Expert Details
Speech Language Pathology and Life Care Planning
ID: 732530
Canada
• 25+ years of providing independent medical legal assessments, independent examinations (IEs), expert reports and/ testimony for the courts, as a Speech-Language Pathologist and Life Care Planner;
• Since 1980 I have been providing Speech- Language Pathology and Rehabilitation services related to cognitive communication, literacy, memory and executive function impairments as a consequence of traumatic brain injury;
• Since 1992, consulting work to government, regulatory bodies, and associations;
• My experience in rehabilitation began in 1980 while interning as a graduate student in Speech Pathology at Harmarville Rehabilitation Centre (now known as South Health), Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA;
• I contributed to the Standards of Practice for Life Care Planners, 3rd edition, 2014 for International Academy of Life Care Planners, the Life Care Planning Section of the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals and a member of Standards of Practice Advisory Group 2013 – 2014;
• As an Expert Panel Member, I contributed to Preferred Practice Guideline for Cognitive-Communication Disorders, CASLPO, 2001/2002; 2014
• I provide Comprehensive Rehabilitation Case Management and Life Care Planning services to children and adults;
• Board Editor for the Journal of Life Care Planning and Rehab Pro;
• International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP)- Rehabilitation Disability Case Management, Board member;
• I have 20+ years as a clinical instructor to Graduate students in Speech Pathology enrolled at universities in Canada and the USA, and a mentor to speech-language pathologists in accordance with the College’s (College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario) requirements for mentor-ship of initial practice registrants; and
• I am competent in English, French, Italian and Spanish.
• Expert panel membership and contributions to Preferred Practice Guideline for Cognitive-Communication Disorders, CASLPO, 2001/2002;
• Providing Comprehensive Rehabilitation Case Management and Life Care Planning services;
• Clinical instruction to graduate students in Speech Pathology in Canada and the U.S., as well as mentorship to speech-language pathologists in accordance with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario's requirements for mentorship of initial practice registrants.
Expert is competent in English, French, Italian and Spanish.
Expert is highly familiar with the following: spinal cord injury, and bodily injuries to a single or multiple organs, involving the brain, kidneys, face, teeth, tongue, cochlear system, neck/arm/shoulder, vocal cords, and eyes, as well as various mental health issues.
She is a member of The College of Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists in Ontario (CASLPO), Speech and Audiology of Canada (SAC), American Association of Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada (VRA), the Canadian Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (CARP) and the Commission on Health Care Certification (CHCC).
Expert is highly well versed in spectrum disorders, attention deficits (both with and without hyperactivity), bilingual issues, and dual diagnosis (autism).
Some of the conditions that are most commonly seen in my practice include spinal cord injury, and bodily injuries to a single or multiple organs involving the head/ brain, kidneys, face, teeth, tongue, cochlear system, neck/arm/shoulder, vocal cords, and eyes, as well as various mental health issues.
I am a member of The College of Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologist in Ontario (CASLPO), Speech and Audiology of Canada (SAC), American Association of Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada (VRA), the Canadian Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (CARP) and the Commission on Health Care Certification (CHCC).
Expert has consulted as a speech-language pathologist and certified life care planner in a variety of cases. Extensive experience with Independent Examinations, Forensics, Expert reports and Expert Witness work for both children and adults who have had an injury to one or more organs as a result of injuries at birth or subsequent to an accident (car, bicycle, pedestrian).
