CO Motor Speech Lab

I am co-organizing a Walk n' Roll fundraiser on July 19th to raise money for the research and community support for cerebellar ataxia. Cerebellar ataxia is a condition that affects the cerebellum, usually caused by degenerative diseases such as spinocerebellar ataxia and Friedreich's Ataxia. It is the main condition I work with in my research on how neurological disease affects speech and swallowing. Cerebellar ataxia is gaining more awareness, mostly due to the advocacy work by Bill Nye the Science Guy whose family is affected by spinocerebellar ataxia. With increased funding support, we hope to develop more effective treatment and rehabilitation programs for people with ataxia.

This year is especially meaningful because a good friend of mine with ataxia, Michael Williams, passed away unexpectedly in June. Michael and I co-lead an ataxia support group here in Colorado along with our other co-leader, Becky Williams. Michael was a good friend and did amazing work for the ataxia community. This year's event is dedicated in his memory.

If you would like to donate to the event, feel free to click on the link below and click "Donate Now." If you knew Michael and would like to dedicate your donation, you can click "Dedicate this gift."

If you are in the area and would like to attend the event, it is going to be a gorgeous day at Sloane's Lake in Denver. Come on out!

Denver Walk N Roll I’m thrilled to be participating in Denver Walk N Roll, a fundraiser supporting National Ataxia Foundation! I’m passionate about this cause and need your help! Every donation—big or small—helps me reach my fundraising goal and directly impacts this important cause.

Congratulations to our MA-SLP student Caitlin Cain for successfully defending her Master’s Thesis titled, “Acquired Dysarthria and Dysphagia in Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury!"

Congrats to University of Colorado Boulder SLHS Senior Ramey Yost for successfully defending her Honors Thesis titled, “Respiratory Coordination for Speech in Cerebellar Ataxia.” Amazing work Ramey!

Dr. Hilger is part part of a team of researchers running a study looking at how mothers provide instructions for their children. We finished recruiting mothers of typically developing children and are now looking for mothers of autistic children or children with autism. If you have an autistic child or child with autism who is 3-5 years of age, or know someone who is, feel free to reach out to [email protected]. The study is entirely online and you will receive a $20 Amazon gift card. You do not have to live in Colorado to participate as well! Message me with any questions. Thank you!