ASHA Learning Pass

This session explores the strong and complex relationship between pediatric mental and behavioral health and skills in cognition, language, and social communication. The session reviews a speech-language pathology program and service delivery model for youth receiving acute psychiatric care at one of the nation’s top pediatric hospitals, emphasizing the distinct role of SLPs in providing care to youth with mental and behavioral illnesses. The speakers discuss trends, program development considerations, models of care, and evidence-based practices and share concrete strategies that can be utilized to promote best outcomes across different levels of service and treatment settings.

This course is a recorded technical session from the 2021 ASHA Convention Virtual Library (session 4031V).

Content Disclosure: The core focus of this presentation is the speech-language pathology program and service delivery model within pediatric mental and behavioral health at Nationwide Children's Hospital. However, the clinical strategies, treatment models, and approaches that are discussed can be generalized and applied across settings.

Learning Outcomes
You will be able to:

• Describe the reciprocal relationship between (a) cognition, language, and social communication and (b) mental and behavioral health in children and adolescents
• Explain the distinct role and value of SLPs in working with children and adolescents with mental and behavioral health disorders 
• Identify evidence-based interventions to implement with children and adolescents with mental and behavioral health concerns across a variety of treatment settings

Presenter Information

Megan McKim (Presenting Author) is the Behavioral Health Clinical Manager for speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and therapeutic recreation at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Megan has previously worked as a pediatric occupational therapist in numerous settings, including inpatient and outpatient mental health, acute care, and inpatient rehabilitation. Megan has a bachelor’s degree in health sciences and a master’s degree in occupational therapy with a pediatric specialization from The Ohio State University.

Financial Disclosures:

• Employee at Nationwide Children's Hospital

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Alyssa Dosen (Presenting Author) is a speech-language pathologist employed at Nationwide Children's Hospital in the Behavioral Health Pavilion, working with pediatrics in an inpatient setting with populations focusing on behavioral and mental health.

Financial Disclosures:

• Employee at Nationwide Children's Hospital

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Assessment Type

Self-assessment—Think about what you learned and report on the Completion Form how you will use your new knowledge.

To earn continuing education credit, you must complete the learning assessment by December 9, 2027.

Program History and CE Information

Content origination date: November 2021
End date: December 9, 2027

This course is offered for 0.05 ASHA CEUs (Introductory level, Professional area).