Fix SLP: Advocacy & Accountability in Speech-Language Pathology

Dr. Jeanette Benigas talks with Lacy Helms, MA, CCC/SLP, President of the Colorado Speech Language and Hearing Association (CSHA), about CSHA's initiatives, including advocating at the state Capitol and providing resources for state clinicians to stay informed and engaged. They discuss the impact of CSHA's advocacy efforts on Medicaid policies and the current challenges faced in obtaining SLPA cer...

Dr. Jeanette Benigas and cohost Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, share updates on advocacy efforts in Michigan, Nebraska, Colorado, and more. They acknowledge the positive aspects of ASHA advocacy but also critique its transparency regarding revenue from the CCC vs. actual membership dues. This candid discussion underscores the urgency of reform within professional associations and its impact on affordabili...

Dr. Jeanette Benigas spends time with Jordan LeVan, chatting about his story as a person with childhood apraxia of speech, his experiences with speech therapy, and his efforts to make sure every child is heard and accepted. He is a fierce advocate as the author of multiple children's books, an IEP advocate, founder, and president of the 501c3, The Apraxia Foundation: Hearing All Voices, and the fa...

The Singing SLP, Kevin Simmons, MS/SLP, joins Dr. Jeanette Benigas to share his journey from a graduate student to using his musical talents to make learning and therapy more engaging for his clients. He talks about his role as a sensory barber, transforming haircut experiences for children with sensory sensitivities. Kevin and Jeanette unravel the myths surrounding the CCC and the fears students...

Dr. Jeanette Benigas and guest host Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, talk with Elizabeth Nielsen, MA/SLP from Tiny Voice Therapy who shares her journey integrating hippotherapy into her practice near Chicago. She's also raising awareness about SLP struggles, recently sharing her story and the story of many Fearless Fixers with her local NPR station (read the story here) . Join us in this call to action and...

Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, discuss critical issues in the SLP community. They review systemic challenges, citing Elizabeth Nielsen MA/SLP's NPR story, and critique ASHA's influence on licensure. They advocate for grassroots policy influence and discuss how inflation affects SLP salaries and operations. Personal anecdotes about their educational and professional experiences, in...

Guest host Preston Lewis, MS/SLP joins Dr. Jeanette Benigas to discuss the power of state-level advocacy, the importance of engaging with rehab companies, and the evolving role of SLPs in addressing diverse patient needs. With insights into state membership association dynamics and a special update about impactful initiatives in Michigan, this episode illuminates the transformative potential of SL...

Dr. Jeanette Benigas talks with Shelby Midboe, MS, CCC/SLP, past president of the Montana Speech-Language-Hearing Association (MSHA), about Montana's specific challenges including the shortage of SLPs. They discuss the legislative advocacy the association takes on, and their efforts to increase connection throughout the Montana SLP and AuD communities. Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discoun...

Guest hosts Mikayla Treynor, MA/SLP, and Alexa Chapman, MA/SLP, join Dr. Jeanette Benigas to discuss their efforts at the state level to eliminate the CCC requirement to Medicaid billing. Find out why access to care is so important to them and what they have been doing about it. Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here. Become a sustai...

Dr. Jeanette Benigas talks with Robyn Martin, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-F, past president of the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA), about the perks of TSHA membership, including free CEU webinars, a CE registry, and discounted advanced courses. She highlights TSHA's commitment to member feedback and financial sustainability, the association’s advocacy efforts, and how members are kept inform...

Dr. Jeanette Benigas addresses the evolving landscape of Fix SLP post-co-host Megan Berg's departure, reinforcing the podcast's commitment to supporting SLPs through transitional and challenging times with information to support grassroots movements in each state. Jeanette also explores the hurdles students and CFs face surrounding the CCC by debunking common misconceptions about the certification...

Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Megan Berg speak with ASHA Fellow, Dr. Angela Loavenbruck, who has served on many ASHA committees and also served on ASHA’s board as Vice President of Standards. Dr. Loavenbruck was refused membership and accused of violating the ASHA Code of Ethics when she dropped her CCC in the early 2000s. She has lived happily ever after since that time. Fix SLP certainly didn’t start...

