April is an important month for SLPs and the clients that we serve. This month we recognize both National Autism Awareness & National Parkinson’s Awareness.
Autism Awareness Month
As clinicians, many of us know that the prevalence of autism in the U.S. is currently estimated to be 1 in 68 births, it is more common among boys than among girls and it is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups (CDC, 2014). But do you also know that:
- autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) often co-occur with other developmental, psychiatric, neurologic, or medical diagnoses (Levy et al, 2010)
- 35 percent of young adults (ages 19-23) with autism have not had a job or received postgraduate education after leaving high school (Shattuck et al., 2012)
- the cost of lifelong care, currently estimated to be $2.4 million for a person with an intellectual disability, could be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention (Buescher et al., 2014, Government Accounting Office Report on Autism, 2006)
These statistics demonstrate the importance of appropriately diagnosing and managing individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as well as educating/supporting the families of children with ASD. Check out our comprehensive course library on autism spectrum disorders including top-rated courses by leading experts.
Parkinson’s Awareness Month
April has also been designated as Parkinson’s Awareness Month in an effort to increase awareness and support for those affected by the disease. Parkinson’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting approximately 1 million individuals in the U.S. with 50,000-60,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Although Parkinson’s Disease itself is not fatal, the Center for Disease Control suggests that the complications from the disease are the 14th leading cause of death in the U.S. (National Parkinson Foundation, 2015). Therefore, it is imperative that SLPs serving individuals with Parkinson’s Disease understand the motor, cognitive and swallowing issues associated with this disease in order to provide quality patient care. The following courses can provide valuable information to assist you in working with patients who have Parkinson’s Disease:
- Dysphagia in Neurodegenerative Disease: Focus on ALS and Parkinson's Disease (Presenter: Debra Suiter, PhD, CCC-SLP)
- Treatment of Speech Impairments in Parkinson’s Disease (Presenter: Jessica Huber, PhD, CCC-SLP)
- Treatment of Speech in Parkinson’s Disease: Methods & Cases (Presenter: Jessica Huber, PhD, CCC-SLP)
2015 Vanderbilt SLP Journal Club
The Vanderbilt SLP Journal Club, featuring experts from Vanderbilt University’s Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, is back! Our first installment, Treatment of Communication Deficits in PPA, will take place on Monday, April 27th from 3:00 to 4:00 ET. Please join us as Guest Editor and Lecturer, Dr. Michael deRiesthal, discusses primary progressive aphasia (PPA) focusing on the most current diagnostic criteria and the latest findings in SLP treatment research.
Thank you for your continued support. Hope you are thawing out and enjoying warmer temps as spring gets underway!
Sincerely, 
Amy Hansen
