Lauren Schwabish, MS, CCC-SLP, a person-centered neuro SLP and private practice owner, joins host Sarah Baar at the 2025 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention to unpack one of the trickiest topics in cognitive rehab—executive functions. With real questions and reflections from fellow SLPs, Sarah and Lauren delve into what executive functions truly are and how to discuss them in terms our clients can understand. Together, we explore how analogies, self-awareness, and health literacy can transform therapy into a more empowering and effective experience. If you’ve ever struggled to explain or treat executive dysfunction, this episode is for you.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the evidence around how executive function challenges present in individuals with neurological conditions and their implications for therapy across care settings
• Determine the situations in which health literacy–informed communication strategies and person-centered executive function interventions provide the most benefit for improving self-awareness and therapy engagement
• Solve patient case scenarios involving executive dysfunction by applying functional assessment, strategic analogies, and structured feedback techniques to facilitate client insight and progress toward therapy goals

Timestamps

• (00:00:00) Welcome
• (00:00:05) Introduction and episode overview
• (00:01:44) Guest introduction
• (00:02:54) Setting the stage: what is executive function (EF)?
• (00:04:23) SLP voices: defining executive functions
• (00:07:48) The missing component: self-awareness
• (00:09:50) Core executive functions framework
• (00:12:16) Inhibition
• (00:14:28) Working memory
• (00:15:30) Cognitive flexibility
• (00:16:39) The building analogy for EF
• (00:17:30) Clinical examples across diagnoses
• (00:21:25) Analogies clinicians use
• (00:27:07) Health literacy and client education
• (00:32:16) Identifying EF in functional tasks
• (00:34:52) Strategy instruction and EF intervention
• (00:38:02) Student and clinician perspectives
• (00:41:27) Therapy planning and goal development
• (00:44:06) Implementing EF strategies
• (00:48:07) Actionable takeaways
• (00:50:27) Closing reflections

Speech Scope is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

To hear more episodes of Speech Scope, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/speech-scope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Allison Mezo, MA, CCC-SLP, CBIST, returns to join host Sarah Baar for part 2 of their deep dive into anosognosia, this time focusing on what SLPs can actually do in treatment. Drawing from extensive research and clinical experience, Allison and Sarah explore how to meet clients where they are on the awareness continuum and use therapy time meaningfully—even when insight is limited. You’ll walk away with practical strategies to build therapeutic alliance, structure intervention by awareness level, and foster life participation outcomes.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the current evidence base for interventions targeting anosognosia and delineate the role of the speech-language pathologist in intervention planning

• Apply evidence-based treatment approaches for anosognosia to match a patient’s level of awareness (intellectual, emergent, anticipatory)

• Solve real-world case examples to select and adapt appropriate anosognosia treatment techniques, monitor progress, and adjust intervention plans collaboratively

Timestamps

• (00:00:00) Welcome
• (00:00:05) Introduction to anosognosia treatment
• (00:01:07) Allison Mezo’s background and clinical perspective
• (00:03:10) Why treating awareness matters in rehab
• (00:07:19) Evidence-based foundations of treatment
• (00:08:49) Core principles: motivational interviewing, feedback, and more
• (00:14:19) Aligning treatment with awareness levels
• (00:15:17) Treating clients with no awareness
• (00:19:39) Clinical example: “Mary” and environmental supports
• (00:23:11) Therapy at the intellectual awareness level
• (00:28:09) “Mary’s” progress: intellectual awareness in action
• (00:34:20) Therapy at the emergent awareness level
• (00:38:13) Experiential learning and the predict-perform-reflect cycle
• (00:40:25) Anticipatory awareness: planning ahead in therapy
• (00:42:30) “Mary” at the anticipatory stage
• (00:45:10) Three actionable takeaways for clinicians
• (00:50:15) Final words of wisdom on building alliance