We have a fresh episode of the Fix SLP podcast ready and waiting for you that will be released on Monday! In the meantime, enjoy this popular episode from our limited series podcast, Other SLPs’ Pockets, where we ask SLPs what they make. In this episode, we explore how we ditch our imposter syndrome, know our worth, and communicate that worth clearly to our employers. Join "Julie" and Ingrid Desor...

Brionna Pickens, M.A., SLP joins Dr. Jeanette Benigas to share her journey of advocacy to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates in Ohio. Brionna discusses her efforts to address the longstanding issue of low Medicaid rates, which significantly impacted her private practice and access to care for families. She recounts her four-year journey of research, collaboration, and advocacy, culminating in a...

Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Megan Berg discuss the explosive growth of the Fix SLP platform and the plans to turn this movement into a crowd-sourced, grassroots advocacy firm. Unions, non-profits, and alternative associations are all discussed, as well as an invitation to everyone who finds this work valuable to consider becoming a Fix SLP sustaining partner. Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a dis...

Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Megan Berg discuss ASHA’s recent announcement of an 11% increase in fees starting in 2025. Why did they do this? What do they spend their money on? How can we opt out of their coercive system and what actions can we take right now to make a difference? We cover it all! Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs with a discount? Find our most up-to-date promo codes and discounts here....

Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Megan Berg speak with Dr. Ianessa Humbert about why SLP is trapped in a culture of fear. The episode centers around the intersectionality of gender, race, and institutions of control. In a field full of majority white women who would rather uphold a broken system than let it crumble at the risk of losing their own position of privilege, this episode is one you don’t want t...

Dr. Jeanette Benigas chats with Taylor Hahn, MA/SLP, executive board member of the Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association (OSLHA), about the association's impactful advocacy work. They cover legislative wins like Madeline's Law, focusing on hearing aid reimbursement rates, ongoing efforts for affordable continuing education, and support for the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstat...

Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Megan Berg speak with Dr. Meredith Harold about the state of continuing education regulation in the field of SLP. Spoiler alert: ASHA CEUs aren’t required to maintain the CCC. What’s the difference between ASHA CEUs and ASHA-approved CEUs? Does ASHA vet courses for quality? Who can we trust to provide high-quality CEUs? What is a professional development hour (PDH)? Do you...

Megan Berg speaks with Chantelle Hutchinson about the process for becoming a speech-language pathologist in Australia, discussing the ins and outs of Speech Pathology Australia’s Certified Practising Speech Pathologist program. The episode also covers international standards (or lack of international standards) and the risks posed to the profession when relying on certification products to regulat...

Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Megan Berg discuss the idea of trying to change the direction of ASHA by getting on the board of directors- a concept that has been brought up by SLPs on social media. The episode covers how systemic factors limit practicing clinicians, particularly those whose views do not align with ASHA’s, from successfully moving through the board’s nomination and election process. Meg...

Dr. Jeanette Benigas speaks with Ashley Laudick M.A., CCC-SLP, the president of the Iowa Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Ashley delves into the association's successful endeavors safeguarding SLP billing codes in Iowa and sheds light on ongoing advocacy work, particularly concerning potential restructuring of the state’s licensing boards. They discuss the significance of member engagement, tr...

Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Megan Berg discuss the ASHA SLP Practice Analysis, which serves as the evidence base for the CAA standards, the CCC standards, and the questions on the Praxis test. Is the practice analysis strong enough to hold up the entire field in these ways? Is it possible for SLP to evolve towards a competency-based model that adequately supports both instructors and students and pro...

Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Megan Berg list their top 12 wishes for SLPs from rest to career fulfillment to never having to hear the words, “But I talk just fine!” ever again. Join us as we celebrate all of the positive possibilities for our field! Become a sustaining partner . Follow us on Instagram . Find all of our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted of new episo...

Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Megan Berg speak with MaryTherese Sabatino, an SLP currently completing her SLPD and pursuing a track in academia who has decided to drop ASHA membership. The episode touches on the history of the membership association, how it has grown in the last 20 years, and opinions around lack of transparency and accountability. Grassroots change at the level of state associations i...