ASHA Learning Pass

This presentation highlights case studies exhibiting the SLP’s role in assessing and treating previously healthy toddlers with disorders of consciousness in the acute rehab setting. These case studies demonstrate the opportunities and challenges of utilizing the pediatric Coma Recovery Scale when assessing these patients, the relationship between emerging oral motor skills and cognition, and treatment approaches for returning to PO intake in this population. Finally, these case studies highlight how interdisciplinary collaboration is one of the keys to success with this patient population.

This session was recorded at the 2023 ASHA Convention in Boston (session 1184).

Related Courses

See more sessions from the 2023 ASHA Convention.

Learning Outcomes
You will be able to:

• Discuss the challenges and opportunities that come with using the Coma Recovery Scale-Pediatric (CRS-P) for toddlers with brain injury and how clinicians can begin to differentially diagnose vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome vs. minimally conscious state in this patient population
• Distinguish the changes in oral motor skills as they correlate with a patient's changing cognition, and treatment approaches for feeding/swallowing therapy and returning to PO intake
• Explain the role of the interdisciplinary team in optimizing a patient’s positioning and state regulation for participation in cognitive linguistic and feeding/swallowing therapy

Keywords: Pediatric, Brain Injury, Oral Motor, Disorders of Consciousness

Presenter Information

Lynette Holmes, MS, CCC-SLP, works at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital-Boston as a Clinical Specialist on the Pediatric and Adolescent Unit. She has 30+ years of experience working with medically complex pediatric patients, with a special interest in the neurological and respiratory compromised patient with cognitive communication issues and feeding/swallowing disorders. She teaches at MGH Institute of Health Professions, lectures at other area colleges, is a Clinical Supervisor, and presents at conferences nationally and internationally.

Disclosures:

• Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Employee

Kate Barrett, CCC-SLP (non-presenting author), is a speech-language pathologist at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, primarily working on the inpatient pediatric rehab unit. Prior to this role, she worked for 4 years with adults in the acute care and inpatient rehab setting.

Disclosures:

• Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital employee

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 the end date below.

Program History and CE Information

Content origination date: November 2023
End date: March 31, 2030

This course is offered for 0.1 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level, Professional area).