Aphasia Access Conversations

Janet Patterson, Chief of the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Service at VA Northern California, speaks with Ken Bado about the power of a passionate and dedicated executive board for a community aphasia group.

Ken Bado is Chairman of the Executive Board of Voices of Hope for Aphasia in St. Petersburg, Florida. Ken, who is based in Dallas Texas, has been transforming IT companies for the last 30 years. In addition to being CEO of GMB Consulting LLC, he sits on boards of high growth software companies and various non-profits, including Voices of Hope for Aphasia.

In today's episode you will learn:

• How having clearly stated mission and intent statements contribute to successful operation and stewardship of a community aphasia group
• About the most important qualifications that members of an executive board should demonstrate
• The value of applying solid business practices to aphasia group operations and activities to assure decisions align with the mission of the group.

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Dr. Katie Strong (Assistant Professor at Central Michigan University Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders) presents another segment on “A-ha!” Moments in Aphasia Care as she speaks with Dr. Maria Muñoz about providing culturally responsive aphasia care.

Maria L. Muñoz, Ph.D, CCC-SLP is a Professor at the University of Redlands. She received her doctorate from the University of Texas as a participant in the Multicultural Leadership Training Program and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in aphasia at the University of Arizona. She conducts research, teaches, and publishes in the areas of treatment outcomes and aphasia, and the manifestation of aphasia in Spanish/English bilinguals.

In this episode you will:

• Hear a story that provided an aha moment in making treatment culturally relevant.
• Learn about how cultural adaptation applies to LPAA philosophy and challenges clinicians to see a different world view.
• Discover some ‘lessons learned’ on facilitating a bilingual aphasia support groups.
• Learn a few tips in working with clients who are bilingual and have aphasia.

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Jerry Hoepner, a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, speaks with Melissa Capo about PEP Talks and project-based interventions. 

Melissa Capo is the developer of PEPtalks and clinical supervisor at the College of St. Rose. Melissa was fortunate to be a long-time colleague of Dr. Mark Ylvisaker, a profound influence on so much of the work we do with adults and adolescents with acquired neurogenic disorders like traumatic brain injury and aphasia. While not explicitly linked to the LPAA approach, his tenets of authentic, person-centered interventions where everyday partners and persons with aphasia or TBI are viewed as collaborators and experts is central to an LPAA approach. Building upon her collaborations with Mark, Melissa has been an innovative advocate for project-based interventions, publishing sentinel work in that area with Drs. Feeney and Ylvisaker in 2007.  

In today’s episode you will:

• Learn about applications of project-based interventions for persons with aphasia and related disorders.
• Examine the framework for project-based interventions.
• Learn about PEP Talks, positive-educational-peer reviewed videos for persons with brain injury by persons with brain injury.
• Gain insight into the importance of supporting individuals to identify and carry out projects to the fullest extent possible.

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Special Thanks to these Aphasia Access Members and organizations for underwriting this episode:

- The SCALE Center for Aphasia Care - Wendy Greenspan - Katarina Haley - Karen Tucker

Today, Katie Strong (Assistant Professor at Central Michigan University) speaks with Mary Ray-Allen about the Bama Perks Coffee Shop at the University of Alabama Speech and Hearing Center.

Mary Ray-Allen is the Clinical Director at The University of Alabama Speech and Hearing Center. She is the project director for Bama Perks, a simulated coffee shop that is housed within The UA Speech and Hearing Center that offers a unique social environment for individuals with aphasia to practice and enhance their communication skills. Bama Perks was featured in the March '17 ASHA Leader. She is a member of Alabama Clinical Educators (ACE) and is a nationally certified Speech Language Pathologist and member of ASHA. 

In this episode you will:

• Learn how a cup of coffee can lead to confidence in communicating for people with aphasia
• Learn about how Bama Perks program facilitates the opportunity to socialize in a café style environment
• Learn a few tips about how to develop this type of program in your work environment, including student training opportunities

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Ellen Bernstein-Ellis, director of the Aphasia Treatment Program (ATP) at California State University, East Bay, speaks with Melinda Corwin about ways to engage aphasia group members in planning a special event. Melinda Corwin is a professor and clinical supervisor at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. She directs the Stroke And Aphasia Recovery Program (STAR) and is a member of Aphasia Access and its Board of Directors.

