FREE WEBINAR

Oral Language and Phonological Awareness: Foundations for Reading Development

How oral language and phonological awareness set up reading success, and what SLPs can do when they break down. With Eileen Catizone and Karin Hartunian Koukeyan.

In partnership with Parallel Learning

This session has already taken place. A recording is not available.

Thursday, September 10, 2026
6:00-7:00 PM ET

Oral language and phonological awareness are foundational to reading success, yet many children with language and speech sound disorders are at increased risk for later reading difficulties. This session examines the relationship between oral language development, phonological deficits and reading acquisition, with an emphasis on the connections among Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), speech sound disorders and literacy outcomes.

What we will cover

  • Explain the relationship between oral language development, phonological deficits, and their impact on reading acquisition and long-term literacy outcomes
  • Analyse the relationship among Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), speech sound disorders and reading difficulties to inform early identification and intervention
  • Apply evidence-based practices that speech-language pathologists can use to strengthen phonological and phonemic awareness skills that support reading development

This session is part of the Fall Learning Series, Strengthening Language and Literacy for Students with Reading Difficulties, developed by Parallel Learning in partnership with Sprout Labs. Registration is handled on the Parallel Learning site.

ABOUT THIS SESSION

Your speaker

Eileen Catizone, M.Ed. is an educational consultant, curriculum developer and professional development leader, as well as a reading specialist addressing students’ literacy needs. She has extensive teaching experience as both a classroom teacher and reading specialist for grades PreK through 8th. As an Orton-Gillingham and IDA Dyslexia Practitioner, Eileen translates struggling readers’ scores into evidence-based practices that can be carried out through targeted remediation. She continues to teach students with dyslexia and serves as an educational consultant to schools and families. Eileen is currently the Head of Literacy at Sprout Labs.

Karin “Careen” Hartunian Koukeyan, MS, CCC-SLP is founder of SpeechFit, a speech-language pathology practice providing clinical, corporate and consulting services. With over 25 years of experience across healthcare, education, private practice and telehealth, she specialises in communication, professional development and leadership. A telepractice pioneer since 2010, Karin coaches professionals to strengthen communication effectiveness, executive presence and confidence. She serves as Secretary-Treasurer on the CSHA Board and as 2026 Co-Chair of the ASHA Telepractice Convention Program Committee.