Aphasia Access Conversations

Janet Patterson, Chief of the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Service at VA Northern California, speaks with Cathy Off about creating and sustaining an aphasia group in a rural community. Dr. Off is an associate professor in the School of Speech, Language, Hearing, & Occupational Sciences in the College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Montana, where she directs the Big Sky Aphasia Program. In today's episode, you will learn: • about disparities in health care for persons living in rural communities • strategies to identify challenges specific to sustaining an aphasia group in a rural community • how art, aphasia, and teaching and learning intersect in Missoula, Montana Download the Full Show Notes

Julie Hart is the Director of the TBI Medicaid Program in the Lally School of Education within the College of St. Rose. She developed the Moving Message Walk, which is celebrating its 10th year, and the Moving Message Fund, along with individuals with stroke and brain injury. In her everyday work, Julie Hart truly follows LPAA principles, nothing about us without us. In today's episode, you will hear and learn as: Julie shares her years of collaboration with a cohesive, person-centered and innovative department at the College of St. Rose After the first year, the Moving Message Fund was created to provide $2500 scholarship for therapy, technologies, and anything that will support communication of stroke and brain injury survivors The mission of the Moving Message Walk - celebrating people who have communication impairments, recognizing the strength they have, honoring their human nature, making people more aware of the reality of living with a communication disorder All of this takes place in collaboration with real-world people, including students, faculty, family, community members, and in community contexts – at the heart of LPAA principles and more... Download the Full Show Notes

Ellen Bernstein-Ellis, Co-director of the Aphasia Treatment Program at Cal State East Bay speaks with Jerry Kaplan about the history, structure, and future of the Boston University Aphasia Community Group. Jerome Kaplan received his B.A. from the State University of New York at Albany and his M.A. from New York University. Now in his fiftieth year as a practicing SLP, Jerry has worked in academic, medical, rehabilitation, and research settings as well as in private practice. Founder of the Aphasia Community Group of Boston, now in its 30th year, Jerry has advocated for aphasia awareness and education through diverse and innovative programs, collaborating with noted actors, artists, filmmakers, and musicians. He has presented at the Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Aphasia Association, and ASHA Conferences. He is the recipient of the Partners Health Care Community Service Award and the Aphasia Access Innovator Award. In today's episode you will: Learn about the structure and flow of a monthly three-hour aphasia community support group Learn about four special events that are yearly highlights on an aphasia community group's calendar Discover some tips for preparing guest speakers to present to aphasia community groups Gain insight on how commitment and collaboration are key elements to starting an aphasia community group Download the Full Show Notes

During this episode, Dr. Katie Strong, Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Central Michigan University talks with Robyn O'Halloran about broadening the role of the SLP in acute care assessment. Robyn O'Halloran is a Senior Lecturer in the Discipline of Speech Pathology at La Trobe University. She worked as an SLP in community and hospital settings before undertaking a M.Phil and PhD with Professor Linda Worrall on the role of SLP in the acute hospital setting. Robyn is the lead author of the Inpatient Functional Communication Interview: Screening, Assessment and Intervention, which will be published by Plural in November this year. In this episode you will: learn the importance of supporting your patients participate in their health care while they are in the hospital and how that might impact their overall health outcomes. be challenged to imagine how your role as an SLP in acute care can broaden by addressing the barriers to communication in the hospital environment. hear about a new tool, the Inpatient Functional Communication Interview (IFCI) for assessment in acute care. listen to questions posed from SLPs working in acute care about IFCI Download the Full Show Notes

In this episode, Janet Patterson speaks with Janice Dittelman, Technology Coach at the Adler Aphasia Center in New Jersey. Listening to this episode, you will: Hear how incorporating technology, in particular, mobile technology, can expand the experiences and connectedness of persons with aphasia, their family members, and individuals in the community, Learn tips on managing expectations for incorporating mobile technology into an aphasia group and encouraging group members to use mobile technology beyond the aphasia group activity, Learn what aphasia and fantasy football have in common. Download the Full Show Notes