VSHA MARCH 2021
VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
Live via Zoom!
Join us for a Virtual Monthlong Conference
with Both Live + Recorded Options!*
ROLLING REGISTRATION
Though this event starts Monday, March 1st, registration will remain open through Wednesday, March 31st as there are recorded options available for all attendees.
*Please note that ASHA CEUs will only be offered for attendance at live webinars, not the recorded versions.
Who is VSHA ?
The Vermont Speech-Language Hearing Association (VSHA) is a non-profit professional association for speech language pathologists and audiologists and is the state-level affiliate of the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Our association has been supporting and empowering professionals for over 60 years, and part of our mission statement includes serving the needs of professionals through professional development.
What is the Annual Conference all about?
This monthlong event offers attendees a variety of timely and fascinating topics, such as; The Audiological Management of COVID-19 Survivors; The Role of the SLP in Managing Concussions Across the Lifespan, Executive Function and the Critical Role of the SLP, Insights into Selective Mutisms for AuDs and SLPS, and Anxiety in the Pandemic, Recognizing and Reducing Anxiety in Clients and in Ourselves.
Each of the sessions will be provided via a live 90-minute interactive webinar. Once you register, you will be sent a link the morning of for each webinar and are welcome to attend. Please contact us if you can not attend but would like to view the recording.*
ROLLING REGISTRATION
Though this event starts Monday, March 1st, registration will remain open through Wednesday, March 31st as there are recorded options available for all attendees.
*Please note that ASHA CEUs will only be offered for attendance at live webinars, not the recorded versions.
Meet Our 2021 Featured Presenters
Danielle Kent,
M.S., CCC-SLP
Annie DiVello,
M.S., CCC-SLP
Gina england,
M.S., CCC-SLP
Dr. Robert M. disogra
Dr. Elizabeth doppler-bourassa
Workshops
Click here to view the full schedule
Insights into Selective Mutism for AUDs and SLPs
Presented by Annie DiVello, M.S., CCC-SLP
PART I
Monday, March 1st • 5:30 - 12:00pm
This session is the first of a two-part interactive webinar intended to help a variety of professionals gain a basic understanding of the mysterious disability known as selective mutism (SM). Attendees will begin to develop an awareness of how to recognize selective mutism, come to understand the vast continuum of speech inhibition that an individual may experience, gain perspective for the inner experience of an individual with SM, and acquire skills across professional settings for relating and communicating with anxious children and adults.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
Describe in your own words this most mysterious disability.
List one or more ways anxiety impacts communication.
PART II
Tuesday, March 9th • 5:30 - 7:00pm
This session is the second of a two-part interactive webinar intended to help a variety of professionals gain a basic understanding of the mysterious disability known as selective mutism (SM). Attendees will begin to develop an awareness of how to recognize selective mutism, come to understand the vast continuum of speech inhibition that an individual may experience, gain perspective for the inner experience of an individual with SM, and acquire skills across professional settings for relating and communicating with anxious children and adults.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
Name one or more structures in the brain impacted by anxiety and explain the impact.
State at least two strategies for facilitating effective communication with an anxious patient/student.
Executive Functioning & Language Intervention –
The Critical Role of the SLP
Presented by Danielle Kent, M.S., CCC-SLP
PART I
Friday, March 12th • 9:00-10:30am
This session is the first of a two-part dynamic workshop which provides an overview of Executive Functioning (EF) & the connection to language, including the critical role of EF in Complex Communication Disorders. SLPs play a crucial role in supporting EF, given their extensive background in assessing and treating language/language disorders. As part of the work they are already doing, SLPs will learn how they can target problem solving, organization, and regulation. Targeting these three key areas can support a learner's academic, socialization, communication, and play skills, all of which round out a child's ability to be successful across contexts and across communication partners. Learners should be prepared to apply and create visuals and strategies in the workshop along with giving and getting feedback on their work from other professionals.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
Identify and Describe Executive Functioning (EF), including some of the basic facets (e.g., working memory, self-regulation) included under EF.
Describe the connection between Executive Functioning and Language, highlighting the critical role of the SLP in supporting this area. As part of this connection, SLPs will also describe common EF challenges observed in students with complex communication disorders.
PART II
Friday, March 19th • 9:00-10:30am
This session is the second of a two-part dynamic workshop which provides an overview of Executive Functioning (EF) & the connection to language, including the critical role of EF in Complex Communication Disorders. SLPs play a crucial role in supporting EF, given their extensive background in assessing and treating language/language disorders. As part of the work they are already doing, SLPs will learn how they can target problem solving, organization, and regulation. Targeting these three key areas can support a learner's academic, socialization, communication, and play skills, all of which round out a child's ability to be successful across contexts and across communication partners. Learners should be prepared to apply and create visuals and strategies in the workshop along with giving and getting feedback on their work from other professionals.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
Participants will identify functional strategies for supporting the development of EF in sessions and in the classroom, including but not limited to:
a. Functional visuals (visual schedules, task sequences)
b. Use of self-monitoring tools, including check lists, etc.
c. The Importance of considering co-regulation for developmentally young learners
d. Use of Video modeling
e. Use of Comic Strip Conversations ® and other virtual methods
f. Use of AAC (as appropriate)
g. Identify functional everyday tasks in which to target EF facets, including but not limited to: daily schedules, games, academic tasks
Audiological Management of COVID-19 Survivors
Presented by Dr. Robert M. DiSogra
Tuesday, March 16th • 5:30-7:30pm
The impact of the COVID-19 has been having an impact within the audiology profession since 2020. It is only since the summer of 2020 that research began to emerge about the virus, its spread, prevention, the repurposing of already approved FDA pharmaceuticals to the development of a preventative vaccines. As of 2/25/21, over 106,000 manuscripts have been published according to the National Library of Medicine.