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 1988 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Owner | Department: Speech Pathology & Family Rehabilitation |
Responsibilities:Own & operate a private rehabilitation clinic which provides services to primarily children and youths, as well as adults: Speech, Language & Cognitive-Communication Assessments in various languages, Referrals to other healthcare services, Medico-Legal Assessments and Expert Reports, Rehabilitation Case Management, Cognitive-Communication Therapy, Academic Support, Independent Examinations, Therapy Plans, Life-Care Plans, and File Reviews & Court Testimony. Some of the work we do includes assessments and treatment for adults and children who have been diagnosed with Autism, Asperger’s, Learning Difficulties, ADHD, Aphasia, Apraxia, Voice problems, Behavioural challenges, Schizophrenia, Mental Issues and other problems which affect communication. We also provide assistance and training to parents to learn stimulation techniques to facilitate their baby’s speech and language from birth. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1991 to 1995 | Employer: (Undisclosed) | Title: Clinical Supervisor | Department: |
Responsibilities:Clinical Supervisor for Communicative Disorders Assistants on Placement |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1987 to 1989 | Employer: Scarborough Board of Education | Title: Consultant Speech-Language Pathologist | Department: |
Responsibilities:Assessments, IPRC, Classroom Programming, Consultant for 23 schools/yearSpecial Assessment Team for Immigrant Children |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1985 to 1987 | Employer: Toronto Rehabilitation Centre | Title: Speech-Language Pathologist | Department: |
Responsibilities:Outpatient adults, Neurology, Neurosurgery, ABI, Voice, Fluency |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1985 to 1988 | Employer: Humber College | Title: Part-time instructor, Gerontology | Department: |
Responsibilities:Part-time instructor, Gerontology |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1984 to 1988 | Employer: Mohawk College | Title: Part-time instructor, Continued Education | Department: |
Responsibilities:Part-time instructor, Continued Education |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1982 to 1985 | Employer: Henderson General Hospital | Title: Speech-Language Pathologist | Department: |
Responsibilities:Inpatient and outpatient adults, Neurology, Neurosurgery, ABI |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1981 to 1981 | Employer: Harmarville Rehabilitation Center | Title: Speech-Language Pathologist, Intern | Department: |
Responsibilities:Outpatient Adults, Neurosurgery, ABI, Neurology, Computer Rehab Technology |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1980 to 1980 | Employer: Hamot Hospital | Title: Speech-Language Pathology, Intern | Department: |
Responsibilities:Speech-Language Pathology, Intern |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1994 to 1999 | Employer: Ontario Speech-Language & Hearing Association | Title: Chair | Department: |
Responsibilities:• Chair of OSLA Task Force on Automobile Insurance. Presentations to standing committee on Bill 59, fee negotiations and presentations• Ongoing consultations with peers re: Bill 59 and Bill 198 • Chair of OSLA Government Affairs - subcommittee on Automobile Insurance, presentations and position papers on Speech-Language Pathologists’ scope of practice in Acquired Brain Injuries, along with preparation of Assessment protocol in Speech-Language & Cognitive Communication, fee schedule for Speech-language Pathologists, Differentiated rehab services; children vs adults • Numerous presentations to Insurance and other members of Insurance Industry • Worked on definitions and service needs for children, youths and adults. Definitions and explanations for children’s needs were adopted by the insurance industry and many health care professionals. • Presentations and preparation of available speech-language pathologists’ evidence-based research (before internet became available). |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1994 to 1997 | Employer: Coalition on Automobile Insurance | Title: Member | Department: |
Responsibilities:• Member representing Speech-Language Pathologists & Audiologists• Worked collaboratively with other professional disciplines on Bill 59 |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1996 to 1997 | Employer: RCO | Title: Delegate for OSLA | Department: |
Responsibilities:Delegate for OSLA |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1997 to 1998 | Employer: Catastrophic-Designated Assessment Centres | Title: Member | Department: |
Responsibilities:Member of Protocol Committee & draft preparation• Provincial chair, pediatrics • Worked collaboratively with Ontario Insurance Commission & Health Professionals on revising SABS-Bill 59 • Completed manual for CAT-DAC Pediatrics • Revised Bill 59 & submitted definition for pediatrics. • Served on several Catastrophic Designated Assessment Centres (CAT–DACs) till 2006 |
