At Cedar Lake, we’re proud to highlight the incredible work of Carla Larkin, a dedicated speech therapist who has been transforming lives. Through her expertise and compassionate approach, Carla helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities find their voices and improve their communication skills. Her dedication to speech therapy makes a profound difference in the lives of those we support, fostering greater independence and connection.
Carla Larkin, a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist at Cedar Lake Lodge since February 2020, has been a beacon of hope and transformation for many individuals in the community. Her journey into this field was sparked during her college years at Northern Kentucky University. Over the summer, she provided childcare for a mother who had recently suffered a stroke and lost most of her verbal communication skills. She realized how difficult it was for a mother with limited communicative ability to raise her children. This experience ignited her desire to help others communicate effectively, leading her to pursue a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Purdue University.
After completing her studies, Carla and her husband settled in Kentucky. She then gained valuable experience working in home health and senior living before joining Cedar Lake Lodge.
Joining Cedar Lake
Over the past four years, Carla has made significant strides in enhancing the lives of many individuals at Cedar Lake Lodge, including Wyatt, who is non-verbal and has limited functional use of his upper extremities. Understanding the critical importance of communication, Carla focused on researching alternative access methods for use of an AAC system (augmentative and alternative communication). For Wyatt, she implemented a head switch to take advantage of his most reliable movement. Early in their work together, Wyatt was able to tell his mother that he loved her, a moment that meant the world to both of them. Thanks to Carla’s dedication, Wyatt has progressed from using a single-message communication button to a complex communication system that allows him to express his wants, needs, and engage in conversations.
Making Communication Accessible
“My favorite part of this role is being able to eliminate communication barriers,” Carla shared. Her impact extends beyond Wyatt, as she has helped many other individuals at Cedar Lake Lodge obtain and utilize AAC devices tailored to their abilities and needs. Some use single-message communication buttons, while others benefit from the artificial intelligence program Voiceitt, which learns atypical speech patterns and provides dictation with spoken messages.
Carla’s goal is for every individual with complex communication challenges to have a system to convey their wants, needs, feelings, and ideas. She hopes to facilitate AAC growth by empowering staff to create an immersive and effective learning environment.
It’s important to note, an AAC system doesn’t have to be high-tech to be effective. An AAC system must maximize the strengths and compensate for the challenges of the user. For instance, she implemented a tangible symbol card system for Dan based on his interest in sensory support items. He can express his desire to interact with the therapy dog by reaching for and exchanging a symbol card with faux fur!
At Cedar Lake, Carla initiated two AAC clubs, small groups that meet weekly to teach individuals different vocabulary or communicative functions and train staff in modeling on an AAC system. These meetings foster a culture of encouragement and device utilization. Carla takes great joy in these sessions, witnessing the positive impact on both staff and individuals at Cedar Lake.
Carla attributes the special environment at Cedar Lake to the intentional and loving focus each staff member places on the individuals they support. “Every decision we make is person-centered. Everything we do is done with love,” she said. Her dedication and passion continue to make a profound difference, breaking down communication barriers and enriching lives every day.
Interested in a career at Cedar Lake, including speech therapy? Check out our open positions online.
