Rate My Professor Carol Spears

Carol Spears serves as Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Cleveland State University. A licensed speech-language pathologist, she brings over 30 years of clinical experience to her role, having provided services in multiple capacities including instructor, supervisor, consultant, and interventionist. Although experienced in various areas of communication disorders, Spears has specialized in assistive technology, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and autism. She is proficient in a range of therapeutic modalities such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), TEACCH, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display (PODD), and Floortime, along with numerous speech generating devices and applications. Her clinical philosophy centers on tailoring interventions to individual client needs to maximize effectiveness and efficiency. As an educator, Spears imparts this approach to students, equipping them with the knowledge and skills derived from her extensive professional development to foster competent and compassionate practitioners in the field.

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, which include courses like CSD 525: Augmentative & Alternative Communication, CSD 438: Cultural Diversity in Communication Sciences and Disorders, CSD 591: Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders, COH 624: Interprofessional Healthcare Teams Seminar I, and COH 625: Interprofessional Healthcare Teams Seminar II, Spears contributes significantly to scholarship and professional service. She is the co-author of the book Rising to New Heights of Communication and Learning for Children with Autism. Her recent publications include "Fostering Empathy in Communication Sciences and Disorders Through Interprofessional Simulation: Bridging the Gap Between Lecture and Practice" (2023, with C. Hovland and M. Volk), "Giving AAC legs to stand on: Solutions for wobbling interventions" (2023), "This is Us: Understanding the Culture of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Therapy Implications" (2023), "‘Venn-ing’ Interprofessional Roles and Responsibilities for a virtual standardized patient experience" (2023, with M. Wendland and B. Miliken), and "Converting the impersonal to personal: Establishing rapport among team members in a virtual setting" (2021, with M. Wendland and B. Miliken). Spears has presented at multiple conferences and participated in professional services such as Embracing Diversity: Minimizing Adverse Educational Impacts of Cultural Differences (2019), Neuronode evaluation and intervention for clients (2019–2020), and assistive technology certification (2015–2016). Through her publications, presentations, and teaching, she shares her expertise with peers and students in communication sciences and disorders.