Course Description
This course provides an exploration of the complex interplay between swallowing, speech, and cognitive impairments in individuals with movement disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Learners will be able to identify the overlapping impacts these neurodegenerative conditions have on patients' quality of life and daily functioning.
Emphasis will be placed on unique management strategies for swallowing, speech, and cognitive challenges across these conditions. The course will cover both compensatory and rehabilitative approaches, highlighting the importance of early, proactive intervention to maintain function and improve outcomes. Focus on patient-centered interventions that seek to empower patient involvement in care decisions will be highlighted. The critical role of the multidisciplinary team in managing neurodegenerative diseases will be addressed.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the impact of swallowing/speech/cognition in patients with movement disorders such as ALS, Huntington's disease, and Parkinson's disease.
- Recognize swallowing/speech/cognition management approaches (e.g., similarities/differences) among patients with ALS, Huntington's disease, and Parkinson's disease.
- Describe the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach in managing patients with neurodegenerative disease processes.
Agenda
4:00-4:05 Introduction and Objectives
4:05-4:20 Neuro/Pathophysiology and Management Considerations for PD
4:20-4:35 Neuro/Pathophysiology and Management Considerations for HD
4:35-4:50 Neuro/Pathophysiology and Management Considerations for ALS
4:50-4:55 Multidisciplinary Considerations
4:55-5:00 Questions
Speaker Bio
Sarah Szynkiewicz joined 51˝ÖÉä in 2020 as an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, as well as a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
Szynkiewicz is a certified speech-language pathologist through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and a full member of the Dysphagia Research Society. Her primary areas of interest include dysphagia, or swallowing impairments, in both pediatric and adult populations.
Her current projects focus on approaches to enhance dysphagia rehabilitative exercises, including the use of motor imagery. Szynkiewicz is a trained diagnostician in FEES (fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing) and VFSS (videofluoroscopic swallowing study).