Speech Scope is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

To hear more episodes of Speech Scope, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/speech-scope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Allison Mezo, MA, CCC-SLP, CBIST, a medical SLP, clinical educator, and brain injury survivor, joins host Sarah Baar to unpack the complex clinical picture of anosognosia after acquired brain injury. Sarah and Allison explore how SLPs can confidently identify awareness impairments using a structured, patient-centered assessment process. Together, they walk through real-world examples, including a detailed case study, to break down key tools and concepts like the awareness pyramid, implicit vs. explicit awareness, and the importance of informant input. Join us as we build your assessment toolbox and take the first steps toward more effective goal-setting for this nuanced diagnosis.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the current evidence and the speech-language pathologist’s role in the assessment of anosognosia

• Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to conduct assessment of anosognosia and contribute to a relationship-centered treatment plan

• Solve patient case examples through the selection and application of appropriate anosognosia assessment tools and strategies.

Timestamps

• (00:00:00) Welcome
• (00:00:05) Introduction to anosognosia

• (00:01:07) Allison Mezo's background and interest in anosognosia

• (00:04:56) Understanding anosognosia: definition and impact

• (00:10:45) Levels of awareness pyramid explained

• (00:15:30) Types of awareness: explicit vs implicit

• (00:18:00) Clinical case study: James and assessment strategies

• (00:24:00) The clinical interview: gathering patient insights

• (00:26:00) Understanding patient perceptions and expectations

• (00:28:00) Tools for clinical assessment

• (00:30:00) Comparing self-reports with informant feedback

• (00:35:00) Objective assessment and performance comparison

• (00:39:20) Determining levels of awareness

• (00:41:50) Identifying red flags for anosognosia

• (00:42:50) Goal setting in therapy

• (00:44:38) Actionable takeaways for clinicians

Speech Scope is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

To hear more episodes of Speech Scope, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/speech-scope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Dr. Phyllis M. Palmer, a leading voice in dysphagia research, and Aaron H. Padilla, a practicing clinical SLP, join host Sarah Baar to explore how dysphagia management is evolving and why that matters for your daily practice. Together, they dig into clinical gray areas, from navigating thickened liquids to balancing patient safety with quality of life. The discussion also highlights how the BOLUS framework offers a practical, evidence-informed tool to support individualized decision-making at the bedside. If you’ve ever questioned your go-to strategies, this conversation is for you.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the evidence on individual differences in dysphagia management using the BOLUS framework
• Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to address modifiable factors in dysphagia management, such as oral care and smoking status

• Solve case scenarios involving patients who aspirate, with emphasis on factors that increase the risk of poor outcomes
  

Timestamps

• (00:00:00) Welcome
• (00:00:05) Introduction to dysphagia management
• (00:03:40) Evolution of dysphagia practices
• (00:05:29) The importance of individualized care
• (00:12:15) Navigating changes in clinical practices
• (00:15:15) Introducing the BOLUS framework
• (00:20:30) Understanding bolus variables
• (00:29:20) Oral health—the foundation of dysphagia management
• (00:35:40) Lifestyle and activity levels in dysphagia management
• (00:39:50) Unintended influences in clinical practice
• (00:44:40) Understanding system status in dysphagia management
• (00:48:30) Actionable takeaways for clinicians

Speech Scope is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

To hear more episodes of Speech Scope, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/speech-scope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Allison Hilger, PhD, CCC-SLP, joins host Sarah Baar to explore the Colorado Motor Speech Framework—a free, easy-to-use tool for assessing motor speech disorders. Together, they discuss how it supports clinical decision-making and simplifies dysarthria diagnosis. Tune in for practical tips you can bring to your next evaluation.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the evidence around motor speech/dysarthria assessment

• Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to actionably address diagnosing motor speech disorders and dysarthria subtyping, as well as logging perceptual observations of the patient’s speech
• Solve patient case scenarios involving unclear motor speech diagnoses, such as mixed dysarthria subtypes

