Saint Xavier University’s Ludden Speech and Language Clinic and Brother Rice High School Partner for Self-Advocacy Program
Saint Xavier University’s (SXU) Ludden Speech and Language Clinic is proud to partner with Brother Rice High School’s Mount Sion Program, its newly established special education inclusion program. With fewer than 2% of Catholic high schools nationwide offering such programs, this initiative is a rare and meaningful step toward inclusion. Through this collaboration, SXU graduate student clinicians, under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP), will lead speech therapy groups that build functional communication skills and foster meaningful peer interactions for students in the Mount Sion Program.
Empowered Voices: Ludden-Mount Sion Partnership for Self-Advocacy Program Goals
The Empowered Voices: Ludden-Mount Sion Partnership for Self-Advocacy Program helps students in the Mount Sion Program at Brother Rice High School develop social communication skills by:
- Applying skills beyond the classroom by reinforcing communication strategies learned in individual sessions.
- Collaborating with families, teachers, and peers to tailor communication goals to each student’s unique needs.
- Encouraging engagement through interactive, hands-on activities that build confidence and independence.
How the Empowered Voices: Ludden-Mount Sion Partnership for Self-Advocacy Program Works
The Empowered Voices: Ludden-Mount Sion Partnership for Self-Advocacy Program will start on a small scale, meeting on Wednesdays from 8:30 to 10:05 a.m., with the goal of expanding as interest and resources allow. Graduate student clinicians from SXU’s Speech-Language Pathology program will lead group sessions at Brother Rice High School during Mount Sion core classes. The program will focus on building key communication skills that students in the Mount Sion Program can use in daily life, such as:
- Starting and maintaining conversations.
- Speaking in complete sentences and staying on topic.
- Answering and asking questions effectively.
- Using social thinking concepts to navigate social interactions.
- Repairing communication breakdowns in conversations.
Long-Term Impact
This program is designed to help students in the Mount Sion Program:
- Communicate confidently in various settings, from social gatherings to workplaces.
- Develop independence by practicing self-advocacy and social interaction strategies.
- Build lasting relationships with peers, teachers, and community members.
- Successfully transition to life beyond high school to ensure graduates have the communication tools they need for future success.
This program is designed to help SXU students:
- Gain hands-on experience in high school-based intervention for hour accrual toward graduation and clinical licensure.
- Experience a push-in speech therapy service model by working with students in a structured yet dynamic classroom environment alongside teachers.
- Learn to collaborate with supervisors, teachers, and families.
- Develop critical skills in interdisciplinary teamwork, clinical decision-making, and adaptive communication strategies.
Moving Forward Together
Through this partnership, SXU and Brother Rice’s Mount Sion Program are setting a new standard for inclusive education in Catholic high schools by prioritizing real-world communication skills. Through Empowered Voices: Ludden-Mount Sion Partnership for Self-Advocacy Program, we will empower students to lead more connected, confident, and independent lives.
About Ludden Clinic and Brother Rice
For more than 65 years, the Ludden Speech and Language Clinic at SXU has been a vital resource for speech-language pathology services in Chicago. Named after Sister Mary Antonine Ludden, R.S.M., the clinic is a pivotal part of SXU’s Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) program, providing hands-on training for undergraduate and graduate students while delivering high-quality, research-driven therapy to individuals of all ages. Ludden Clinic is committed to making speech therapy services accessible through strong community partnerships.
Brother Rice High School is a Catholic college preparatory school that fosters academic excellence, leadership, and character development in young men. Rooted in the values of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers, the school provides a supportive and inclusive environment where students are encouraged to grow spiritually, intellectually, and socially. A vital part of this mission is the Mount Sion Program, which provides specialized support for students with diverse learning needs. Through individualized instruction, peer mentorship, and a culture of inclusion, Mount Sion ensures that every student has the opportunity to succeed. By fostering acceptance, collaboration, and mutual respect, the program enriches the Brother Rice community and reinforces the school’s commitment to forming men of faith and integrity.
