Suzanne Williams, Ph.D, CCC-SLP received her Doctor of Philosophy degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Master of Science degree at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and her Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University. She has worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the private and public-school systems, in both urban and suburban settings for over 20 years. Dr. Williams has provided diagnostic and intervention services to children and adolescents presenting with a myriad of communication disorders ranging in age from 3-18 years. Her teaching has focused on undergraduate and graduate courses in language development, introduction to communication sciences and disorders, and counseling.
Her research and clinical areas of interest include mothers' use of language, shared book reading, autism spectrum disorders, social cognition and its impact on reading comprehension, and executive functioning. Additionally, she has been actively involved with interprofessional collaboration with allied health professionals and general education teachers within the school setting. She is keenly aware of the importance of communicating with families regarding the impact of their child's communication disorder and assisting parents with strategies to employ within the home environment. Dr. Williams is also the faculty advisor for the Department's mentoring program, MIND, Mentoring In New Dimensions in Speech Language Pathology.
Education
- Ph.D, Special Education, University of Illinois at Chicago
- M.S., Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- B.S., Communication Sciences and Disorders, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Specializations and Interests
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Executive Functioning
- Early Childhood and School Aged Language
- Literacy
- Mother's Language (Family Literacy)
Certifications
- Illinois Department of Professional Regulation
- Professional Educator License (PEL)
- Certificate of Clinical Competence - ASHA
Professional Affiliations
- Illinois Speech Language Hearing Association
- American Speech Language Hearing Association
- National Black Speech Language Hearing Association
- SIG 14 - Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
- SIG 1 - Language, Learning and Education
Courses Taught
- SLP 420 - Speech Sound Disorders
- SLP 423 - Autism and Other Developmental Disorders
- SLP 482, 483, 484, Clinical Practicum in Speech Language Pathology
Invited Lectures
- Guest lecturer in introduction to Speech Language Pathology - SLP 101
Presentations
- Reading Comprehension in Individuals on the Autism Spectrum - Illinois Speech Language Hearing Association
- Evidence Based Practice in Supervision - Overview, Models, and Practical Tools - Illinois Speech Language Hearing Associations
Service
- Member, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee - Illinois Speech Language Hearing Association
- Member, Evidence Based Practice, Illinois Speech Language Hearing Association
- Child Language and Phonology Track Chair (2021-23), Illinois Speech Language Hearing Association