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ASHA Voices

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

A show about how we communicate and how that communication changes our lives.

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Avg 26 min
English

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Yesterday · 31 min
Supporting Patients With Head and Neck Cancer in Rural Kentucky
Although a patient’s communication and swallowing goals may change as they progress through their cancer treatment, today’s podcast guests say the speech-language pathologist’s presence can be one of the most consistent aspects of a patient’s journey. When SLP Keely Bill identified patients who needed head and neck cancer services in the region where she worked—hours away from the large academic medical centers or university hospitals where the patients originally had surgery or received radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and specialized cancer care—she began taking steps to meet their needs locally. Bill and her mentor Jen Lutes tell a story of enabling access to care when delivering services to this population in rural northeast Kentucky. Transcript Learn More: The Value of Prophylactic Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Services in the Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer ASHA Practice Portal: Head and Neck Cancer Head and Neck Cancer in a Rural U.S. Population: Quality of Life, Coping, Health Care Literacy, and Access to Services ASHA Evidence Map: Head and Neck Cancer Support for this episode of ASHA Voices comes from AMN Healthcare.
July 30 · 22 min
Meeting the Developmental Needs of Children With Congenital Heart Disease
As children with congenital heart disease (CHD) begin living longer lives, today’s guests say there is a growing need for speech-language pathologists and interdisciplinary collaborators to work with these patients. SLP Nashifa Momin and pediatric nurse practitioner Nicole Coolidge join the podcast to discuss their work delivering services to young patients with complex CHD-related needs at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. They share what CHD means for these patients’ lives, and how it connects to development and feeding. Also, we hear from a caregiver who describes life as the mother of a son with CHD. Transcript Learn More: ASHA Voices: Overcoming Barriers on Families’ Journey From NICU to Home Improving Self-Efficacy of Speech-Language Pathologists Who Provide Feeding Interventions for Infants With Congenital Heart Disease Through Targeted Education ASHA Voices: How A Spinal Muscular Atrophy Breakthrough Created a Greater Need for SLPs
July 16 · 23 min
Where Do Tech and Access Fit Into MTSS?
Speech-language pathologist Lesley Sylvan (Montclair State University) joins the podcast for a conversation on multi-tiered systems of support, or MTSS. It’s a subject she’s passionate about; she has centered her career and research on the educational framework. Sylvan shares how MTSS includes a focus on prevention, proactive instruction, and increasingly targeted support for those students who need it most. The second edition of Sylvan’s book, “Multi-Tiered Systems of Support: Implementation Tools for Speech-Language Pathologists in Education,” was published in June 2026. In a conversation focusing on accessibility and technology, Sylvan shares what she’s learned from talking to SLPs about the three-tiered framework and what she added to her book to reflect recent changes in perspectives and uses of MTSS. Learn More: Replacing Scarcity With Universal Access in Schools A Balancing Act: How School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists Navigate Their Efforts Related to Individual Education Plans and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and Response to Intervention (RTI) Teletherapy and Multi-Tiered System of Support: Synergies and Challenges for School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists Transcript
July 2 · 30 min
AAC Researchers Discuss Autism, Accessibility, and ‘Expensive Speech’
Speech-language pathologist Amy L. Donaldson returns to the podcast with two fellow members of Portland State University’s Autism and Social Communication Lab, SLP Brandon Eddy and AAC research lead Alyssa Hillary Zisk. When Donaldson was most recently on the podcast, she spoke about normalizing and destigmatizing AAC use. In this episode, Donaldson, Eddy, and Zisk continue with a conversation on AAC, communication access, and agency. Guests discuss what it means to use a participatory research model in their lab, and they share updates on the work they are doing in their lab around topics like internal speech experiences, “expensive speech,” and universal access. Transcript Learn More: ASHA Voices: An SLP’s Path to Leading a Neurodiversity-Affirming Clinic ASHA Voices: A Neurodivergent SLP on Creating Affirming Spaces for Clients, Colleagues, and Herself Autistic Communication: A Survey of School-Based Professionals “Everyone Deserves AAC”: Preliminary Study of the Experiences of Speaking Autistic Adults Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication Disability in Speech and Hearing Sciences: Reflections on Representation Communication Participation Item Bank — A tool that measures how communication affects participation in everyday life situations. National Outcomes Measurement System (NOMS) — ASHA’s data collection system that incorporates patient-reported outcomes measures, including the CPIB, to help evaluate functional communication outcomes and participation in real-world settings.
