Lillian Balderston

• Provide comprehensive speech, language, and swallowing evaluation utilizing a variety of diagnostic tools (CLQT, RBANS, RIPA-G:2, SCAAN, CMSF, Yale 3 oz, BSE, CPIB) to assess patient's personal needs and goals.
• Implement evidenced-based, individualized therapy to patient's with a variety of diagnoses (post-stroke, Parkinson's, Dementia, etc.) in the acute, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient setting.
• Assist in implementation of diet texture changes, educate patients and family of risk factors of aspiration and aspiration pneumonia, and provide training on safe swallow guidelines to reduce risk of aspiration.
• Lead monthly communication support groups for individuals post-stroke and TBI with aphasia, promoting peer support and increased motivation.
• Collaborate with fellow speech-language pathologists and multidisciplinary medical professionals to promote continuity of highest-level of care.
• Manage independent outpatient caseload of up to 8 patients.

• Manage a caseload of 13+ clients with a variety of diagnoses (Apraxia of Speech, Speech and Language Delay, Autism, and Phonological Disorders).
• Conduct comprehensive speech and language assessment to identify client's need and develop individualized, evidence-based practices.
• Collaborate with families and school-based speech-language pathologists to support communication needs across a variety of environments.

• Conducted evaluations utilizing the RIPA-2, RICE-3, CLQT, BDAE, BNT, RMBT, delayed word recall, MASA/FOIS, and various outcome measures to characterize cognitive-communication skills, motor speech deficits, aphasia, vocal quality, and swallowing function within the adult population for individuals recovering from strokes, traumatic brain injuries, and progressive neurological conditions.
• Created and implemented individualized treatment plans utilizing various evidence-based therapeutic techniques such as SFA, VNeST, CART, ORLA, spaced-retrieval, and executive functioning, memory, attention, speech, and swallowing strategies to support functional communication and promote independence in ADLs/iADLs.
• Documented patient progress and reported to medical team to promote collaborative, interdisciplinary care for patient's recovery.
• Facilitated family training to support understanding, safety, and independence upon discharge.
• Participated in educational training and discussions with clinical instructor to enhance clinical skills and knowledge.

• Provided on-demand evaluation for individuals in Neuro ICU utilizing QAB, multimodal communication, and CMSF to diagnosis aphasia, apraxia, or dysarthria in the acute care setting
• Identified and educated on beneficial communication strategies for individuals in the acute care setting to facilitate communication between caregivers and medical staff
• Assisted in pediatric clinical and instrumental feeding and swallowing evaluation to form appropriate recommendations in collaboration with caregivers and ENT
• Provided treatment to enhance Passy-Muir Valve utilization in both the adult and pediatric population
• Assisted in swallowing and voice treatment following head/neck cancer treatment involving instrumental evaluations, educating on swallow maneuvers, and voice prothesis changes.

• Utilized informal and formal evaluation measures such as client interview, language discourse, RBANS, RIPA-2, and WAB to assist in clinical decision-making of diagnosis and guide treatment plan
• Implemented word-finding and memory strategies within everyday situations to aid client’s communicative efficiency
• Led SPEAK OUT! evaluations and individual and group treatment sessions
• Provided reading comprehension support for individuals with aphasia in a group setting
• Implemented Be Clear dysarthria treatment and counseled on uncertainties with potential diagnoses
• Integrated evidence-based knowledge and client’s preferences to create functional goals regarding neurogenic stuttering
• Implemented Resonant Voice Therapy (RVT), Flow Phonation, vocal stretches and exercise to improve overall vocal quality

• Counseled on vocal hygiene and health, cognitive and language changes, and swallowing safety