Friday, March 27, 2026

Grand Hotel, Minot, ND

The 2026 NDSLHA conference will be held on March 27, 2026 at the Grand Hotel in Minot, ND. Graduate credit and continuing education hours will be available (graduate credit offered for those who also attend the Minot State NSSLHA conference on 3/26/2026).

Register Today!

Early bird prices end on 2/28/26!

2026 NDSLHA Conference Schedule

2026 NDSLHA Conference – Audiology Session Descriptions and Speaker Bios

 

Speech-Language Session Descriptions

From Theory to Therapy: School-based Interventions for Childr

en with Developmental Language Disorder

Presenter: Katy Cabbage, PhD CCC-SLP

Description: Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) experience language difficulties that affect academic learning, classroom participation, and social development. This presentation connects current theory and research on DLD with practical, school-based intervention approaches. Participants will review core characteristics of DLD and examine how language weaknesses interact with curriculum demands across grade levels. Evidence-based intervention principles will be emphasized, including targeting underlying language skills, supporting functional academic language, and promoting generalization beyond the therapy setting.

Balancing Best Practice and Reality: Special Considerations for School-based SLPs

Presenter: Katy Cabbage, PhD CCC-SLP

Description: School-based speech-language pathologists must balance evidence-based practice with the practical realities of educational settings. This presentation explores key considerations unique to school-based SLPs, including interpreting eligibility criteria, aligning services with educational impact, selecting appropriate service delivery models, and managing time and resources effectively. Participants will explore how contextual factors such as policies, resources, and team dynamics shape service provision. Case examples will highlight common gray areas faced by school SLPs and illustrate strategies for navigating challenges while maintaining high-quality, student-centered services that supports students’ educational success within real-world constraints.

Mealtime Matters: Assessment and Treatment Strategies to Support Feeding Difficulties in Infants and Young Children

Presenter: Katelyn Fornshell, MS, CCC-SLP

Description: This session will encourage an understanding of how to support individuals with pediatric feeding disorders. Assessment and treatment of the whole child will be discussed while a collaborative approach with caregivers and other professionals will be promoted. Recommendations for feeding tools will be provided alongside strategies to expand tastes and textures at mealtime.

Everyday Ethics in Action: Thriving as an Advocate for Person-Centered Care

Presenter: Dr. Carrie Axt, EdD, CCC-SLP

Description: Ethical decision-making in speech-language pathology isn’t limited to high-profile cases—it’s embedded in the everyday choices we make when balancing productivity demands, resource limitations, and patient needs. This interactive session reframes ethics as a practical, daily commitment to person-centered care. We’ll explore how ethical principles guide clinical decisions across settings, from acute care and skilled nursing to outpatient and schools. Participants will learn strategies for goal setting and assessment that honor dignity, autonomy, and inclusion, and discover how patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) can capture what truly matters to those we serve. Through case-based activities, attendees will collaborate to identify ethical challenges, explore and share PROMs, and craft participation-focused goals that enhance relevance. Leave with actionable tools to advocate effectively, foster collaboration, and help patients, families, and teams thrive.

 

Speech-Language Speaker Biographies

Katy Cabbage, PhD CCC-SLP

Katy Cabbage, PhD CCC-SLP is an Assistant Professor in the Speech and Hearing Sciences Department at Washington State University. Her research interests center on the connections between early speech and language skills and later literacy acquisition. She is interested in improving both the clinical identification and treatment of literacy difficulties in children with speech and language impairment, identification and treatment particularly in school-based settings. She teaches coursework on literacy and language development and speech sound disorders.

Katelyn Fornshell, MS, CCC-SLP

Katelyn Fornshell, MS, CCC-SLP, is a graduate of Minot State University, where she completed both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in speech-language pathology. This fall, she returned to MSU as a clinical educator. She brings eight years of clinical experience to this position, including four years in elementary public schools and four years in pediatric private practice. Katelyn has experience serving children with complex communication and medical needs, with special interests in AAC and pediatric feeding and swallowing. Her advanced training includes Project Core, PODD, SOS Approach to Feeding, Guided Oral Movements with Active Patterning (GOMAP), Beckman Oral Motor, and AEIOU: An Integrated Approach to Pediatric Feeding.

Dr. Carrie Axt, EdD, CCC-SLP

Carrie Axt, EdD, CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist with experience across settings—from early intervention to skilled nursing care. She is passionate about person-centered care and has a special interest in supporting individuals with neurogenic cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders. As a faculty member at the University of Mary and an actively practicing clinician, Carrie enjoys connecting theory to real-world practice through innovative teaching strategies. She is committed to lifelong learning and to helping students, early-career professionals, and seasoned SLPs build confidence and skills for today’s dynamic workplace.

 

Poster Presentations

The Call for Papers for poster presentations at the conference is open. Submit your proposal here.

Exhibitors

NDSLHA is excited to offer an exhibit hall at the 2026 conference! Learn more today!

Room Block

Room blocks are available at the following hotels:

Hampton Inn & Suites Minot Airport – $110 + tax
Call 701-838-1400 or book online by 3/10/26

Grand Hotel, Minot – $124 per night
Call 701-852-3161 by 2/24/26
Phone reservations only; mention NDSLHA when booking.

Refunds

Requests for refund of pre-registration must be received by March 6. A $20 handling fee will be charged.

Please direct any questions to ndslha@gmail.com

Register for the NDSLHA conference today!

2026 NDSLHA Conference Group Registration Form (paper form)

2026 NDSLHA Conference Registration (paper form)