Guests: Leanne Togher, PhD, FSPA, FASSBI, Rachael Rietdijk, PhD, SLP, & Kate Smith, MSPA, CPSP

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=The-Social-Brain-Toolkit-Practical-Resources-for-Caregiver

Join Renee Garrett as she kicks off Season 2 of Brainstorms Functional Neurorehab with esteemed guests Dr. Leanne Togher, Dr. Rachael Rietdijk, and Kate Smith. In this episode, the team explores the Social Brain Toolkit, a suite of resources designed to improve communication for individuals with acquired brain injuries (ABI). The discussion covers the inception, development, and components of programs like TBI Express, TBI ConneCT, and Interactability. They delve into the crucial role of communication partner training, methodological research, and evidence-based practices in supporting TBI patients and their caregivers. Additionally, the episode touches upon the groundbreaking work at the University of Sydney and introduces speechBITE, a curated repository of treatment research in speech pathology. Tune in to learn about their innovative approach to making effective communication strategies accessible and practical for clinicians, students, and families worldwide.

Episode Timeline:

00:00 Introduction and Disclosures

01:40 Meet the Experts

04:50 The Social Brain Toolkit: Origins and Development

09:03 TBI Express, and TBI ConneCT: Evolution of Training Programs

11:36 Telehealth and Digital Health Innovations

13:18 Expanding Communication Partner Training

15:22 Interactability and Social Ability: New Tools for Broader Impact

17:39 Practical Applications and Future Directions

32:48 Understanding Communication After Brain Injury

33:26 Training for Caregivers and Students

35:14 Introducing TBI Express and interact-ABI-lity

36:03 Free Resources and Accessibility

36:46 speechBITE: A Resource for Speech Pathologists

37:32 The Evolution and Impact of speechBITE

44:19 Kate Smith's PhD Research on Clinical Information Needs

53:01 Addressing Methodological Quality in Research

56:07 The Social Brain Toolkit and Caregiver Support

59:08 Final Thoughts and Resources

About the Guests:

Professor Leanne Togher is a full Professor at the University of Sydney, Australia, and NHMRC Professorial Research Fellow (Investigator Grant Leadership Level 3). Professor Togher holds a PhD in speech pathology and is internationally recognised with more than 250 journal articles. Professor Togher has led the development of communication treatments for people with brain injury and their families, carers, and community agencies, including TBI Express, TBI ConneCT, and the Social Brain Toolkit. She is the director of the evidence-based practice website speechBITE. Professor Togher is the incoming Chair for the International Brain Injury Association and Chair of Brain Injury Australia.

Dr Rachael Rietdijk is a certified practising speech pathologist and Lecturer at the University of Sydney, with research interests in acquired brain injury, communication partner training, and digital health. Her PhD research produced a new evidence-based intervention for people with traumatic brain injury called TBIconneCT. Dr Rietdijk was the project lead for the Social Brain Toolkit project, including interact-ABI-lity, the first free evidence-based online program about communicating successfully with people with a brain injury. This program has reached over 1500 people from over 25 countries. Dr Rietdijk continues collaborating as part of research teams on the Communication Connect NHMRC Ideas Grant and the Communication for Safe Care NDIS Information, Linkages and Capacity Building grant.

Kate Smith is a speech-language pathologist who has worked in evidence-based practice for two decades. She is a member of the speechBITE advisory committee at the University of...

Episode 7 of the miniseries: "Culturally SPEECHING: Clinical Competence Through Cultural Humility" hosted by Dr. Treasyri Williams Wood SLPD, CCC-SLP, CDP

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Cultural-Humility-through-Elevating-Excellence

In this special series finale episode recorded during the ASHA Convention in Seattle, Jerrold Jackson, co-chair of the ASHA Convention, leads an insightful discussion on the theme of Cultural Humility through Elevating Excellence. This session explores how embracing cultural humility can drive positive change within the speech-language pathology profession, ultimately enhancing support for diverse populations. Jerrold addresses key themes of equity, visibility, and collaboration, focusing on improving representation in leadership roles and fostering equitable collaboration in clinical practice. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how cultural humility can serve as a foundational approach to creating a more inclusive, effective, and compassionate environment for professionals and the individuals they serve.

