Crowley, Catherine J. (cjc49)

Catherine "Cate" Crowley

Professor of Practice of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Director, Bilingual SLP Extension Institute
Director, LEADERSproject Lab
212-678-3890

Office Location:

1054 Building 528

Office Hours:

2:00 to 4:00 PM Monday,  Thursday 3:00 to 4:00 PM, and by appointment. 

Educational Background

B.A. University of Rochester

M.A. Kean University

J.D. Rutgers Law School-Newark

Ph.D. Columbia University

Scholarly Interests

Dr. Crowley's work is built on the firm belief that all people, no matter their cultural, linguistic, or socioeconomic backgrounds, are entitled to quality care. She has worked on this for decades especially through capacity-building initiatives of quality education and professional development, and by creating and sharing important research, materials, and resources.

The three areas of focus in her teaching, research, and clinical work are I. Appropriate disability evaluation: The first area is ensuring that when children are evaluated to determine whether they have a disability, the evaluators have the knowledge and skills to distinguish between a true communication disorder and other factors such as normal second language learning or other knowledge gaps related to the children’s backgrounds.  II. Cleft palate speech therapy: The second area is ensuring that children born with cleft palate, both within the U.S. and in low- and middle-income countries, receive quality services from qualified professionals. Dr. Crowley is the only speech-language pathologist (SLP) on Smile Train’s Global Medical Advisory Board. III. International service work: The third area is ensuring that speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who are interested in working in countries beyond the U.S. consider how to engage ethically and effectively with people with communication disorders internationally. 

In addition to teaching courses at TC, Dr. Crowley offers free online courses and assessment and treatment materials at leadersproject.org, her website. The website has become a great source of support for many as each month the website regularly receives over 20,000 visits from over 130 countries. Dr. Crowley also provides professional development workshops for districts and state education departments ensuring that more clinicians have the evidence-based skills needed to provide quality services to all children/students/patients/clients. Her School age Language Assessment Measures (SLAM) materials for language screening and evaluations, available for free and translated into many languages at leadersproject.org, are being used in many hundreds of school districts nationwide and are incorporated into the research.

Current Projects

Bilingual Extension Institute


Website: https://www.tc.columbia.edu/bilingual-institute/


The Bilingual Extension Institute at Teachers College Columbia University (TC) in offered both as
online asynchronous cohorts and in-person weekend cohorts. It provides clinicians with the
knowledge and skills to make these differential diagnoses and provide appropriate services. The
TC Bilingual Extension Institute at Teachers College Columbia University fulfills the academic
and clinical requirements for the NYSED bilingual extension, students must separately take and
pass the language proficiency test, the NYSED Bilingual Education Assessment. In addition,
everyone who meets the requirements of the six-credit Bilingual Extension Institute at TC,
received an Advanced Certificate of Bilingual SLP from TC and Columbia University.


LEADERS Project

Website: http://leadersproject.org/

The LEADERS Project website is designed for practitioners, educators, and families. A primary
goal is to make resources available to ensure that those from lower income homes, bilingual
students, and students of color receive competent services. Everything is available for free
download at leadersproject.org including online courses, evaluation and therapy materials, and
content on appropriate international work. These free materials are available in over 30
languages.

Selected Publications

Baigorri, M., Crowley, C., Sommer, C., Baquero, J., &; Moya-Gale, G. (2020). Graduate Students’ Clinical Self-Efficacy: Impact of an Intensive Cleft Lip and Palate Clinical Practicum (From the Field). Communication Disorders Quarterly, (in press), 1-8.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1525740120942463   

Baigorri, M., Crowley, C., Sommer, C. (2020, June). Addressing the gap in education for cleft
palate: a module training series for craniofacial assessment and treatment (Clinical
Focus). Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, SIG 5, 5, 662-668.
 https://doi.org/10.1044/2020  PERSP-19-00138

Lico, M. &; Crowley, C. (2020). Effectiveness of a 4-Day Speech Therapy Training Program for Cleft
Palate Professionals in Abuja, Nigeria. ACPA’s 77th Annual Meeting Abstracts. First
Published March 9, 2020 Abstracts. The Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1055665620901804

Baigorri, M., Crowley, C., Bukari, B. (2019, Oct.) "Collaborative efforts to improve opportunitiesfor children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Ghana", Perspectives of
the ASHA Special Interest Groups, Clinical Focus.  doi.org/10.1044/2019_PERS-SIG17-
2019-0020

Ijalba, E., Velasco, P. &; Crowley, C. (Eds.) (2019).  Language, Culture, and Education: Challenges of
Diversity in the United States. New York: NY. Cambridge University Press.

