USD Students Support Athletes at the South Dakota Special Olympics Summer Games
Grace Stansbury, Taylor Schallenkamp and Megan Linke helped conduct hearing screenings for 85 athletes as part of the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program, which offers free health evaluations and education to participants.
Throughout the event, USD students guided athletes through a series of hearing tests, including an otoscopy, otoacoustic emissions, tympanometry and pure-tone screening. They also explained the process step-by-step to athletes and their families, creating a comfortable and supportive environment for everyone.
“I enjoyed interacting with the athletes and getting to know more about them, like which events they were excited for,” said Stansbury. “It taught me a lot about how I can interact with current and future patients to ensure that I supply them with compassionate care and make them feel seen.”
Stansbury, along with Schallenkamp and Linke, also utilized visual schedules developed by the USD Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders’ Elizabeth Hanson, Ph.D, associate professor, and Marni Johnson, Ph.D., assistant director, to help athletes understand the screening process and navigate through several steps during the exams.
“The visual schedules show every client what’s going to be done when going through each station,” said Schallenkamp. “It uses a picture to help athletes understand what’s going to be done, which calms their nerves and reduces anxiety levels throughout the day. The athletes can also mark off every station and move to the next with ease.”
The schedules have proven so effective that the Special Olympics International recently adopted them for use in Healthy Athletes programs around the world, making them available as an optional, downloadable resource for those running the Healthy Athlete services wherever they’re offered.
“I love that the Special Olympics International adopted the visual schedules,” said Stansbury. “It allows athletes to fully understand what’s happening and what screenings they will complete without feeling blindsided. For those who are visual learners, offering additional resources is very accommodating.”
An Unforgettable Experience
For each of the three students, the experience provided valuable hands-on learning opportunities.
One interaction that stood out to Stansbury involved an athlete who was deaf and used American Sign Language to communicate. Stansbury, who took ASL classes in high school, took note of this and adjusted her screening routine, incorporating sign language throughout the appointment to enhance communication with the athlete and their father.
“I realized that sometimes I may need to change my routine and alter my screening process to ensure I make the environment suitable for all athletes,” Stansbury said. “It was just one example of how clinicians alter their practices to best fit the needs of the patients.”
Schallenkamp recalled working with a blind athlete, an experience that challenged her to rely less on visual resources and more on verbal expressions.
“Learning how to talk this athlete through the many different steps without a visual aid was challenging but impactful,” Schallenkamp said. “It made me think of ways I can adapt my communication strategies instead of leaning on visual materials for screenings.”
Overall, their experience and time at USD have prepared them to work with various populations and emphasized the importance of individualized care.
“Some patients may be comfortable with screenings, while others may show anxiety. Volunteering at the Special Olympics Summer Games, along with my USD education, has prepared me to recognize each patient’s needs and adapt my approach,” said Schallenkamp. “The experience will carry over to my professional life, while working in schools or hospitals with similar clients, who may struggle with screenings.”
Stansbury said that representing USD at the Special Olympics Summer Games was especially meaningful.
“USD is committed to its students and the services they provide through their degrees. Participating in this event is something I am very proud of, as it’s rewarding to know we are making a positive impact on the individuals we serve,” said Stansbury. “It motivates me to grow into a compassionate advocate for my future patients and families, and to speak up when I believe something will benefit my patients and ensure they get the best care possible.”
You May Also Like
Record Number of USD Voice Students Advance to National Student Auditions
Four University of South Dakota voice students have advanced to the semifinal round of the National Student Auditions sponsored by the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
USD School of Education Faculty Recognized with 2026 Faculty Excellence Awards
The University of South Dakota School of Education has recognized three faculty members with the 2026 Faculty Excellence Awards, honoring their outstanding contributions in research, teaching and service.
Coyotes for a Cause: Dakotathon Surpasses $2M Donation Milestone
What started as a student fundraiser at the University of South Dakota has now grown into a powerful tradition of philanthropy and community impact.
