• CD 486 - Language Disorders                                                                                            
• CD 490 - Connecting with Nonverbal Communicators                                                              
• CD 495 - Clinical Internship
• SLP 590 - Clinical Internship
• SLP 591 - Clinical Externship

Leisa Hutchison, M.S. CCC-SLP has been a practicing speech-language pathologist since graduating with a Master’s degree and Rank I from the University of Kentucky in 1986.  She holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence in communication disorders from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.  She has experience in different professional settings including:  hospitals, public schools, pediatric clinics, preschools, the Kelly Autism Program, private practice, including First Steps, and the university.  She currently works as a clinical associate professor in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at Western Kentucky University.  She has enjoyed working in both clinical and administrative positions.

Mrs. Hutchison is trained in the Bobath Eight-Week Pediatric Neurodevelopmental Treatment course and has developed skills in working with children with complex needs, including motor, sensory, autism spectrum disorders, and multiply involved children.  She enjoys working with children with oral motor/feeding concerns and their families/caregivers. Additionally, Mrs. Hutchison is a Certified Hanen Pediatric Practitioner in “It Takes Two to Talk,” “Target Word,” and “More than Words.”  She also has been trained in the SCERTS educational model for the treatment of autism spectrum and other language disorders.  She was appointed by three different Governors to the Kentucky State Advisory Panel for Exceptional Children, and the State Advisory Council for Exceptional Children, serving multiple terms.  Additionally, she served on Kentucky’s Interagency Coordinating Council for early intervention for two terms.  Mrs. Hutchison lives in Bowling Green, Kentucky and is married to David and they have a young adult son, Ben, who has FG syndrome.

I believe that students learn best in an engaging, friendly, collaborative environment that encourages active learning.  Student engagement happens through hearing, seeing, and doing.  Experience is the BEST teacher and students experience concepts learned through case studies, group projects, presentations, and clinical application.