Karen  Karner

Biography

Karen Karner joined the faculty of USAO in Fall, 2013, as Clinic Director of the John A. Morris Speech and Language Clinic and an instructor of speech-language pathology. Her clinical background in speech- language pathology includes work in the public schools of Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma, and private practice in both Texas and Oklahoma where her caseloads included early intervention, autism spectrum disorders, adult intellectual disability, and school-age speech and language disorders. She has additional training and experience in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).

She has been a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in good standing since 1985. She has earned the Award for Continuing Education (ACE) five times. She has served as Vice President of the Oklahoma Speech-Language-Hearing Association. At USAO, she has served on the Superior Teaching and Scholarly Activity Committee, the Interdisciplinary Studies Committee, and the Student Showcase Committee.  She served as secretary to the Faculty Association during her second year. 

Karner earned her Ph.D. in speech-language pathology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center where her dissertation research focused on the social use of language of adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. A fellow of the Leadership in Education and Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities (LEND) program, Karner brings to her position an understanding of family-centered and culturally competent services that place the patient and the family at the forefront of decision making in the treatment process.

Research, Presentations & Publications

Karner, K. (February 19, 2020). When Your Patient has Autism: Towards a smoother delivery of services during acute hospitalization and rehabilitation. Presentation to Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation Hospital, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Karner, K. (July 26, 2019). Autism 101 – Emergency Services Awareness and Intervention. Presentation to Weatherford Mid-Year First Responders and Business Leadership Training Conference, Weatherford, Oklahoma.

Karner, K. (January 31, 2019). Learning Disabilities in Higher Education. Presented to faculty and staff of University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma, Chickasha, Oklahoma.

Karner, K. (December 19, 2018). Autism 101 – Emergency Services Awareness and Intervention. Presentation to Lifeguard Ambulance Service, Weatherford Fire Department, Weatherford, Oklahoma.

Karner, K. (December 14, 2017). Autism spectrum disorder. Presentation to teachers and staff of Head Start, Chickasha, Oklahoma.

Karner, K. (December 8, 2017). Healthy communication. Presentation to students and teachers of Verden High School, Verden, Oklahoma.

Karner, K. (March 23, 2017). ASD on Campus Part II. Presentation to faculty and staff of the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma.

Karner, K. (February 16, 2017). ASD on Campus. Presentation to faculty and staff of the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma.

Karner, K. (August 19, 2016). Speech act use of adolescents diagnosed with autism during semi-structured conversation with typical peers. Dissertation defense at University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

Karner, K, & Benson, S. (2015). Speech act use of adolescents diagnosed with autism during semi-structured conversation with typical peers. Poster presented at the annual convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Denver, Colorado.

Karner, K., McCoy, L., & Karner, J. (2015). Disability: A marginalized group impacting the common good. Presentation for the annual convention of the Association for Interdisciplinary Studies, North Andover, Massachusetts.

Karner, K. (2015). Getting social through a story. Presentation for the AutismOKC parent support group, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Karner, K., & McCoy, L. (2015). Getting Social with LEGO®. Presentation for the USAO Festival of Arts & Ideas, Chickasha, Oklahoma.

Karner, K. (2014). When the Need is Now: Emergency Leadership. Presentation for the USAO Student Leadership Conference, Chickasha, Oklahoma.

Karner, K. (2014). Where are we with social skills intervention? Presentation for the Autism Edmond parent support group, Edmond, Oklahoma.

Karner, K., Benson, S., & Coy, C. (2012). Measuring effectiveness of social skills intervention through speech act analysis. Poster presented at the annual convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Atlanta, Georgia.

Karner, K. (2012) Autism Spectrum Disorders. Guest Lecturer for Introduction to Speech­ Language Pathology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma.

Karner, K. (2011). Autism Spectrum Disorders. Guest Lecturer for Introduction to Speech­ Language Pathology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma.

Karner, K. (2011). Getting them through their day: Generalization of Trained Social Skills. Presentation for the Oklahoma State Department of Education Special Education Services Speech Language Pathology and Early Childhood Conference, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Karner, K., Deweber, D., & Benson, S. (2010). Oklahoma Diversity Project: Exploring Ethnicity and Parental Perspectives in Autism. Poster presented at the annual convention of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Karner, K., Deweber, D., & Benson, S. (2010). Oklahoma Diversity Project: Exploring Ethnicity and Parental Perspectives in Autism. Presentation at the College of Allied Health Research Day, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Karner, K., Deweber, D., & Benson, S. (2010). Oklahoma Diversity Project: Exploring Ethnicity and Parental Perspectives in Autism. Poster presented at the Graduate Research Education and Technology Symposium, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Karner, K., Deweber, D., & Benson, S. (2010). Oklahoma Diversity Project: Exploring Ethnicity and Parental Perspectives in Autism." Presentation at The 3rd International Symposium on Communication Disorders in Multilingual Populations, Agros, Cyprus.

Deweber, D., Benson, S., & Karner, K. (2009). Person First Language Use in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Poster presented at the annual convention of the North Carolina Speech and Hearing Association, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Karner, K.& Boutsen, F. (2008). Working Memory of Children with SL! in Extrinsic and Intrinsic Interference Conditions. Poster presented at the annual convention of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Annual Convention, Chicago, Illinois.

Karner, K. & Boutsen, F. (2008). Working Memory of Children with SLI in Extrinsic and Intrinsic Interference Conditions. Poster presented at the Graduate Research Education and Technology Symposium, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Garrison, D.W., Detre, J.A., James, S.A., Boutsen, F., Karner, K. & Wu, D. (2008). Comparison of Common Areas of Brain Function During Motor Execution, Imagery and Passive Visual Observation of the Same Task: AJMRI Study. Society for Neuroscience. Abstract No. 2008-S-1427, SFN.

Karner, K. (2004). Auditory and Visual Processing Difficulties. Invited presentation to preschool teachers, Houston, Texas.

Karner, K. (2003). Homework Still Happens. Invited presentation to parents and teachers of Trinity Lutheran Church and School, Klein, Texas.

Karner, K. (2002). Homework Happens. Invited presentation to parents and teachers of Trinity Lutheran Church and School, Klein, Texas.

Karner, K. (2001). Bruised, Burning, ...Never Broken: Seminar on Language/Learning Differences. Invited presentation to parents and teachers of Trinity Lutheran Church and School, Klein, Texas.