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Theresa Richard: Medical SLP and Autism Mom

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Today we’re hearing a story that is part personal and part professional. Theresa Richard is a Medical SLP, author, podcaster and also an autism mom.

Chromosomal Abnormalities and the Path to an Autism Diagnosis

In utero with her son, doctors knew that was something different but it wasn’t until birth that Theresa Richard and her family learned he had a very rare chromosomal abnormality. At the time the future was unknown and because of the rarity of her son’s condition there was no information and little to no support available. Initially, they immersed in therapies that were at times helpful and at other times felt like no one was really listening. After therapy became unavailable in their home state of New York, the family moved to Florida to seek the care they were after. Along the way to finding Theresa’s dream school and hand-picked therapy team, her son was diagnosed with autism. At age 4 this was a shock but for the family it opened the floodgates to resources, therapy, and support that are truly helping.

Medical SLP and Swallowing Disorders

Prior to the birth of her son, Theresa had been practicing as a Medical SLP working with geriatric patients and swallowing disorders for nearly 9 years. Medical SLPs only differ from Educational SLPs in that they choose a medical path after graduation and like a specialty seek out additional education and certifications. After trying the educational path first, Theresa fell in love with the medical side of helping elderly patients get quality of life back by regaining the ability to eat and drink. Theresa owned and operated a successful Mobile Fees Business that brought specialized equipment for swallow studies right to nursing homes. She also hosts the podcast Swallow Your Pride and as well as authored the book, So You’re Having Trouble Swallowing as a patient resource. During her work in the field, she felt that SLPs didn’t have the information and resources available to educate themselves on swallowing and has created an education website and online community at MedSLPEd.com.

A Therapist and Mom

It is always a unique experience for a therapy professional to embark on a diagnosis and treatment journey with their own child. For Theresa, her journey with her son has really changed the way she works with patients, and how she educates other professionals. Especially in her case of a child with a very rare chromosomal abnormality, there isn’t clear-cut treatment available and it’s important for therapists and providers to work with the family on their priorities, preferences, and consider the whole family and patient centered approach. Theresa believes in the evidence based practice triad, for providers to have evidence, but also have patient preference and clinical experience mixed in as well.

Swallow Your Pride Podcast

Theresa has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Medical SLP education and swallowing disorders, as well as advocating for her child. I really enjoyed this conversation and hope you have found some valuable information. You can find out more about Theresa Richard’s work by visiting her Medical SLP Education website or listening to her podcast, The Swallow Your Pride Podcast, or if you or some you know is experiencing swallowing problems, be sure to check out her book
Theresa Richard: Medical SLP and Autism Mom

Theresa Richard On The Turn Autism Around Podcast

Theresa Richard is a Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders and an ASHA approved CEU provider. After falling in love with the skilled nursing setting, she founded Mobile Dysphagia Diagnostics, a mobile FEES company that has serviced over 100 SNFs and has also helped over 90 SLPs start, grow, and scale their own mobile FEES businesses through her FEES Biz Blueprint course.

In witnessing the desire for further education from medical SLPs, she created the Swallow Your Pride podcast, which has over 3 million downloads. She was invited to present at the Charleston Swallowing Conference on blogs and podcasts and has been asked to be an invited keynote speaker for several state conventions this year. She also served as past President of the Nevada Speech & Hearing Association, and has been featured in Authority Magazine and Thrive Global.

Theresa created the Medical SLP Collective, which currently has over 6,000 members and contracts with over 80 SLPs and support staff. She also created MedSLP Education, which provides solid foundational medical courses exclusively for SLPs.

Theresa continues to work tirelessly to advocate for patients with swallowing disorders and was invited to contribute to 2 papers for the Dysphagia journal this year on assessing and treating dysphagia during COVID. The recent release of her new book for patients with dysphagia, called “So You’re Having Trouble Swallowing,” was an Amazon and Barnes & Noble bestseller.

You’ll Learn

  • What support is available for rare chromosomal abnormalities?
  • Autism and other medical conditions.
  • What it’s like to move states to find therapy.
  • Choosing your own providers for in school therapy.
  • What is the difference between a Medical SLP and an Educational SLP?
  • Education on Swallowing Disorders for SLPs.
  • Swallowing Disorders versus Feeding Problems in autism.

Resources

Free Workshop

Increase Talking &
Decrease Tantrums

in Young Children with

Autism &/or Speech Delays

Register for Free Training