June is Brain Injury Awareness month, an appropriate time to hammer home the importance of brain injury prevention. From our work with accident survivors, we know the devastation that an acquired brain injury can leave in its wake. A community's first and most important challenge is to prevent these injuries from happening in the first place. Brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability in this country affecting 50,000 people and resulting in 11,000 deaths every year. Over half of all accidents will result from car crashes. 5000 children will sustain serious brain injuries with 60 fatalities each year as a result of bicycle accidents. Couple these dire statistics with the fact that most traumatic brain injuries are predictable and avoidable and you can see why prevention is so critical. Please remember to buckle up, drive sober and wear a helmet.

What's New:

National Award Winner!

The Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists presented this writer with the Eve Kassirer Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement at the Tri-Joint Congress in Toronto on May 31. This prestigious award recognizes achievements in the areas of public education, teaching, business and volunteerism.

Position Paper on Early Intervention for Children with Autism:

This clinician helped to prepare the Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologist's (OSLA's) position paper on "Early Intervention Programs for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders". We maintain that any effective program must provide for consistent, timely and coordinated access to speech-language pathology intervention. For a copy of this paper, please contact OSLA at mail@osla.on.ca

Ask the Experts Show:

Cindy Finlan, our new Educational Consultant, was interviewed by Brian Nutall on the Ask the Experts Show on Radio 98 on June 5. She was part of a panel that discussed changes in education, and their impact on children with communication and other learning challenges. Cindy was joined by Carl Sinclair (Learning Disabilities Association) Sharon Heath (Association of Parents of Children with Communication Disorders), and Paul Cook (Special Education Coordinator with public school board). Thanks to Brian Nutall for an interesting and timely discussion. Parents and professionals are invited to meet Cindy at our London Speech office on Adelaide Street on Saturday June 24 from 10:30- 11:30 am. Cindy will overview current educational issues and their impact on children with special needs. She will also discuss how her services can be of assistance to parents who are struggling to help their children. Please pre-register for this free session, or your own individual consultation by calling the office.

Presentations:

Speech-language pathology assessment and treatment services were the focus of a recent presentation at the London Ear Clinic. It was a pleasure to meet Dr. Joe and Evelyn McClure again and their ever expanding staff! Improved collaboration can only translate into better intervention and quality of life for the clients that we serve.

"Talk about Fun" Speech Camp:

Give us a call to receive a copy of our new "Talk It Up" camp brochure. Feel free to request copies for friends and family. Your referrals are always appreciated. "Talk It Up" Saturday Program: Registrations are being accepted for the eight week session starting July 8/00. Our camp and Saturday programs are moving to Weldon Park Academy (Ridout and Queen) this summer. We are looking forward to being so close to the new Covent Garden Market and the many other interesting sites downtown.

Our First Corporate Sponsor:

The Ford Motor Company, St. Thomas Assembly Plant, has donated funds, matched by the Barbershopper Singers of Ontario, allowing us to provide camp programs to two communicatively impaired children from the Children's Aid Society. The Ford Assembly Plant is congratulated for being our first corporate sponsors and they will be acknowledged in our new company brochure! A huge thanks to the Barbershopper Singers of Ontario for their offer to match corporate donations and issue charitable receipts. We welcome all additional corporate sponsors. Please contact our office.

Thanks to our Volunteers!

Sarah McEwen, a co-op student from Laurier Secondary School, has just completed an office placement with us. Glad to hear we sparked her interest in speech-language pathology! You have the drive to do whatever you set your mind to, Sarah! Thanks for all your help! Our gratitude, also, to our dedicated Talk It Up volunteers who give of their time each and every Saturday: Laura Barons, Annette Rzepezyk, June Acres, Sarah Reeves, Leslie Laing, Megan Wood and Lee Hanna. We appreciate your committment and caring, which help make our programs so effective!

Kid's Corner:

Speech & Language Skills Research on children with hearing loss suggests that there are critical time periods for language acquisition. One study compared the language, speech and social development of 50 deaf and hard of hearing children, half who were identified early (less than 6 months of age) and the other who were identified later. The early identified group had language development comparable to their cognitive development and "significantly better" personal- social development than the later identified group. Children identified early in all age groups, at all socio- economic levels and regardless of gender or hearing loss, demonstrated language functioning within the normal range.

Source: The ASHA Leader, March 14, 2000

Ask the Expert:

Answers to Your Questions

Question: What is an evidence based practice and why is it important?

Answer: Assessment and treatment decisions in the field of speech-language pathology must be based upon evidence of effectiveness. An evidence based practice is one in which clinicians use procedures that have demonstrated effectiveness for particular disorders and patient populations as published in peer reviewed journals. Evidence based practice takes into account current understanding about the pathophysiology of disorders, clinical expertise and client preferences for treatment. Without a committment to evidence based practice, we risk wasting our client's time and money, and we increase health care risks. Clinicians have the responsibility to keep abreast of current research to ensure that they are providing the very best in available treatment.

Lost for Words:

Learning DisabilitiesSpoken language provides the foundation for the development of reading and writing skills. The speech-language pathologist's background in language development and its subsystems (i.e. phonology, morphology, syntax, semantic and pragmatics) is highly relevant in the prevention, identification, assessment and intervention of literacy problems. This unique professional role is highlighted in the draft form of the position paper entitled "Roles and Responsibilities of SLPs related to Reading and Writing in children and Adolescents". To obtain a copy of this paper, contact Roseann Clausen at the American Speech and Hearing Association: rclausen@asha.org.

The Hidden Hurt:

Acquired Brain Injury Researchers from the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine evaluated the sensitivity of traditional neuropsychological measures in identifying social problem-solving deficits following acquired brain injury. These deficits are common and can lead to impairments in self-determined behaviours and functional disability. Social (i.e. pragmatic) and reasoning skills are often primary areas of focus in the cognitive rehabilitation provided by speech-language pathologists. Research results indicated that real life problem solving deficits were not detectable on conventional neuropsychological tests.

Researchers advised these tests were not sufficient and that examiners must supplement with data from other sources, e.g. self-report data. Source: Ruth et.al.,The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, Feb, 2000 This writer strongly advises that every individual with suspected acquired brain injury receive a thorough evaluation by a speech-language pathologist as well as a neuropsychologist to determine changes in function after an accident.

Thought for the Day: "Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results" (Successories)