Crowley, C. &; Baigorri, M. (2019). Distinguishing a True Disability from “Something Else”: Part I. Current Challenges to Providing Valid, Reliable, and culturally and linguistically
appropriate disability evaluations. In Eds. E. Ijalba, P. Velasco, &; C. Crowley, LanguageCulture and Education: Challenges of Diversity in the United States. (31-47). New York,
NY: Cambridge University Press. DOI:10.1017/9781139976725​

Crowley, C. &; Baigorri, M. (2019). Distinguishing a True Disability from “Something Else”: Part II.
Toward a Model of Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Speech-Language Disability
Evaluations. In Eds. E. Ijalba, P. Velasco, &; C. Crowley, Language Culture and Education:Challenges of Diversity in the United States (48-58). New York, NY: Cambridge University
Press. DOI:10.1017/9781139976725​

Crowley, C. &; Sheren, C. (2018). Disorder, Difference, or Gap? A School-Age Disability
Evaluation. In Branski R.C. and Molfenter S., Eds. Speech–Language Pathology Casebook.
New York: Thieme Medical Publishers.  https://medone-comsci.thieme.com/WZTTR

Crowley, C. &; Sommer, C. (2018). Cleft palate speech therapy post-secondary palate repair. In
Branski R.C. and Molfenter S., Eds. Speech–Language Pathology Casebook. New York:
Thieme Medical Publishers; https://medone-comsci.thieme.com/WZTTR 

Crowley, C., Guest, K., &; Sudler, K. (2015, August). Cultural Competence needed to distinguish
disorder from difference: Cultural Competence Needed to Distinguish Disorder from Difference:
Beyond Kumbaya. Perspectives on Communication Disorders and Sciences in Culturally and
Linguistically Diverse Populations, 22. 64-76. 
Publications

Crowley, C., Baigorri, M., Ntim, C., Bukari, B., Oseibagyina, A., Kitcher, E., Paintsil, A., Ampomah,
O. W., &; Laing, A. (2013). Collaborations to address barriers for people with communication
disabilities in Ghana: Considering the world report on disability. International Journal of Speech-
Language Pathology, 15(1): 53–57.

Crowley, C., &; Baigorri, M. (2012, October 30). International Service That Really Serves. The
ASHA Leader. Retrieved
from http://www.asha.org/Publications/leader/2012/121030/International-Service-That-
Really-Serves/

Levy, E., &; Crowley, C. (2012). Beliefs regarding the impact of accent within speech-language
pathology practice areas. Communication Disorders Quarterly, 34(1), 47-
55. doi: 10.1177/1525740112446851.
 
Levy, E. S.&;Crowley, C. J. (2012). Policies and practices regarding students with accents in
speech-language pathology training programs. Communication Disorders Quarterly, 34, 59-
68. doi:10.1177/1525740111409567

Crowley, C., &; Baigorri, M. (2011). Effective approaches to international work: Substance and
sustainability for speech-language pathology student groups. Perspectives on Global Issues in
Communication Sciences and Related Disorders, 1(1), 27-35. doi: 10.1044/gics1.1.27

Deal-Williams, V., Crowley, C. J., Levy, E. S., &; Mahendara, N. (2011). The clinical education of
students with accents [Professional Issues Statement]. Retrieved
from http://www.asha.org/policy/PI2011-00324.htm

ASHA Convention 2022 Meritorious Poster Award, Developing the first training and assessment adn treatment materials for cleft palate speech in Indonesia. 

Citation from Ghana’s Ministry of Education 2018. For decade-long work providing professional development for practical communication and curriculum strategies. 

Citation from Chiefs, Queen Mothers, Elders of Oguaa Traditional Area 2018. For outstanding service to Aboom School for Special Needs, Cape Coast, Ghana.

ASHA Convention 2015 Meritorious Poster Award. Workshops for AAC Communication Strategies in Ethiopia: Nehemiah Autism Center, Addis Ababa.