June 18 · 29 min
An SLP Steps Up Attention to Delirium in a Critical Access Hospital
Speech-language pathologist Sandra Hogsed is changing the way Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital is screening for and addressing delirium. In 2020, she saw patients entering the critical access hospital who were developing delirium. Soon after, she dedicated herself to gaining a greater understanding of the condition and how to recognize it. She shares what delirium looks like in its varying forms, how she is engaging with patients with delirium, and the personal story driving her care. Learn More: Speaking Up for My Father Shaped Me as a Clinician Communication Partnering to Support Patients With Dementia University Develops a Cognition-Building Workshop for Older Adults Communication Access Evidence Map on Delirium American Delirium Society Transcript
June 4 · 25 min
Talking Healthy Hearing with Special Olympics
Just ahead of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota, we discuss hearing health care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, or IDD. Along with competing in events like track and field, swimming, and basketball, many athletes work with volunteers to receive hearing screenings, among other types of health screenings through attending Special Olympics Healthy Athletes®. Listen to conversations with two audiologists—Denise Cardona Barnes, of Special Olympics International, and Eric McCabe, a volunteer clinical director in Minnesota. Learn More: An Audiologist Brings Healthy Hearing to Special Olympics Supporting Care Partners of Adults With Dysphagia and IDD Recognizing National Public Health Week: A Collection of Articles, Podcasts, and Resources ASHA Voices: Pediatric TBI—Transitioning from Hospital to School ASHA Voices: Overcoming Barriers on Families’ Journey From NICU to Home Transcript
May 21 · 23 min
SLP Iván Campos Discusses Multilingual Assessment and Intervention in Schools
Speech-language pathologist Iván Campos joins the podcast to discuss multilingual assessment and intervention in the schools. Campos brings stories from his time delivering school services to students speaking Mayan languages, and he shares what he learned from that. In our conversation, he talks about dynamic assessment, collaborating with interpreters, and what the concept of translanguaging means to him professionally and as a multilingual speaker. Learn More: ASHA Voices: What Might Translanguaging Mean for Multilingual Services? Considerations in Utilizing Translanguaging Practices to Meet the Language Needs of Maya Children in U.S. Schools ASHA Voices: A Personal and Professional Look at Multilingualism and CSD Simple Steps to Support Multilingual Students in Schools Transcript
May 14 · 24 min
What the ASLP Interstate Compact Offers Audiologists and SLPs
As the professional world grows increasingly mobile, hear how the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact is making it easier for CSD professionals to deliver services across state lines. Guests discuss how the compact works, who may benefit from it, how it creates greater access to services, and the story behind what they did to make it happen. Learn More: The Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Website Update on Interstate Compact Launch (2025) ASHA Voices: Student Advocacy and a Win for People Who Stutter Transcript
May 7 · 28 min
SLPs on Understanding What Matters at the End of Life
From comfort feeding to communication access, two SLPs discuss the important ways speech-language pathologists deliver services as part of palliative care teams. Sharing personal and professional stories, Brittany Horvath and Marissa James address informed consent, how SLPs can integrate themselves into palliative care teams, and more. Learn More: Dysphagia Management: Strengthening Skills, Overcoming Obstacles ASHA Voices: Changes and Trends in Dysphagia Treatment AJSLP: Palliative Care Training for Medical Speech-Language Pathologists: A Multiple Baseline Design Offering Comfort Feeding in Palliative Care Prioritizing Patient Voice and Choice in Dietary Decisions Transcript Support for this episode of ASHA Voices comes from Ambu and Zanda.
