Sleep is one of the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century. It is also a potential comorbidity of an OMD. Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) trained in orofacial myology can play a preventative role in mitigating the risk of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea by early identification of sleep-disordered breathing in this population. Furthermore, since we are often involved early in the assessment and treatment of communication difficulties in the pediatric population, we are uniquely positioned to screen for sleep problems in these children. The earlier we can identify the red flags of sleep-disordered breathing, the more effective treatment these children can receive to help them achieve a lifetime of optimal airway health. In this webinar, we will delineate the elements of routine screenings that should be a part of all OMD assessments. We will also discuss validated sleep questionnaires that clinicians can incorporate as part of their patient intake process. We will also take a closer look at the FAIREST-6, a validated functional airway screening tool, that SLPs can integrate as part of their comprehensive speech and swallowing assessments to identify at-risk children and make appropriate and timely referrals when needed.

Ann Blau, MS, CCC-SLP, CMT® is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and Certified Myofunctional Therapist. She graduated with a Master's Degree in Communication Sciences from Hunter College of the City University of New York, and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Ann is the owner of All Access Speech Therapy, a private telepractice providing speech therapy services to adults and children in the states of New York and Florida.

Based in New York, her practice specialty is in the assessment and treatment of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders. She provides Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy to adults, adolescents, and school-age children as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to patient care. She has trained with the Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (AOMT) and mentors post-graduate clinicians privately and through The Myo Membership®. Ann is certified in The Myo Method® and Simon Says Myofunctional Therapy programs.

Ann has over 15 years of professional experience in the evaluation and treatment of adults with neurogenic speech, swallowing, cognitive, and voice disorders in acute-care, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation settings. She is a certified provider of the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Programs (LSVT LOUD® and eLOUD) for patients with Parkinson's Disease, and has specialized training in the Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP®).

5 min: Introduction to Pediatric SDB

15 min: SDB Definitions and Related Terminology 

22 min: Consequences of SDB: Review of the Literature 

10 min: Pediatric Sleep Questionnaires

20 min: Fairest-6 Screening Tool for Pediatric SDB

6 min: Routine SDB Screenings for SLPs

12 min: Referrals and Intervention, Wrap-Up

Financial: Ann is a licensed Speech-language Pathologist and the owner of All Access Speech Therapy, a private telepractice specializing in the assessment and treatment of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders. Ann is also an educator, instructor and mentor on topics related to Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy. She is receiving compensation from Simon Says for this presentation, and receives royalties as an instructor for Summit Professional Education and MedBridge. She also receives compensation for developing continuing education courses, hosting trainings and study clubs, and providing mentorship for The Myo Membership®. Additionally, she receives speaking fees and honoraria as an instructor for Airway Circle LLC’s professional development courses. 

Non-financial: Ann is a member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. She is also a board member and the voluntary Editor-In-Chief for Airway Circle, LLC, and serves as a volunteer aphasia group facilitator for Virtual Connections.