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Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| The College of Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists in Ontario (CASLPO) Speech and Audiology of Canada (SAC) American Association of Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada (VRA) Canadian Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (CARP) Commission on Health Care Certification (CHCC) Academy of Neurological Communication Disorders and Sciences (ANCDS) International Academy of Life Care Planners International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP) Canadian Institute of Life Care Planners (CILCP) Ontario Brain Injury Association (OBIA) Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada (VRA) Private Practice Professional Group – OSLA Auto Insurance Group- OSLA International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) Canadian Society of Medical Evaluators Neurophysiological and Neurogenics Speech & Language Disorders- egroup, ASHA Voice and Voice Disorders- egroup, ASHA Telepractise- egroup, ASHA Language- egroup ASHA Medico-Legal Society of Ontario International Dyslexia Association Brain Injury Association of Toronto: Advocacy Group Member Ontario Speech-Language & Hearing Association (OSLA) Coalition on Automobile Insurance Brain Injury Association of Toronto Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Children’s Aid Society, Toronto |
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) Commission on Health Care Certification (CHCC) Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) |
| Professional Appointments |
|---|
| MEMBERSHIPS (partial list) American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) The Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA), now SAC The Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (OSLA) Academy of Neurological Communication Disorders and Sciences (ANCDS) International Academy of Life Care Planners International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP) Canadian Institute of Life Care Planners (CILCP) Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada (VRA) Private Practice Professional Group – OSLA Auto Insurance group- OSLA International Dyslexia Association |
| Medical / Professional |
|---|
| Attended numerous lectures, workshops and short courses in the areas of Speech & Language, Reading, Writing, Acquired Brain Injuries Pediatrics and Adults, Concussion, Mild Head injuries, Expert Reports, Pain, Neurogenics, APPs, Concussions, Voice, Pain, Assistive Devices, Mental Health Issues, Computer Applications, Cognitive-Communication, Fraud, Practice-Based Evidence, Telepractice, Quality Assurance, Accreditation, Professional Standards, Expert Witness/ Court Testimony, Life Care Planning, Ethics, FSCO Guidelines, Forensics, Oro-Facial & Myofunctional Assessments, Rehabilitation Case Management, Legislation Updates on Auto Insurance, Independent Examinations, Independent Consultations, SABs, AMA Guidelines, HCAI, LAT, Communications Disabilities Access Canada (CDAC), and CASLPO. Courses and Participation 2007- present • Trends in Gerontology, Toronto, ON • Forensics, Expert witness training, defendant & plaintiff |
| Publications and Patents Summary |
|---|
| • Expert has made various contributions to OSLA regarding guidelines for conducting Independent Examinations and areas of practice for speech-language pathologists. • She co-authored a nationally used CASLPA publication on swallowing (2011, Montreal). • She presented a poster on Comprehensive Cognitive-Communication at the 25th World Congress of the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (CASLPA, 2001). • Expert presented on Cognitive-Communication & Language Guidelines for case managers and adjusters at the University of Western Ontario (1999). • Expert gave a written presentation to the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council (HPRAC) (2005). • She spoke at the Canadian Society of Medical Evaluators (2009). • Expert contributed a written publication to the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (2010). • She gave a presentation on dysphagia for Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (2010) (in progress). • She conducted a Games Workshop on Stimulating Language published via her company (1994). • Expert's company published a communication Checklist/Screening Tool (1989). • Her company has published Language/Cognition: A Diagnostic Interview Tool (1992). • Expert gave a presentation to Standing Committee on Auto Insurance (1994 and 1998). • Between 1993 and 2010, she has published several articles on Brain Injury and Speech-Language Pathology. |
Language Skills
| Language | Proficiency |
|---|---|
| French | Competent |
| Spanish | Competent |
| Italian | Competent |
| English | Competent |
Fields of Expertise
brain injury, brain concussion, Down syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, dementia, schizophrenia, communication skill, communications technology, communication, head injury, speech intelligibility, speech articulation, cognition, cognitive science, speech, speech pathology, language, forensics, speech pathology forensics, life care planning, acquired brain injury, pediatric acquired brain injury, life care plan forensics, pediatric brain injury, perinatal brain injury, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, attentional deficits, spectrum disorders, bilingual issues, dual diagnosis (autism), early language and speech development, parent training, childhood schizophrenia, stuttering, learning, children, autism, adult, young adult, adolescent development, developmental disability, pediatric trauma, complex claim, Asperger syndrome, spinal cord injury, child development, cognitive disorder, depression (mood), learning disability, cerebrovascular accident