Treat Fundamental Timing Skills in Patients with Aphasia & Apraxia - Self-Study    

APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINES:

  • Speech and Language Pathologist
  • Speech and Language Pathology Asst
    

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Course Description
Several peer reviewed studies have shown that individuals with aphasia have difficulty processing the microstructure of speech (auditory temporal processing), which contributes to impairments in receptive & expressive language. Humans process time over 12 orders of magnitude, ranging from microseconds to hours. Timing is most prominent in the auditory domain and the most sophisticated level of timing & neural network synchronization occurs at the microsecond level for processing the rapidly changing and variable acoustics of speech. According to Tierney & Kraus (2013), the ability to tap consistently to a beat can be directly correlated to the consistency of the auditory brainstem response to sound. Those that have trouble synchronizing motor movements with an auditory beat & display less rhythm tend to exhibit greater distortions in the perception of speech, and have more neural jitter. Individuals who are able to move more rhythmically & synchronously to an auditory beat, process speech sounds more accurately & have less neural jitter. The transformation of temporal auditory periodicity into rhythmic motor output likely takes place via the connection of the Inferior Colliculus [master time-keeper of the brain] to the cerebellum. Imaging studies have delineated the role of the cerebellum in sensorimotor synchronization. This course will focus on the scientific and clinical rationale for including feedback-driven timing & rhythm training [via Interactive Metronome®] in the treatment of individuals with aphasia and apraxia following stroke or traumatic brain injury. Treatment hierarchy and facilitative strategies will be discussed.
*Note: Contact hours are offered pending successful completion of a written exam at the end of the course.
 
Instructor(s) - One of the following:
 

Dara Weger, MS, CCC-SLP received her undergraduate and masters degree from the University of Central Arkansas and holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Dara is the National Program Champion for Interactive Metronome within the HealthSouth Corporation. She also serves as Interactive Metronome’s Clinical Support contact person for Life Care Centers of America. With expertise and experience in the field of neurological disorders, Dara was able to accept this new treatment tool and has been able to successfully integrate it into her practice by modifying it to individually meet her patient's needs.
 
Course Objectives:

Target Audience:
This webinar welcomes the following professionals who have completed the Interactive Metronome Certification Course.

  • Speech and Language Pathologist
  • Speech and Language Pathology Asst

Instructional Level:
Intermediate

 
Disclosure

The Interactive Metronome, Inc. has developed and patented a licensed technology trademarked as the Interactive Metronome®. (U.S. Patents #4,919,030; #5,529,498; #5,743,744; #6,719,690; other U.S. and foreign patents pending) Interactive Metronome, Inc. is the sole source of the following products: Interactive Metronome® , Gait Mate® and IM Home®. Because there are no other like-kind products available, course offerings will only cover information that pertains to the effective and safe use of the above-named products.

CEU's
Course Meets Requirements for:
    This course covers information that pertains to licensed therapists and therapy assistants. SLPA professionals must practice IM under the supervision of a licensed SLP.