Mary Alice Favro is Clinical & Training Director for the VT Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (VT LEND) program. She is responsible for overseeing all program components within VT LEND and collaborates in program and curriculum development and evaluation. Professor Favro is Clinical Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders where she teaches graduate level courses in Augmentative Communication and undergraduate courses in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She also supervises a weekly group for individuals with aphasia. Before coming to UVM, she worked with children 0 to 3 years in a home-based early intervention program and in school systems as an Augmentative Communication Specialist.

Particular areas of interest include training culturally responsive clinicians and future leaders, Universal Design for Learning, community and classroom-based communication programming for students with multiple disabilities and supporting individuals with developmental disabilities to become effective communicators.

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS:

Avila, M. & Favro, M.A. Diversifying LEND Training Curriculum. Washington, DC: AUCD Annual Conference, November 6, 2017. (poster)

Favro, M.A., Bulle, F., Avila, M. Family Connection: Diversifying Family Centered Care Learning Experience in Vermont Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (VT LEND). Kansas City, MO: Association of Maternal Child Health Programs (AMCHP) Convention, March 6, 2017. (poster)

Prelock, P., Favro, M.A., Velleman, S., Melvin, C. & Melekis, K. An Interprofessional End of Life Simulation for Educating Students. Philadelphia, PA: American Speech/Language/Hearing Association Annual Convention, November 17, 2016.

Favro, M.A. & Sevier-Reid, M.E. Engaging Leaders in Learning: Using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices. Washington, DC: American University Centers on Disability (AUCD) Annual Convention, November 16, 2015.

Favro, M.A. & Velleman, S. Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Lessons learned and in progress. Newport Beach, CA: Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCSD), Friday, April 17, 2015.

Favro, M.A. & Fulcher, A. Medicaid Funding of iPads for Communication: Vermont's Journey. Orlando, FL: Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA), January 30, 2015. (poster)

Favro, M.A. & Bulle, F. Family Connection: Diversifying Family Centered Care Learning. Washington, DC: AUCD Annual Convention, November 16, 2015. (poster)

Favro, M.A. & Thomas, P. VT LEND Interdisciplinary Consultation Model. Washington, DC: AUCD Annual Convention, November 16, 2015. (poster)

Potvin, M-C & Favro, M.A. Transitioning to Distance Learning: A Roadmap for LEND programs. Washington, DC: AUCD Annual Convention, November 19, 2013.

Favro, M.A., O'Rourke, D., Contompasis, S., Beatson, J. Collaborating Health Care Professions. Northfield VT: Area Health Education Focus on Health Careers Conference, November 2, 2013.

Favro, M.A., Contompasis, S., Buscaglia, C., Hancock, E., Leffel, K., and O'Rourke, D. Does Physical Activity Have an Impact on Behavior, Social Interaction and/or Functioning at School in Children with ASD? Washington, DC: AUCD Annual Convention, December, 2012.

Favro, M.A. Meet the Professionals Panel. Rutland, VT: Area Health Education Collaborative CollegeQuest Program. July 18, 2013.

PUBLICATIONS:

Prelock, P., Melvin, C., Lemieux, N., Melekis, K., Velleman, S. & Favro, M.A. (2017). One team-Patient, family, and health care providers: An interprofessional education activity providing collaborative palliative care. Seminars in Speech and Language, 38(05), 350-359.

Favro, M.A., Bascom, J. & Mason, S. (2013, 2015). A Guide to Medicaid Funding for Communication Evaluations & Devices. Waterbury, VT: Vermont Division of Developmental Disabilities.

Starble, A., Hutchins, T., Favro, M.A., Prelock, P. & Bitner, B. (2006).  Family-centered intervention and satisfaciton with AAC device training.  Communications Disorders Quarterly, 27(1). 47-54.