The Brainy Speech Therapist Podcast

Helen speaks to members of her local Headway about their experiences after brain injury. For more information on Headway, the ways they can support you, and how you can support them, go to www.headway.org.uk  

Recorded to link in with Nutrition and Hydration Week, Helen and Jan speak to the hosts of Dysphagia Matters, Julia and Jule. Both are specialist researchers in the field of dysphagia, and we had an interesting and enlightening conversation. A huge thanks to them giving up some of their time!

In this episode, Helen speaks to Andre Hallack about Beautiful Voice. This is a web-based platform to support clinicians and clients in neurorehabilitation. Sign up for an account at https://beautifulvoice.co.uk Andre can be contacted for a demo and to answer any questions: andre@beautifulvoice.co.uk Follow us on Instagram @brainyspeechtherapists  

Jan and Helen discuss an article by Bishay et al (2025) that provides a systematic review of atypical symptoms recorded post-concussion. The article is open access and available at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12540245/

Tune in to listen to Jan and Helen discuss the main points of the 2023 article "An updated systematic review of stroke clinical practice guidelines to inform aphasia management" by Burton et al. This is a free-to-access article: https://doi.org/10.1177/17474930231161454   Each of the guidelines referenced in the discussion can be accessed by in-article links.    We would love to hear your thoughts...

Jan and Helen discuss the role of SLT when working with people who have a brain injury, based on information provided in a course run by Sheila MacDonald.

In this episode, Helen speaks with Rosemary Townsend from the charity Dyscover. Rosemary gives an insight into what this diagnosis means, the role of SLT, and information about the first ever PPA Awareness Day. This is happening on 4th April, with Rosemary and Dr Anna Volkmer hosting a webinar. Sign up at: Primary Progressive Aphasia Awareness Day 2025 Tickets, Fri 4 Apr 2025 at 12:00 | Eventbrite...

Claire Farrington-Douglas joins Jan and Helen to discuss the INCOG Guidelines 2.0. We focus on Part IV: Cognitive-Communication and Social Cognition Disorders, these are freely available online, along with the other sections of the guidelines. Part IV can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.1097/htr.0000000000000835

Jan and Helen discuss their experiences of working with dysarthria and apraxia of speech. Share your experiences and tips for therapy via X @BrainySLT and Instagram @brainyspeechtherapists.

Jan and Helen discuss a journal article that focused on how accurate SLTs are at rating the severity of dysarthria. We discuss the article content and have a debate about the usefulness of such ratings. You can read the article at:

In this episode, speech and language therapist Monika Wright talks about how she approaches working with people with motor speech (and voice) difficulties influenced by her previous professional career as an actor.

In this episode, Helen speaks with Julie Samuel from Dyscover Aphasia, a charity based in Surrey. We chat through the range of services they offer, with more details on their website www.dyscover.org.uk. If you have any comments or suggestions, do let us know via our social media. Instagram @brainyspeechtherapists X @BrainySLT

We chat with Colin Lyall, founder of the charity Say Aphasia. Check out their website for information and resources at www.sayaphasia.org They are part of the Aphasia Alliance, another excellent resource: www.aphasiaalliance.org

Jan and Helen are back with another journal article discussion. This time, we talk through a study that explored the potential use of medication and intensive therapy in treating Wernicke's aphasia. Do share your thoughts and experiences of this form of aphasia.

Jan and Helen discuss their experiences of managing eating, drinking, and swallowing changes in their brain injury caseload. We also chat about guidance available in managing EDAR- eating and drinking with acknowledged risk.

Jan and Helen discuss a recent article focused on identifying factors significant in predicting aspiration pneumonia. The article by Ball, Meteyard and Powell can be accessed at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00405-023-08153-z (institution login required). We also discuss the relevance of the paper in light of RCSLT's position paper on the use of thickened fluids. Listen to the authors...

Matt Barker talks with Jan McIntosh-Brown about his life with a brain injury.

Jan and Helen discuss an article exploring communication partner training for healthcare staff in a subacute setting. Read the full article: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02699052.2022.2158224

Jan and Helen discuss the topic of prolonged disorders of consciousness. We talk about how this diagnosis can be made, the role of speech and language therapy, and supporting families. Resources: RCP guidelines https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/guidelines-policy/prolonged-disorders-consciousness-following-sudden-onset-brain-injury-national-clinical-guidelines SLT guidelines https://www.rhn.org.uk/conten...

In this episode hosted by Jan McIntosh-Brown we hear Guido Corvi talking about his injury and his life beyond this.

Helen speaks to Richard about his reasons for becoming a Speech and Language Therapist, and his work on Project Relate. This is an Android app for individuals with non-standard Speech. More information can be found at https://sites.research.google/relate/ Richard can be found on Twitter @speedoftrust27

In this episode, Jan and Helen discuss sexual capacity after brain injury with Dr McIntosh, a Clinical Neuropsychologist. Please note this episode includes the use of explicit language. If you wish to contact Dr McIntosh, her email is catriona@yorkshireneuropsychology.com, or follow her on Twitter @Catrionamcinto1. Further reading: www.bild.org.uk Access the and Brain Injury conference via www.abi...

Helen speaks to Jan and Carly to mark Aphasia Awareness Month. Jan had a stroke which resulted in aphasia, and her daughter Carly now works for The Stroke Association. Follow them on social media: Twitter @carlystroke Instagram a_life_after_stroke and Facebook A Life After Stroke. Check out The Stroke Association site for great information https://www.stroke.org.uk/what-is-aphasia. Watch the docum...

Julie and Raymond share their journey with Jan McIntosh-Brown. Julie had a brain injury in 2020 as a result of an aneurysm and she lives with aphasia.

Jan and Helen are joined by Dr Aazh, an audiologist with expertise in hyperacusis, tinnitus, and misophonia. Information about his practice can be accessed at https://hashirtinnitusclinic.com/ If you would like more information about his tinnitus masterclass go to https://tinnitustherapy.org.uk/ Dr Aazh has resources he discusses with us: questionnaires are at https://tinnitustherapy.org.uk/assess...