Assessment-and-Management-of-Patients-with-Neurogenerative-DiseasesEvent
September 9, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
2025-09-09T04:00:00
2025-09-09T05:00:00
CHS 2206
$25.00
Contact: Laura Promer
Email: lpromer@samford.edu
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This course provides an exploration of the complex interplay among swallowing, speech and cognitive impairments in individuals with movement disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Learners will identify the overlapping impacts these neurodegenerative conditions have on patients’ quality of life and daily functioning.
Emphasis will be placed on unique management strategies for swallowing, speech and cognitive challenges across these conditions. The course will cover both compensatory and rehabilitative approaches, highlighting the importance of early, proactive intervention to maintain function and improve outcomes. Patient-centered interventions that empower involvement in care decisions will be emphasized. The critical role of the multidisciplinary team in managing neurodegenerative diseases will also be addressed.
Sarah Szynkiewicz joined Samford University in 2020 as an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, as well as a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
Szynkiewicz is a certified speech-language pathologist through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and a full member of the Dysphagia Research Society. Her primary areas of interest include dysphagia, or swallowing impairments, in both pediatric and adult populations.
Her current projects focus on approaches to enhance dysphagia rehabilitative exercises, including the use of motor imagery. Szynkiewicz is a trained diagnostician in FEES (fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing) and VFSS (videofluoroscopic swallowing study).
Emphasis will be placed on unique management strategies for swallowing, speech and cognitive challenges across these conditions. The course will cover both compensatory and rehabilitative approaches, highlighting the importance of early, proactive intervention to maintain function and improve outcomes. Patient-centered interventions that empower involvement in care decisions will be emphasized. The critical role of the multidisciplinary team in managing neurodegenerative diseases will also be addressed.
Course Description
- Identify how swallowing, speech and cognition are affected in patients with movement disorders such as ALS, Huntington’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
- Recognize approaches to managing swallowing, speech and cognition in patients with ALS, Huntington’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, including key similarities and differences.
- Describe the role and importance of a multidisciplinary team in the management of patients with neurodegenerative diseases.
Presenter
Sarah Szynkiewicz joined Samford University in 2020 as an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, as well as a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology.Szynkiewicz is a certified speech-language pathologist through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and a full member of the Dysphagia Research Society. Her primary areas of interest include dysphagia, or swallowing impairments, in both pediatric and adult populations.
Her current projects focus on approaches to enhance dysphagia rehabilitative exercises, including the use of motor imagery. Szynkiewicz is a trained diagnostician in FEES (fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing) and VFSS (videofluoroscopic swallowing study).
