Amanda L. Steele, Journalism Major
Radford University, P.O. Box 6916, Radford, Virginia 24142-6916

An eight-week summer language clinic sponsored at Radford University by the Rite has brought speech therapy and literacy skills to many area children.

Photo: Lora L. Gordon, Radford University

"Helping Children Communicate." This is the mission statement of the Scottish Rite's Childhood Language Program. Today, there are 165 RiteCare Clinics, Centers, and Programs located throughout the Southern Jurisdiction. Depending on local focus and expertise, these facilities provide diagnostic evaluation and treatment of speech, language, and learning disabilities. "The support of the Scottish Rite is truly a blessing in our clinic," said Pat Rossi, Director of Radford University's Summer Language Clinic, one of six facilities or programs sponsored by the Scottish Rite Foundation of Virginia in the "Old Dominion State."

In 2002, the Radford program offered an eight-week summer language clinic, which taught speech therapy and literacy skills to more than a dozen area children. Sponsored by the Department of Communications Sciences and Disorders, Radford University graduate students introduced children (ranging from two to seven years of age) to books and activities, including singing and art projects, in order to help them better understand the spoken word.

The experience and training that the graduate students receive from this program allow them to gain the appropriate knowledge to become future health care leaders. The program frequently divides into classes, enabling each child to gain individual attention from the teacher.

Aside from being enjoyable for children enrolled in the clinic, the evidence of the program's promising results is apparent. "The support from the Scottish Rite allows us to provide both the quality and quantity of speech and language therapy that is truly in each child's best interest," Rossi said. Designed as purposeful play, the program allows children to interact with others as they move toward clear verbal and written communication.

Since its inception in 1973, the clinic has served thousands of children and adults in the New River Valley region in Southwest Virginia. The program is a summer outreach of the University's Speech and Hearing Clinic, which provides language and auditory therapy for children.

In the past few years, there has been increasing acknowledgement of the importance of evaluating and treating childhood problems at the earliest possible stage. Seeking assistance early for a child's disabilities can increase a child's chances of reaching his or her appropriate peer group level. "The Scottish Rite allows us to move beyond the minimum of appropriate speech and language services for children (required by law in Virginia's public schools) toward ideal services," explained Rossi. Focusing on each individual's needs is vital to a child's development.

In addition to funding the clinic, the Scottish Rite Foundation of Virginia has sponsored graduate fellowships for the past four years. Scottish Rite contributions to Radford University over the past several years total more than $90,000. There is only one more thing to say to the Scottish Rite Masons of Virginia, "Thank you!"

Amanda L. Steele is a senior Media Studies major, with a concentration in Journalism, and a Psychology minor, at Radford University in Southwest Virginia. Amanda has had several articles published in Radford University's newspaper, The Tartan, where she serves as copy editor, as well as for Whim, the campus' student-run Internet magazine. She is currently serving as Radford University's Department of Public Relations writing intern for the spring 2003 semester. Upon graduation in May 2003, Amanda would like to pursue a career within a media institution where she can utilize her skills in writing, reporting, public relations, and other relevant journalism fields in the Richmond, Virginia, area.