Timestamps

• (00:00:00) Welcome
• (00:00:05) Introduction to the Colorado motor speech framework
• (00:02:53) The need for a new assessment tool
• (00:05:55) Development of the Colorado motor speech framework
• (00:08:23) Understanding dysarthria and its subtypes
• (00:11:33) How to use the Colorado motor speech framework
• (00:14:11) Clinical applications and settings for the framework
• (00:21:15) Differential diagnosis in motor speech disorders
• (00:28:02) The importance of individualized treatment goals
• (00:36:23) Actionable takeaways
• (00:40:16) Real-world clinical examples and wins
• (00:45:40) Final thoughts

Speech Scope is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

To hear more episodes of Speech Scope, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/speech-scope⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Brooke McGivern, MS, CCC-SLP, joins host Sarah Baar to explore the power of proactive dysphagia intervention for individuals with head and neck cancer. Together, they break down key strategies for supporting swallowing function before, during, and after treatment. Tune in to learn how you can implement evidence-based care that empowers your patients and improves long-term outcomes.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the evidence around proactive intervention to address dysphagia secondary to head and neck cancer

• Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to actionably address acute and chronic issues resulting in dysphagia for individuals with head and neck cancer
• Solve patient case scenarios involving multiple underlying causes of dysphagia for people with head and neck cancer

Timestamps

• (00:00:00) Welcome
• (00:00:49) Introduction to proactive dysphagia intervention
• (00:03:06) Understanding head and neck cancer and dysphagia
• (00:05:51) The importance of early intervention
• (00:09:08) Proactive treatment strategies for dysphagia
• (00:11:50) Patient-centered approaches in therapy
• (00:15:08) Managing lymphedema and swallowing issues
• (00:17:59) Interdisciplinary collaboration for better outcomes
• (00:20:46) Real-world applications and case studies
• (00:24:01) Overcoming barriers in clinical practice
• (00:26:58) Final thoughts and key takeaways

Speech Scope is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

To hear more episodes of Speech Scope, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/speech-scope⁠⁠⁠

If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Marta Kazandjian, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, NBC-HWC, F-ASHA, and Dr. Cynthia X. Pan, MD, FACP, AGSF, join host Sarah Baar to explore why swallowing and communication are critical components of quality palliative care. Together, they share how speech-language pathologists can lead early conversations, align care with patient values, and make a bigger impact on interdisciplinary teams. Join us to learn practical strategies you can use to support whole-person care for patients with serious illness.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the evidence around CAPC’s “Clinical Training Recommendations for Speech-Language Pathologists Caring for Patients with Serious Illness”
• Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to address patient care issues, such as avoiding premature NPO orders, aligning care with patient values, and initiating early, inclusive serious illness conversations with a team approach
• Solve patient case scenarios involving patients with serious illness in need of palliative care and SLP expertise

Timestamps

• (00:00:00) Welcome

• (00:00:55) Understanding palliative care
• (00:08:10) Defining palliative care
• (00:10:45) The role of SLPs in palliative care
• (00:17:04) Interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare
• (00:22:44) The PARTNERS framework for serious illness conversations
• (00:28:11) The importance of prognosis in healthcare
• (00:32:00) Navigating serious illness conversations
• (00:39:12) Interdisciplinary communication in palliative care
• (00:44:51) Empowering patient voices in decision-making
• (00:48:13) Actionable takeaways for SLPs in palliative care

Speech Scope is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

To hear more episodes of Speech Scope, visit ⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/speech-scope⁠⁠

If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Dr. Carolyn Baylor, PhD, CCC-SLP—creator of the Framework for Participation-Focused Intervention and expert in motor speech disorders—joins host Sarah Baar to explore how clinicians can prioritize life participation in dysarthria intervention. Together, they unpack how to set meaningful goals, measure real-world outcomes, and move beyond the drill-and-repeat rut. If you’re ready to help clients reconnect with what matters most, this episode offers the practical strategies to get you started.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the evidence supporting participation-based approaches to intervention
• Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to actionably address barriers clients face to full participation in the communication aspects of their lives
• Solve patient case scenarios involving participation-based interventions for dysarthria

