Issue Focus: Early Intervention
Treatment Tips | Breaking News | What's New on ASHA.org | Featured Question
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Welcome to Access SLP Health Care, ASHA's bimonthly e-newsletter that addresses the specific needs of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) working in health care. If you have not already subscribed, send a blank e-mail with the word "subscribe" in the subject line to: Access-SLPhealthcare-request@lists.asha.org. If you know colleagues who might enjoy this newsletter, please forward this e-mail.
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Share Your Treatment Tips
Tell us what is working for you and improving the services you provide. Do you use an old tool in a new way? Have you streamlined your documentation? Are you able to manage cancellations and no-shows in your facility? Share what works for you with your colleagues!
Treatment Tip Submission Form
This month's tip comes from Ruth Renee Hannibal, PhD, CCC-SLP, from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA.
One of the requirements in the Introduction to Neurology for Communication Disorders undergraduate class and the dysphagia and motor speech disorders graduate class in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Valdosta State University is to make an oral peripheral kit (OPK). As part of their competency testing, students have to conduct an oral mechanism examination and a swallowing examination. The container for the kit should be portable. The items in the kit include but not limited to the following: alcohol preps, applesauce cup, vials of salt, sugar, Sweet and Low or Splenda, bubble gum, small pack of crackers, individually wrapped disposal oral swabs (toothettes), individually wrapped gauze, lemon glycerin swabs, compact mirror, pen light, peanut butter, pudding cup, hand sanitizer, plastic spoons (in small storage bag), stopwatch, sterile (individually wrapped) tongue depressors, wooden handle cotton-tip applicators, and 3.5 oz cups. Graduate students use their kits in clinic during diagnostic and therapy sessions. This tool is also great for the practicing clinician as well.
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Breaking News!
Response to Article on Swallowing Intervention
Talking points about the recent JAMDA article are now available.
Medicare and SLPs in Private Practice
The federal regulations are out! Learn more about what you need to do to become a Medicare provider.
2008 Medicare Fee Schedule Released
See how your payment rate has been affected.
ASHA Health Care 2009 and Business Institute
Join us in DC. Registration is now open.
Cultural Competence Corner
Work with bilingual adults who have aphasia? Visit ASHA's bilingual aphasia resources page.
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Have You Seen the Hearing and Balance Information on ASHA's Web site?
Resources for your patients are available about hearing loss, hearing aids, balance problems, tinnitus, and more.
Featured Question - Early Intervention
I work in early intervention. What resources are available to help me in my practice?
As an early intervention (EI) provider in health care, you are not alone. Results of the 2007 ASHA Health Care Survey indicate that over 25% of SLPs working in health care provide EI services. ASHA recently published a number of policy documents about working in early intervention to help guide and inform practice:
In addition, other articles and resources are available on the early intervention page on ASHA's Web site. To address concerns about the use of non-SLPs to provide speech services in EI, a resource on qualified providers in early intervention was developed. Information about Early Hearing Detection and Intervention is also available, including links to regulations, state programs, and more.
Don't forget, discuss your concerns or ask questions of other members working in EI in the ASHA member forums.
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For Your Professional Development
Find a course that's right for you.
Upcoming Events
ASHA Convention
November 20-22, 2008, Chicago, IL
Documentation for SLPs in Medical Settings
December 4, 2008, 3-5 p.m. ET (Live telephone seminar)
Shop ASHA
Visit ASHA's online store.
Announcements
Sail Into '09 - Renew Online
Your 2009 dues renewal is easy when you go online to ASHA's Web site. Renew online through November 30, 2008, and receive a 20% discount on all ASHA Professional Development programs purchased through ASHA's online store by December 31, 2008. (Valid on online purchases only through December 31, 2008. Memberships renewed by phone and products ordered by phone, mail, e-mail, or fax are not eligible for 20% discount. Other exclusions may apply.)
ASHA's Board of Directors Wants to Hear From You
Use the "In Touch" form to share your professional issues, concerns, or congratulations. And thanks for being in touch!
Get Discovered! Sign Up for ProSearch—ASHA's Free Referral Service
Want to meet your patients' needs more effectively? ProSearch, ASHA's online directory of audiology and speech-language pathology programs, helps consumers find quality services from thousands of programs that employ ASHA certified SLPs and audiologists.
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Watch for the next issue of Access SLP Health Care in January 2009.
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