2009-2010 Fellows: Diana Dalsimer

diana_dalsimer.jpgMy passion is working with young children with severe communication challenges.

Currently, I am pursuing a Master’s of Education in the Early Intervention Deaf-Blind Program at Utah State University; moving to this area from North Carolina. I’m also involved in a very exciting national study, examining the outcomes of cochlear implants in young children that are deaf-blind.

For the past six years I’ve worked at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in both clinic and research based programs. My most recent position was as a Research Associate and Developmental Specialist in a pediatric neurodegenerative disorders program. This experience provided me with a unique insight into the effects of neurodegeneration upon a child’s functional development and intervention strategies that could be implemented to compensate for their loss of functional skills.

Previous to this work, I was involved in a project at UNC, studying the unique sensory characteristics of young children with autism.

During the eighteen years before moving to North Carolina with my family, I lived in Vermont, continuing my education in the field of communication disorders at the University of Vermont, training and working as an autism interventionist, and working as a para-educator with children with severe communication challenges. My priority and greatest joy during this time was raising our three children in the Vermont countryside, with all the magic and wonder that instills.

Upon completion of the graduate program at Utah State, I’ll be moving back to Chapel Hill, North Carolina to be with my family. I hope to continue studying the effects of cochlear implants on young children with deaf-blindness, and assist in the development of early intervention strategies for this population. I look forward to learning from these young children, their families and community, as well as the opportunity to train students entering into the field.