Guests: Hilary Sample, MA, CCC-SLP & Steven Leeds Richman, MA, MD - Communication barriers impact healthcare equality. Recognizing healthcare inequality faced by people with communication disorders, Hilary Sample, MA, CCC-SLP and Steven Leeds Richman, MA, MD collaborated to develop a method of AAC that attempts to bypass the need for training with embedded supportive communication to more immediately improve patient-provider sharing of information, reducing the impact of communication barriers when exploring medical concerns. This SLP and MD team discuss the literature review that reveals factors in this healthcare disparity as well as solutions that led to the development of the MedConcerns app as a novel solution to improve communication about medical concerns for those with communication barriers.

Guest: Stephanie Sweigart, MS, CCC-SLP - Stephanie continues the conversation about how mindfulness leads to positive clinical outcomes and increases a clinician’s effectiveness. A summary of four research findings shows how mindfulness affects the brain. Case studies explore how mindfulness strategies help clients manage emotions to focus on working toward speech and language therapy goals.

Guest: Stephanie Michele Sweigart, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech clinicians report that their field presents incredible demands, increased caseloads and workloads, burnout, emotional tolls, depletion, and overall reduced well-being. Increased stress paired with negative attitudes can impact how a clinician fully shows up in their role. Productivity, team collaboration, and client outcomes can improve when we learn simple strategies for effectively managing difficult emotions. Learn to manage difficult emotions with a simple wellness strategy effectively. Reduce adverse outcomes and build more opportunities for thoughtful speech and wise action.

Guest: Sofia Tilton, MS, CCC-SLP - Sophie is a private practice owner, and the Rehabilitation Services Volunteer Project (RSVP) board member. This conversational format explores the establishment and evolution of a non-profit rehabilitation services delivery organization. Sofia shares her experience with RSVP and describes the steps needed to fund and maintain a non-profit organization. The RSVP model demonstrates how a non-profit organization can deliver rehabilitation services effectively. In addition, Sofia offers insight and practical information to those interested in establishing, working, or volunteering for a non-profit.

Guests: Jennifer Gray, MS, CCC-SLP, Rob Snow & Nick Doyle - They describe how improvisation techniques can improve communication skills and expand workplace opportunities, social settings, and independent living. Improvisation integrates eye contact, voice projection, problem-solving, listening, focus, flexible thinking, and creativity. Rob and Nick share experiences highlighting how improved communication skills foster personal development and enhanced self-confidence. In addition, Jennifer Gray describes how an improvisation course can be paired with speech therapy to work toward communication goals.

Guest: George Barnes MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S - This conversational format explores the risk assessment approach to dysphagia evaluation and treatment. George reviews key terms, the pathogenesis of pneumonia, and current trends in dysphagia management. He describes the role of the interdisciplinary team in the risk assessment approach. George uses his clinical experience, knowledge, and research to provide evidence for key considerations when managing aspiration risk.

Guest: Jason Hall, MS, SLP-CCC - Jason explores considerations for establishing a consulting private practice. Jason discusses finding the right time to start your own business, establishing your practice, and navigating growth.

Guest: Cristina Saldaña, MS, Ph.D., CCC-SLP - As a bilingual SLP for over 20 years, Dr. Saldaña describes her experience in a variety of settings that inspired her to develop resources for bilingual therapists and clients. She stresses the importance of knowing and following IDEA law to ensure that assessment and therapy benefit students. Dr. Saldanña offers strategies for serving bilingual people across the lifespan. She also provides monolingual SLPs insight into cultural nuances that are helpful when working with bilingual families.

Guest: Natalie F. Douglas, Ph.D., CCC-SLP - Dr. Douglas describes research on a care partner training program to support people living with dementia. This conversational format explores a project that took place across one year in six long-term care communities with SLPs, CNAs, and people living with dementia. Tips on incorporating patient-centered goals into documentation are provided, along with ways to improve relationships between SLPs, CNAs, and other professionals. Finally, Natalie offers suggestions and presents case studies to help SLPs improve collaboration and patient outcomes.

Guest: Perry Flynn, MEd., CCC-SLP - The guest details the difference between therapeutic horseback riding and hippotherapy. This conversational format presents the benefits of both for many populations and implications for speech and language therapy. In addition, Perry discusses several case studies and real-life experiences as a speech-language pathologist and Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) certified therapeutic riding instructor.