Katie (Hauser) Price '05

 
Katie with one of her students

Katie (Hauser) Price attended CU as an undergrad and went on to receive her masters as an SLP in 2005. During her studies at SLHS, Katie tells us her top interest was "working with children with autism and children with more severe needs. I remember when our class worked with the talking with technology program, we had an amazing time and I am thankful to have the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) experience from the program at CU. During grad school there were 6 of us in the SLP program who bonded and became instant friends: Bonnie Smith, Kim Cali, Karen Durek, Meredith Burke, Kristin Gaitley and myself. We are still close friends and the 5 of us still living in the area get together every month and keep in touch regularly. We have been through 2 weddings--2 more next year, and the birth of Bonnie's son!!! When we all are out together people are still are surprised that we all have the same job!!” Katie currently works at Independence Elementary in Aurora, Colorado which has a program for children with severe needs called the Integrated Learning Center (ILC). “I am able to work with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Cerebral Palsey, Down syndrome and a variety of other diagnoses. I enjoy using AAC with my clients who are non-verbal. In addition to working in the schools I also work with 4 children in the private practice setting, through Medicaid and private pay. I enjoy working in both settings (having the school based team to work with) but also working closely with parents in their homes. In the summers and on some school breaks I work as a team lead for Adam's Camp, which is a transdisciplinary model intensive therapy camp. During the summer we work at Snow Mountain Ranch and over breaks I work with the Early Start program in the Denver area.”

 
Katie and husband

Katie works with children with ASD and more severe needs especially children who are using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) has won awards for her. “At my Elementary school I was one of 6 staff members who received a 21st Century Learners Grant from the Morgridge Foundation. I have been incorporating Smartboard technology with my caseload at my school. I've used the technology from speech samples, vocabulary, and comprehension to social skills groups. I really enjoy using this technology. I also am excited to work with my schools mental health team doing social skills groups for children with ASD. We have been using video modeling and technology, which has been amazing. Katie has also received the Making a Difference recognition the last two years in my district, an award chosen by her fellow staff members at Independence Elementary. She recently applied for a Pepsi Refresh Grant to provide weekly music therapy for children with severe needs. The program would bring together the speech language pathologist, occupational, and physical therapists in collaboration with the music therapist to help address student’s individual goals, allowing learning to come alive though music. Read more about Katie’s project HERE. You can vote for her project online.. Katie married in 2008 (Katie Price now) and reports that she has “an amazing husband who finished his degree in engineering that same year. We currently live in Boulder but in the process of moving to Denver (much closer to our jobs). I continue to enjoy outdoor activities (hiking, biking, swimming), sports, reading and times with friends/family/pets. Last year I completed the Tri for the Cure at Cherry Creek Reservoir. Katie would like to continue working in the education setting and private practice. “I enjoy the benefits of both worlds.” Another innovative alumnus who makes us proud-- congratulations for all you do Katie!