EspecIallY "SpeciAl" SpeeCh?!.

Redefining Speech Pathology: Strategies for a Fuller Life With Lauren Schwabish

Lauren Schwabish is a speech pathologist and the Owner of Neuro Speech Services, a private practice based in northern Virginia. With a commitment to enhancing communication abilities and improving the quality of life for her clients, Lauren has established herself as a leader in the field of speech pathology. Over the years, she has accumulated extensive experience working with diverse populations, including children with developmental disorders, adults recovering from strokes, and individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to her clinical work, Lauren is a sought-after speaker and educator who regularly conducts workshops and training sessions for fellow professionals. In this episode… Redefining treatment strategies to serve adults with acquired neurogenic cognitive-communication deficits is essential for fostering a fuller, more meaningful life. This approach focuses on individuals who have experienced conditions such as stroke, concussion, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, cognitive impairment, and ADHD. The mission is to provide person-centered care that addresses each individual's unique needs and goals. Speech pathologist Lauren Schwabish explains the heart of this approach is understanding the person behind the diagnosis. A life participation approach can be implemented by identifying what is important to each individual. This means tailoring therapy to address specific deficits — word finding, conversation skills, memory, emotional regulation, or organization — while always focusing on the person's desired outcomes. In this episode of EspecIallY "SpeciAl" SpeeCh!!, Jennifer Branchini and Ama Teasdel welcome Lauren Schwabish, speech pathologist and Owner of Neuro Speech Services, to discuss person-centered care in speech pathology. Lauren explores the dynamics of addressing aphasia, strategies for executive functioning and emotional regulation, and the importance of connecting to clients' identities and life goals.

Shooting the Shyt: Books That Make You Brilliant and Building Businesses

Ashtan Moore is a Partner and Co-founder at Model B, a Washington, DC and Atlanta-based digital marketing agency helping companies and entrepreneurs increase sales, communicate with key audiences, and drive influence in the marketplace. He is also Co-founder and Advisor to Blueprint, General Partner at Quoth Capital, and the Chief Impact Officer at The Redistribution Association. Additionally, Ashtan is a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization Washington, DC chapter. With a background in engineering, Ashtan built Model B’s digital marketing platforms to employ smart algorithms and help companies use the power of big data online to achieve nearly any sales or communications objective. In this episode… In the world of entrepreneurship, Ashtan Moore stands out as a beacon of inspiration and a testament to resilience. As a prolific builder of companies, his journey is a rich tapestry woven with personal triumphs, innovative ventures, and an unwavering commitment to healing the world.  Ashtan’s entrepreneurial spirit is deeply rooted in his personal experiences. As a teenager, he battled depression, a struggle that profoundly shaped his worldview. This period of his life ignited a passion for creating solutions that foster mental well-being and societal health. His desire to heal the world has been a driving force behind his ventures, which often focus on innovative health and wellness solutions. For those aspiring to build successful businesses and lead fulfilling lives, Ashtan’s journey offers valuable lessons. In this episode of EspecIallY "SpeciAl" SpeeCh!!, Jennifer Branchini and Ama Teasdel talk with Ashtan Moore, Co-founder and Partner at Model B, about unlocking brilliance and building empires. Ashtan explains his role as a company builder, defines Series B funding, shares how he overcame depression, and reveals his life’s purpose.

Clinical Hypnosis, CBT, and the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Disorders With Dr. Ali Navidi

