Communication Sciences and Disorders Index

GAIL HARRIS-SCHMIDT, PhD.

PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT CHAIR
SAINT XAVIER UNIVERSITY
3700 W. 103RD STREET
CHICAGO,  IL 60655
(773) 298-3568
Fax: (773) 779-9061

e-mail: harris@sxu.edu

PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS:

Fragile X Syndrome
Language Learning Disabilities
Language and Literacy Disorder
Service Delivery in Public Schools
Transition Issues for Students with Special Needs

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Saint Xavier University  (1979 - Present)
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Program in Learning Disabilities (1979-98)

Cove School, Evanston, IL  (1977-79)
Communications Teacher

Northwestern University  (1974-77)
Clinical Supervisor; Graduate Assistant
Program in Learning Disabilities

Louisville Public Schools (1972-74)
Speech Clinician

EDUCATION:

Ph.D.  Major:  Learning Disabilities
Related Areas: Psycholinguistics, Language Disorders
Northwestern University   (1979)

M.A.   Major: Speech-Language Pathology
Vanderbilt University  (1972)

B.A.    Major: Psychology,  Minor: Spanish
Vanderbilt University   (1971)
 

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Courses Taught:
CSDI 301: Phonology
CSDI 305: Development of Language in the Young Child
CSDI 503: Developmental Disorders of Language
CSDI 512: External Practicum: Student Teaching

Coordinator: External Practica
Supervisor:  Student Teachers
Advisor: Research Projects and Theses, Type 73 Certificate (ISBE), KASA requirements
Curriculum Committee

PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS:

Book:

Harris-Schmidt, G. and Fast, D. (2004). The Source for Fragile X Syndrome. East Moline: LinguiSystems, Inc.

Web-site Development:

www.fragilex.org. Author of extensive sections on educational and therapeutic issues involving persons with fragile X syndrome, 2000.

Journal Articles:

Goldman, R. and Harris, G. (1978). The influence of vocabulary training on speech sound discrimination test results. Journal of Childhood Communication Disorders, 2.

Harris, G. and Hoskins, B. (1982). The clinical application of a theory of semantics. Communicative Disorders, a Journal for Continuing Education, May.

Harris-Schmidt, G. and McNamee, G. (1986). Children as authors and actors: Literacy development through “Basic activities”. Child Language Teaching and Therapy,2,1.

Litowitz, B., Harris, G., and Newman, D. (1981). Studies in conceptualization and memory in learning disabled children. Learning Disabilities: An Audio Journal for Continuing Education, March.

McNamee, G. and Harris-Schmidt, G. (1985). Narration and dramatization as a basis for remediation of language disorders. The Quarterly Newsletter of the Laboratory of Comparative Human Cognition,7,1.

Wren, C. and Harris-Schmidt, G. (1991). Cooperative learning in higher education and the schools: A two-tiered approach. Teacher Education and Special Education,14,4.

Book Chapters:

Harris-Schmidt, G. (1983). Conceptualization. In Language Learning Disabilities: Diagnosis and Remediation, Wren (ed.). Rockville, MD: Aspen Press.

Harris-Schmidt, G. and Fast, D. (1998). Fragile X syndrome: Genetics, characteristics, and educational implications. In Topics in Special Education, Volume 11, pp. 187-222.

Harris-Schmidt, G. and Noell, E. (1983). Phonology. In Language Learning Disabilities: Diagnosis and Remediation, Wren (ed.). Rockville, MD: Aspen Press.

Conference Proceedings:

Harris, G. and Luckett, S. (1982). The need for training in inservice at the preservice level: A model for adoption or adaptation. Coordinating college education inservice programs. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin.

Harris-Schmidt, G. (1996) Multicultural curriculum in higher education. Mercy Higher Education Colloquium: Proceedings.

Harris-Schmidt, G. and McKee, S. (Fall, 2004). Assessing your child’s educational strengths and needs Ninth International Fragile X Foundation Conference Proceedings.

Harris-Schmidt, G. and Spiridigliozzi, G. (Fall, 2004). Assessing your child’s educational strengths and needs. Ninth International Fragile X Foundation Conference Proceedings.

Harris-Schmidt, G. and McKee, S. (2002). Better IEPs for your child: Making your way through the special education system. Eighth International Fragile X Foundation Conference Proceedings.

Professional magazines:

Fast, D. and Harris-Schmidt, G. (2005). Fragile X syndrome: An unfamiliar, but common disease. Minnesota Health Care News, 3, 9, 20-21, 34.