April 23 · 25 min
SLP Claudio Milstein Sheds Light on Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction
Speech-language pathologist Claudio Milstein joins the podcast to discuss inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO), an often misdiagnosed condition that can leave patients feeling shortness of breath. Milstein breaks down the roles of interprofessional collaboration and differential diagnosis in service delivery. Plus, he shares the story behind the new global community he’s cofounded to bring together experts and create awareness around how to diagnose and treat ILO. Learn More: Practice Portal: Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction AJSLP: Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction Differential Diagnosis in Adolescents and Adults: A Tutorial Perspectives: Breathing Pattern Disorder: A New Kid on the Block ASHA Voices: Preparing the “Vocal Athlete” for Performance Global Initiative for Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction (GIILO) Transcript
April 9 · 18 min
An SLP’s Path to Leading a Neurodiversity-Affirming Clinic
Speech-language pathologist Jessica Donaldson explains how the neurodiversity-affirming approach of her multidisciplinary clinic, Autism Specialists, strives to create a sense of belonging, acceptance, and accessibility for autistic clients. She describes how and why she created a social group for her clients that’s directed by their interests and goals. Donaldson, the sibling of an autistic adult, also shares how that relationship fuels her work and career. Learn More: ASHA Voices: ‘This Too Is a Mask’: A Neurodivergent SLP Confronts Autism and Identity ASHA Voices: What a CSD Professor Learned About Autistic Masking While Creating Neuro-Affirming Spaces ASHA Voices: Preparing Pediatric Audiologists through LEND Programs ASHA Voices: Twyla Perryman-Brownlow on Building Skills for Post High School Life Online Conference: Autism: Communication and Connection Transcript
March 26 · 32 min
Engaging With Teacher Unions and Education Associations in Schools
Hear ASHA members discuss how school-based audiologists and speech-language pathologists advocate for themselves, the professions, and the people they serve. On the podcast, guests share stories of what successful advocacy looks like and give a behind-the-scenes look at the work they do. All three guests are members of the ASHA Teacher Union Member Advisory Group and recently published new resources for audiologists and SLPs interested in engaging with education associations or unions. Learn More: Working for Change: A Guide for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists in Schools Engaging With Teacher Unions and Education Associations ASHA Voices: Student Advocacy and a Win for People Who Stutter Transcript Support for this episode of ASHA Voices comes from AMBA.
March 12 · 23 min
A Neurodivergent SLP on Creating Affirming Spaces for Clients, Colleagues, and Herself
SLP Stephanie Boron joins the podcast for a conversation on how she seeks and creates neurodiversity-affirming spaces through her work as a clinician, clinical instructor, and faculty member at Northwestern University. Boron describes herself as AuDHD—autistic and ADHD. On the podcast, she shares what neurodiversity-affirming spaces can look like and why they matter to clients. Learn More: ASHA Voices: What a CSD Professor Learned About Autistic Masking While Creating Neuro-Affirming Spaces Positively Disrupting Social Groups: A Neurodiversity-Affirming Glow-Up Assistive Technology in Schools Transcript
February 26 · 27 min
Pediatric TBI—Transitioning From Hospital to School
For young patients with TBIs and their families, challenges persist after hospital discharge. On the podcast, guests discuss how they address barriers associated with this transition. We’ll hear perspectives from both sides of that transition: Taryn Townsend at Texas Children’s Hospital, and Melaney Grenz, who worked for nearly three decades in the schools and as part of the Oregon TBI team. Grenz joins this conversation from the Center on Brain Injury Research and Training—or CBIRT—which is part of the University of Oregon. Townsend and Grenz discuss how clinicians may engage with schools, the role of brain injury management teams, and common questions from parents. Learn More: How Social Determinants of Health Shape TBI Recovery in Children ASHA Voices: Supporting Families of Children With Disorders of Consciousness ASHA Voices: Overcoming Barriers on Families’ Journey From NICU to Home ASHA Practice Portal: Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury CBIRT: Return to School
February 12 · 38 min
What Might Translanguaging Mean for Multilingual Services?
