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The article discusses the use of supports at Boston Children's Hospital like letter boards, communication signs, and pictures to help children understand their experience and express their needs. Topics include the unique role and responsibility of speech-language pathologists, definition of communication access, and ways to advocate for prioritization of communication access. INSET: Planning Ahead to Support Patient Communication During ....

The article offers an insight into how a clinic tackled a surge in communication delays in young children caused by shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cited are actions that needs to be taken to address the problem, the factors behind the increased incidence of delayed speech-language development in young children, and the involvement of speech-language pathologists (SLP) in children's speech-language outcomes.

The article explores how screen use fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic may affect the language and social-communication development of children. Cited are the potential language benefits of screen uptake for older children, the wide-ranging developmental value of the electronic content that children interact, and contents and programs that can provide additional support for early language and literacy development.

The article recommends screening for social determinants of health (SDOH), or the conditions in environments that affect a range of health, functioning and quality of life outcomes and risks, to help in the speech-language treatment of children. It highlights the population health initiatives launched by the Nationwide Children's Hospital to address inequities in health. It suggests strategies to tackle SDOH barriers and techniques that speech-language pathologists can use to measure SDOH.

The article focuses on a guidance letter and 28 myths vs. facts for assistive technology (AT) devices and services released by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Programming which clarifies federal mandates for schools to follow. Cited are effect of the guidance for school-based speech-language pathologists using AT in their services, the role of AT in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP), and ways to document AT throughout the IEP.

The article focuses on the National Black Assocaition for Speech-Language and Hearing (NBASLH) Exam Review Course and how it continues to help aspiring clinicians of color. It provides an overview of the changes to the NBASLH Exam Review Course and highlights the representation of Black, Indigenous and other People of Color speech-language pathologists and audiologists in the course.

The article explores ways the generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool ChatGPT can support speech-language treatment. It presents the case of a student wherein therapy materials were developed by feeding ChatGPT a prompt to generate a story and could be used by SLPs. It outlines limitations of the therapy material including developmentally inappropriate semantics, orthography not distinguished from phonology and insufficient understanding of language disorders and treatment.

The article clarifies misconceptions about cluttering and sheds light into the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. It outlines barriers to improving cluttering diagnosis and treatment that include lack of speech language pathology graduate training and myths about cluttering such as the belief that people who clutter lack awareness of their communication disorder and that a person's speech must be rapid and cluttered. Several cluttering-related resources are suggested.

The article unravels the diagnostic mystery behind a patient's worsening functional speech disorder. The patient showed no evidence of amyotropic lateral sclerosis and was suspected with psychogenic disturbance. She was diagnosed with functional neurologic disorder (FSD) following examination of her speech structure and she underwent psychiatric evaluation and speech therapy. The need to distinguish FSDs from neurologic motor speech disorders is discussed.

An interview with Sumitrajit Dhar, a professor and keynote speaker at the Researcher-Academic Town Meeting at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention, is presented about his vision for artificial intelligence (AI) use in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) education and research. Dhar talks about the reason for so much attention about generative AI, whether instruction about generative AI belongs in the curriculum, and how AI can enhance work efficiency.

The author describes how she helps her students cultivate lasting cultural insight and competence for their practice stateside through cultural immersion in Accra, Ghana as a Ghanaian-American speech language pathologist (SLP). She talks about her creation of Global Perspectives in Service-Learning (GPS), a program for University of Maryland (UMD) students to study abroad in Ghana, the definition of cultural competence, and opportunities offered by a service-learning experience in Ghana.

The article announces the retirement of Angel L. Ball at Nevada State University on June 30, 2024, Donald R. Fuller as a tenured full professor on August 31, and Linda Spencer as program director of the master of science in medical speech-language pathology program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Provo, Utah.

The article recommends gender-affirming strategies for speech-language pathologists (SLP) when dealing with neurodivergent clients who are also transgender/nonbinary. These include tailoring traditional voice therapy techniques to the needs of autistic clients, building on each client's natural strengths and preferences, and creating supportive environments through open communication, feedback and collaborative relationship.

The author rethinks her cultural communication style as a speech language pathologist (SLP) to adapt as a professional in the health care setting. She tells about her experience of imposter syndrome during a cognitive communication therapy for an female older patient. She suggests an introspective, direct kind of conversation with her supervisor that would have allowed them to learn about each other's communication styles from the perspectives of patient care and culture.

The article discusses how inaccurate information could affect the skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) payment policies. It states that inaccurate information could affect how the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) values speech language pathologists' (SLPs) services and sets payment policies. Also mentioned are misleading data that have many implications and things that SLPs can do regarding the payment system.

