***** This episode may contain subject matter that is a trigger for some listeners. Incidents of traumatic events, injuries, and mental health issues will be discussed.********

Guest: Jessica Cortez, MA, CCC-SLP, CBIS

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Neurorehab-in-the-Justice-System-The-Untold-Role-of-SLPs

In this episode of the Brainstorms Functional Neuro Rehab for SLPs podcast, host Renee Garrett welcomes guest Jessica Cortez, a speech-language pathologist and certified brain injury specialist. The discussion focuses on the impactful work being done to provide speech therapy services to individuals involved in the criminal justice system. Jessica shares her journey and experiences, highlighting the importance of trauma-informed care, functional brain injury assessments, and the challenges of delivering these essential services. Practical insights into personalized treatment, building rapport, and innovative approaches for outreach to underserved populations are provided, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in neurorehabilitation and social justice.

Episode Timeline:

00:00 Introduction and Disclosures

01:34 Guest Introduction: Jessica Cortez

02:30 Jessica's Journey into Neuro Rehab

03:41 Focusing on Traumatic Brain Injury

05:49 The Criminal Justice System and Brain Injuries

13:30 Patient-Focused Brain Injury Assessment

24:58 Challenges and Opportunities in Prison Reform

32:39 Understanding Brain Function and Holistic Care

33:55 Challenges in Nutrition and Healthcare Systems

35:04 Addressing Bias and Habitual Behavior

36:01 Outreach and Support for Underserved Populations

38:18 Screening and Support Systems for TBI

40:06 Collaborative Care and Rehabilitation

42:01 Functional Therapy and Real-Life Applications

54:37 Success Stories and Rehabilitation Impact

01:00:15 Final Thoughts and Resources

About the Guest:

Jessica Cortez is a Speech Language Pathologist and Certified Brain Injury Specialist with over 15 years of experience working with adults and adolescents in various medical settings. She earned her Master's in Speech Language Pathology from The George Washington University and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The University of Mount Union. She now lives in Northern Colorado and owns The Loom Connection, focusing exclusively on treating acquired brain injuries in the general and criminal justice.

-Originally Aired October 9, 2023-

Guest: Amy Larocca, MS, CCC-SLP

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Brainstorm-Parkinsons-Disease-Characteristics-Shared-Decisio

Welcome to the Brainstorms: Functional Neuro Rehab podcast for SLPs, presented by Speech Therapy PD. Host Renee Garrett introduces Amy Larocca, an experienced speech-language pathologist specializing in Parkinson’s and other neurological diseases. This episode focuses on the challenges and considerations in treating patients with Parkinson’s. Topics include the importance of tailored treatments, assessments, collaborative care, patient engagement, and the effects of interventions like deep brain stimulation. Amy and Renee emphasize the need for continuous education, the role of preventive and maintenance programs, and the significance of patient-centered care. Tune in for valuable insights and practical advice for SLPs working with this complex patient population.

00:00 Introduction and Disclosures

03:00 Meet Amy Larocca: Experience and Expertise

05:39 Diving into Parkinson's: Symptoms and Variability

09:33 Speech Therapy's Role in Parkinson's Diagnosis

15:20 Collaborative Care and Patient-Centered Approach

24:44 Resources and Assessments for Parkinson's

34:50 Voice Handicap Index and Patient Reported Outcomes

35:06 Parkinson's Patients in the Community

36:42 Perceptions and Realities of Parkinson's

38:28 Swallow Disturbance Questionnaire

39:06 Motor Speech Evaluations

43:25 Deep Brain Stimulation and Its Impacts

48:37 The Role of Speech Therapists

49:51 Preventative Programs and Maintenance

51:59 Humor and Rapport with Patients

53:52 Instrumentation and Treatment Programs

56:34 Effective Treatment Strategies

01:01:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

About the Guest: Amy Larocca, MA, CCC-SLP, is the owner and lead Speech-Language Pathologist at Polaris Speech & Neurological Rehabilitation, a hybrid private practice in Northeast Ohio. She brings 17 years of clinical and teaching experience to her patients and specializes in evaluating and treating patients with Parkinson's and other neurological diseases. She is trained in SPEAK OUT!®, Lee Silverman Voice Therapy, McNeil Dysphagia Therapy Program, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, and Manual Therapy for the SLP. She holds a Parkinson Foundation Team Training certification. Amy is on the Board of the Ohio Parkinson's Foundation Northeast Region, Contracts to provide classes at InMotion, and is the Chair of the planning Committee for the Parkinson Foundation Cleveland Moving Day.

Guests: Joanne Steel, PhD, BSPTH (Hons), CPSP, and Elise Bogart, PhD, for "TBI Grand Rounds: The Role of Narrative Language in TBI Recovery," an episode of the Brainstorms: Functional Neurorehab for SLPs podcast.

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=TBI-Grand-Rounds-The-Role-of-Narrative-Language-in-TBI-Recov

Join host Renee Garrett in an in-depth discussion with Dr. Joanne Steel from the University of Newcastle and Dr. Elise Bogart from the University of Sydney. This episode covers many topics, including the TBI Bank—a comprehensive international database featuring language samples from individuals with brain injuries designed to educate speech pathology students. Further insights include the development of narrative-based interventions, cognitive communication assessments, and the importance of functional treatment approaches in SLP practices. The guests share their journeys, experiences in TBI rehabilitation, the challenges in integrating research with practice, and the efficacy of various communication strategies and interventions. The discussion also touches on the complexities of access to care and the importance of a patient-centered approach in speech therapy. This episode offers valuable information for clinicians, researchers, and anyone passionate about improving communication recovery post-TBI.

Episode Timeline:

00:00 Introduction and Host Disclosures

01:29 Guest Introductions

03:05 Overview of TBI Bank

04:38 Clinical Experiences and Challenges

07:05 Importance of Discourse in TBI Recovery

16:33 Narrative-Based Treatment and Research

28:00 Challenges in Inpatient Rehab for Brain Injury

28:37 Collaborative Development of Narrative-Based Treatment

30:04 Flexible and Accessible Treatment Resources

31:05 Importance of Education and Continuity of Care

33:46 Communication Partner Training and Functional Tasks

37:49 Objective Data and Conversational Skills

44:31 Aphasia in TBI Patients

52:12 Access to Care and Insurance Challenges

57:49 Conclusion and Future Research

About the Guests:

Dr Joanne Steel, PhD, is a lecturer at the University of Newcastle, Australia. She is a practising speech pathologist with over 15 years of research and clinical experience with adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Her research focuses on improving clinical methods for cognitive-communication assessment and intervention after TBI. She has published over 20 journal articles and two book chapters and is co-developing a story-based intervention program for cognitive-communication disorder after TBI.

Elise Bogart, PhD, is a senior lecturer at the University of Sydney, Australia. Elise is a certified speech pathologist with over 10 years of clinical and research experience. Elise holds a PhD in acquired brain injury and has led the development of an internationally utilised educational resource and research database called TBIBank. Elise is passionate about equipping clinicians with the knowledge and skills to implement evidence-based practice. Elise was the 2024 conference chair and an ongoing committee member for the Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment.