Talk MOORE Summer Camp Returns for Its 12th Year

For many, summertime brings images of summer camp, and SLHS is no different. The Talk MOORE Summer Camp is returning this summer (albeit a little smaller) for its 12th year in providing a fun and engaging experience for preschoolers while gathering important data on how to treat language disorders. Named for its benefactor, Cecile Moore, the Talk MOORE Camp features one-on-one services for language and speech along with group activities that promote vocabulary, social, and pre-reading skills. More than 170 children have participated and contributed towards researchers' understanding of Developmental Language Disorder.

The research conducted at Talk MOORE is funded through grants from the NIH. Findings have led to numerous publications that improve clinicians' understanding of how children learn language and how to treat language deficits more effectively and efficiently. The research team has established an evidence base for enhanced conversational recasting (ECR) and continues to explore ways to improve treatment for all children. Constraints due to the pandemic led to efficacy studies on delivering ECR in a virtual format (results to be published soon). Talk MOORE also provides training opportunities for future researchers and clinicians. To date, more than 10 doctoral students, 45 master's students and 70 undergraduate students have participated in the program.

In 2016, UArizona Communications produced this informative and heartwarming video on the camp and its impact.

Whether you have a preschooler who is having difficulty talking or you are a student who wants to learn more about language disorders, the researchers at Talk MOORE Summer Camp would love to hear from you. You can contact senior research specialist Becky Vance at RBVance@arizona.edu.