SLP Learning Series

This episode explores the challenges of communicating effectively with the administration about overwhelming caseloads. Our anonymous guest shares the struggle of articulating the impact on job efficiency. Plus, we'll explore why many clinicians might opt for compliance over confrontation.

This episode dives into the challenges faced by new and seasoned speech-language pathologists (SLPs) as they navigate the often turbulent waters of school-based therapy. We will explore a range of issues, from “bullying” co-workers to unexpected caseload expansions. Join us for insights into maintaining compassionate communication amidst chaos and strategies for standing up for your professional well-being. Learn how to weather the storm and shift towards a more supportive and fulfilling work environment.

In this first episode of the miniseries, join host Stephanie Michele Sweigart | MS, CCC-SLP, as she explores solutions and inspires listeners to cultivate compassionate communication in their lives. Guided by core values of empathy, authenticity, and growth, practical tools and insights will be provided that empower individuals to navigate work challenges with understanding and resilience. The goal is to promote positive change, foster personal and professional growth, and build a community centered around compassionate communication in a safe and supportive space.

Guest: Gila Cohen-Shaw, MA, CCC-SLP - This episode delves into the practical methods and myriad benefits of integrating mindfulness and movement practices into your routine as a clinician. Exploring how these practices contribute to heightened focus, reduced stress, and increased emotional resilience, as well as emphasizes the pivotal role of self-care in optimizing your abilities as an SLP. By cultivating mindfulness, you're equipped to offer better support to your clients and maintain a sustainable, impactful practice.

Guest: Marileda Cattelan Tome, Ph.D., CCC-SLP - This Making Sense of Myo episode features Dr. Cattelan Tome, who explains the importance of malocclusion on speech and swallowing functioning. She then dives into treatment planning for myofunctional disorders.

Guest: Lauren Calendruccio, Ph.D., CCC-A - This podcast will provide listeners with information about the ethical requirements for research participants’ informed consent, ethical issues related to publication of research findings, culturally appropriate approaches to research design and implementation, confidentiality and security of research information, pre-registration of research studies, and ASHA’s Code of Ethics principles and rules on the conduct and use of research.

Guest: Lynne Brady Wagner, MA, CCC-SLP - This podcast will provide listeners with information about the foundational principles of ASHA’s Code of Ethics, ethical issues surrounding palliative care and patient safety, the relationship between ethics and cultural competence and cultural sensitivity in medical speech-language pathology practice, and ethical issues that can arise from poor decision making in medical practice.

Guest: Piya Gandhi, DDS - Dr. Gandhi, a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist, shares the impacts tethered oral tissues can have on oral functioning. Dr. Gandhi shares her “Function First” model for diagnosing tongue and lip ties and the process of frenectomies. Throughout the episode, Dr. Gandhi shares the importance of interdisciplinary care for frenectomies and how she collaborates with SLPs throughout the process.

Guest: Melissa Vagts, MSP, CCC-SLP, - This episode explores how knowledge of orofacial myology allows speech pathologists to effectively use differential diagnosis to determine the best care plan for their patients. Melissa explains when a myofunctional approach would not be appropriate and the qualifications a patient needs to effectively participate in a myofunctional program. Melissa wraps up this episode by sharing ways knowledge of typical oromyofunction can allow SLPs to modify treatment approaches to include myofunctional concepts to support speech and swallowing skills.

Guest: Char Boshart, MA, CCC-SLP - This episode features a practical and informative perspective of myofunctional therapy for speech sound disorders and the oral stage of swallowing. Char discusses “myo” treatment from three points of view. She covers the rationale behind myo (and why sometimes its treatment validity is unfairly questioned) and, most importantly, outlines the essential components of myofunctional therapy.

Guest: Janine Steine, MA, CCC-SLP, TSHH - This episode features Janine, who shares the importance of interdisciplinary care. Janine explains why interdisciplinary care is important to treating myofunctional disorders, care providers that might be involved with orofacial myofunctional disorders, and signs that a referral is needed.

