About Us

Darlene Hanson, MA, CCC

Darlene has been a Speech and Language Pathologist for 20 years, working with individuals with severe communication impairments. Her expertise in working with individuals who are “non verbal” and use alternate modes of communication, as well as in the area of speech development for persons with severe motor apraxia as it relates to autism. She worked in the public school setting as a school based clinician and program specialist, taught university level courses at Chapman University. She currently provides training on autism, full inclusion, creating a communicative environment and Facilitated Communication. Darlene has published research in the area of Facilitated Communication, and is a recognized Facilitated Communication Trainer. She coaches school staff, families, and support staff to use Best Practice when using Facilitated Communication. Darlene was the technical consultant on the television movie “Touch of Truth”, and has been an expert witness describing communication. She is currently s a member of ASHA, CSHA, and TASH. She is the TASH committee Communication Committee Chair.

Katie Bernal, MA

Katie has a Masters in Communication Disorders from California State University of Los Angeles. She will be completing her CFY with Darlene starting in September of 2007. She has a Bachelors degree in psychology and education from the University of Otago, College of Education in Dunedin, New Zealand. Katie earned a professional degree in Speech and Language Therapy at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2000. Katie’s professional experiences include two years of general education teaching, and three years of school based speech therapy. Katie’s areas of interest and skill include working with individuals with severe communication impairments and their families, and assistive technology, including alternate modes of communication and technology. Katie will be providing direct therapy, AT and AAC assessments, and coaching to clients to enhance the communication skills and partnership of within their teams.

Partners

Peggy Groves Schaefer, MM, MT-BC, NMT-Fellow
Music Therapist - Board Certified
Neurologic Music Therapist - Fellow

Peggy completed her graduate studies in Neurologic Music Therapy at Colorado State University and the Center for Biomedical Research in Music. Neurologic Music Therapy is an evidence and rhythmic-based approach to therapeutic intervention. Peggy currently works with persons with autism and other developmental delays to address movement, cognitive, and speech & language needs. Additionally, she provides Neurologic Music Therapy services for neurologic rehabilitation, including stroke, brain injury, and Parkinson's disease. Please feel free to contact Peggy with any questions about this unique and growing field.

Who We Are

• We are an agency of professionals who assume competence in all individuals

• We are an agency of Speech and Language Specialists and others working to train persons on being better communication partners.

• We are able to use strategies that increase the person's use of speech, body language, and technology so that they are actively participating in the conversation and learning.

• Our focus is not only on the individual with the severe communication impairment, but also on the communication partners.

• The overall goal is for an individual to have the most efficient means of communication available.

• We know it is best to team with the educators, occupational therapist, behavioral support persons, and families and strive to work with teams who focus on the individual.

• Our agency is able to provide services in our therapy office or at your site.

"Knowledge is functional." - Darlene Hanson

Our Vision

• Our vision is to support families and teams who are not currently receiving communication services, and have to use unacceptable practice to receive support in their homes. This compromise is not necessary.

• People can change the way they view individuals with severe communication impairments and developmental disorders when the assume competence of all.

• We are all communicators and with today's technology and knowledge individuals who don’t speak are also showing the ability to communicate.

• Communication is what allows us to connect with others, and develop long lasting as well as short term yet important relationships.

• When provided with the appropriate supports individuals with severe communication impairments are able to show their understanding, and contribution.

• Knowledge is functional. Education is appropriate for all. Without communication it is difficult to participate in education, personal goals, and every day life. A program that chooses to deny a person access to communicate can not be accepted as a program in the persons best interest.

• There is a shortage in professionals who understand communication for those who are severely communication impaired. Hanson Communications offers training to those who support these individuals to create a communicative environment for all.

• It is our vision, at Hanson Communications, that all persons will have their right to communicate fulfilled.