New York State Speech, Language and Hearing Association. April 2015 Honors of the Association.

ASHA Convention 2012 Meritorious Poster Award. International Clinical Experiences for Master’s 

Students: Five Years in Ghana.

ASHA International Issues Board. 2013-2016.

NYS Licensure Board for Speech Pathology and Audiology
2002-2012. Past chair and vice chair. 

American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA), member.

ASHA SID 17 Global Issues in Communication Disorders, Founding steering committee member.

ASHA committee member, to revise the Roles and Responsibilities of the School-based SLP  
   
ASHA personnel shortage cadre expert for northeastern U.S.

ASHA Government Relations and Policy Planning Board,
2004-2006.

ASHA Multicultural Issues Board
, 2001-2003.
         Chair MIB committee to draft "Knowledge and skills needed by SLPs and Audiologists to 
           provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services" 2002-document publication in 2004.         

New York State Speech Language and Hearing Association,
 member.

NYS Education Department Task Force on Higher Ed Opportunities for  Speech Providers. 1995-2006.
ASHA Convention 2012. Meritorious Poster Submission 2012. "International Clinical Experiences for Master's Students: 5 Years in Ghana".

National Council of Ghanaian Associations. Humanitarian Award "for dedicated and devoted work for disabled children and institutions of higher education, 2012

ASHA Certificate for Outstanding Contributions in International Achievement, 2011

ASHA Fellow, 2010

ASHA Diversity Champion, 2009

ASHA's Certificate of Recognition for Special Contributions to Multicultural Affairs,
2007

ASHA's SID 1 Starfish award, 2007.

Board Recognized Child Language Specialist,
2005 to present.

The Outstanding Teacher Award from Dean of College based upon student evaluations, 2003-2004, Teachers College Columbia University.

Golden Apple, November 2003 from ASHA Leader based upon nominations from graduate students.

R. Van Hattum Award, from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association for outstanding service to children in the schools.

R. Van Hattum Award NYS Nominee to ASHA  from the New York State Speech Language and Hearing Association.                               

Outstanding Advocacy on Behalf of the Children and their Families, from United Cerebral Palsy of New York City Manhattan Children's Program.

Teaching commendation from Dean of the College based upon student evaluations 1999-2000, Teachers College Columbia University.

Crowley, C. (2021, April). Evidence-based Practice in Disability Evaluations. Online course with accompanying readings and online assessment to demonstrate competency. https://www.leadersproject.org/ceu-courses-2/evidence-based-practice-in-disability-evaluations-asha-0-6-ceu-self-study-course/  ; https://tccolumbia.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_01yJsucYd129K5f 

Crowley, C., Valenti, D., Tsang, G. & Guest, K. (2021, January). Advanced Grammar Fundamentals for a Pluralisitc Society. Online course with accompanying readings and online assessment to demonstrate competency. Advanced Grammar Fundamentals for a Pluralistic Society; Advanced Grammar Fundamentals for a Pluralistic Society Assessment

Crowley, C., Baigorri, M. & Sommer, C. (2017). English Cleft Palate Speech Therapy: Evaluation and Treatment. Online course with accompanying readings and online assessment to demonstrate competency. https://www.leadersproject.org/ceu-courses-2/english-cleft-palate-speech-therapy-evaluation-and-treatment-asha-0-5-ceu-self-study-course/  (over 2000 professionals have completed this course and passed the assessment)

Crowley, C. (2016). Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate EI Evaluations. Online course with accompanying readings and online assessment to demonstrate competency http://www.leadersproject.org/ceu-courses/culturally-and-linguistically-appropriate-early-intervention-evaluations/  (over 1200 professionals have completed this course and passed the assessment)

Crowley, C. & Grossman, C. (2014). Grammar Fundamentals for a Pluralistic Society. Online course with accompanying readings and online assessment to demonstrate competency. Found at http://leadersproject.org/media/video/playlist-grammar-fundamentals-pluralistic-society (over 12,000 professionals have completed this course and passed the assessment)


Presentations:

Sanford-Keller, H., Galvan, N., Sommer, C. & Crowley, C. (2020). Global health for cleft lip and palate: Programming considerations and virtual opportunities. South African Speech, Language and Hearing Association and American Speech, Language and Hearing Association virtual conference. November 5, 2020.