Three SLPs discuss multilingual service delivery in light of “translanguaging,” a concept that’s been gaining attention recently. “Translanguaging” refers to the way a speaker, often multilingual, may incorporate the “entirety of their linguistic repertoire,” possibly pulling from two or more named languages. Guests share what translanguaging sounds like, how it differs from code-switching, and what it may mean for service delivery. Through personal stories, they highlight how their own linguistic backgrounds relate to the subject. Learn More: Multilingual Service Provider Resource Collection Webinar: Translanguaging for Pediatric SLPs: Service Delivery With Multilingual Children LSHSS: Functional Language Proficiency in Bilingual Children: A Conceptual Framework, Culturally Responsive Practice, and Measurement Approach ASHA Practice Portal: Multilingual Service Delivery in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Transcript
January 29 · 26 min
Audiologist Marcia Dewey on Tinnitus Counseling and Chronic Pain Rehabilitation
Audiologist Marcia Dewey started Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Program in 2011. Nearly 15 years later, she joins the ASHA Voices podcast to discuss the program’s origins and how chronic pain rehabilitation techniques have transformed her practice. Learn More: ASHA: Tinnitus ASHA Voices: From Surf Rocker to Research Audiologist, Jim Henry Knows Tinnitus ASHA Voices: What Tinnitus and mTBI Can Mean for Patients
January 15 · 28 min
Overcoming Barriers on Families’ Journey From NICU to Home
When a child leaves the NICU, families and caregivers may face what’s called a “services cliff”—a point where it can be confusing or difficult to find needed services without the structure of a health care center. Hear from Sara Circelli and SLP Tiffany Elliott about their work to reshape that transition where they live and work. They share how they address barriers to services through the hospital-to-home care model in Washington state. Learn More: ASHA Voices: Supporting Families of Children With Disorders of Consciousness ASHA Voices: Preparing Pediatric Audiologists Through LEND Programs ASHA Voices: Exploring Caregiver-Provider Interactions Transcript Support for this episode of ASHA Voices comes Feeding Matters International Pediatric Feeding Disorder Conference.
January 5 · 1 min
Kicking Off a New Year of ASHA Voices
Learn where to find the ASHA Leader's most popular stories from 2025, and revisit past episodes of the ASHA Voices podcast, in this short episode. Plus, we invite you to share what subjects you would like to hear discussed on ASHA Voices in 2026. Transcript ASHA Leader Highlights: Articles and Podcasts SLPs Read, Shared, and Listened the Most to in 2025 Articles and Podcasts Audiologists Read, Shared, and Listened to the Most in 2025 Podcast Proposal Guide 2025 Highlights: ASHA Voices: 'This Too Is a Mask': A Neurodivergent SLP Confronts Autism and Identity ASHA Voices: AI Voices Helping AAC Users-On Stage and In Life ASHA Voices: Two Audiologists Take the Mic on Podcasting and Their Careers ASHA Voices: Preparing the 'Vocal Athlete' for Performance ASHA Voices: Changes and Trends in Dysphagia Treatment ASHA Voices: Supporting Families of Children With Disorders of Consciousness
Dec 18, 2025 · 30 min
Visibility, Validation, and Connection—Using Podcasting to Support People With Aphasia
When people acquire a brain injury, it can lead to difficulty with communication, including the language disorder aphasia. Hear SLPs share how they use podcasting as a tool to work with people with aphasia, helping them create, host, and produce their own ongoing shows. A panel of SLPs—including Tom Sather of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Melissa Richman of the Stroke Comeback Center in Virginia, and Bernadine Gagnon of Teachers College, Columbia University—describe the benefits they’ve seen from this approach. They also discuss the origins of the shows with which they’ve worked. Also hear from two additional guests. SLP Melissa Capo discusses project-based interventions. And Tim Carosi, a podcast host who has aphasia, discusses his show "Aphasia to Aphasia." Learn More: ASHA Voices: Benefits of Conversation in the Lives of People With Aphasia ASHA Practice Portal: Aphasia Using Project-Based Learning to Support a Middle Schooler’s Aphasia Recovery Transcript
Dec 4, 2025 · 29 min
Two Audiologists Take the Mic on Podcasting and Their Careers
Their voices may be familiar to you. Dakota Sharp and Carrie Spangler are both audiologists who host podcasts exploring audiology and hearing through conversation. Dakota Sharp hosts the “On the Ear” podcast, featuring conversations with audiologists and interprofessional guests, like SLPs. On ASHA’s podcast, Sharp describes the origin of the podcast and tells the story of how an episode inspired a parent to create a device for cochlear implant processor retention. On the “empowEAR Audiology” podcast, Carrie Spangler talks with guests, such as audiologists and parents of children with hearing loss, about hearing loss and related topics. She brings a personal perspective, given her own journey with hearing loss and cochlear implantation. Hear Spangler share what she’s learned from podcasting and what’s next for her. Learn More: Early Cochlear Implantation Linked to Improved Outcomes and Cost Savings ASHA Voices: Researchers Discuss Speech in Noisy Environments, Spatial Awareness, and Bilateral Cochlear Implants CI Tech Guidance for SLPs: Troubleshooting Devices Transcript

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