Understanding How Changes in Medicare Payment to SNFs Affect SLPs
By now, most speech-language pathologists in health care setting have heard about major changes coming to the way Medicare pays skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), effective Oct. 1. The patient-driven payment model (PDPM) bases Medicare reimbursement to SNFs on a patient’s clinical presentation rather than on the amount of time they need treatment.
Here are the PDPM facts and tips—both financial and clinical—for SLPs in SNFs.
Know the facts
Medicare is changing how it pays SNFs, but not the longstanding requirement that only medically necessary services are reimbursed. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - September 6, 2019 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Sarah Warren Tags: Health Care Slider Speech-Language Pathology Professional Development Source Type: blogs
Announcing the New ASHA Leader Podcast: ASHA Voices
Get your earbuds ready. Just one week from now, the Leader will debut its new podcast, ASHA Voices. A show about how we communicate and how communication changes our lives, ASHA Voices is brought to you by the team behind the ASHA Leader magazine and hosted by J.D. Gray.
The show’s first episode premieres here on Leader Live Sept. 12, but you can hear a preview today.
Listen to the trailer now:
The first episode of the new podcast looks at the link between cognitive-communication disorders and the justice system. We’ll hear from a duo that teaches young adults with autism how to interact safely with the police, an...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - September 5, 2019 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: J.D. Gray Tags: Academia & Research Audiology Health Care News Podcast Private Practice Schools Speech-Language Pathology episode listen Source Type: blogs
Why We Created a Virtual Support Group for PhD Students in CSD
No one ever said being a doctoral student is easy, but getting support from your peers along the way makes a big difference. Based on personal experiences navigating the first four years of two different doctoral programs, we realized how much the support of other PhD candidates in communications sciences and disorders (CSD) will help us succeed as future independent researchers and university faculty.
Doctoral programs involve a significant amount of “learn-as-you-go” knowledge not directly passed on by your academic mentor or through courses. Peers provide a safe space to ask questions we might hesitate to ask to a p...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - September 4, 2019 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Natalie Covington Tags: Academia & Research Audiology Slider Speech-Language Pathology communication sciences and disorders Professional Development Source Type: blogs
5 Tips for a Smoother Post-Vacation Transition to Work and School
Backpacks replace beach bags, the air gets cooler and … are those pumpkin-spice lattes I smell? Summer break and the accompanying vacations might be over, but it just means now is the time to start the best school year ever! And even if you don’t work in a school or university, the start of a school year often generates a spike in new clients and referrals for audiologists and speech-language pathologists across work settings.
Easier said than done, though. If you’re like most people—even those who don’t work in schools—starting off a new school year or coming back after a vacation causes stress. I hope these...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - September 3, 2019 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Megan Arney Tags: Academia & Research Audiology Health Care Private Practice Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Professional Development Source Type: blogs
6 Tips to Ease Data-Gathering During Group Sessions in Schools
Taking data for speech-language groups isn’t easy. Whether you’ve been an SLP for a long time or are just getting started, chances are you have—at some point—found it pretty tricky to record data for group treatment sessions (especially big groups) with a variety of goals (especially goals in different areas).
You aren’t alone. I struggle, too, so here are some tips that help me get through. My hope is they help you, too.
Keep goals on an index card
When getting to know new students, I write each one’s main goal or goal area on a different note card. I know my schedule will go through many iterations across t...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - August 28, 2019 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Shelley D. Hutchins Tags: Private Practice Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Autism Spectrum Disorder Early Intervention Professional Development Source Type: blogs
Want to Improve Your Cultural Competency? Check Out SIG 14, Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
This special interest group focuses on the intersection of sociocultural factors with audiology and speech-language pathology services.
1. What would you say to encourage other colleagues to join SIG 14?
SIG 14 has an amazing community of professionals, and I enjoy the discussions and information shared. I appreciate being able to tap them on the shoulder when I have a complicated case. Having access to Perspectives is also a great perk of SIG 14, with articles focused on culturally and linguistically diverse populations across the lifespan and across disabilities.
2. How has your involvement in this SIG improved your unde...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - August 26, 2019 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Melissa White Tags: Academia & Research Health Care Private Practice Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Bilingual assessment bilingual service delivery Cultural Diversity multilingual Source Type: blogs
FDA Approves Cochlear Implants for Single-Sided Deafness, Asymmetric Hearing Loss
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved MED-EL USA’s cochlear implant system for single-sided deafness and asymmetric hearing loss. This is the first time cochlear implants have been green-lighted for these indications in the United States.
MED-EL Cochlear Implant Systems, including SYNCHRONY and the recently FDA-approved SYNCHRONY 2, are now approved for people 5 years and older with single-sided deafness who have profound sensorineural hearing loss in one ear and normal hearing or mild sensorineural hearing loss in the other ear. They’re also approved for people 5 years and older with asymmetric h...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - August 23, 2019 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Jillian Kornak Tags: Audiology News Slider Hearing Assistive Technology hearing loss hearing loss treatment Source Type: blogs
Back-to-School: The Ideal Time to Educate About Your Services and Expertise
It’s the most hectic time of year for many, so make use of ASHA’s ready-made resources!
