Rate My Professor Laura Smith

Laura E. Smith is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences at the University at Buffalo, where she also serves as Director of the UB Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Clinic. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University at Buffalo, along with the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP), a New York State Permanent Certificate as Teacher of the Speech and Hearing Handicapped, a New York State Professional License in Speech-Language Pathology, and specialty training in Augmentative and Alternative Communication. In her clinical practice, Smith provides expert clinical and consultative services for individuals with complex communication needs. The AAC Specialty Clinic, under her leadership, delivers evaluation, therapy, and consultative support to help children and adults communicate effectively when verbal speech is changing or not possible. She also assists individuals with ALS or other motor neuron disease diagnoses, offering support services for voice banking and message banking, as well as training on AAC technologies.

Smith teaches key courses in the department, including CDS 595/596: Practicum in Speech and Language, CDS 670: Augmentative and Alternative Communication, CDS 600 TUT: Independent Study for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, and CDS 595 LEC: Clinical Lecture in Speech and Language. Her scholarly presentations include a 2019 talk at the ASHA Conference in Orlando, Florida, titled 'Reimagine Your Clinical Training Program Through the Use of Computer-Based Simulation'; a 2018 digital poster at the ASHA Conference in Boston, Massachusetts, on 'Recordable Books and Personalized Synthesized Voices: Preserving the Memory of People with Motor Neuron Disease'; research contribution to a 2017 ASHA poster in Los Angeles, California, for 'Project Participate: Accessible Creative and Performing Arts Programming, Interprofessional Student Training and Inclusion'; a 2016 ISAAC Convention poster in Toronto, Canada, 'Role Playing and AAC: A Therapeutic Approach to Improve Spontaneous Conversational Exchanges in Natural Contexts'; and a 2016 ASHA CEU presentation at SUNY Fredonia on 'AAC Evaluation Through Implementation.' She is located at 85 Biomedical Education Building.