Fast, D. and Harris-Schmidt, G. (2005). Fragile X syndrome: A common cause of developmental disabilities. Minnesota Physician, 19, 8, 18-19.

Book Reviews:

Harris-Schmidt, G. (1999). Transitions in Prelinguistic Communication by Wetherby, Warren, and Reichle in Child Language Teaching and Therapy, 15, 2,177-178.

Harris-Schmidt, G. (1998). Language in Mental Retardation by Rondal and Edwards in Child Language Teaching and Therapy, 14, 2, 218-219.

Harris-Schmidt, G. (1995). Working Memory and Language by Gathercole and Baddeley In Child Language Teaching and Therapy, 11, 3, 354-355.

Harris-Schmidt, G. (1994). Children’s Learning Difficulties: A Cognitive Approach by Dockrell and McShane. In Child Language Teaching and Therapy, 10, 2, 220-222.

Harris-Schmidt, G. (1988). First International Symposium: Specific Speech and Language Disorders in Children. In Child Language Teaching and Therapy, 4, 2, 227-228.

Harris-Schmidt, G. (1987). Administration of Speech-Language Services in Schools and Organization of Speech-Language Services in Schools. In Child Language Teaching and Therapy, 3, 247-248.

Professional Monographs/Brochures:

Finucane, B. and McConkie-Rosell, A. and Cronister, A., with special thanks to: Hagerman, R., Keenan, J., Miller, R. and Harris-Schmidt. G. Fragile X syndrome: A handbook for families and professionals. (section on Interventions: Education).

Harris-Schmidt, G., Kwan, D. and Scharfenaker, S. (2004). Speech and language therapy and fragile X syndrome. Special Topics Pamphlet of the National Fragile X Foundation.


RECENT CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS:

Harris-Schmidth, G. and Scharfenaker, S.K. (2006). Characteristics and intervention of speech-language disorders in children with fragile X syndrome. Tenth International Conference of the National Fragile X Foundation, Atlanta, GA

Scharfenaker, S.K. and Harris-Schmidth, G. (2006). What every speech-language pathologist needs to know. Tenth International Fragile X Conference, Atlanta, GA

Harris-Schmidth, G. and Fast, D. (2006). An interdisciplinary approach for children with fragile X syndrome . Illinois Speech Language Hearing Association, Rosemont, IL

Harris-Schmidt, G. (2005). Characteristics and intervention for speech-language disorders in children with fragile X syndrome. Presented at the Annual Educational Seminar of the Fragile X Resource Group of Greater Chicago. Rosemont, IL

Heskett, B. and Harris-Schmidt, G. (2004). Speech, language and AAC in fragile X and autism. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Philadelphia, PA.

Harris-Schmidt, G. and Spiridigliozzi, G. (2004). Assessing your child’s educational strengths and needs. Ninth International Fragile X Conference, Washington D.C.

McKee, S. and Harris-Schmidt, G. (2004). IDEA: Present and future: What does it mean to you? Ninth International Fragile X Conference, Washington D.C.

Martinez-Walzer, J. and Harris-Schmidt, G. (2004). Word finding difficulties in bilingual children. Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Conference, Arlington Heights, IL

Harris-Schmidt, G. and Fast, D. (2003). Children with fragile X syndrome: Intervention for language disorders. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Chicago, IL

Harris-Schmidt, G. and Fast, D. (2003). Cognition and language in children with fragile X syndrome: Characteristics and intervention. Invited presentation at the Northwestern University Program in Learning Disabilities Spring Conference, Evanston, IL

Harris-Schmidt, G. (2003). Fragile X syndrome: The role of the speech-language pathologist. South Suburban Cook County Speech Language Hearing Association (SHLA), Chicago Heights, IL

Harris-Schmidt, G. and McKee, S. (2002). Better IEPs for your child: Making your way through the special education system. Invited workshop presentation at the Eighth International Fragile X Conference, Chicago, IL

Fast, D. and Harris-Schmidt, G. (2001). Telling a story: Interpreting research for families and caregivers of persons with fragile X syndrome. Gordon Research Conferences: Science Education and Visualization: International, Mt. Holyoke College

Fast, D. and Harris-Schmidt, G. (2001). How to revise a national organization’s web site in 10 easy steps. Saint Xavier University Research Conference, Chicago, IL

Fast, D. and Harris-Schmidt, G. (2001). Inherited syndromes and implications for treatment. DuPage County Speech Language Hearing Association, Naperville, IL

Harris-Schmidt, G., Kostecki, K., and Fast, D. (2000). Speech-language characteristics in children with fragile X syndrome: Implications for the speech-language pathologist. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual convention, Washington, D.C

