has worked in acute care teaching hospitals and university outpatient clinics treating a variety of disorders, including voice, articulation, language, and swallowing problems.
Kimberly S. Hoffer, M.A., CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Education, teaches courses in clinical methods and fluency disorders. For over 30 years, Mrs. Hoffer has served individuals and their families in the areas of stuttering, speech sound disorders, professional voice, and accent modification.
Jayne E. Jaskolski, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor, teaches courses in articulation and phonology, child language disorders, and language and literacy. With over 20 years of clinical experience, her areas of interest are phonological awareness, early childhood education, language and literacy, professional development, and the scholarship of teaching.
Elia Olivares, M.S., CCC-SLP, Clinical Assistant Professor, provides clinical supervision of graduate students in the Speech-Language Institute and teaches in the areas of clinical methods and bilingualism. She has worked as a bilingual speech-language pathologist in public school and university settings. Mrs. Olivares is interested in cultural and linguistic diversity, working with English-Spanish language learners, and literacy development and disorders.
Kathleen Post, M.S., CCC-SLP, Clinical Assistant Professor and Clinic Coordinator of the Speech-Language Institute, teaches coursework in augmentative and alternative communication modalities. Mrs. Post has 30 years of clinical experience working with individuals who cannot express themselves verbally, including clients of all ages with developmental or acquired communication disorders. She coordinates patient care activities, supervises student clinicians, and works with a variety of clients at the Speech-Language Institute.
Tina K. Veale, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Professor and Program Director, teaches courses in neuroscience, autism spectrum disorders, and child language disorders. Clinically, Dr. Veale has treated children, adolescents, and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities for over 30 years. She is interested in the neurological foundation of communication disorders, especially in children.
Jonathan Wilson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor, teaches courses in adult language and cognitive disorders and the neurological bases of communication disorders. Dr. Wilson is interested in the assessment and treatment of cognitively-based language impairments in individuals with Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, and dementia.
In addition to an experienced clinical staff and graduate student clinicians, the Institute is equipped with the latest technology. A voice-swallowing lab, augmentative communication lab, cognitive-linguistic lab, aphasia lab, and electrophysiology lab are available for research and therapy applications. Each therapy room is furnished with two cameras that make it possible for family members and faculty to monitor therapy sessions.
The Speech-Language Institute is committed to offering affordable, quality care. Rates of individual therapy sessions are significantly lower than the Chicago area average and the clinic has a sliding scale for families who need additional help paying for services.
The Institute is committed to preparing speech-language pathologists who can address all aspects of communication and swallowing problems, and to providing the best care for our clients. For more information about the therapy services offered at the Speech-Language Institute, contact (630) 743-4500 or visit www.mwuclincs.com.
