Apps: Innovating Adult Treatment

The world is more distant yet digitally connected than ever before. Technology has become our key to household management, social contact, entertainment, and adapting our occupations. The Pew Research Center indicates that U.S. Smart Phone users have increased from 35% in 2011 to 81% in 2019. Fifty percent of Americans possess a tablet and 75% own a computer or laptop. Immediate access to technology allows for a more efficient process but is often overwhelming. Knowledge, time, and experience helps to ease comfort with device, program, and application use. With more access, usability, and familiarity, use of technology in therapy correlates with functional utilization. As the Speech-Language Pathologists' (SLP) goal is to improve client outcomes and quality of life, apps and programs can encourage increased frequency of practice and innovate the care we provide. This intermediate level presentation has organized the research, benefits, and limitations of technology utilization in various areas of our practice. Specific applications and programs are reviewed to increase the familiarity and knowledge of the evidence-based software options available to enhance SLP service delivery. The seminar serves as an instant resource to improve SLP clinician comfort and expertise in software management while providing useful tools and guidance to integrate technology as a treatment modality.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:


Course Instructor(s)


Amanda Santarlas

M.B.A., M.S., CCC/SLP, BCS-S

Amanda Santarlas, MBA, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is the Speech-Language Hearing Clinic Director and an Instructor at La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA. Amanda received her Master of Science degree in Speech Language Patholgy from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.
She has worked in various settings, including acute hospital, acute rehabilitation, subacute rehabilitation, outpatient and private practice throughout the Northeast region of the United States. Amanda’s specializations include swallowing and neurological rehabilitation for the adult population. She became a VitalStim Provider in 2008 and joined the elite group of VitalStim/DINES Instructors in 2020. She has maintained the Board Certification in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders since 2012. Amanda is a lifelong learner who has consistently earned the Award for Continuing Education from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association over the past 17 years. She loves to pass on that knowledge to others to maximize patient rehabilitation success by improving quality care. When she isn’t learning, teaching, or providing therapy, Amanda relishes in travel to new locations, trying different cuisines, taking time for Pilates, and cuddles with her dog, Churro.

Financial Disclosure: Amanda receives honoraria from CIAO Seminars for the presentation of live courses and royalties for the sale of her self-study courses.
Non-Financial Disclosure: Amanda uses VitalStim Therapy in her practice.


Course Agenda

Day 1

08:00 - 08:10
Intro, Disclosures, Objectives
08:10 - 10:10
Technology Behaviors, History, Popularity, Appropriateness, Ethics and Security
10:10 - 10:25
Break
10:25 - 12:10
Introduction to Apps & Evidence-based Research (Language and Motor Speech Apps)
12:10 - 12:40
Lunch
12:40 - 02:45
Introduction to Cognitive Linguistic Apps, Voice Apps, Swallowing apps
02:45 - 03:00
Break
03:00 - 03:40
Integrating Technology into Therapy, Documentation and Goals
03:40 - 04:00
Conclusion and Q&A

Contact hours pre-approved for:

  • 7 Hours
  • CIAO is an ASHA Approved Provider #AAWA (0.7 ASHA CEUs) bubble sheet submission required


This course is offered for 0.7 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level, Professional area)