Speech Scope Ep 22: Making Sense of Executive Functions: What's Missing From Our Explanations?

Описание: Lauren Schwabish, M.S., CCC-SLP, a person-centered neuro SLP and private practice owner, joins host Sarah Baar at the 2025 ASHA Convention to unpack one of the trickiest topics in cognitive rehab—executive functions. With real questions and reflections from fellow SLPs, Sarah and Lauren dig into what executive functions really are and how we can talk about them in ways our clients understand. Together, we explore how analogies, self-awareness, and health literacy can transform therapy into a more empowering and effective experience. If you’ve ever struggled to explain or treat executive dysfunction, this episode is for you.

Learning Objectives
• Analyze the current evidence base for interventions targeting anosognosia and delineate the speech-language pathologist’s role in intervention planning.
• Apply evidence-based treatment approaches for anosognosia to match a patient’s level of awareness (intellectual, emergent, anticipatory).
• Solve real-world case examples to select and adapt appropriate anosognosia treatment techniques, monitor progress, and adjust intervention plans collaboratively.

Timestamps
(00:00) – Introduction to Anosognosia Treatment
(01:07) – Allison Mezo’s Background and Clinical Perspective
(03:10) – Why Treating Awareness Matters in Rehab
(07:19) – Evidence-Based Foundations of Treatment
(08:49) – Core Principles: Motivational Interviewing, Feedback, and More
(14:19) – Aligning Treatment with Awareness Levels
(15:17) – Treating Clients with No Awareness
(19:39) – Clinical Example: “Mary” and Environmental Supports
(23:11) – Therapy at the Intellectual Awareness Level
(28:09) – “Mary’s” Progress: Intellectual Awareness in Action
(34:20) – Therapy at the Emergent Awareness Level
(38:13) – Experiential Learning and the Predict-Perform-Reflect Cycle
(43:14) – Anticipatory Awareness: Planning Ahead in Therapy
(44:51) – “Mary” at the Anticipatory Stage
(46:03) – Three Actionable Takeaways for Clinicians
(51:29) – Final Words of Wisdom on Building Alliance

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