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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (June 15, 2013)
Smoke Signals 7 JUNE 15, 2013 Ross hired as Tribal speech language pathologist By Ron Karten Smoke Signals staff writer Sarah Ross, who has served as a speech therapist contractor for the Tribe since 2011, is now serving in that capacity on staff at the Tribal Health and Wellness Clinic as of May 20. "I've always been very interested in the oral tradition, storytelling and healing practices of Native culture, and I felt that my role as a Tribal member is a combination of those. Speech therapy kind of fit with that," she said. She received a master's degree in Speech Language Pathology at Portland State University in 2009. She serves about 20 youth, from birth to 18 years of age, and hopes . to begin treating adult Tribal mem bers or their descendants, as well as community members covered by Shasta, Providence or Oregon Health Plan insurance in the near future. Statistically, the number of peo ple with speech problems is about 8 percent to 9 percent of the popula tion, Ross said, or for approximately 5,000 members of the Grand Ronde Tribe, about 400 to 450 people, including adults and children. "There should be more people ac cessing the service than are now," she said. "One of the reasons Native SLPs are needed in Tribal commu nities is because Native American children are often over identified for communication disorders by non Native SLPs. This is due to a lack of understanding of cultural com munication and learning styles." Ross said that parents can see the signs of communication difficulties when "youth are not interacting with peers as others do. Maybe the child has difficulty with reading, writing or spelling. Oftentimes, children with language disorders have difficulty managing their behavior. They have increased emo tional outbursts. Language is the foundation for everything we do. If our communication is affected, then ' t K Photo by Michelle Alalmo Sarah Ross, Tribal speech and language pathologist, makes the sound that the letters V and "u" make together for Brandon Thorsgard, 6, to repeat while working on speech exercises with him on Monday, June 3. we might have difficulties socially, emotionally and academically." In the younger years, the follow ing may be signs of communication difficulties: No gestures, like pointing or reaching, before 12 months of age; Having less than 20 words by 18 months; And older children may have dif ficulty making friends. "When a child has a communi cation disorder, more frequent emotional outbursts may happen because they cannot effectively communicate with caregivers or peers," Ross said. She looks to parents to help. "Par ents are the experts with their own children," she said. "I have an open door policy with families. Parents are always welcome. "The kind of therapy I do is very unique," she said. "Less than 1 percent, some 300, of all speech therapists in the country are Na tive American, and of those 300, even fewer speak their Tribal language. "There is a lack of cultural compe tency training in speechlanguage therapy for Native American com munities. I really want to empha size incorporating the cultural piece it. HelpLine Provides Free, Confidential , Crisis Intervention and Resources ; ) As 2012 begins, Oregon Partnership offers a reminder about our free, confidential alcohol and drug HelpLine (800-923-HELP; 800-923-4357). Highly trained volunteers and staff provide compassionate assistance to people in crisis as well as to family members and friends concerned about loved ones. The line operates 247, responding to those seeking crisis intervention and resources that help them heal. YouthLine A peer-to-peer crisis line for teens. Chat online www.OregonYouthline.org. Youth working under the supervision of an adult answer calls on diverse topics including substance abuse, depression, self-harm, dating violence and other issues, many of which have substance abuse as an underlying issue Call 877-YOUTH-91 1 - (877) 968-8491 't into this because it is so unique in the field. "We have predominantly non-Native therapists serving Native com munities. They do not understand the cultural implications of our language, the way we interact so cially, the way Native communities view disorders and medical condi tions, and so it's a unique thing I'm starting here by incorporating the rich cultural traditions from Grand Ronde in my treatment of Grand Ronde people." Ross is currently working with colleagues to describe her work in research publications for non-Native speech language pathologists. The goal is to help them with knowledge of Tribal culture and communications to provide more effective treatment in Native com munities. While at Portland State, Ross taught in an urban classroom for homeless youth. She led a literacy outreach program for at-risk youth in Portland. She managed curriculum for Kiwanis stroke camps, addressing stroke survivors and their families by providing art and other therapy activities. Care providers had time alone to cope with the responsibili ties of being a caregiver. She was a speech language pathol ogist for K-12 special education and then worked in early intervention. Before taking on speech therapy at the Tribe, she started working here through the local Head Start program, also making early inter vention a priority. Education Department Man ager April Campbell reported being "very grateful" that the Tribe sup ported a full-time speech language pathologist. "The Tribe is fortunate to have this position represented by Sarah. She is a Tribal member and youth enjoy working with her," Campbell said. Campbell said that youth needing the services "can experience a va riety of teasing and bullying" that discourages youth participation in classroom exercises or reading as signments. The speech language pathologist is a key part of the support services these youth need, Campbell said. "I'm so glad to be here," Ross said. "This is where I always wanted to be." Volleyball nights held on Wednesdays The Tribe's Recreation Program holds open volleyball from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Tribal gym. Volleyball is open to anyone wanting to participate. For more information, contact Recreation Coordinator Mat thew Mosley at 503-879-1369 or matthew.mosleygrandronde.org. B Ad created by George Valdez SOOrCFOR5ALrI The Kalapuyans:A sourcebook on the Indians of the Willamette Valley' by Harold Mackey, Ph. P. Ummwk In 1 r.T n m WA Name: Address:. City:. State:. Zip: . of books x SI 5.95 each total. This book, through collabora tion between the Cultural Re sources Department, Mission Mill Museum, an4 the Mackey Family, has been re-released in a second edition with a new cover, an updated bibliography with more current and accurate sources, new photographs, and a new afterward explaining the Grand Ronde Tribal perspective. $13.00 per book Books may be purchased! from the Tribe's Cultural Resources Department located on the second floor of" Tribal Building 14 CAdult Education Build ing) for$15.00eacb. To have an order mailed to you, please fill out this form and include an additional J3.00 for shipping cost per book. Mail this form to: CTGR Cultural Resources The Kalapuans 9615 Grand Ronde Road Grand Ronde, OR 97347 Checks only. ftfil
