Registration Will Open in August! 

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

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Pediatric Track

Topic 1: Neurodiversity-Affirming Best Practices for Speech-Language Pathologists: An Overview

This presentation is an overview of:

• The Neurodiversity Movement as defined by the movement’s self-advocates, including the history, important terminology, the movement’s goals, and implications for allied service providers.
• Contemporary neurodiversity-centered autism research that should shape speech-language pathology therapy practices.
• Trauma informed, evidence-based best practice guidelines for neurodiversity-aligned speech-language pathologists: evaluations, goals, outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the Neurodiversity Movement’s primary objectives
2. Define major differences between Medical/Pathology Therapy Model vs Neurodiversity Model
3. Define four major, contemporary Autism research areas that are shaping neurodiversity therapy models and practices: Autistic Masking, Divergence in Social Intelligence, The Double Empathy Problem, Monotropism
4. Identify three reasons why traditional social skills training is not a neurodiversity-affirming approach to “autism intervention”.
5. Explain why self-advocacy, self-determination, and access to robust functional communication are primary targets for "autism intervention.”presented by: Julie Roberts. M.S., CCC-SLP

presented by: Julie Roberts. M.S., CCC-SLP

Julie Roberts is a late-identified Autistic M.S., CCC-SLP, practicing for over 20 years. Julie founded Therapist Neurodiversity Collective in January 2018 to champion an industry practices sea-change moving from behavioral approaches towards empathetic evidence-based alternatives that respect neurodivergent social communication differences, social justice, and human rights.
Julie has worked in pediatric and adult settings, including public schools, as a private practice owner, as a Multi-state Regional Clinical Director, and then National Field Director of Corporate Compliance for the nation’s largest provider of rehab post-acute care. Julie’s articles and educational resources have reached well over three-quarters of a million people.

• Financial Disclosures: Presenter received an honorarium for presenting this session.
• Non-Financial Disclosures: Texas Licensed, ASHA Certified Speech-Language Pathologist Therapist Neurodiversity Collective: Founder and CEO Owner - Bayou City Speech & Language, a consultancy and contracting agency

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Topic 2: Measure By Measure: Assessment of Feeding and Swallowing to Support Treatment & IEP Feeding Goals in the Schools

This session is intended for SLP's who practice in the school environment and provide support for children with complex oral feeding and swallowing needs. The session will discuss the components of a robust assessment, and how that assessment will inform decisions surrounding the feeding needs of children. The session will also examine effective and realistic goal development to address feeding needs in schools and within the IEP.

Learner Outcomes:

1. Identify the components necessary to complete a thorough feeding assessment
2. List tools necessary to construct effective feeding support plans for students you serve
3. Develop measurable and effective IEP goals to address feeding needs

presented by: Marianne Gellert-Jones, MA, CCC/SLP
Marianne Gellert-Jones is a pediatric SLP with 30+ years of experience. Her career has focused on providing speech-language, AAC, and feeding/dysphagia services for children with complex neurological and medical needs. She is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Clinical Feeding Specialist at HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy, in Philadelphia. She has presented numerous conferences/workshops in the areas of dysphagia, feeding, speech-language, AAC, and respiration for interprofessional colleagues throughout the US and Canada. She is trained in Pediatric Neuro-Developmental Treatment. She is a member of ASHA and a Fellow in the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine.

• Financial Disclosures: I am an invited presenter receiving an honorarium for my presentation and I am an full time employee of HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy
• Non-Financial Disclosures: I am a member of ASHA (SIG #12 & 13)

 Adult Track

Topic 1: Counseling+ Roles for Speech-Language Pathologists: Dementia Prevention & Diagnosis Disclosure
In the next 30 years, approximately 15 million U.S. citizens will develop dementia from Alzheimer’s disease. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are at the forefront of dementia care and provide clinical services throughout the continuum of the disease. These services include not only direct assessment and treatment, but also counseling+ activities (i.e., counseling, collaboration, prevention, and wellness). The delivery of counseling+ activities can be especially challenging for SLPs, due to the lack of training and literature on dementia and the complex nature of Alzheimer’s disease. The purpose of this presentation is to provide education, resources, and recommendations for SLPs delivering counseling+ activities to older adults at risk for dementia from Alzheimer’s disease. We will discuss risk factors and lifestyle modifications that promote a brain-healthy lifestyle for older adults. We will also discuss the role of SLPs in diagnosis disclosure and strategies for having difficult conversations. Furthermore, we will discuss the importance of early diagnosis and interdisciplinary care. Throughout the presentation, we will share resources to help SLPs improve their delivery of Counseling+ activities.  

Learning Outcomes:

1.    Describe the risk factors for dementia and the primary and secondary role of SLPs

2.    Explain evidence-based lifestyle modifications for older adults at risk for dementia

3.    Apply strategies to enhance conversations about early diagnosis and diagnosis disclosure

presented by: Alyssa M. Lanzi, PhD, CCC-SLP
Alyssa M. Lanzi, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist and Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Delaware. She is also on the executive committee for the Delaware Center for Cognitive Aging Research. She has received grants from the National Institutes of Health to investigate the effects of an intervention designed to improve the independence of older adults at risk for dementia and to develop a database to study the language and cognitive skills of individuals with dementia. She has published numerous research articles investigating person-centered approaches for individuals with mild cognitive impairment and dementia and prioritizes the implementation and dissemination of evidence-based practice to practicing health professionals.

• Financial Disclosures: Salary from the University of Delaware; PI of a grant from the National Institute on Aging: NIH/NIA 1K23AG070185-01, Promoting Independence with Compensatory Cognitive Rehabilitation: A Pilot Clinical Trial for Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease; Invited Presenter,
  
• Non-Financial Disclosures: Executive Committee Member of the Delaware Center for Cognitive Aging (DECCAR)

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Topic 2: Supporting Patients with Dementia and Near End-of-Life
This presentation will focus on the evidenced based interventions for communication, behavior, and feeding to serve patients with dementia. Specific examples, goals and implementation steps will be discussed for easy integration into clinical work. Secondly, this presentation will discuss the important role that SLPs can play in caring for people near the end of life, and approaches to better serve this population. Several case studies will be presented.   

1. After this presentation, participants will be able to list different types of treatment approaches that benefit patients with dementia and explain how and when they can be implemented.
2. After this presentation, participants will be able to describe the role of the SLP in providing quality End-of-life care
3. After this presentation, participants will be able to explain different types of approaches to provide quality end-of-life care

presented by: Amanda Stead, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, CHSE
Amanda Stead, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, CHSE is an associate professor at Pacific University in Oregon. She teaches courses in Communication and Aging, Aphasia, Progressive Neurological Disorders, and Counseling. Her research is in the area of evidenced-based education, simulation, and end-of-life care. 

• Financial: I receive a salary for full-time employment as an Associate Professor in the School of Communication Sciences & Disorders at Pacific University. Received an honorarium from SCSHA for this presentation
• Non-financial: None