Advocacy in Practice: Navigating Functional Goals, Difficult Conversations, and Discharge Decisions
The first half of the symposium is a two-hour panel presentation that will explore key advocacy issues in dysphagia management through an engaging format. Using collaborative dialogue and real-world clinical case studies, presenters will examine how speech-language pathologists approach difficult conversations with patients, caregivers, and interdisciplinary teams while balancing evidence-based recommendations with patient autonomy and quality-of-life considerations.
The session will emphasize the importance of individualized, functional, and patient-centered goal setting across the continuum of dysphagia care. Panelists will also discuss practical strategies for improving patient engagement, motivation, and adherence to treatment recommendations, particularly among individuals with medically complex, chronic, or progressive conditions.
In addition, attendees will gain insight into ethical decision-making, counseling techniques, and advocacy approaches that support meaningful participation in care planning and long-term management outcomes.
Learning Objectives
- Participants will be able to apply patient-centered, functional approaches to goal setting and clinical decision-making in dysphagia management.
- Participants will be able to analyze barriers that impact patient motivation, therapy participation, and adherence to dysphagia treatment recommendations.
- Participants will be able to demonstrate strategies for promoting family-centered, shared decision-making during challenging situations in dysphagia care.
Innovative Dysphagia Care in Stroke Management Across the Adult and Pediatric Patient Journey from ED to Discharge
The second half of the symposium is a two-hour conference that will focus on innovative dysphagia management across the continuum of stroke care through a case-based format that follows a patient from the emergency department to the ICU, to the step-down unit, and eventual discharge/outpatient services.
Discussion will center on the early identification of stroke-related dysphagia, instrumental assessment, diet advancement decisions, aspiration risk tolerance, early-start intervention, and patient-centered management approaches rather than relying solely on default recommendations.
Throughout the presentations, the speakers will highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based decision-making, and innovative approaches to improving swallowing outcomes and overall quality of care for patients with stroke-related dysphagia.
Learning Objectives
- Participants will be able to discuss research-based and innovative approaches in the management of dysphagia following stroke.
- Participants will be able to describe instrumental assessment and treatment approaches for dysphagia management across emergency, ICU, and outpatient care settings.
- Participants will be able to apply evidence-based and patient-centered strategies for diet advancement, rehabilitation, discharge planning, and long-term dysphagia management following stroke.
Event Information
- Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2026
- 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Advocacy in Practice: Navigating Treatment Planning, Difficult Conversations, and Discharge Decisions
- 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Networking and Refreshments
- 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM: Innovative Dysphagia Care in Stroke Management Across the Adult and Pediatric Patient Journey from ED to Discharge
- Cost: This is free for all thanks to the unconditional educational grant provided by Bracco Diagnostics. You do not have to be registered for the ASHA convention in order to participate.
- Target Audience: SLPs, Clinical Fellows, and Students interested in medical speech-language pathology
- Format: Live and In-Person on November 18, 2026. Streaming option is not available.
CE Credit
- Advocacy in Practice: 2.0 Hours / Eligible for .2 ASHA CEUs. No Partial CE Credit is Provided. Eligibility to Earn ASHA CEUs
- Innovative Dysphagia Care: 2.0 Hours / Eligible for .2 ASHA CEUs. No Partial CE Credit is Provided. Eligibility to Earn ASHA CEUs
To earn a certificate and ASHA CEUs, if desired, eligible learners must complete the following on or before 11:59 PM EST on November 31, 2026:
- Attend the entirety of Advocacy in Practice and/or Innovative Dysphagia Care. Attendance will be tracked by sign-in. Partial credit will not be available.
- Complete a self-assessment and program feedback form.
If you have any special needs or accommodation requests, please contact us here at least 21 days before the event.
