Therapist Neurodiversity Collective’s Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices Series

Valerie Pitaluga, M.S. CCC-SLP, & Truvine Walker, M.ED. CCC-SLP
DEI and NeuroDivErsIty
(A DEI event)

Val Pitaluga (she/her) is a bilingual and bicultural speech-language pathologist based in the unceded ancestral land of the Seminole Tribe in what is now referred to as Florida. She is a Venezuelan-born, naturalized American and English language learner who was diagnosed as being multiply neurodivergent in adulthood. She is married to a quadriplegic and is passionate about dismantling all forms of ableism. Val’s personal experiences as a late-diagnosed, multiply neurodivergent immigrant and caregiver have fueled her passion for working with, and advocating for, marginalized populations and delivering best practice for all patients and their families. Val has a background in Early Childhood Education and is a graduate of The New York University and The Florida State University. She has over seven years of experience as a speech-language pathologist and has worked in a variety of settings, including a pediatric hospital, adult rehabilitation, schools, private practice, and non-clinical work. Val serves on the Planet Word Museum Advisory Board and her commitment to Continuing Education has twice earned her the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Award for Continuing Education (ACE). Val has also been recognized by ASHA as a Distinguished Early Career Professional. Val’s hobbies include watching sports, especially wheelchair rugby, and spending quality time with her family.

Truvine Walker is a school-based Speech-Language Pathologist with over 20 years of experience working primarily in the educational settings; but, with intermittent experience in acute care, inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab, and private practice. She is passionate about interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary collaboration, mentorship, advocacy, parent/family education, and the continued acquisition of knowledge. Truvine’s commitment and passion for ongoing learning is evident as she is the five time recipient of the ASHA Continuing Education (ACE) Award. Truvine has worked with students, patients and clients ranging from toddlers to geriatrics in ten states on her quest to increase experience working with diverse populations in various areas and settings. Because of her acute awareness of the quantity of speech-language pathologists graduating with academic knowledge, yet lacking cultural awareness, sensitivity and responsiveness, Truvine has been mentoring and supervising Clinical Fellows intermittently for well over a decade, and consistently for the past three years to help share knowledge and strategies for providing services that are culturally relevant. In addition to sharing information with Clinical Fellows in the work environment, Truvine actively encourages others to embrace equity, diversity, justice and inclusion within the profession by sharing information about inequities in the system that disproportionately impact marginalized communities as well as calls to action that may make a difference in personal, social and professional settings.

Active members will receive a Zoom invitation the week of the event. 

Topic: DEI and NeuroDivErsIty – Val Pitaluga & Truvine Walker
Time: Jul 22, 2022, 3:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)