Guests: Petra Avramović, PhD, CPSP, MSPAA, and Sophie Brassel, PhD, MSPA-CPSP

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Virtual-Reality-and-AI-in-Communication-Rehab-after-Brain-In

Join host Renee Garrett as she interviews Dr. Sophie Brassel and Dr. Petra Avramović, renowned lecturers and researchers in speech pathology from the University of Sydney. This episode dives deep into the transformative potential of Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the field of speech pathology. Dr. Brassel discusses her ground-breaking research on using VR for cognitive communication disorders following traumatic brain injury, while Dr. Avramović explores the potential and current uses of AI in supporting communication rehabilitation. The episode also offers insights into the Australian clinical education structure for speech pathologists, comparing it with the U.S. system. A must-watch for anyone interested in the future of speech and language therapy!

Episode Timeline:

00:00 Introduction and Disclosures

01:00 Meet the Guests: Dr. Sophie Brassel and Dr. Petra Avramović

03:51 Understanding Virtual Reality in Communication Disorders

07:58 Research and Applications of VR in Cognitive Communication Disorders

15:04 Challenges and Future Directions in VR Research

21:22 Exploring AI in Speech Pathology

24:32 AI Tools and Applications in Therapy

28:00 Case Studies and Future Prospects

34:15 Maintaining Core Principles in Digital Interventions

35:39 Emotional Connection in Clinical Practice

36:41 The Role of Technology in Therapy

38:02 Clinical Practicum Structures in Australia

39:24 Undergraduate Clinical Placements

44:09 Graduate Programs and Career Pathways

56:53 Clinical Hours and Competency Requirements

57:57 AI and Data Security in Clinical Practice

01:01:14 Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions

About the Guests:

Dr. Sophie Brassel is a lecturer and early career researcher in the Discipline of Speech Pathology at the University of Sydney. She is a certified practicing speech pathologist with extensive experience in assessing and managing adults with communication difficulties. Before joining the University of Sydney, Sophie worked as a speech pathologist in the public health system and as a research assistant on projects relating to communication recovery following traumatic brain injury. Sophie completed her PhD at the University of Sydney within the Acquired Brain Injury Communication Lab. Her thesis explored the use of immersive virtual reality in rehabilitation for cognitive-communication disorders following traumatic brain injury. Sophie’s research examines the application of digital health technologies in supporting communication following acquired brain injury, while her teaching concentrates on practice education for speech pathology students.

Dr. Petra Avramović is a lecturer, clinical educator, early-career researcher, and certified practicing speech pathologist. Petra completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) with First Class Honours and completed her PhD within the Acquired Brain Injury Communication Lab at the University of Sydney. She has held several roles in clinical and research settings with a variety of populations, with particular focus in working with people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Her thesis, entitled “The development and evaluation of convers-ABI-lity: an online communication partner training platform for people with traumatic brain injury”, aimed to collaboratively develop a novel multimodal communication partner training program with people with TBI and others involved in their care, and to evaluate its effectiveness and efficacy for improving conversation skills following TBI. Petra is involved in academic, clinical education, and research supervision for speech pathology students within the university.

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