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Remember the last time you had a headache that Advil just wouldn’t touch as you powered through your back to back sessions?  Or maybe you can recall the last bout of GI revenge that ensued following some poor decisions at a fast food drive-through for lunch?  Perhaps you weren’t as peppy with your clients, made a bit less small talk with your colleagues, and were a bit short with your partner.  “When we don’t feel well, we don’t do well” (ain't’ that the truth!) and our students with complex communication needs (CCN) are no different.  In this episode, Dr. Margaret Bauman and Jennifer Leighton share their experiences and advice, encouraging SLP’s to consider potential, underlying medical conditions that may be leading to behavioral changes in individuals with CCN.  Through stories of her clinical experiences with struggling patients, Dr. Bauman describes several scenarios within which a child’s change in behavior was an indication of an underlying condition of pain or illness that was not obvious.  Gear up for some detective work as this observant duo share compassionate tips for digging deeper, asking questions, and supporting our clients with CCN in new ways that recognize how strongly pain and illness shape behavior, and how loudly behavior communicates. 

Learning Outcomes

Discuss the importance of considering medical conditions for individuals with complex communication needs

Discuss ways to identify when individuals with complex communication needs may be expressing pain

Identify at least 3 medical conditions that could be associated with complex communicators

Disclosures:

Jennifer Leighton financial disclosures:  Jen is an employee of a school system.  Jennifer Leighton non-financial disclosures: Jen is a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) and the Massachusetts Speech and Hearing Association (MSHA)

Dr Bauman financial disclosures: employed as a neurologist in various outpatient hospital settings.  She is also a researcher through the Boston University School of Medicine. Dr Bauman non-financial disclosures: Dr. Bauman is a member of the American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Pediatrics,  the International Society for Autism Research, and the Society for Neuroscience, and serves on various advisory boards

Kate Grandbois financial disclosures: Kate is the owner / founder of Grandbois Therapy + Consulting, LLC and co-founder of SLP Nerdcast.  Kate Grandbois non-financial disclosures: Kate is a member of ASHA, SIG 12, and serves on the AAC Advisory Group for Massachusetts Advocates for Children. She is also a member of the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy (BABAT), MassABA, the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and the corresponding Speech Pathology and Applied Behavior Analysis SIG. 

Amy Wonkka financial disclosures: Amy is an employee of a public school system and co-founder for SLP Nerdcast. Amy Wonkka non-financial disclosures: Amy is a member of ASHA, SIG 12, and serves on the AAC Advisory Group for Massachusetts Advocates for Children.

Time Ordered Agenda:

10 minutes: Introduction, Disclaimers and Disclosures

20 minutes: Descriptions of the importance of considering medical conditions for individuals with complex communication needs

15 minutes: Descriptions of individuals with complex communication needs and they may be expressing pain 

10 minutes: Descriptions of medical conditions that could be associated with complex communicators

5 minutes: Summary and Closing

Disclaimer

The contents of this episode are not meant to replace clinical advice.  SLP Nerdcast, its hosts and guests do not represent or endorse specific products or procedures mentioned during our episodes unless otherwise stated.  We are NOT PhDs, but we do research our material.  We do our best to provide a thorough review and fair representation of each topic that we tackle.  That being said, it is always likely that there is an article we’ve missed, or another perspective that isn’t shared.  If you have something to add to the conversation, please email us! Wed love to hear from you

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SLP Nerdcast is a podcast for busy SLPs and teachers who need ASHA continuing education credits, CMHs, or professional development. We do the reading so you don’t have to! Leave us a review if you feel so inclined!

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