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alaska speech-language hearing association

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Meet our 2025 AKSHA Convention Speakers!


About Dr. Raj:

Dr. Erik X. Raj holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is a practicing speech-language pathologist who collaborates with children and adults experiencing various communication challenges. He currently serves as an associate professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey, where he also directs the Meaningful Digital Experiences Research Lab.

Dr. Raj regularly presents interactive workshops, both nationally and internationally, demonstrating how speech-language pathologists can integrate digital technologies to engage and educate clients. In addition to creating dozens of speech therapy-related mobile apps and video games, he consults with numerous educational technology companies on research and development to advance innovative tools for learning.

He earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, and most recently completed the Games for Teaching and Workplace Learning Microcredential from California State University, Fullerton.

Course Description:

Immerse yourself in this hands-on course designed for speech-language pathologists eager to harness the power of digital play with teenagers and adults. Through interactive demonstrations and practical exploration, participants will discover a variety of tools—from simple digital solutions to advanced digital experiences—that can transform therapy sessions, boost client engagement, and enhance clinical outcomes.

This session will explore how digital play can be seamlessly integrated into therapy for diverse populations. Participants will gain actionable insights into best practices for implementation, ethical considerations, and strategies to foster meaningful client interactions and progress in both remote and in-person settings. Whether you are new to the field or looking to deepen your expertise, this course will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the evolving landscape of technology-enhanced therapy, with digital play being at the center of it.

Learning Outcomes:

• After completing this course, participants will be able to identify at least three ways digital games can be used to support receptive and expressive language development in teenagers and adults.

• After completing this course, participants will be able to demonstrate how to integrate role-play activities inspired by digital games to foster narrative skills, collaboration, and meaningful dialogue.

• After completing this course, participants will be able to design therapy activities that bridge digital and real-world experiences, aligning with clients’ strengths and interests to promote engagement and communication success.


About

About Dr. Curtis:

Dr. James Curtis is an Assistant Professor of Speech-Language Pathology and the principal investigator of the Aerodigestive Innovations Research Lab (AIR) within the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University. His mission is to improve the health and quality-of-life of people with voice, cough, and swallowing disorders through clinical innovation, scientific discovery, and multidisciplinary collaborations. His current lines of research include: (1) identifying mechanisms of voice, cough, and swallowing disorders in people with respiratory and neurological diseases; (2) testing the effects of respiratory-swallow coordination training and cough skill training on airway protective outcomes; and (3) developing novel and clinically feasible techniques for voice, cough, and swallowing assessments and treatments.

Course Description:

Dr. Curtis's "Advancing Airway Protection: Integrative approaches to swallowing, cough, and respiratory-swallow coordination evaluation and treatment," provides a cohesive, evidence-based framework for the evaluation and treatment of swallowing and cough disorders. We will begin with foundational principles of airway protection, highlighting distinctions between normal and impaired physiology, and identifying the clinical implications of dystussia and dysphagia. From there, we will explore contemporary methods for cough assessment and rehabilitation, including principles of strength training and motor learning. Finally, we will examine the emerging role of respiratory-swallow coordination in clinical practice, with practical guidance for assessment and treatment implementation.

About Dr. Townsend:

Dr Townsend is an accomplished SLP and Certified Brain Injury Specialist with over a decade of experience supporting medically complex pediatric and adult patients across multiple settings. She currently practices as an advanced clinical specialist in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Texas Children’s Hospital and serves as a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Houston, where she teaches future clinicians about acquired cognitive-communication disorders and fosters the next generation of speech-language pathologists.

Dr. Townsend holds a deep clinical and research interest in pediatric acquired brain injury and the critical roles of cognition, communication, and swallowing rehabilitation throughout prolonged pediatric hospitalizations. Her expertise has earned her opportunities to present at national and international conferences, where she speaks passionately about evidence-based care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the real-world challenges faced by clinicians working in high-acuity pediatric settings. Her dedication extends beyond the bedside—she is an advocate, mentor, and educator committed to improving systems of care for children with acquired brain injuries and complex medical needs.

Course Description:

Dr. Townsend's course will explore real-world case studies, attendees will explore the unique profiles of children recovering from traumatic brain injury, stroke, and brain tumors. The course will highlight the hospital SLP’s role in evidence-based assessment/intervention, discharge planning, and IEP transition support, while also offering practical tools for school-based SLPs, educators, and care teams to better advocate for and support these students. Whether you work in medical, educational, or community settings, this session will better your knowledge of brain injury and its clinical trajectory, interpret medical documentation, and implement trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate supports for students navigating the lasting effects of brain injury.


Contact us at:

aksha907@gmail.com

AKSHA

PO Box 111993

Anchorage, AK 99511

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