Harris-Schmidt, G. and Kostecki, K. (2000). The role of the speech-language pathologist with children who have fragile X syndrome: Collaborative activities for pragmatics and literacy. Seventh International Fragile X Conference, Los Angeles, CA

Bartz, N. and Harris-Schmidt, G. (2000). Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome. Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Arlington Heights, IL

Kostecki, K. and Harris-Schmidt, G. (2000). Familiarity with fragile X syndrome among speech-language pathologists. Saint Xavier University Research Conference, Chicago, IL

RECENT IN-SERVICE PRESENTATIONS:

Harris-Schmidt, G. and Fast, D. (2005). An interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of children with fragile X syndrome. Leyden Area Special Education Cooperative, Franklin Park, IL

Harris-Schmidt, G. (2003). Parent/professional perspective on speech, language and parenting. Question and Answer Online-Audio Webcasts with Fragile X Specialists. The National Fragile X Foundation, www.fragilex.org/home online q & a.

Harris-Schmidt, G. and Fast, D. (2003). Fragile what? Characteristics of and intervention strategies for children with fragile X syndrome. Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization (NSSEO) Institute Day, Arlington Heights, IL

Fiala, H. and Harris-Schmidt, G. (2002). Communication skills for improved social life. Presented to Project Respect: Parent Partners. Saint Xavier University, Chicago, IL

Harris-Schmidt, G. (2001). Attitudes towards persons with disabilities. Presented to the Adult Education Class of the First Congregational Church of LaGrange, IL

Harris-Schmidt, G. and Fast, D. (1999). Fragile X syndrome. Presented to the faculty of Elim Christian School, Palos Heights, IL

GRANTS:

Faculty Research and Creative Production Grant, to fund a study: A Comparison of Parents’ and Speech-Language Pathologists’ Knowledge and Goals regarding Speech-Language Intervention for Boys with Fragile X Syndrome, Center for Educational Practice, 2002

Faculty Development Grant, to fund Presentation at the American Speech Language Hearing Association, Center for Educational Practice, 2000

Co- Project Director (with Dr. Julie McNellis). Cultural Climate Grant, Eli Lilly Foundation, Center for Educational Practice, 1993-96

Project Director. Computer club for children with learning disabilities, General Foods Grant, 1991-92

Co-Project Director (with Dr. Julie McNellis). 3M Visions Grant, Center for Educational Practice, 1990-93

Co-Project Director (with Dr. Julie McNellis). Eli Lilly Foundation Grant, Center for Educational Practice, 1989-92

Co-Investigator (with Dr. Gillian McNamee, Erikson Institute). Fry Foundation Grant: Literacy development through narration and dramatization with learning disabled children; Computer clubs for learning disabled children, 1984-85; 1986-87

HONORS:

Named to the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board of the National Fragile X Foundation, 2006
Award for Continuing Education (ACE) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2004
National Fragile X Foundation Service Award, 2004
Fragile X Resource Group of Greater Chicago Service Award, 2004
Saint Xavier University Award, December, 2002
SXU Excellence in Scholarship Award, May, 1999, 2001, 2004

CERTIFICATIONS:

Certificate of Clinical Competence - SLP,  ASHA
Licensure of the State of Illinois: Speech-Language Pathology
Type 10 Special Certificate - Learning Disabilities

ORGANIZATIONS:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Learning Disabilities Association (LDA)
International Dyslexia Society
National Fragile X Foundation 
South Cook County Speech Language Hearing Association
 

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

National Fragile X Foundation

Fragile X Resource Group of Greater Chicago

First Congregational Church of LaGrange

UNIVERSITY SERVICE:

St. Margaret of Scotland Project Advisory Committee, 2006-present
Faculty Senate, 2003-2006
Center for Educational Practice, 1989-present
Co-Director, 1993-1995
Teacher Educational Council, 1979-present
Commencement Speaker Selection Committee, 1985-2005
Arts and Science Curriculum Committee, 1998-2000
Graduate Program Director, 1996-1998
Graduate Studies Committee, 1996-98
Faculty Senate, President, 1995-1996, 1981-1982
University Curriculum Committee, 1993-95
Strategic Planning Committee, 1995-1996
School of Education: Curriculum Committee, Program Director,1979-1994
Higher Education Advisory Committee to the Illinois State Board of Education,1979-1994

Communication Sciences and Disorders Index


Saint Xavier University, 3700 West 103rd Street, Chicago, IL 60655