Summer is winding down, and for many ASHA professionals, that means it’s back to school. If you’re among those entering this hectic period, educating parents, other professionals, and administrators about your role and value of your services might not rank high on your priority list.
But doing so can contribute to greater appreciation from colleagues and students alike—as well as their parents or caregivers—and help fulfill your sense of job satisfaction.
Try these simple approaches to spreading the word—and take advan...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - August 22, 2019 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Francine Pierson Tags: Advocacy Audiology Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Professional Development Source Type: blogs
Strategies to Help Children with Autism Overcome Challenges at the Dentist
Many people feel anxiety when they go to the dentist. For a child with autism, the sensory elements of the dentist might overwhelm them and make them resist visits. However, through home practice, familiarization appointments, and support, most children with autism or other communication disorders can overcome their anxieties about dental care and enjoy positive appointments for years to come.
I’ve been practicing family dentistry for 17 years. I always try to make patients as comfortable as possible during visits. I share this list of tips for a successful and positive dental experience with professionals who treat chil...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - August 19, 2019 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Greg Grillo Tags: Health Care Private Practice Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Autism Spectrum Disorder Language Disorders Source Type: blogs
Please Don ’t Leave My Voice on the Shelf: 5 Tips to Improve AAC Use in School
Do you ever walk into a classroom to find your student’s augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device sitting quietly on a shelf? Does everyone on the school team think of it as a voice?
After experiencing AAC access challenges with many well-meaning educators on a number of occasions, I probed deeper. I soon discovered other school-based speech-language pathologists encountered similar challenges. When I asked them for theories as to why this was happening, several themes emerged.
‘Alexa, Call My SLP’: Using Smart Tech to Boost AAC
Transitioning Into Adulthood for Students Using AAC
Research shows tha...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - August 14, 2019 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Claudia Doan Tags: Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Augmentative Alternative Communication Autism Spectrum Disorder Source Type: blogs
Postdoc at Duke -- ECoG with Cogan
The Cogan Lab (PI: Gregory Cogan) at Duke University is seeking a postdoctoral research scientist to join the lab.Research in the lab focuses on understanding the neural computations that underlie speech, language, and cognition. We use a combination of invasive recordings in adult and pediatric epilepsy patients: stereo-electroencephalography - SEEG, and electrocorticography – ECoG, and non-invasive recordings in healthy participants: electroencephalography – EEG. We also collaborate closely with the Viventi Lab (viventi.pratt.duke.edu - Department of Biomedical Engineering) to develop high density/channel count ...
Source: Talking Brains - August 13, 2019 Category: Neuroscience Authors: Unknown Source Type: blogs
Advising Families on Screens: 7 Resolutions for the New School Year
It’s that time of year: back to school. Whether you are celebrating or mourning the end of summer, this time marks a fresh start for families. As parents consider how to best help their child achieve success this school year, audiologists and speech-language pathologists know how much tech use can affect a child’s school achievement. This makes it an ideal time to guide parents toward better balance after the all-too-common summer screen-time binge.
Editor’s note: As always, children who use low- and high-tech augmentative and alternative communication devices (AAC) should continue to use them at all times—and in...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - August 12, 2019 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Jaumeiko Coleman Tags: Audiology Private Practice Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Technology Source Type: blogs
Insights on IEP Meetings as a Parent and SLP
When I began working as a school-based speech-language pathologist six years ago, I’d already experienced IEP meetings. I first encountered IEP meetings as a parent, when my daughter was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. My experiences help me understand how it feels to sit on either side of the table.
My experiences as a parent
I often felt overwhelmed at IEP meetings—especially those to discuss my daughter’s evaluations. I found it difficult to sit among a group of professionals who I felt measured my child’s weaknesses. Observation reports minutely describing her atypical behaviors in class made me feel h...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - August 8, 2019 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Francine Gulino Tags: Audiology Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Uncategorized Source Type: blogs
Three Out-of-the-Box Mindfulness Hacks
When I say the word mindfulness what type of picture pops into your head? Maybe it’s someone sitting cross-legged on the floor with their eyes closed, dressed in beautiful garb with a flower tucked behind their ear? I’m here to say, you don’t need a yoga mat or a guru to start incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine.
What is this whole mindfulness thing anyway?
Mindfulness is the ability to be aware in the present moment without judgment. In other words, you’re in the driver’s seat of your own life. The opposite of mindfulness is mindlessness where our brain is essentially on autopilot. Research indic...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - August 5, 2019 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Kathryn Samples Williams Tags: Academia & Research Audiology Health Care Private Practice Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Source Type: blogs
Tips to Share With Parents: Fun Ways to Get Kids Back In Learning Mode
As summer winds down, parents might look for ways to help their kids get back into the swing of school, including working on speech or language goals. Help caregivers take advantage of these last weeks of summer with easy activities that organically incorporate speech-language practice into daily routines.
Here are the tips I share with parents any time of year, but especially in summer when they spend more time with their kids:
Books. This is my number-one suggestion. Reading with your child is a great way to target language. Go to the library and spend time comparing different books, putting them into categories and vot...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - July 31, 2019 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Kim Delude Tags: Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Language Disorders Speech Disorders Source Type: blogs
