The Role of the SLP in Persistent Postconcussion Syndrome
Management (Recorded Webinar)
Presented by Lauren Schwabish
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Despite the quick predicted recovery time for most concussions, some survivors develop persistent postconcussion syndrome (PPCS), experiencing the debilitating features of illness long after the initial injury. This webinar will examine the clinical features of PPCS, the complex sequelae associated with the syndrome, and describe the role of the speech language pathologist in management of cognitive communication symptoms. Case studies from a private practice setting will be used to demonstrate the functional impact of metacognitive education and strategy training to mitigate symptoms, maximize life participation, and promote self-advocacy for this invisible injury.
Learning Objectives
- Define clinical features of persistent postconcussion syndrome
- Identify standardized and nonstandardized options for evaluation of PPCS
- Determine key clinical communication skills essential for working with clients with PPCS
- Describe therapeutic approaches to management of cognitive communication symptoms associated with PPCS
Meet your instructor
Lauren Schwabish
Lauren Schwabish is the owner of Neuro Speech Services, a private practice based in Northern Virginia specializing in person-centered assessment and treatment of cognitive-communicative disorders related to stroke, brain injury, mild cognitive impairment, ADHD, and other neurologic and neurodegenerative conditions. Lauren…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. What Is Persistent Postconcussion Syndrome?
This chapter covers the DSM-4 and ICD-10 clinical definitions, prevalence, and risk factors for development of persistent postconcussion syndrome. We will review the Model of Cognitive Communication Competence to demonstrate the multifaceted nature of the physical, emotional, and contextual roles impacting performance. We will explore the critical skill set of the SLP as an ideal healthcare provider for this diagnosis.
2. Tools for Your PPCS Assessment Toolkit
This chapter reviews the key clinical skills for PPCS management, based on the work of MacDonald and Wright and Sohlberg, including therapy processes related to the delivery of psychoeducation and cognitive strategy training including (a) the use of motivational interviewing for the development of collaboratively developed goals and selection of psychoeducation themes and strategies that matched to the needs of the individual participant, (b) the use of goal attainment scaling (GAS) to measure progress on individualized goals, and (c) the implementation of a dynamic coaching model in which the agenda of weekly sessions was driven by client-reported progress and self-evaluation. We will cover the standardized and nonstandardized assessment options.
3. A Functional Approach to Treatment of PPCS
This chapter will use two case examples to highlight functional approaches to metacognitive treatment for cognitive communication symptoms in work and home contexts and the use of tracking systems to support client ownership of strategies in real-life contexts.
4. Question and Answer Session
In this chapter, we’ll review and answer the questions asked during the webinar.