MINDFUL APHASIA-APRAXIA TREATMENT: EXPLOITING NEUROPLASTICITY

Course overview

Estimates are that more than 2 million citizens of Canada and the USA continue to endure the hope-robbing and independence-depriving effects of aphasia and its related disorders. This highly interactive presentation shared with SLPs innovative treatment protocols, materials and technology-based tools that exploit neuroplasticity to enhance clinical skills and assist in the integration of existing scientific evidence and patient values into aphasia rehabilitation. The presentation format included: lecture, discussion and active participation. It also included the demonstration of and participation in real-time distance therapy (telepractice) and demonstration videos. Techniques to implement clinical, formative assessment and to facilitate data collection were presented as well smart ways to address weaknesses in the cognitive underpinnings for language recovery such as verbal working memory, flexibility of thought, problem solving and attention skills. Areas of focus also included treatments specific to: initiating self reliance and independent practice; training coaches; apraxia; auditory comprehension; alexia; letter-by-letter reading; agraphia; keyboarding; verbal working memory; attention; cost-benefit of intensive aphasia treatment; critical elements of acute vs. ongoing treatment; use of groups; and working with younger-generation clients with aphasia. The workshop is appropriate for all clinicians of all experiential levels including those focusing on school-age children. Objective Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to: Identify 10 techniques to simplify, adapt and maximize information technology for aphasia, alexia, agraphia and cognitive therapy. Identify 10 key cognitive/mental processes that underpin and support language and its rehabilitation and incorporate these into treatment protocol development and application. Identify 10 techniques, tools, professional issues, and platforms for effective use of telepractice in providing treatment at a distance including individual and group work. Identify 10 observation and analysis techniques of aphasic client behavior to use in applying evidence-based treatment to maximize rehabilitation activities and effectively train caregivers/coaches participation in the treatment process. Additional Information This course is currently NOT registered with ASHA and therefore will not be reported to the ASHA Registry. It may, however, count for your ASHA Certification Maintenance and licensure. Please confirm with your state licensing board for requirements. Peer reviewers are needed. Please contact us if you're interested. Duration: 7 Hours CE Credit: .7 (This course is approved for both Oregon and California CEUs. Contact us for more information) Course Level: Intermediate, Professional Course Timeline: 75 minutes: Define Aphasia and related disorders; intro to treatment and telepractice demo 75 minutes: Review of neuroplasticity principles; Evidence-based practice discussion 75 minutes: Addressing the effects of Apraxia on articulation, phonation and gestural representation, motor planning and execution. 45 minutes: Addressing phonological and syllable structure issues. 45 minutes: Incorporating work on the cognitive underpinnings for language 30 minutes: Treatment techniques and materials for alexia and agraphia 60 minutes: Program Design and implementation for neuroplasticity; discuss materials, technology and evidence-based support 15 minutes: Summary, Q&A, Focus on propositional speech and fostering independence