[Podcourse] Part 1: Diversity & Inclusion with Melanie Evans

In this episode, I am joined by Melanie Evans from Pediatric Speech Sisters. Melanie shares insights on cultural diversity, inclusion, and the importance of cultural competemility in the field of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP). The conversation covers defining cultural competemility, ethical considerations according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and practical ways to implement cultural competemility in supervision and speech pathology practice. Register ⁠here⁠ to earn ASHA CEUs. Visit Speechie Side Up to learn more about this episode.

In this episode, I am joined by Melanie Evans from Pediatric Speech Sisters. Melanie shares insights on cultural diversity, inclusion, and the importance of cultural competemility in the field of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP). The conversation covers defining cultural competemility, ethical considerations according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and practical ways to implement cultural competemility in supervision and speech pathology practice. Register here to earn ASHA CEUs. Visit Speechie Side Up to learn more about this episode.

In this episode, I am joined by Carly Dorfman, M.S., CCC-SLP, Owner of KIDnection, and Lead Speech Language Pathologist and Parent Educator.  She is a licensed, certified, and credentialed pediatric speech-language pathologist with over 10 years of experience treating children of all developmental levels. Her specialty is in a child and family centered approach using evidence-based best practices to improve speech, receptive & expressive language, fluency, and oral motor skills.  She earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from the University of Miami and her Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Nova Southeastern University. Since 2014, She has been certified by both the Association of Speech Language Pathologists & Audiologists and the Florida Board of Speech Language Pathology & Audiology. She have treated both pediatrics and adults in a variety of settings including schools, skilled nursing facilities, and private clinics. She is also a parent educator, leading infant and toddler enrichment classes in the community and providing resources and support to parents/caregivers.  Visit Speechie Side Up to learn more about this episode.

In this episode, I am joined by Tracy Bond. Tracy is an SLP and CEO, as well as, a wife, mom of 3 girls and grandmother ("Mam") to a 7 year old granddaughter. She received her undergraduate degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of South Alabama and her graduate degree in SLP from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. She also obtained her Ed.S in Instructional Technology from the University of West Georgia. Tracy has been an SLP since 1993. She has three pediatric multidisciplinary clinics (ST, PT, and OT for ages 0 - 16) and opened her first private practice in December 2019 with 4 staff, her second in 6/21, and her third in 6/22. Her clinics currently see around 900 visits per week company wide. They currently have 55 employees. Tracy has aspirations to open two more clinics in 2024. She has had the ability to help so many children and families and wants to continue to help more daily. The SpOT Clinic has a clear vision and strong core values which are instilled in all team members. Visit Speechie Side Up to learn more about this episode.

In this episode, I am joined by Jamie Giannino, a Speech Language Pathologist and owner of Wordwise Speech Therapy, a boutique private practice specializing in early language, parent training, school age language, and speech sound disorders. Wordwise Speech recently branched off to include a nonprofit charity, Wordwise Speech Foundation wherein Jamie donates time, therapeutic intervention, and scholarship funds to families that demonstrate economic hardship. Telepractice is just one of the many areas of clinical expertise and excellence that Jamie offers, based on her career working in varied clinical settings. Jamie has a penchant for seeking out the fun in life, and blending that with her teletherapy, fully believing that time spent having fun for oneself, away from speech therapy makes one a better speech therapist! Visit Speechie Side Up to learn more about this episode.

In this episode, I am joined by Hannah Davis (she/her). Hannah is an ASHA certified clinically competent speech language pathologist, licensed and practicing in the state of Virginia. She works full time in a public elementary school, and owns her own private practice, Dominion Speech Services, LLC. Hannah has practiced for 6 years, and has experience in a variety of settings. When not in the speech world, Hannah is an avid reader, beach goer, and supporter of all and small LGBTQIA+ businesses. Visit Speechie Side Up to learn more about this episode.

In this episode, I am joined by Kate Kurzhal, a certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist serving the South Bend, IN area. She is the sole owner and operator of Therapeutic Interventions & Solutions, LLC. Her interest in the field began as a young adult while helping her Dad run "Learn to Skate" clinics where several children and their families with varying disorders learned how to ice-skate. She recalls one parent saying, "watching my son's smile out there is all I really want." which in turn pushed her to find a career that would afford more of these moments through therapy. She is a proud double graduate from Indiana University-Bloomington with proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL). She then returned to South Bend where she has worked across a variety of settings. She attributes these diverse hands-on experiences to be significant in her practice today. She ultimately loves giving families tools, strategies and functional ways to apply therapy to support the needs of those they love.

In this episode, I am joined by Anne Page MS, CCC-SLP. Anne is an ASHA certified speech language pathologist with a Master of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology from Nova Southeastern University.  She is an award-winning blogger and international speaker.  She has worked as a speech therapist for a Title I school for the past 11 years.  She is currently the Assistive Technology Lead serving 19 schools in Phoenix. Anne is passionate about AAC. She loves the challenge of finding the best communication support system for her students. Anne helps those who are struggling to serve non speaking children to confidently give kids a true voice through her AAC courses, online membership, group coaching, and digital products. She provides guidance, inspiration, and advocacy for an effective child centered total communication approach. Visit Speechie Side Up to learn more about this episode.

In this episode, I gave an overview of the top six AAC applications and how to get access to them. I discussed some features of Lamp Words for Life, Touch Chat HD, Tobii Dynabox Snap or TV Snap, Go Talk Now, Proloquo2Go, Cough Drop, and how to obtain trial devices.

In this episode, I am joined by Kimberly Tice, MS, CCC-SLP, as we discussed 10 different strategies or tips to get an entire team to use the child's device. Kim provides intervention in language, learning, literacy and feeding to people with autism spectrum disorder as a speech-language pathologist and certified special educator. She is an affiliate of ASHA Special Interest Groups 1, Language Learning and Education; and 12, Augmentative and Alternative Communication. She is also my co-author in the “Lou Knows What to Do” book series. Kim loves helping anyone find their voice and her love of words led her to write more. Now she helps businesses clearly define their brand voice through content and strategy and is passionate in finding creative content solutions for ads, social media, websites, SEO, and more. Visit Speechie Side Up to learn more about this episode.