Speech language pathology graduate students read to children in the PALS program.
PALS Program
Pre-reading and Language Skills
Submit a 2026 Interest Form

Pre-reading and Language Skills Program

 

The Pre-reading and Language Skills (PALS) Program is a week-long summer program designed to help support language and emerging reading skills of children with a speech and/or language disorder who are entering pre-K through first grade.

Faculty and graduate students within Ohio University's department of Hearing, Speech, and Language Sciences conduct the program in the on-campus Hearing, Speech, and Language Clinic.

In 2025, the PALS Program received a generous grant from the Ohio Children's Foundation, allowing the addition of parent training, technology resources and needed materials.

An illustration of 4 books that spell out PALS and text that says, "Pre-reading and Language Skills, Ohio University HSLS."

  • Program Dates

    The PALS Program is held each summer in June. Fill out an interest form to receive updates on all program additions and changes for the 2026 program.

    Submit an Interest Form

  • Program Location

    Ohio University
    Hearing, Speech & Language Clinic
    Grover Center W174
    Athens, Ohio 45701

    Our entrance is on the first floor of Grover Center about midway through the main hallway across from the Atrium Cafe.

  • Who Can Participate?

    PALS is a program for children with speech and/or language disorders who are entering Pre-K through first grade.

Why Choose PALS?

Children with speech and language impairment have a greater risk of reading disability, and PALS supports these children by providing structured opportunities to learn and practice essential pre-reading skills.

The PALS program also provides a great learning and training opportunity for the graduate students within the speech and language pathology program. Through the program, they gain group therapy experience and learn how to incorporate pre-reading skills into language therapy.

Program Information

PALS is designed as a 2.5 hour, week-long (5 days) program with separate morning, afternoon and evening sessions (summer 2026). 

Kids participate in different hands-on and interactive language, vocabulary, reading activities each day. Parents receive 30 minutes of training at the end of each session to help them support their child's language and pre-reading skills outside of the clinic.

Please note: An observation area will be available in the clinic, although caregivers are not required to stay during the program.

  • Program Directors

    If you have questions about the PALS Program, please contact the directors.

    Christina Tindall, M.S., CCC-SLP
    tindall1@ohio.edu

    Joann Benigno, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
    benigno@ohio.edu 

  • Clinic Contact Information

    Phone: 740.593.1404
    Fax: 740.593.4433
    Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.– 5 p.m.

  • Parking Information

    The parking lot is located next to Margaret M. Walter Hall and across from Peden Football Stadium (Lot 134). See Google Maps for directions to Lot 134.