Learning Opportunities
Voices of Experience Series:
A Virtual Panel Discussion with the Experts
The AVASLP Executive Board invites you to join the Voices of Experience series. This series will provide clinicians the opportunity to engage in an open dialogue with a panel of subject matter experts discussing diverse clinical topics. We encourage you to listen in, ask questions, and leave with skills to integrate into your next session.
Look for an invitation from ILEAD regarding future learning opportunities!
The next opportunity in this series will be held on Fall 2026
Voices of Experience: TBD
Program Description: More to come!
Additional opportunity in this series was held on June 10, 2028
Clinical Perspectives: Augmentative Communication Solutions for
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Populations
Program Description: Due to the ever-changing nature of assistive technologies, VA clinicians have expressed a need to fill knowledge gaps with up-to-date training to better implement these treatment’s into Veteran care plans. The purpose of this live knowledge-based webinar is to enhance clinicians’ knowledge and skills in the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies to support Veterans with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The goal is to empower clinicians to give Veterans living with ALS a stronger voice through effective use of AAC. By the end of the course, participants will be able to identify changing communication needs across the progression of ALS and match Veterans with appropriate communication tools and strategies, to support autonomy and quality of life. Resources for clinicians, Veterans and their caregivers will be shared during this webinar.
Additional opportunity in this series was held on April 8, 2028
Voices of Experience: Advancing Treatment of Voice Disorders
Program Description: Due to the ever-changing nature of speech and audiology care, VA clinicians have expressed a need to fill knowledge gaps with up-to-date training to better implement new and advanced techniques into Veteran care and treatment plans. A panel of speech-language pathologists and an laryngologist will provide a 1-hour, knowledge-based live webinar designed for practicing clinicians to advance their knowledge in interdisciplinary evidence-based treatment of voice disorders. The faculty will share examples of patient-centered voice treatment approaches and outcomes for adult populations. This is intended to be a live interactive webinar, and the audience will be invited to comment and ask questions throughout the course.
The first opportunity in this series was held on February 27, 2025
Voices of Experience: Optimizing Engagement and Outcomes
with Veterans and Service Members with mTBI
Program Description: Nearly every VHA/DHA Speech Pathologist will evaluate and treat patients with mTBI. They are a complex population with many comorbidities. Research has shown that how clinicians educate patients regarding their symptoms and their etiology can impact their recovery. It is key to establish a clinician/patient alliance to address direct functional cognitive complaints via compensation. Clinicians have expressed feelings of burn out and difficulty making progress with this population. A panel of subject matter experts will answer questions regarding the complexities of this population, and the clinician will come away with useful tools to utilize when evaluating and treating this population.