Guest: Patricia Fisher, MS, CCC-SLP, COM® - This episode explores the relationship between ankyloglossia and disorders that speech-language pathologists treat. Patricia shares her knowledge on ankyloglossia. She starts the episode by explaining the characteristics of ankyloglossia and the impacts it has on the oral mechanism. Patricia then explains how ankyloglossia can impact speech, swallowing, voice, and fluency disorders.

Guest: Linda D’Onofrio, MS, CCC-SLP - This episode features Linda D’Onofrio, who has spent her career studying, teaching, and spreading awareness about orofacial myofunctional disorders. She will discuss what orofacial myology and myofunctional therapy are. Linda then discusses what an orofacial myofunctional disorder is and the signs and symptoms of OMDs. She then dives into how a patient with an OMD can impact speech and articulation skills and why a myofunctional program can support these patients. Listen in as Linda shares the evidence behind using myofunctional therapy to support speech and swallowing goals and whether or not the treatment of orofacial myofunctonal disorders is within an SLP’s scope of practice.

Guest: Hallie Bulkin, MA, CCC-SLP, CMT®, COM® - Listen in as Hallie shares an overview of an orofacial myofunctional evaluation, how it relates to the assessment of speech and feeding and provides examples of when a patient might benefit from a referral to a myofunctional evaluation. Hallie ends the episode by sharing the general goals of a myofunctional treatment plan and an overview of a typical myofunctional treatment session.

Guest: Angela McLeod, PhD, CCC-SLP, QOM - This episode explores the relationship between orofacial myofunctional disorders and speech sound disorders. Dr. Angela McLeod shares ways that an orofacial myofunctional disorder can impact speech sound production. Dr. McLeod shares how improving orofacial myofunction can improve a patient’s ability to produce accurate speech sounds. Listen in as Dr. McLeod presents the evidence behind using a myofunctional approach to treat speech sound disorders. To wrap up this episode, Dr. McLeod shares that considering the potential presence of orofacial myology concerns when addressing articulation disorders is an important component of differential diagnosis to determine the best course of treatment.

Guest: Mary Billings, MS, CCC-SLP, COM® - Mary shares the foundational role swallowing plays in craniofacial development. Mary explains the deficits an individual with an orofacial myofunctional disorder might have and shares about swallow patterns. Listen in as she discusses how myofunctional therapy can be used to support individuals in correcting their swallow patterns to improve the overall physiology of the craniofacial complex.

Guest: Kristie Gatto, MA, CCC-SLP, COM®️ - This episode explores the craniofacial complex and its foundational in the physiological processes of speech and swallowing. Listen in as Kristie Gatto, MA, CCC-SLP, COM®️ shares her knowledge on the anatomy and physiology of the craniofacial complex and how it relates back to the physiological processes speech pathologists treat.

Guest: Tara Roehl, MS, CCC-SLP - In this episode, we invite you to explore the fascinating realm of international speech and language therapy. This episode will illuminate the distinctive aspects of working virtually with clients from diverse corners of the world. Delve into the amusing moments, heartwarming connections, and cross-cultural insights that arise when therapy transcends geographical boundaries.

Guest: Kelli A. Uitenham, CsCD, CCC-SLP - In this episode, Dr. Kelli A. Uitenham joins host Karin Koukeyan, MS, CCC-SLP, as they discuss the professional skills necessary for providing skilled speech therapy services via telepractice for medical cases. She will discuss the treatment of dysphagia, Parkinson’s Disease, stroke rehabilitation, and traumatic brain injury cases. She will also explore when and how to incorporate caregivers, as well as how to provide training, compensatory strategies, materials, and more.

Guest: Megan Ramirez, MS, CCC-SLP - In this fifth episode, host Karin Koukeyan, MS, CCC-SLP, is joined by Megan to explore the power and importance of working with parents via teletherapy. Megan, who specializes in working with autistic children and the early intervention population via teletherapy, shares her knowledge of how to empower parents to become the agents of change in their children’s speech and language skills. The guest will discuss what parent coaching is, the research behind parent coaching via teletherapy, and the benefits of parent coaching for speech and communication outcomes.