Hi Reader,
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My new post is inspired by a TEDMED talk about how improv strategies can reduce frustration and improve connection with people who have Alzheimer's dementia. (Free download is a patient handout.)

Since then, I've heard from an SLP who performs and teaches improv, who said the strategies help her in her clinical practice.

Another SLP said their student tried improv with young adults with autism, and it seemed to work well.

I should look for local improv classes!

As you read this, I will be visiting my family in western Pennsylvania. My sister is a better gardener than I am, so I'm looking forward to picking up some good tips!
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​🎬 Under "Diverse Voices," you'll find Physics Girl--some fun videos before she got sick and some sobering and hopeful videos from the past few harrowing years.
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​💡 Under "Interesting, Useful, or Fun," you'll find:

- Aphasia stories from the people who experience it.
- Using humor in cognitive impairment.
- Free CE course from ASHA.

Feel free to reply to this email with any suggestions or comments!
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MedBridge Education Discount for SLP, OT, PT, nurses, and athletic trainers.

Save over $100 on a year-long subscription for unlimited access to hundreds of CEUs. Shopping for a group discount? Save 10% off of the first year.
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Read why I recommend Medbridge, and what you get with your subscription or sign up using the code EatSpeakThink.
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​STUDENT SUBSCRIPTION SAVINGS! Only $100 (save $50)
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You may be interested in these courses:

• ​Aging in Place: The Importance of Saliva - Angela Mansolillo
• ​The Speech-Language Pathologist's Role at End of Life: A Clinician Primer - Annette “Nicole” Askren
• ​Return to Work and TBI: How Can SLPs Help? - Sarah Baar & Peter Meulenbroek

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​These are affiliate links. As an affiliate of MedBridge Education, I may earn a small commission on qualifying new subscriptions. There is no extra charge to you, and it will help make Eat, Speak, & Think sustainable.

New EST post

​Improv offers helpful guidelines for Alzheimer's dementia - Have you ever tried to steer a confused person back to reality and failed? Learn how improv strategies can reduce frustration and improve connection with people who have Alzheimer’s dementia.

New PDF Download

You can access all free Eat, Speak, & Think PDF downloads in the password-protected Free Subscription Library.

☕Treat EST to a coffee and you'll get the Mini Resource Binder (67 pages). Become a member at the "Supporter" level and you'll receive the full Resource Binder (308 pages), plus updated editions. Thank you if you choose to support me in this way!

• ​Alzheimer's: Use improv strategies to communicate - This 2-page handout explains why improv strategies can be helpful when communicating with an adult who is confused and lists the strategies, along with further resources.

🎬 Diverse Voices

I'm intentionally seeking out new voices that differ from me in some way. Reply to this email with your suggestions for future newsletters! ​
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Guys, do you know the story of Dianna Cowern, aka Physics Girl?

I am learning her story, but let me give you some highlights.

A few years ago, Dianna was a lively, vibrant young physicist with more than 3 million followers on YouTube, publishing super-cool videos on science, like this one on mud volcanoes, diving in a nuclear submarine in the Arctic Ocean, and how rocks move across the desert on their own.

In 2022, she married Kyle, but by February 2023, her new husband was her primary caregiver, as Dianna was extremely debilitated with ME/CFS, triggered by long COVID.

She's been bed-bound and severely limited in function for two years. In July 2024, Kyle hosted a 24-hour live stream to show what a day is like, for a fundraiser. In Nov 2024, Dianna shared her first video since becoming ill, still bed-bound but able to engage with people to some extent. Here you can watch while Dianna stands on her own for the first time in 2 years (Jan 2025). Her story is sobering, and she has a long recovery ahead of her, but it's encouraging to see the progress she's made over the past 6 months!

💡 Interesting, Useful, or Fun

Want more of this? Check out the Eat, Speak, & Think Blog Facebook page.​
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(1) I find personal stories very powerful in helping me to be a better clinician. Check out Boston U's new series on living with aphasia.
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(2) Videos can be a powerful teaching tool. Here's a very short video showing how to use humor and deflection to ease past a difficult moment with someone who has a cognitive impairment.
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(3) If you're an ASHA member, remember to register for this month's free CE course! You'll have until May 1, 2030 to actually complete the course.

Thanks for reading!
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Consider supporting EST by telling a friend or directly with a small tip through Buy Me a Coffee.

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Stay safe and be well,

Lisa
(she/her/hers)