Crowley, C. (2021). Dynamic Assessment in School-age Disability Evaluations. Chicago Public Schools. Online webinar, Nov. 5, 2021. (400 CPS SLPs in attendance).

Crowley, C. (2021). Fundamentals of Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Evaluations.  Butler County Educational Service Center, Hamilton, Ohio. Online webinar for 100 Butler County, Ohio SLPs, Nov. 2, 2021.

Collins, D., Acevedo, D. & Crowley, C. Academic and Clinical Skill-Building in a Post-Pandemic World: Incorporating the Lessons Learned During COVID-19. SIG 5, Craniofacial and Velopharyngeal Disorders online webinar, September 23, 2021.

Crowley, C. (2021, March 27). Are We Speech Language Pathologists or Speech “Standard American English” Pathologists? Systemic Racism in Disability Evaluations. Speech, Language and Learning Intervention – Virtual Research Symposium (SLLIVRS). Consortium of Arizona State University and University of Arizona.

Calise, A., Crowley, C., Glover, C., Ulin, C., Askowitz, D., Stern, G., White, K., Alcala, M. Romero, S., & Neira, T. (2021, April 9). ZOOM BOOM! Effectiveness of School-age Language Assessment Measures Through Tele-therapy. Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders.Annual conference (online).

Crowley, C. (August 17, 18, 19, Oct. 13, Nov. 4, 2021) August 10, 11, 12 (3-5pm) OR August 17, 18, 19 (3-5pm) Application of Dynamic Assessment in School age Students: Building Skills for the district evaluations.  Oakland District Schools, Michigan. Online webinar. 

Crowley, C. (2021). Using Evidence -Based Practice to Analyze and Quantify SLAM-Elicited Language Samples to Accurately Identify a Language Disorder.   New York City Department of Education as part fulfillment for ELLs evaluation grant from New York City Community Trust. Online webinar, June 3, 2021.

Crowley, C. (2021). Assessing Social Pragmatic Language Skills in Disability Evaluations .  New York City Department of Education as part fulfillment for ELLs evaluation grant from New York City Community Trust.  Online webinar, March 11,  2021.

Crowley, C. (2020). International initiatives to increase capacity for speech therapy post-cleft palate repair: Challenges and solutions. South African Speech, Language and Hearing Association and American Speech, Language and Hearing Association virtual conference. November 5, 2020.

Sanford-Keller, H., Galvan, N., Sommer, C. & Crowley, C. (2020). Global health for cleft lip and palate: Programming considerations and virtual opportunities. South African Speech, Language and Hearing Association and American Speech, Language and Hearing Association virtual conference. November 5, 2020.

Crowley, C. (2020). Supporting At-risk ELLs in Literacy Development: Pre-referral Interventions and Appropriate Assessment Approaches.” NJSHA/NJIDA Annual Joint Conference. Garwood, NJ. March 6, 2020.

Crowley, C. (2020). “Dynamic Assessment: How it Works in the Real World.” Albemarle County School District. Charlottesville, VA. March 2, 2020.

Crowley, C. (2019). Appropriate Special Education Assessment Procedures for English Language Learners.” Simi Valley United School District, Simi Valley, CA.  August 12, 2019.

Crowley, C. (2019, June 28). “La jerarquía de la terapia del habla para pacientes con paladar hendido reparado” (The speech therapy hierarchy for patients with repaired cleft palates). Zoom call to Antigua, Guatemala with 30 trained speech therapists who are learning to work with cleft patients. 

Crowley, C. (2019). “International initiatives to increase opportunities for speech therapy post-cleft palate repair: Challenges and solutions”. European Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association, Utrecht, The Netherlands. June 12, 2019.

Crowley, C. (2019). “Cultural and linguistic diversity considerations in disability evaluations. Leadership Forum for State Education Resource Center Connecticut State Board of Education. New Britain, CT. February 19, 2019.

Crowley, C. (2019). “International capacity building in West Africa.” West African College of Surgeons. Dakar, Senegal. January 21, 2019.