Dr. Ali Navidi is a licensed clinical psychologist renowned for his expertise in gastro-psychology, a specialized field in neuroscience and gastrointestinal health. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Navidi has been instrumental in transforming lives, particularly those grappling with gastrointestinal disorders, chronic pain, and intricate medical conditions. As Co-founder of GI Psychology and past President of the Northern Virginia Society of Clinical Hypnosis, he has pioneered innovative approaches in clinical hypnosis and cognitive behavioral therapy. In this episode… Clinical hypnosis and cognitive behavioral therapy have emerged as effective therapeutic treatments for gastrointestinal disorders, particularly irritable bowel syndrome. How do these treatments harness the intricate connection between mind and body, empowering individuals to reclaim control over their gut health and overall well-being? Underscoring the intricate interplay between the brain and gut health, Dr. Ali Navidi, a seasoned gastro-psychologist, explores the complex nature of chronic gastrointestinal conditions such as IBS — despite conventional medical assessments often showing no structural anomalies. Dr. Navidi emphasizes the need to address physical and psychological components in IBS management, advocating for a multifaceted approach involving psychotherapy, hypnosis, and collaborative care with medical professionals and dietitians. Additionally, he highlights hypnosis as a promising tool in addressing a spectrum of mental health issues beyond gastrointestinal ailments, including eating disorders, chronic pain, anxiety, and addiction, reiterating its versatility in clinical practice. In this episode of EspecIallY "SpeciAl" SpeeCh?!, Jennifer Branchini hosts Dr. Ali Navidi, a seasoned clinical psychologist specializing in gastro-psychology, to discuss gut-brain connection and its impact on physical health. They delve into the brain’s role in chronic pain management, the importance of addressing psychosomatic factors, the stigma surrounding clinical hypnosis, and the effectiveness of hypnosis as a therapeutic tool for anxiety, addiction, and digestive issues.

Overcoming TBI: Exploring How the STEP System and Speech Therapy Are Aligned

Nick Prefontaine is the Founder and CEO of Common Goal, a coaching company providing people with support and tools to reach their potential. He is also a 3x bestselling author and was named a top motivational speaker in 2022 by Yahoo Finance. Using his proprietary STEP system, Nick helps individuals overcome their trauma. In this episode… When faced with a terrifying ordeal, it can be arduous to continue fighting. With the right support, you can shift your mindset and overcome trauma with grace. How did a motivational speaker recover from multiple traumas to discover his calling? At just 14 years old, Nick Prefontaine sustained a traumatic brain injury following a snowboarding accident. He received speech and physical therapy to relearn how to walk, talk, and swallow. After making a full recovery, he began experiencing tension in his vocal cords, impacting his speech once again. Through countless doctors, botox injections, and more speech therapy, Nick nearly lost hope, but after speaking at events and establishing a speaker persona, he developed a method to help others overcome their trauma. No matter what you’re facing in life — when you have a support system, trust those guiding you through the process, cultivate the energy to recover, and persevere through setbacks, you can alter your mindset to persist through anything. In this episode of EspecIallY "SpeciAl" SpeeCh?!, Jennifer Branchini and Ama Teasdel talk with Nick Prefontaine, the Founder and CEO of Common Goal, about how he persevered through trauma. Nick shares how he became a trauma coach, the mindset that saved him during his brain injury, and the stages of his recovery.

Demystifying and Exploring How the Worlds of Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology Collide

Christine Sproat, MA, OTR/L, is a pediatric occupational therapist and the Founder of Canyon Kids, a development and sensory-motor clinic. With over 20 years of experience, she has served children with autism and developmental delays, developing innovative and effective programs at home and in school. Christine’s research focuses on parent-therapist-child partnerships, primary prevention, and sensory processing disorders. Her work has been published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy. In this episode… Many parents associate occupational therapy with strokes and significant physical disabilities and refuse the treatment for their children. Yet OT is holistic, encompassing key functions that influence children’s development. How can you integrate OT treatments into your practice and educate parents about the process? Pediatric occupational therapists evaluate children’s fine and gross motor skills and sensory, social, and emotional development. This often involves having kids participate in activities that include assembling blocks, climbing rock walls, and swinging on swings. Child development advocate and occupational therapist Christine Sproat notes that when engaging in sensory activities, children with speech and language delays may utter sounds they wouldn’t have made otherwise. She encourages speech therapists to incorporate swings and other sensory activities into their treatment protocols to stimulate language development. For occupational therapists, Christine suggests offering free educational screenings for parents to learn about the process. In this episode of EspecIallY "SpeciAl" SpeeCh?!, Jennifer Branchini and Ama Teasdel talk with Christine Sproat, the Founder of Canyon Kids, about integrating OT with SLP. Christine addresses the average developmental milestones for OT and cognitive skills, how to accelerate children’s growth mindsets, and how swimming can promote OT skill development.