An interview with Robert Augustine, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) 2023 president, is presented. Among the issues he discussed include his experience of growing up in Livingston, Illinois, what drove his decision to expand his scope beyond communication sciences and disorders (CSD) to graduate program administration, and issues among the association's priorities that he wants to emphasize.

The article explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in helping speech-language pathologists (SLP) support dual-language learners in their heritage and developing languages. Topics covered include the reasons behind the clinician-client language mismatches and SLP not knowing a second language, the solution to the client-clinician language mismatch that AI speech-processing technology provides, and the uses of AI in speech-language treatment with multilingual students.

The article highlights how augmented reality (AR) can be a transformative tool for speech-language pathologists (SLP) in delivering speech-language services. Topics covered include the use of AR in the therapeutic setting to aid work or learning processes for students with communication disabilities, the many potential uses of AR in speech-language intervention, and a variety speech-language activities where SLP can tap into AR.

The article reports on the effort by members of the Kentucky Speech-Language-Hearing Association (KSHA) and students across Kentucky to advocate for the bill, which requires stuttering therapy coverage with no cap on the number of visits. It also mentions the creation of a foundation Change and Impact by former National Basketball Association (NBA) basketball player Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to support speech language pathologists (SLPs) working with fluency differences and their clients.

The article focuses on the conversion of a recreational vehicle (RV) by a private practice, Logoped, into a mobile treatment room to expand its reach in daycare centers. Topics discussed include reason that the idea of a mobile office was appealing business-wise, the therapeutic outcome in their clients after the RV sessions, and considerations for RV-based offices.

The article presents questions and answers related to physician roles in speech language pathology (SLP) services including whether a physician order is needed for services, whether a physician is needed to verify or sign off on Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) competency, and whether a radiologist is needed to complete a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS).

The article features Yina Quique, a speech language pathologist (SLP). One of Quique's first patients in her home country of Colombia was another SLP who had post-stroke aphasia. She learned that creating culturally appropriate assessment tools would require conducting and publishing research, only possible with a related doctorate. She developed a repository of sentences for use in everyday life.

The article presents survey data from the American Speech-Language-Heaing Association (ASHA) that shows the increased membership and affiliation of speech-language pathology assistants (SLPA) with ASHA and the rising numbers of SLPAs serving children in areas including speech sound disorders, autism spectrum disorder, language and literacy.

The author tells about her incorporation of arts and crafts that children can take at home as part of their therapy for additional language practice to increase their vocabulary and complete carrier phrases.

The article advises speech-language pathologists (SLP) to prepare for changes in telepractice changes as the pandemic eases and the U.S. public health emergency ends. Topics discussed are changes in Medicare and Medicaid telehealth coverage as well as private insurance telehealth coverage, general information about remote services, training and consultation services, compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and shifts in Medicaid eligibility.

The article highlights examples of OpportuniTEAMing in action in the speech-language therapy profession. Ebony Green collaborated with speech-language pathologists and other professionals to provide services to children and their families. Amanda Stead collaborated with colleagues and professionals to develop clinical simulations that provide educational and experiential clinical learning experiences. Lisa Cannon worked with educational audiologists developed a medical records system.

The article discusses the status of schoolchildren as in-person schooling slowly resumed in spring 2021. Topics covered include teachers' acting as caregivers in the development of children ages 3 and 4, the pandemic's negative effect on the articulation and social skills of some students, and its positive imposition of self-sufficiency among others. Also noted is the progression in the studies of students with family support.

The article highlights the importance of addressing psychiatric illnesses and their effects on the social communication functioning of older adults in skilled nursing facilities. Topics discussed include the capacity of speech-language pathologists (SLP) to observe or report a mental health concern about an elderly patient, the need for SLP to understand psychiatric disease processes for intervention and interdisciplinary collaboration, and tips on caring for patients with mental illness.

The article encourages to sign up for the fifth annual ASHFoundation Virtual 5K Walk/Run: Sparking Innovation with Every Stride on August 31, 2024.

The author describes their thematic literacy unit in a speech language session featuring "Turk and Runt," wherein first-grade students mapped narrative elements using terminology from Story Grammar Marker.

The article discusses the 2023 proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) which establishes policies and payment rates for Part B or outpatient audiology and speech-language pathology services. Topics covered include the significant cuts to providers' fees under the proposal, the proposed changes to coding for remote therapeutic monitoring, telehealth services, quality reporting, and alternative payment models, and other Medicare cuts facing audiologists and pathologists.