Timestamps

• (00:00:00) Welcome

• (00:01:30) Introduction to guest, Dr. Carolyn Baylor
• (00:03:30) The clinical motivation behind the framework
• (00:06:50) Understanding the framework: a practical approach
• (00:12:10) Identifying ideal clients for the framework
• (00:16:10) Assessment strategies for participation-focused therapy
• (00:19:30) Setting goals: from participation to outcomes
• (00:22:00) Engaging clients in goal setting
• (00:23:10) Real-life applications and client stories
• (00:24:40) Balancing participation and impairment goals
• (00:27:30) Environmental accessibility in therapy
• (00:31:15) Wild card question
• (00:32:40) Effective intervention strategies
• (00:37:06) Patient and family compliance/push back
• (00:41:34) Actionable takeaways for clinicians
• (00:47:30) Empowering clinicians in therapy

Speech Scope is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

To hear more episodes of Speech Scope, visit ⁠https://www.medbridge.com/speech-scope⁠

If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Dr. Peter Meulenbroek, PhD, MSCI, CCC-SLP, joins host Sarah Baar to explore how SLPs can help patients with TBI return to work. They discuss assessment, intervention, and workplace advocacy, sharing practical strategies for supporting cognitive-communication and social skills on the job. Tune in for actionable takeaways to help your clients succeed.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the evidence around the parameters of the workplace and your client to cover before return to work
• Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to actionably address social communication, cognitive-communication, and language challenges related to workplace activities
• Solve patient case scenarios involving identifying concerns with the workplace and the social interactions within it

Timestamps

• (00:00:00) Welcome

• (00:00:55) Introduction to returning to work in speech therapy

• (00:03:50) The importance of meaningful work
• (00:06:25) Understanding client goals and challenges
• (00:10:12) Vocational rehabilitation approaches
• (00:13:17) Interprofessional collaboration in rehabilitation
• (00:19:34) Assessment strategies for return to work
• (00:26:20) Setting goals for clients
• (00:28:06) Social communication and pragmatics in therapy
• (00:30:01) Therapeutic interventions and evidence-based practices
• (00:43:15) Case study: Jason's journey to employment
• (00:48:15) Final thoughts on the role of SLPs in vocational rehab

Speech Scope is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

To hear more episodes of Speech Scope, visit https://www.medbridge.com/speech-scope

If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Dr. Nina Benway, PhD, CCC-SLP, an expert in artificial intelligence (AI) and speech therapy, joins host Sarah Baar, MA, CCC-SLP, to explore AI’s role in treating speech sound disorders. AI is rapidly transforming healthcare, but what does that mean for speech-language pathologists? Together, Sarah and Nina discuss the latest research, ethical considerations, and practical strategies for evaluating AI tools in clinical practice.

Learning Objectives

• Interpret the evidence around AI-based speech therapy
• Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to actionably address the ethical use of AI-based speech therapy
• Solve patient case scenarios involving the ethical use of AI-based speech therapy

Timestamps

• (00:00:00) Welcome
• (00:01:31) Understanding AI and its application
• (00:04:37) Clinical AI definitions and levels
• (00:09:00) AI possibilities in the context of ethical clinical decisions
• (00:20:26) Ethical considerations in AI usage
• (00:23:44) Motor learning principles in AI research
• (00:27:11) Practical application of AI in therapy
• (00:30:05) Actionable takeaways for clinicians
• (00:31:35) Case example
• (00:35:41) The research process and future directions

Resources Mentioned in Episode

• Artificial Intelligence–Assisted Speech Therapy: A Single-Case Experimental Study

• Speech Production Lab

• Speech Motor Training

Speech Scope is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

To hear more episodes of Speech Scope, visit https://www.medbridge.com/speech-scope

If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/