Mangaluru, September 28, 2024: The Nitte Institute of Speech and Hearing organized an international conference on Childhood Communication Disorders at the Avishkar Auditorium, ABSMIDS, Deralakatte, Mangalore, on September 27th and 28th, 2024. Dr. Shantharam Shetty, Pro-Chancellor of Nitte Deemed to be University, served as the chief guest, while Dr. Harsha Halahalli, Registrar of the university, presided over the event. Other notable attendees included Prof T. Dattatreya, Professor Emeritus; Ms. Shwetha, Principal, NISH and conference organizing chairperson; Dr. Jency Blesson, CEO and Co-founder of JACDC; Kottayam, and Mr. Jim Winston, the conference organizing secretary. During the conference, Prof T Dattatreya, the founding director, and Professor Emeritus, was felicitated to recognize his 50 years-long dedicated service to patients and to the profession of Speech and Hearing. During his decades of service as a clinical audiologist, academician, and administrator, Dr. Dattatreya has mentored and inspired many leaders and professionals in this profession.
During the next two days of the conference, several experts in the speech and hearing field from India, Australia, and the USA will impart their knowledge as resource persons. The invited talks will address innovative and advanced methods for diagnosing and rehabilitating childhood communication disorders. Oral and poster presentations will showcase the latest research in assessing and rehabilitating communication disorders in children and adults. Communication disorders refer to impairments in the ability to send, receive, or process verbal and non-verbal language due to structural or functional issues in the communication system, which may involve neural, auditory, or respiratory mechanisms. The early identification and intervention of communication disorders in children is crucial as it improves long-term outcomes in language development, social skills, and academic success. This conference aims to impart knowledge to practicing and future professionals in the field, foster collaborations, and advance clinical practice in the field of childhood communication disorders.