In this episode you will:

• Learn about five different areas for involving group members as partners in event planning
• Hear about three kinds of awards that may enrich your event program
• Consider the dual benefits of member-guided celebrations: Building ownership in a fun event for people with aphasia and their guests and promoting aphasia awareness to the broader community

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Special Thanks to these Aphasia Access Members and organizations for underwriting this episode: - Ruth Fink - Nina Simmons-Mackie - Karen Tucker

David Greenberg, the president and CEO of the League for People with Disabilities in Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Greenberg has an MBA, a BSc, and extensive experience in healthcare and working with people with disabilities.

In this episode you will:

• Learn more about the League and its partnerships with SCALE and Aphasia Access.
• Gain a better understanding of the types of programs and classes available to individuals with disabilities.
• Find advice on the best ways to create a partnership with organizations similar to the League. 

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Special Thanks to these Aphasia Access Members and organizations for underwriting this episode:- Brooks Aphasia Center (Jacksonville, Florida) - Nina Simmons-Mackie - Ruth Fink - Karen Tucker

Dr. Brooke Hallowell is Dean of Health Sciences and Rehabilitation studies at Springfield College and internationally known for her work in interdisciplinary engagement, service learning, university community partnerships and transnational collaboration in research and service. Professor Hallowell is also the international coordinator for the Aging Disability and Access to Care Project.

In today's episode you will:

• Learn about the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia in underserved countries such as Malaysia, Philippines, India, and China 
• Be exposed to the ways different cultures and traditions view Aphasia as a challenge that is not faced but instead accepted
• Understand how other cultural perspectives affect patients' access to care

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Special Thanks to these Aphasia Access Members and organizations for underwriting this episode:- SCALE at The League for People with Disabilities, Baltimore, Maryland- Wendy Greenspan - Katarina Haley - Denise McCall

Katie Strong interviews Dr. Katarina Haley about Life Interests and Values Cards.

Dr. Katarina Haley is an Associate Professor of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Department of Allied Health Sciences at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr. Haley has over 30 years of experience working with neurologic communication disorders and has invested much time and effort into the development of Life Interests and Values (LIV) Cards, which are part of the larger LIV project.  

• Learn more about LIV Cards and their impact on patient care
• Hear about how LIV Cards provide patients with autonomy 
• Discover the role LIV Cards can play in an LPAA model

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Special Thanks to these Aphasia Access Members and organizations for underwriting this episode:- SCALE at The League for People with Disabilities, Baltimore, Maryland- Ruth Fink

Ellen Bernstein-Ellis (California State University, East Bay) speaks with Melinda Corwin about aphasia choirs.

Melinda Corwin is a professor and clinical supervisor at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Her research and clinical interests include adult neurogenic communication disorders. She directs the Stroke And Aphasia Recovery Program (STAR) and is an affiliate of Aphasia Access.

In today’s episode you will:

• Compare and contrast two models for aphasia choirs--one embedded within a summer arts program and one embedded within an academic year day program.

• Learn about the value in providing IwA the opportunity to transition from music listeners to active music makers.

• Gain insight into the challenges and some potential options for capturing outcomes for choir participation

• Discover some tips for selecting music and the challenges of integrating new members into an ongoing choir

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Katie Strong (Assistant Professor at Central Michigan University) presents an episode of  “A-ha!” Moments in Aphasia Care as she speaks with Linda Worrall about relationship-centered care, psychosocial health, and implementation science in aphasia.

Professor Linda Worrall is a Professor of Speech Pathology, Co-Director of the Communication Disability Centre and Postgraduate Coordinator at The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. She completed her undergraduate degree in speech pathology at The University of Queensland but then completed her Ph.D. in the Stroke Research Unit in Nottingham, UK. She has practiced as a speech pathologist both in Australia and the UK and founded the Australian Aphasia Association in 2000. She has published over 200 peer-reviewed journal articles, 26 book chapters, and 6 books; graduated 27 Ph.D. candidates and has had continuous nationally competitive research funding during her academic career. From 2009-2014, she led the NHMRC funded Australia-wide Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Aphasia Rehabilitation.

In this episode you will:

• Learn the complexity of effectiveness trials and how research and clinical practice go together;
• Understand the importance of relationship-centered care and the power of authentic relationships;
• Learn the origins of the living successfully with aphasia movement;
• Appreciate the negative impact mood has on aphasia outcomes and the important role speech-language pathologists have in preventing depression.

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