Ellen Harper is a speech-language pathologist (SLP) for The New England Center for Children’s Higley Road and Westborough 1 residences as well as for some students living on Parker Road and Apartment 2 of ITT. She joined NECC in June 2019 after spending the fall of 2018 as an SLP intern. A colleague nominated Harper for her recent efforts in organizing a party for the West Hill Road staff and students, complete with banners, treats, gifts, and decorations. “Ellen is always celebrating her colleagues’ successes and she makes everyone feel supported,” the colleague shared. “She works hard outside of work hours coming up with creative ways to recognize staff for their contributions. On top of all of that she is a pretty great SLP!”
What is your favorite part of your job?
I really like working with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. I enjoy programming and updating them, troubleshooting issues, and encouraging students to use them. They are such an essential tool for so many of my students and a combination of two of my favorite things: communication and technology! It is an incredible feeling to add a word or phrase like “banana,” “turn off the lights,” or “can we talk about going home?” to a student’s device and see how having the ability to communicate that concept significantly increases the quality of their entire life.
Why did you choose a career in helping children with autism?
As an undergrad I was involved in a program which provided a night of activities once a month for about 200 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). I loved getting to know and working with the kids and it motivated me to seek out similar opportunities during grad school.
I choose to be an SLP because when I was in first grade, I was friends with a girl with selective mutism. I was the first person she spoke to outside of her immediate family. I attended her sessions with the SLP and eventually she was speaking to anyone and everyone. I knew that I wanted to be an SLP before I even knew the name of the position!
Why NECC?
I was an intern in the speech and language department at NECC in 2018 and loved my time here but when I started looking for jobs, I assumed there weren’t any openings. When I was contacted asking if I would be interested in an available position, I immediately cancelled my other interviews and was ecstatic for this opportunity! NECC’s impressive reputation is well known and the focus on inter-collaboration, evidence-based treatment and functional skills all line up with my own values.
What is something about you that your colleagues might be surprised to learn?
I recently got married and my husband and I both changed our last name to Harper. It is a combination of letters from both of our former last names.
Who is someone you look up to?
I look up to the teachers I have the pleasure of working with. They are so passionate, dedicated, innovative, and selfless and they inspire me every day. They constantly strive for their students to be successful, and they are willing to help achieve that in any way they can. I would not be half the SLP I am without their help!