ALS 101

Course overview

This course will provide you with the base knowledge about ALS, including diagnostic procedures, symptoms, and management, for working with patients with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). This course will include information to assist clinicians with determining the best course of action when working with this complex neurological disease and understanding the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach to care. This course is appropriate for speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, dietitians, social workers, respiratory therapists, and nurses working with ALS patients in all settings, including home health, hospitals, and outpatient clinics. ALS 101 is part of a series of three courses developed in partnership with MedBridge, The ALS Association Alabama Chapter, and an Advisory Board of experts who worked together to carefully develop a self-paced, evidenced-based curriculum for community-based clinicians related to bulbar dysfunction (speech and swallowing) in ALS in order to optimize patient care and clinical practice. The purpose of this course is to give the learner a basic knowledge of ALS as well as to provide context to the overall 3-course series and emphasize the importance of the multidisciplinary care team, including the role of the SLP. Please be sure to check out the other courses in this series: -Introduction to the Assessment and Management of Dysphagia in ALS -Speech and Augmentative/Alternative Communication (AAC) in ALS