Shannon Locke MS, CCC-SLP
Owner/CEO
ABOUT SHANNON
SPEAKER | EDUCATOR | ADVISOR
Shannon Locke is a nationally recognized autism expert who has been training school personnel, parents, and other community stakeholders as well as serving individuals with autism for over 25 years.
Shannon graduated from Missouri State University cum laude with her Master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 1998. She worked every spare minute through high school and college with individuals with developmental disabilities and autism through local camp programs, disability service agencies, and group homes. Since then she has accumulated experience with autism, social communication and communication disorders, as well as other developmental disabilities in community-based, medical, private practice, and school settings.
In 2010, Shannon created and directed the Ozark Area Autism Clinic at a local private hospital, offering a multidisciplinary differential diagnosis of ASD where she was subsequently named Director of the new Pediatric Therapy Department. Shannon then founded Autism Outfitters in order to offer private consultation, education, programming, and public speaking services for individuals in need and community supporters in her area.
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Shannon has taught undergraduate and graduate students at Missouri State University (MSU) for both the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department and the Counseling, Leadership, and Special Education Department. She served as an Autism Resource Specialist for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education through MSU's Project ACCESS. In this role, she was one of three full-time statewide specialists consulting with and training public educators serving students with autism across Missouri.
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Currently, Shannon continues her never-ending mission to serve through her enrollment in the Ph.D. Special Education - Autism program at the University of Missouri. She has expanded the Autism Outfitters mission to "build a village" by focusing on inclusion training and diversity for small businesses and educational and government institutions. Diversifying the workforce increases productivity, innovation, and revenue impacting the financial well-being of each organization and the community as a whole.
CERTIFICATIONS & AWARDS
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Elected Vice President of Communication for the Missouri Speech-Language Hearing Association (MSHA) Executive Board 2020
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Four-time recipient of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) ACE Award for Continuing Education
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Missouri Board Certified & American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist since 1998
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Certified Administrator of the ADOS - Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule
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Elected Secretary of the Nixa Band Boosters two consecutive terms 2016-2020
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Elected President of the Tri-Lakes Sertoma Chapter 2016-17
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Received the Sertoma Leadership Award 2016
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Received the Sertoma Service Award 2016 for 200 hours of service
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Received the Sertoma Service Award 2015 for 100 hours of service
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Awarded Employee of the Month October of 2010 from Ozarks Community Hospital in recognition of the record-breaking growth and creation of the Ozarks Area Autism Clinic I brought to the hospital after only one month of full-time employment.
"I replace limitations with possibilities and foster a climate that goes beyond acceptance to true appreciation and engagement. You will enjoy spending time with me and walk away knowing what you need to know."
- Shannon Locke, MS, CCC-SLP
EXPERIENCE
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Admitted into the University of Missouri Ph.D. in Special Education - Autism Program, 2021
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Women-Owned Small Business Owner
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Adjunct Professor at Missouri State University
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10+ years as a school Speech-Language Pathologist
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Vice President of Communication for Missouri Speech-Language Hearing Association (MSHA) Executive Board 2020 - 2022
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Chair of the Missouri Speech-Language Hearing Association (MSHA) 2020 Convention Planning Team
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Member of development team for the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Board Special Certification in Autism Spectrum Disorders
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Missouri First Steps Provider
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Developer of Ozarks Area Autism Clinic
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Director of Pediatric Therapy Services at Ozarks Community Hospital
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Missouri Autism Consultant for Project ACCESS
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Private Contractor Rural MO and AR schools
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Past President, Tri-Lakes Sertoma Club
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Active: Missouri Family to Family, ASHA Special Interest Division for Autism, CEC-DADD
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Family member and Case Manager for adults with significant disabilities
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Certified Skydiving Coach
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USPA Skydiving B-License holder
"Shannon is truly an expert in the field of autism. She is compassionate, thoughtful, and energetic about helping people with autism enjoy life... She would be a great addition to a conference or expert speaking panel. Her training resources are top quality for companies wanting to be more inclusive of individuals with autism. I highly recommend her to any company, school, or family needing support with autism."
~ Teresa Huff, Grant Writing Simplified Podcast Host
Shannon Locke, MS, CCC-SLP
as seen on:
CEC-DAD CONFERENCE
Maui, Hawaii
2019
SCORE
E3 WOMEN'S CONFERENCE
Southwest Missouri
Virtual 2020
MISSOURI AUTISM REPORT
Publications:
Jun. & Oct. 2016, Apr. 2017
SHRM INCLUSION 2020
Virtual Conference 2020
Shannon lives in Nixa, MO, with her husband Scott "Hippie" and their two dogs Lady and Busiek as well as anyone who happens to come and stay awhile. Mother to an amazing young woman, Kaitlyn, who attends Stetson University in Deland, FL, Shannon enjoys traveling and time with family. Her family loves skydiving, camping, kayaking, traveling and really any other activity that gets them out and about to enjoy life! Shannon believes in and lives her life to love others and nature, and to celebrate our differences while fostering our connectivity.
Passionate about helping others ENJOY LIFE!
SHANNON IS A PROUD MEMBER OF:
