Teaching Language to Very Young Children (0.17 CA PDH)

Dr. Givona Sandiford is a licensed/nationally certified speech-language pathologist, Certified Autism Specialist, Board Certified Telepractice Specialist, SHRM Certified Professional, and lifelong learner with nearly 20 years of experience working with pediatrics and adults with autism and other speech, language, voice, fluency, swallowing, and feeding disorders in multiple settings including private practices, schools, hospitals, telepractice, outpatient clinics, home health, and skilled nursing facilities. She has served as a peer reviewer for the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders and adjunct faculty for undergraduate and graduate students in the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders. She holds an advanced certificate in assistive technology and enjoys working with the minimally verbal population.

Dr. Sandiford is the owner of Melospeech Inc and the developer of Melodic Based Communication Therapy (M.B.C.T.) ®, which was the subject of her 2008-2012 dissertation research. Dr. Sandiford's research on M.B.C.T. was the recipient of Loma Linda University's School of Allied Health Professions 2013 Outstanding Doctoral Research Award and has been published in and cited by multiple publications in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Sandiford has spoken nationwide on the topic of treatment for minimally verbal individuals with autism and is the creator of several materials and apps to help parents, caregivers, and therapists access care for the minimally verbal population with autism based on her research and experience in the field.