The article urges communication sciences and disorders (CSD) programs across universities to create LGBTQ+ safe and inclusive environments for students to end discrimination. Topics covered include the reasons that support for LGBTQ+ students is essential, ways on how programs can support marginalized students, and the initiatives of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) in support of the LGBTQ+ clients, students, and professionals.

The article offers information about the trend towards neurodiversity in the workplace. Topics mentioned include the benefits for companies of hiring and retaining neurodiverse workers (NW) including improved employee communication and flexible hiring practices, the effect of the neurodiversity movement on the employment experiences of NW like autistic speech-language pathologists, and the suggestions for neurotypical employees on how to support their autistic colleagues.

The article discusses why some coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors do not recover or do not do so quickly as of March 2021. Topics covered include the emergence of the post-acute COVID syndrome condition, the possible damage to healthy tissue by cells designed to kill COVID invaders, and impairment swallowing and sensory damage to the larynx risks with extended ventilator use. Also noted is speech-language pathology's (SLP) help to patients with cognitive and communication concerns.

The article offers guidance to improve speech intelligibility in children with dysarthria. Background information on dysarthria, which is a form of motor speech disorder, is provided. The three main approaches for improving intelligibility are speech systems approach, Lee Silverman Voice Treatment and speech intelligibility treatment. Barrier activities to keep a child occupied are assembly of a Mr. Potato Head, Avenger character guessing and Simon Says.

An interview with researcher Shrikanth Narayanan on artificial intelligence- (AI) aided diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders and autism in October 2020 is presented. When asked on how AI can benefit pathologists and clients, he replies that it can provide evidence in support of clinical care and cost-effective solutions. Narayanan states that behavioral signal processing can analyze speech in an integrated way. He notes that AI can take the form of a device or an application.

The article discusses encounter issues between applied behavioral analysis (ABA) and speech-language pathology (SLP) as of 2020. Topics covered include the possible clarification of tensions and their reconciliation by the autism spectrum, the historical involvement of ABA and SLP in autism, and their differing belief systems and approaches in autism programs. Also noted are the two fields' links in intervention, and of insufficient studies on the interventions' long-term improvements.

The article addresses preparations made by school leaders in the U.S. to support special education staff and students during the Covid-19 pandemic. Topics discussed include factors that decision-makers must consider to safely bring students and staff together in the same building, remarks from Dawn Merth-Johnson, a speech-language pathologist in Wisconsin, and technology support as the main focus for JoAnn Wiechmann, executive director of the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School Distrct.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience as a speech-language pathologist who launched her own business after being inspired by entrepreneurs on social media platforms.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience as an owner of Speech Dogs, which incorporates animal-assisted therapy to improve sensory regulation, memory, and motivation in children with autism, apraxia, and dyslexia.

The article rethinks the effect of language on pediatric feeding and families of patients undergoing speech-language pathology (SLP) treatment. It outlines observations on parents that include non-birthing parents who lactate and parents who express milk and those who feed milk through tubes. It discusses results of studies which showed the positive influence of gender-affirming language on the mental health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people.

The article focuses on the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in communication sciences and disorders (CSD). Topics discussed include grants awarded to develop AI technologies for speech-language pathology assessment and intervention, reasons to be concerned on the headlines about AI misuse, and key concepts about AI that are relevant to CSD.

The article focuses on the implication of the proposed 2022 Medicare Part B outpatient fee schedule that includes pay cuts for audiologists, speech-language pathologists and other Medicare provider groups. Topics discussed include the provision of the rule on codes for remote therapeutic monitoring and audio-only virtual check-ins and end of telehealth flexibilities, percentage of decline in payment for audiology services, and transition of Medicare to quality- and outcomes-based reimbursement.

The author reflects on her interaction with a past supervisor to illustrate why confronting one's own implicit biases is key to fostering cultural and linguistic diversity. She talks about the case for increased diversity in their workforce, the definition of culturally responsive supervision, and one way of promoting cultural responsiveness.

The author discusses the need for speech-language pathologists (SLP) to be able to distinguish African American English (AAE) dialect speakers from individuals with speech and language disorders. Topics explored include the distinction between AAE and Mainstream American English (MAE), the use of code-switching by both AAE and MAE speakers, and the position statement of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) on the social dialect competencies of SLP.

The article discusses the initiative launched by Colleen Thomas of Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) and Vanderbilt University professor C. Melanie Schuele which focused on screening children with possible speech-language impairments. Topics explored include the participation of speech-language pathology graduate students in the preschool screening program, the employment of speech-language pathologists by MNPS, and the benefits of the program particularly to children and their families.