UVM Communication Sciences and Disorders

12/12/2025

12/09/2025

About Me:

Hi everyone! I’m Ashley Couture, a Speech-Language Pathologist who has spent nearly 30 years helping people of all ages discover and use their true voice. I’ve always been drawn to communication—how it connects us, how it shapes participation, and how powerful it is when someone finally feels heard. That passion has guided me from my psychology studies at McGill
University, to graduate training at UVM, to decades of clinical work across medical, educational, and community settings. Currently, I practice in schools through part-time work with the
Vermont Interdisciplinary Team and work together with community service agencies to serve AAC needs of adults with developmental disabilities.

I’m originally from Massachusetts (yes, a proud Boston sports fan!) but Vermont has been home for almost three decades. Outside of work, you’ll find me reading, hiking and being outdoors with our rescue pup Lily, or playing games with friends and family.

I see myself as a facilitator and partner in the therapy process. For me, the heart of this work is building relationships, sharing knowledge, and working together to remove barriers so people
can participate fully in their lives. I also care deeply about creating spaces that are inclusive, affirming, and accessible for everyone.

About True Voice Speech Pathology Services:

I founded True Voice Speech Pathology Services because I believe every person deserves access to communication that feels authentic, functional, and empowering. My practice has
evolved and while I remain grounded in my ability to provide assessment and intervention for individuals with communication, cognitive, and swallowing needs— my primary focus now is
AAC assessment, intervention and training, always with a focus on evidence-based care and person-centered collaboration.

I support individuals who use AAC, across the age span including young people and adults with complex communication disabilities who are transitioning to new environments, services, or
routines. I help clients and teams navigate the full AAC process—from identifying needs to selecting systems to ensuring people, families, and caregivers feel confident using them in everyday life. I also support teams in understanding funding pathways and device acquisition so that communication tools become both accessible and sustainable.

True Voice is grounded in the belief that communication is a human right. My goal is always the same: to honor each person’s strengths, celebrate their individuality, and help them express their unique humanness with the world.

12/08/2025

Huzzahs to Dr. Liz Adams for her first publication as a PhD student with her mentor, Dr. Matthew McCluskey!!

CONGRATS on this tremendous accomplishment, Liz! 🤩

To manage costs and maintain personnel flexibility, universities have shifted to hiring more non–tenure-track (NTT) faculty. Clinical faculty are one subset of ...

12/04/2025

11/25/2025

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) made significant changes to the federal student loan program, including eliminating Grad PLUS loans and imposing new annual borrowing caps for undergraduate and graduate students. These caps include different loan limits for post-baccalaureate students who are enrolled in “graduate” programs ($20,500 annually/$100,000 lifetime) and higher limits for those enrolled in “professional degree” programs ($50,000 annually/$200,000 lifetime).

To implement the relevant provisions of OBBBA, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) has developed a definition of “professional degree” that will be used for student loans beginning in the 2026 academic year that does not include audiology or speech-language pathology programs. In January, ED will formally publish this new definition for public comment. Ensuring that communication sciences and disorders (CSD) students have access to “professional degree” loan limits is vital to maintaining access for those entering these important programs.

Please complete the form to contact your members of Congress and ask them to urge ED to adopt a definition of “professional degree” program that includes graduate audiology and speech-language pathology programs.

https://ashaa.quorum.us/campaign/loanlimits119/

10/27/2025

Prospective UVM CSD Students are Wondering: Do you offer information sessions?

Yes! Sessions are scheduled at various times throughout the year virtually. To register for a grad session, please email cnhsgrad@uvm.edu.

Or, prospective students can add their contact information for either the UG or grad program here:

https://www.uvm.edu/cnhs/csd/program/master-science-communication-sciences-and-disorders

10/22/2025

Happy International Stuttering Awareness Day! Here's some ways to support folks who stutter from the National Stuttering Association (NSA).

We also have three free NSA Stuttering Support Groups here at UVM for all ages, so feel free to reach out if you know someone who stutters, or yourself, who might be interested in joining!

Go, Team Stuttering!

10/08/2025

We’re so excited to welcome Danielle Nickolson as the newest member of our UVM Eleanor M. Luse Center office admin team!

Danielle brings years of experience in early education, having served as a lead and mentor teacher, and her passion for communication and helping others shines through everything she does.

Her journey has come full circle—after studying Communication Sciences & Disorders in college and later gaining personal experience with speech therapy through her family and the UVM SLPA program, she’s thrilled to now be part of a team supporting this meaningful work.

Danielle is eager to contribute, learn, and grow alongside all of us. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome! 💚💛💚

09/30/2025

CSD Professor Krista Shea and her daughters enjoyed the special tailgating event for UVM Alumni & Parents Weekend before cheering on the UVM Men’s soccer team. Go, UVM! 💚💛💚

09/15/2025

UVM CSD faculty members Sara Benham & Julia Walberg represented the ASHFoundation 5K at Rutland VT’s 4th annual Whoopie Pie Fest and met Mr. Whoopie himself!

We were happy to log our walk while sampling every whoopie pie imaginable.

This 5K supported the ASHFoundation, dedicated to communication and connection through research and scholarship. You can read more about the mission of the ASHFoundation here: American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation

09/09/2025

The Language Learning Lab (www.duckielab.com) is conducting a word-learning research study under the direction of Dr. Sara Benham. We are looking for 2-year-old children whose primary language is English. The goal of our work is to better understand how children learn new words.

During the study, children may participate in 1-3 sessions lasting approximately 30-45 minutes at the University of Vermont. A parking permit will be provided. In each visit, children play with familiar and unfamiliar toys while we talk about and learn the names of the toys.

For each visit, families will be mailed a check for $10, and children will receive a small gift such as a book, puzzle, or toy. Please email Sara Benham at langlab@UVM.edu or call 802-656-9530 for more information and scheduling.

Note: This research study is approved by the University of Vermont's Institutional Review Board.

09/02/2025

Check out UVM Interprofessional PhD student, Katie Grenon, on Across the Fence, discussing her work on conversation and using big data/complex systems. Go, Katie!

Katie Ekstrom Grenon with EPSCOR looks at communication through conversation and speech in an effort to enhance life for all of us.Across the Fence is the lo...