Aphasia Access Conversations

Today, Janet Patterson will be speaking with Francie Schwarz about a unique partnership between library science and speech-language pathology. That partnership led to the first book group for persons with aphasia that is hosted at a public library.

In today’s episode, you will:

• Hear how creating a partnership with your local public library is a novel and unique way to embody the principles of LPAA by bringing a book group for people with aphasia to the community;

• Learn tips on developing a relationship with the adult programming librarian in order to navigate library regulations, locate resources to obtain books, and manage lending practices;

• Learn strategies to work with libraries to help them demonstrate their unique contribution to their communities and serve their mission of inviting residents into the library through hosting a book group for people with aphasia.

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Dr. Nidhi Mahendra (San Jose State University) interviews Dr. Esther Kim.

Dr. Kim is a speech-language pathologist, aphasia researcher, and Associate Professor in the department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Alberta in Canada. In addition to her research program examining treatments for aphasia and acquired reading disorders, Esther is the co-founder of the Alberta Aphasia Camp and has an interest in examining outcomes related to aphasia camp participation and LPAA programming in general. Beyond this, she also teaches an aphasia class and supervises graduate student clinicians.

In today’s episode, you will learn about:

• The importance of utilizing multiple avenues for high impact when raising awareness about aphasia;
• The critical importance of recreational and therapeutic activities for people with aphasia with a special emphasis on offering these activities in a supportive communication environment;
• Program design with an eye to bringing people with aphasia together while also providing a rich training environment for speech pathology students.

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Listen to this episode as Ellen Bernstein-Ellis (California State University, East Bay) speaks with Dr. Jerry Hoepner about programming for the Chippewa Valley Aphasia Camp.

Dr. Hoepner is an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He teaches numerous courses including neurogenic disorders, neuroanatomy, and counseling. Jerry's teaching research focuses on non-course-based learning, pedagogy, and training CSD students as educators. His clinical research includes outcomes of the Chippewa Valley Aphasia Camp, social networking applications, videos self-modeling, interventions, and communication partner training.

In this episode, you will:

• Learn about how the Chippewa Valley Aphasia Camp got its start 14 years ago and how its mission to increase social interaction and communicative success guides its programming;
• Hear more about how the concepts of therapeutic landscapes and environmental press dovetail with the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia (LPAA);
• Learn how the student volunteer experience is guided at camp from the initial training to the daily de-briefing. 
• Learn how Snapchat -  a photo-based social media app - can increase social interactions among campers. 

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In this episode, Dr. Katie Strong (Central Michigan University) speaks with Dr. Audrey Holland who shares her insights from the trenches, recalling her most significant “Aha!” moments.

Dr. Holland is an internationally-renowned expert in the area of aphasia assessment and intervention. She is the Regents’ Professor Emeriti of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at The University of Arizona and she continues to consult and write in the area of aphasia during her retirement. She's the author of several assessments and three books, numerous book chapters, and over 150 peer-reviewed journal articles. 

In this episode, you will:

• Hear the story of how a plane trip with business magazine article led to Dr. Holland’s ‘aha moment’ of thinking about coaching in communication disorders; learn the difference between coaching and counseling; and how to use elements of positive psychology in LPAA practice
• Learn the value of talking about ‘us’: Tips on building a relationship-centered experience with your client 
• Be inspired to make an impact on your community one starfish at a time
• Learn the power of post-traumatic growth

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Dr. Janet Patterson (VA Northern California Health Care System) interviews Dr. Candace Vickers. Dr. Vickers is with the College of Allied Health at California Baptist University in Riverside, California. Formerly, she was part of the outpatient neuro rehabilitation team at the St. Jude Medical Center where she was the creator of the communication recovery groups program.

In this episode, you will:

• Learn two benefits to providing a person with aphasia with the opportunity to share a conversation with a non-obligated communication partner. 
• Learn about the value of supporting opportunities for both exercise and conversation with people with aphasia.
• Hear Dr. Vicker's describe how being part of an aphasia group can decrease the risk for social isolation.

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Today, Ellen Bernstein-Ellis (California State University - East Bay) speaks with Dr. Darla Hagge.

Dr. Hagge is an assistant professor at California State University - Sacramento and a speech language pathologist at St. Jude Medical Center. She's the founder of the NeuroService Alliance which is a collection of life participation approach programs for adults with acquired communications disorders. She's the co-founder of the California Interprofessional Education Research Academy and the Sac State's CHHS Interpersonal Education Center of Innovative Teaching and Learning. In today’s episode you will:

• Learn the key elements that define professional education;
• Understand the four domains that need to be part of any professional education learning experience
• Get tips on how to start a professional education or an interprofessional practice collaboration in both university and medical settings
• Hear tips for introducing colleagues to communication partner training in a professional practice setting.

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Dr. Katie Strong hosts this episode from 2017 Leadership Summit in Orlando. Leadership summit attendees from across the U.S. and Canada share their insights from the 2017 Leadership Summit.

• Share your best conference take away so far!
• Tell us about your favorite LPAA activity.
• How has the LPAA model influenced the aphasia care you provide?
• Share your "aha" moment as a LPAA practitioner.

A special thanks to each of the attendees who shared their experiences. Sandy Glista, Western Michigan University; Tom Sather, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire; Lyssa Rome graduate student from Cal State East Bay; Jerry Hoepner, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire; Becky Khayum, Memory Care Corporation; Wendy Duke, Columbia Speech and Language Center, Vancouver BC; Esther Kim, University of Alberta; Tyson Harmon, graduate student at University of North Carolina; Rieppe Hendrick, Triangle Aphasia Project Unlimited; and Cheryl Paul, University of South Florida.

Maura English Silverman, MS, CCC/SLP is the Founder and Executive Director of the Triangle Aphasia Project (TAP), Unlimited in North Carolina. This interview includes:

• Identify practical and strategic methods for increasing awareness of aphasia programming and supports within their own communities.
• Describe methods to engage and mobilize individuals with aphasia, their families and partners in service within the community to widen the service provision options available.
• Identify stakeholders to your aphasia programming and determine how their objectives and your LPAA provision goals can be aligned for improved services.

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Dr. Katie Strong interviews Dr. Barbara Shadden, Professor Emeritus in Communication Disorders and Co-Director of the Office for Studies on Aging at the University of Arkansas. This interview includes:

• How to define identity, and understand the impact it has on aphasia
• 4 Tips that support the emotional and physical health of client caregivers
• 3 Ways to help make your aphasia therapy more identity friendly

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Dr. Janet Patterson interviews Dr. Lynn Maher, founding member of the Houston Aphasia Recovery Center. This interview includes:

• How to find the best fit and engage people who want to be a part of your community aphasia group
• How to balance the desire to build programs for people with aphasia with good stewardship and being fiscally responsible
• How Founder's Syndrome and Magical Thinking can both propel and stall your community aphasia program

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