Congratulations to Jill Hess, MS, CCC-SLP, for graduating from the Apraxia Kids Intensive Training Institute (Apraxia Boot Camp)!

I am a qualified Speech-Language Pathologist with over 20 years of experience using evidence-based and family-centered therapy. I attended Arizona State University and received a B.S. degree in Speech and Hearing Science in 1998. I completed my M.S. degree in 2000 at Loyola University Maryland. Since 2000, I have worked in a variety of settings including early intervention, home care, and private practice. I have owned my own private practice since 2006. I successfully evaluate and treat a variety of speech and language delays and disorders but have a passion and love for early intervention as well as treating Speech Sound Disorders, specifically Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). I recently graduated from Apraxia Kids Boot Camp and am now recognized by Apraxia Kids for advanced training and expertise in Childhood Apraxia of Speech. I also have additional training and experience in oral-motor/feeding disorders as well as AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication). My husband and I moved to Colorado in 2006 and have enjoyed raising our two children in this great state and community. When I’m not working, I love to run, hike, do yoga, snowboard, travel, and hang out with my family and friends.

Jill offers services in Parker, Colorado.
Check out Jill’s Apraxia Kids SLP Directory Listing to learn more.

Apraxia Kids: What are the top 3 things you learned from this training experience?
Jill: 1.) How to use the ProCAD Auditory-Perceptual Feature Rating Checklist (Iuzzini-Seigel et al., 2022) to help with differential diagnosis of CAS and Dysarthria  2.)  Using a multidimensional scoring system while taking cumulative treatment probe data on motor learning to track progress throughout intervention   3.) I have started using the Index of Phonetic Complexity (Jakielski, 2006) to analyze a child’s current word inventory so that I can help support the advancement of phonetic complexity and organicity within their words.

Apraxia Kids: How did the boot camp experience change or expand your network of colleagues/friends?
Jill: Talking to other colleagues throughout boot camp gave me more confidence to go out there and achieve my goals and share my ideas.

Apraxia Kids: How have you implemented the knowledge you gained at boot camp?
Jill: The completion of my case study really helped me synthesize all of my past experience as well as the new knowledge I gained from boot camp.

Apraxia Kids: What is an example of how you have been able to (or plan to) use your expertise as a local resource/support for other professionals and/or families since attending the intensive training?
Jill: I would love to reach out to my local CCB for early intervention and offer trainings or mentorship.  I would also like to reach out to the other private practices in my community to offer trainings or mentorship in the diagnosis and treatment of CAS to new SLPs.

Apraxia Kids: What would you say to someone considering applying to boot camp next round?
Jill: It is a lot of work, a big time commitment, but TOTALLY worth it!  In the end, you will feel more confident in your skills and meet some wonderful people along the way.