Healthcare IT News ((2021, June 16). How telehealth overcomes barriers to cleft palate care and
speech therapy https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/how-telehealth-overcomes-barriers-
cleft-palate-care-and-speech-therapy

Thrive Global (2021, May 5). Dr. Cate Crowley of Smile Train: Relationship Building is Key to
Speech Therapy. https://thriveglobal.com/stories/dr-cate-crowley-of-smile-train-
relationship-building-is-key-for-speech-therapy/
 
Authority Magazine (2021, April 28). Telehealth Best Practices: Dr. Cate Crowley of SmileTrain On How To Best Care For Your Patients When They Are Not Physically In Front Of  You
https://medium.com/authority-magazine/telehealth-best-practices-dr-cate-crowley-of-
smile-train-on-how-to-best-care-for-your-patients-whe-90ddcb2e0983

Smile Train (2020, Jan. 14). Smile Train Appoints New Members to Global Medical Advisory
Board. https://www.smiletrain.org/media/press/smile-train-appoints-new-members-to-medical-
advisory-board

Smile Train (2019, July 16) Smile Train’s Comprehensive Care Program Helped Save Baby
Isaac’s Life. https://www.smiletrain.org/stories/smile-trains-comprehensive-care-programs-
helped-save-baby-isaacs-life

Teachers College, Columbia U. (2019, July). Reasons to Smile: TC’s Cate Crowley Saves the
Life of a Child with Cleft Palate. https://www.tc.columbia.edu/articles/2019/july/cate-crowley-
saves-the-life-of-a-child-with-cleft-palate/

Smile Train (2019, Dec. 19) Speak Up, Smiley! https://www.smiletrain.org/stories/speak-smiley-
us


Giegerich, S. (2017, Nov. 14) Amplifying the Gift of Speech: TC’s collaboration with Smile
Train is bringing children worldwide needed follow-up to cleft palate surgery.
https://www.tc.columbia.edu/articles/2017/november/amplifying-the-gift-of-speech/

Related Articles

Pandemic lessons: International cleft palate services

We all learned lessons on how to affect global health equity via telehealth and Zoom.

Dr. Cate Crowley of Smile Train: Relationship building is key for speech therapy

Relationship building is key for speech therapy. Even in a remote setting, it’s important to connect with patients in a comfortable setting.

Telehealth best practices: Dr. Cate Crowley of Smile Train on how to best care for your patients when they are not in front of you

Relationship building is key for speech therapy. Even in a remote setting, it’s important to connect with patients in a comfortable setting.

How telehealth overcomes barriers to cleft palate care and speech therapy

Dr. Cate Crowley, a professor at Columbia University and cleft palate care medical advisor, explains telemedicine's reach and ability to reduce stigma.

Crowley and Malandraki Receive Prestigious ASHA Awards

Congratulations to Catherine Crowley and Georgia Malandraki on receiving awards from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

TC Faculty, Administrators Receive Humanitarian Award for Work in Ghana

Cate Crowley and Miriam Baigorri accepted an award from the National Council of Ghanaian Associations for TC's Speech Language Pathology Program in Ghana.

Words from Ghana

Last year, a group of TC students helped Ghanaian children with speech disorders do things they couldn't do before, including shop in the local markets. Check out their story, as well a blog from a current TC delegation in Ghana.

Bilingual Speech Pathology Team Appears on WABC's Tiempo

Jessica Salas, a Speech Language Pathology graduate student; Angela Livingston, a Speech Language Pathology graduate; and Catherine Crowley, a lecturer and coordinator of the program, talk to Tiempo's Joe Torres about the critical need for bilingual speech pathologists.

In Bolivia, Helping Children to See and Be Heard

Professor Cate Crowley's trips to Bolivia with her students help prepare them in navigating cultural differences to provide speech/language pathology services.

On Going Remote with Speech Therapy

TC’s Cate Crowley chats with ThriveGlobal.com

Pandemic lessons: International cleft palate services

We all learned lessons on how to affect global health equity via telehealth and Zoom.

Dr. Cate Crowley of Smile Train: Relationship building is key for speech therapy

Relationship building is key for speech therapy. Even in a remote setting, it’s important to connect with patients in a comfortable setting.

Telehealth best practices: Dr. Cate Crowley of Smile Train on how to best care for your patients when they are not in front of you

Relationship building is key for speech therapy. Even in a remote setting, it’s important to connect with patients in a comfortable setting.

How telehealth overcomes barriers to cleft palate care and speech therapy

Dr. Cate Crowley, a professor at Columbia University and cleft palate care medical advisor, explains telemedicine's reach and ability to reduce stigma.

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