Guest: Dawn Ducca - In this episode, Renee is joined by Dawn, who serves as a volunteer Ambassador for The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. Frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) is a group of brain disorders that primarily impact personality, behavior, and language skills. This combination presents unique challenges for caregivers. Discussion includes medical aspects of the disease, psychological symptoms, and the progression of the disease that wreaks havoc on daily life. Some of the complexities of caregiving include the physical and emotional toll, but combined with coping and self-care strategies, caregivers can learn ways to support their well-being. Join Renee and Dawn for an hour of caregiving techniques and learn the importance of a support network.

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Guest: Lynn Reed, MA CCC-SLP, CBIS, MSCS - In this episode, Renee is joined by Lynn to discuss what SLPs need to know about multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Define what pathophysiology of MS involves, including the progression and types of MS. Learn how patient-centered care and quality of life are improved with personalized treatment plans and caregiver involvement. Join Renee and Lynn for a packed hour of treatment options for the patient with MS.

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Guest: Ashley Muñoz López, MBA, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S - In this episode, Renee is joined by Ashley to discuss Disorders of Consciousness. Ashley co-authors the peer-reviewed journal article “A Conscious Approach to Decannulation: Clinical Application of a One-Way Speaking Valve With Disorders of Consciousness.” Join Renee and Ashley as they discuss Disorders of Consciousness (DoC), including coma, vegetative state, and minimally conscious state, as well as assessment and treatment options for these patients. These complex conditions need both expert insight and practical advice to promote recovery. Join us to embark on a topic unfamiliar to many CSD professionals.

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Guest: Julie Sullivan, MS, CCC-SLP - In this episode, Renee is joined by Julie, the Covid Recovery Center program manager in Boston, MA. Learn what the journey of battling long covid entails, including expert insights, practical advice for navigating patients' challenges, and understanding the recovery process. Join Renee and Julie for an hour of discovery and exploration of research initiatives.

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Guest: Jaimie Anderson, MS, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS - In this episode, Renee and Jaimie discuss functional dysphagia. Functional dysphagia occurs when individuals experience difficulty swallowing despite no structural abnormalities. It can significantly affect quality of life and impact daily life. Join Renee and Jaimie as they explore causes, symptoms, evaluation, and treatment options for functional dysphagia and delve into the complexities of the condition.

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Guest: Pamela Rowe, MA, CCC-SLP - In this episode, Renee is joined by Pamela to discuss social determinants of mental health and their relation to speech-language pathology. Social determinants of mental health are conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, work, and age that impact a wide range of health, functioning, and quality of life outcomes and the risks associated with these domains. Social determinants of mental health can affect the development and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders. Understanding and addressing these social determinants can improve mental health outcomes as well as empower SLPs to design and implement more holistic treatment approaches. Join Renee and Pamela for an hour of impactful discussion.

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Guest: Sonya Floyd, MEd, CCC-SLP - Renee is joined by Sonya to discuss community reintegration, specifically for TBI survivors. Discover the range of services and support systems designed to help patients return to their daily lives and participate in their communities. This process requires a multidisciplinary approach, including medical and therapeutic support, social support, vocational rehabilitation, community resources, and education and advocacy programs. Join Renee and Sonya as they discuss personalized approaches to community reintegration that encompass the unique needs and goals specific to the TBI survivor.

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Guest: Robert "Bob" McKinney, MA, CCC-SLP - In this episode, Renee is joined by Robert (Bob) McKinney to discuss all things accent modification. From the origins of accents to treatment techniques SLPs can use tomorrow, consider this a dive into accent modification for the curious SLP. Join Renee and Bob as they discuss SLPs and accent modification.

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Guest: Rachael Silveira, MA, CCC-SLP - In this episode, Renee is joined by Rachael Silveira to discuss tracheostomies and ventilators and how to create a team of multidisciplinary professionals to aid in caring for patients with respiratory compromise. Managing patients with tracheostomy and/or ventilator dependency requires an interdisciplinary approach to ensure safety and optimal care. Through continuous monitoring, regular assessments, and nutritional support, SLPs are a crucial component of this team. SLPs are also critical in communication for these patients and the providers of education and support for the caregiving team/families. Effective management of tracheostomy and ventilated patients with compromised respiratory systems requires comprehensive and coordinated care tailored to the patient's individual needs. Join Renee and Rachael for an hour dedicated to this unique population.

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Guest: Kristin Koch, AuD. - In this episode, Renee is joined by Dr. Koch to discuss hearing loss and cognitive communication disorders. Numerous studies have identified a link between hearing loss and cognitive decline. Some studies suggest that hearing loss may contribute to cognitive decline and increase the risk of conditions like dementia. Learn how communication science professionals address social isolation, cognitive load, and common pathological pathways linked to hearing loss. By addressing hearing loss, communication science professionals are improving auditory capabilities and promoting overall cognitive health. Early intervention and continued support from SLPs and audiologists can significantly reduce the risk of cognitive decline and enhance the quality of life for older adults.

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