For audiologists, the COVID-19 research breakdown is as follows: 125 manuscripts for hearing loss (all types), 20 vestibular papers, 29 tinnitus papers, 4 covering cerumen, 51 listed under ‘auditory’ (which may include SNHL) and 1,352 papers dealing with cognitive issues.
Despite all this research, there is still no generally recognized diagnosis terminology for COVID-19 and its survivors. There were at least 10 terms being used as of 3/1/21.
Hearing loss, tinnitus, vestibular problems, repurposed drugs, new vaccines side effects, pediatric concerns (late diagnosed), cerumen management (and disposal), the use of dietary supplements as an intention strategy and insurance billing are the concerns of every audiology practice in 2021.
Each area will be addressed in detail with recommendations to manage COVID-19 survivors during this two hour program.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
Identify the Mechanism of Action of the COVID-19 virus that causes hearing loss/tinnitus and/or balance problems
Explain drug repurposing as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization for drugs and vaccines
Identify the degree and types of hearing loss, tinnitus and balance issues as a result of the COVID-19 virus as well as identifying the emerging problem with late diagnosed hearing loss in babies
Decide which cerumen management and disposal procedures are most effective with COVID-19 survivors
Decide which audiometric tests (objective and subjective) are appropriate for adult and pediatric COVID-19 survivors
The Role of the Speech Pathologist in Managing Concussion Across the Lifespan
Presented by Gina England, M.S., CCC-SLP
Wednesday, March 24th • 3:00-4:30pm
Although sports related concussion has dominated the attention of the media, researchers and clinicians, it is by no means an exclusive club. Statistics from the Center for Disease Control over the past two decades has revealed that the fastest growing populations being evaluated in USA emergency rooms with suspected concussion are toddlers and geriatric adults. As clinicians working in either a medical or school environment, we can expect to be involved in the rehabilitation of concussion at some point in our professional career. Today’s webinar will serve as a broad introduction to the role of the Speech and Language Pathologist in the assessment and treatment of concussion across the lifespan. A variety of resources will also be identified to guide the clinician in their pursuit of more in-depth information relative to an age specific population.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
List 4 components to the medical definition of concussion.
State a minimum of 10 common signs and symptoms of concussion.
Identify at least 8 professionals who would be present in an ideal post-concussion team.
Verbalize 3 available concussion assessment tools.
Summarize the primary therapeutic intervention for each age group across the life span.
Reiterate a minimum of 3 therapy resources that can be utilized to promote functional therapeutic outcomes.
Anxiety in a Pandemic: Recognizing and Reducing Anxiety in Clients and Ourselves
Presented by Dr. Elizabeth Doppler-Bourassa
Thursday, March 25th • 6:00-7:30pm
Our role as care providers, AUD's, and SLP's has traditionally afforded us the opportunity to be a beacon of light in the stress and storm of our client's lives. The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the tides and uniquely challenges us to navigate new seas, withstanding the disorienting experiences of the same storm while supporting those in our care. This webinar is intended to help a variety of professionals gain a basic understanding of anxiety based disorders and clinical presentations of anxiety and stress in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Attendees will begin to develop an awareness of the brain-body connection in service of understanding how stress and anxiety can become disruptive to optimal performance and overall life satisfaction. Strategies for anxiety management and self care will also be reviewed.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
Name the two major brain areas involved in an anxiety response.
Explain in your own words the difference between anxious behavior and anxiety disordered behavior.
Identify at least one way the COVID-19 Pandemic has contributed to your own experience of anxiety and stress.
Identify three strategies you can use to manage stress and anxiety in your daily life.
ROLLING REGISTRATION
Though this event starts Monday, March 1st, registration will remain open through Wednesday, March 31st as there are recorded options available for all attendees.
*Please note that ASHA CEUs will only be offered for attendance at live webinars, not the recorded versions.
Don’t Miss Out! Register now!
Each of the sessions will be provided via a live 90-minute interactive webinar. Once you register, you will be sent a link the morning of for each webinar and are welcome to attend. Please contact us if you can not attend but would like to view the recording.*
ROLLING REGISTRATION
Though this event starts Monday, March 1st, registration will remain open through Wednesday, March 31st as there are recorded options available for all attendees.
*Please note that ASHA CEUs will only be offered for attendance at live webinars, not the recorded versions.