Florida State University students and faculty partnered with Special Olympics Northwest Florida to provide accessible health and wellness screenings for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities at The Arc Big Bend in Madison, Fla. on Sept. 23.
The Healthy Hearing and Strong Mind event brought together audiologists and students from the School of Communication Science and Disorders (SCSD), students from the College of Social Work, and undergraduate psychology students to help participants identify potential health concerns and learn about resources for their well-being.
“Hearing is an important part of communication and engagement in daily life, yet hearing problems are not always identified in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” Dr. Selena Snowden, director of audiology services at the FSU Speech and Hearing Clinic said. “We wanted to bring the screenings to the community to make these services more accessible and comfortable for participants and to raise awareness of the importance of hearing health within comprehensive healthcare.”
The Healthy Hearing screenings focused on identifying potential hearing concerns and connecting participants with follow-up resources when needed. The Strong Mind screenings, led by Katia Coonan, a licensed clinical social worker and FSU College of Social Work alumna, and Joy Enneking, a registered nurse specializing in behavioral health, addressed mental and emotional wellness through guided discussions and activities.
During the screenings, participants engaged in breathing exercises using pinwheels, stretching activities, and positive affirmations that promoted relaxation and self-confidence. Athletes also received bracelets and had the opportunity to share them with their support person as a meaningful way to encourage social connection. Stress balls were provided as additional tools to support self-regulation and stress management.
“Experiences like this allow students to put their academic and clinical learning to work in the real world and learn to work with people who may have different needs and ways of communicating than they do,” Snowden said. “Students learn to recognize potential barriers to healthcare and the importance of tailoring their approach to each individual.”
Joanna Chowdhury, Northwest regional health manager for Special Olympics and an FSU alumna, helped coordinate the event and connect community partners with resources needed to provide screenings.
Chowdhury emphasized that the screenings depend on health care professionals volunteering their time and expertise, highlighting the contributions of FSU Audiology Clinic team members Drs. Selena Snowden, Catherine Johnson, and Chelsea Alexander. She said they help students understand that growth occurs when challenges are willing to be taken.
Prior to the event, Chowdhury’s main focus was assessing resources and figuring out where to fill in the gaps.
“That often means reaching out to many different people and organizations,” Chowdhury said. “Not every conversation turns into a partnership, but every connection helps move the process forward. Ultimately, my goal is to create a positive and meaningful experience for both the athletes receiving services and the volunteers providing them.”
Mika Lonsdale, an FSU pre-medical student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, assisted with participant registration and screenings. He also spoke with participants about their hobbies, stress management, and favorite activities.
“I’m still early in my journey toward medicine, and I see that as an opportunity to learn from experiences outside the traditional clinical setting,” Lonsdale said. “Being a good physician isn’t just about knowing how to treat a patient, it’s also about understanding what might prevent that patient from receiving care in the first place.”
Snowden said interdisciplinary collaboration helped students understand how different areas of health influence one another. While audiologists assessed hearing concerns, students and professionals with backgrounds in mental health helped address emotional wellness and connect participants with additional resources.
For SCSD, the event also reflected the school’s commitment to preparing future professionals to provide individualized care. Community-based screenings can help identify concerns and raise awareness, although they do not replace comprehensive diagnostic evaluations or ongoing treatment.
Through its partnership with Special Olympics Florida and other FSU programs, SCSD continues to create opportunities for students to apply their academic knowledge while supporting inclusive health services.