Speech Symposium
Empowering Communication: With a Focus on Moderate-Severe Aphasia Treatment and Primary Progressive Aphasia
Course Description
This session introduces ECoLoGiC-Tx, a conversation-based intervention for moderate to severe aphasia. The underlying research will be presented, including a two component protocol using video demonstrations and sharing compelling client outcomes, including WHO-ICF improvements. Practical resources like goal-writing examples and sessions guides will be provided, allowing attendees to implement ECoLoGIC-Tx immediately.
This session will provide a comprehensive overview of Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA). We’ll cover assessment methods, clinical characterization, and the current evidence base for treatment. Specific topics will include restitutive therapies across PPA variants, tailored compensatory strategies, communication partner training, and psychosocial support, all aimed at empowering speech-language pathologists to maximize communication and quality of life for those with PPA.
Course Learning Objectives
- Summarizes the theoretical foundations of ECoLoGiC Treatment
- Describe the components and steps of ECoLoGiC Treatment and expected outcomes for people who have completed ECoLoGiC Treatment
- Identify the clinical presentation and neuroanatomical profile of each of the three variants of primary progressive aphasia (PPA)
- Describe assessment and evidence-based treatment approaches for individuals with PPA
Registration Information
| Attendee Type | price |
|---|---|
| Early Registration (On or Before 1/17/26) | $175.00 |
| Late Registration (After 1/17/26) | $200.00 |
| Student | $90.00 |
Refund and cancellation policy: Barrow reserves the right to cancel or change any program for due causes. Cancellation of this program by Barrow or by the participant prior to the start of the conference will result in a full refund of tuition.
CME Information and Disclosures
To Receive ASHA Credit
- Satisfactory completion of this course includes full participation/attendance as well as completion of the post course evaluation. The post course evaluation with provision of your ASHA number must be completed in order to receive your CEU’s. Following the closing of the course you will receive the evaluation via the email you used to register.
In-Person and Virtual
Saturday, January 31, 2026
7:00 AM – 4:30 PM MST
Date, Time, and Location
In Person and Virtual
Saturday, January 31, 2026
7:00 AM – 4:30 PM MST
Goldman Auditorium
Barrow Neurological Institute
2910 North 3rd Ave
Phoenix, Arizona 85013
Target Audience
This program is designed for speech-language pathologists.
Agenda
All times refer to Arizona time (Pacific Daylight Time).
| Agenda | Topic |
|---|---|
| Saturday, January 31, 2026 – Registration for In-person Attendees | 7:00 AM |
| General Conference Information and Introductions | 7:55 AM |
| Why Conversation and Conversation Basics | 8:00 AM |
| Clinical Tools/Goal Writing | 8:30 AM |
| Therapy Component 1, Therapeutic Conversation | 9:30 AM |
| Break | 10:15 AM |
| Therapy Component 2, Therapeutic Repair | 10:30 AM |
| Experiences of SLPs Who Have Delivered ECoLoGiC-Tx | 11:15 AM |
| Lunch Break (lunch provided to in-person attendees) | 12:00 PM |
| Introduction to PPA and Its Subtypes | 1:00 PM |
| Assessment Tools and Approaches | 1:45 PM |
| Break | 2:30 PM |
| Treatment Approaches: Restitutive, Compensatory, & Partner-Focused | 2:45 PM |
| Questions and Discussion | 4:15 PM |
| Adjourn | 4:30 PM |
Guest Faculty
Marion Leaman, PhD, CCC-SLP
Marion Leaman, PhD CCC-SLP, has been a speech-language pathologist for 32 years. She worked clinically for 22 years before beginning her PhD with Lisa Edmonds in 2015. She entered the field with a passion for aphasia, and worked in all levels of adult medical speech-language pathology, from private practice to acute care, home care, skilled nursing, outpatient and inpatient rehab. Her research and clinical focus is on conversation in aphasia, and development and dissemination of ECoLoGiC Treatment which uses spontaneous conversation and typical everyday interactions as the therapeutic context for therapy. Marion has been an Assistant Professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center since 2020, where she is the Director of the ALL-CAN-Converse Lab, which stands for the Aphasia Language, Learning, Communication and Conversation Lab.
Maya Henry PhD, CCC-SLP
Maya Henry, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and Neurology at the University of Texas, Austin. She is the director of the Aphasia Research and Treatment Lab and the Associate Dean for Research in the Moody College of Communication. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, her research focuses on the clinical and neurobiological characterization of primary progressive aphasia and the utility of speech-language treatment approaches for this patient population.
Disclosure Information
It is the policy of St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center (SJHMC) to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all its sponsored educational programs. Selection of presenters and content development may not be influenced by nonfinancial or financial interests. To that end, SJHMC shall identify and resolve conflicts of interest by requiring everyone who is in a position to control the content of the educational activity to disclose all relevant nonfinancial and financial relationships with commercial supporters.
Marion Leaman, PhD, CCC-SLP
- Financial Disclosure: Salaried by the University of Kansas Medical center. Received compensation for this presentation by Barrow Neurological Institute.
- Non-Financial Disclosure: None
Maya Henry, PhD
- Financial Disclosure: Salaried as faculty in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at the University of Texas, Austin. Research is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Received compensation for this presentation by Barrow Neurological Institute.
- Non-Financial Disclosure: None