About the Guest: Jerrold Jackson, MA, CCC-SLP, is CEO of the Roundtree Group, PLLC, and an advocate for culturally responsive practices with a range of professional experiences, including consulting, previously holding roles as a(n) assistive technologist, special education director, and graduate program coordinator. He received a bachelor’s from Southern University (SU) and A&M College (an HBCU) and a master’s from Western Michigan University (WMU), both degrees in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences (SLHS). Mr. Jackson has presented nationally, by invitation, on topics related to supervision, mentorship, interprofessional education/collaboration, school-based support, and culturally responsive practices. He also continues to support the professional development of future speech-language-hearing scientists as adjunct faculty at 3 institutions across the country. Jerrold is an active professional volunteer with the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) in various capacities, the National Black Association for Speech-Language Hearing (NBASLH) as a board member, and the Praxis National Advisory Committee for SLP, all of which led to advancements in SLHS. He has been selected to be the SLP Co-Chair for the 2024 ASHA Convention, which hosts over 10,000 SLH professionals annually. He was the 2022 recipient of the ASHA Dorothy Dreyer Award for Volunteerism which is given annually to one individual who has made significant contributions to SLHS. In 2021, Jerrold was honored by the Southern University Alumni Federation by becoming a member of the 40 Under Forty “Cohort Trois” (Cohort 3), which recognizes graduates who have made significant contributions to their professional disciplines, local communities and/or the preservation of Southern University. Jerrold is involved within his community, particularly of note with student engagement activities of the SU Alumni Central Texas Chapter.

Watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iUJwK1UqGYU

Mentioned in this episode:

School of Speech is Back!!

Season 2 of School of Speech has arrived! Every host Carolyn Dolby every Monday morning as she sits down with practicing SLPs, academic researchers, and leading experts to talk about all aspects of school-based speech-language pathology. Carolyn and her guests explore everyday topics, tackle tough situations, and share valuable insights to support school therapists in their daily practice. Find School of Speech on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other podcast platforms.

Episode 6 of the miniseries: "Culturally SPEECHING: Clinical Competence Through Cultural Humility" hosted by Dr. Treasyri Williams Wood SLPD, CCC-SLP, CDP

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Cultural-Humility-through-Advocacy

In this episode, Treasyri Williams Wood and Vicki Deal Williams, CEO of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), delve into the role of advocacy in promoting cultural humility within speech-language pathology. They discuss the importance of advocating for diverse populations, reducing healthcare disparities, and the responsibility of professionals to integrate cultural humility into their advocacy efforts. Specifics include policy-making, public health initiatives, and strategies for equitable treatment.

About the Guest: Vicki Deal Williams, MS, CCC-SLP, CAE is the Chief Executive Officer at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), where she has been on staff for more than 30 years. A Certified Association Executive and Fellow of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Vicki is an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist and ASHA Fellow. Vicki’s expertise and thought leadership include strategically advancing and leveraging diversity, leadership development, and resource stewardship to meet long-term objectives. She has a proven track record of success guiding staff and members through change. She continually strives to foster an inclusive culture while conveying a clear organizational vision and effecting optimal results through collaboration and partnerships with individuals at all levels of the organization, including volunteer leaders, members, students, clients/patients/students, vendors, staff, and other stakeholders.

Mentioned in this episode:

School of Speech is Back!!

Season 2 of School of Speech has arrived! Every host Carolyn Dolby every Monday morning as she sits down with practicing SLPs, academic researchers, and leading experts to talk about all aspects of school-based speech-language pathology. Carolyn and her guests explore everyday topics, tackle tough situations, and share valuable insights to support school therapists in their daily practice. Find School of Speech on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other podcast platforms.