Sierra Downs, MA CCC-SLP

(she/they) 🏳️‍🌈 Speech Language Pathologist | Veritas Voice & Speech LLC | 📢🥼 Voice & Dysphagia Advocacy & Research | VSHA

[Sierra Downs, MA CCC-SLP @SierraSlp]

Hey you! Please go listen to @Ologies amazing episode on Sex & Gender / Neuroendocrinology with Dr. Daniel Pfau (@EndoKweer) now! Such a great listen. 👂 🥰 🫶
https://t.co/cBkfBrxwN2

[Boston Speechies at Northeastern @BostonSpeechies]

We're sending out one last request to share this Aphasia Boot Camp Program flyer with your network. This free program is slated for August, and we're really hoping to recruit enough participants to run it!

[BU Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences @buslhs]

Exciting study from one of our stellar PhD students:

[Sierra Downs, MA CCC-SLP @SierraSlp]

@1a @GinaSequeiraMD @get_plume @uabpeds Definitely a team approach.
Re: Restrictions - Our community is constantly advocating for better access to gender affirming care specifically through 1) increasing insurance coverage and 2) uplifting/training trans/nonbinary identified providers - both major barriers to access.

[Sierra Downs, MA CCC-SLP @SierraSlp]

@1a @GinaSequeiraMD @get_plume @uabpeds As a non binary, licensed/certified voice therapist (Speech Language Pathologist) in VT, I often find that many *behavioral* approaches to gender affirming care, such as voice and communication training, are grossly overlooked by the medical community at large.

[Sierra Downs, MA CCC-SLP @SierraSlp]

@1a @GinaSequeiraMD @get_plume @uabpeds I can hear this in some comments made so far in regard to voice changes as an effect of HRT. Pitch is not the only vocal parameter that plays a role in gender perception. Take resonant voice training for example.

[Sierra Downs, MA CCC-SLP @SierraSlp]

@1a @GinaSequeiraMD @get_plume @uabpeds WPATH has only recently recognized/expanded on voice and communication training in their recent Standards of Care / SOC — Both multidisciplinary collaboration and ongoing dialogue *with the trans and non-binary community* about behavioral approaches is sorely needed.

[Sierra Downs, MA CCC-SLP @SierraSlp]

@1a @GinaSequeiraMD @get_plume @uabpeds I am curious how much emphasis is being placed on centering trans and non binary experiences with this panel - and what level of knowledge this panel has regarding behavioral approaches to gender affirming care.

[Stepp Lab @SteppLab]

New news in #RFF from Stepplabbers Daniel Buckley & @jmvojtech in @TVFPhiladelphia!
https://t.co/i7k9C4VP3o
@BUSargent @BMC_OTOres

[Hannah Berry @SpeechieHLB]

Great article highlighting the vital role of speech therapists in patients covid-19 recovery. #rcslt #slt #sltpeeps #criticalcare #voicetherapy #dysphagia https://t.co/oIy7xWahZV

[The Informed SLP @TheInformedSLP]

Learn about Muscle Tension Dysphagia, a fairly new diagnosis that seems to improve with #voicetherapy techniques, in our review:
https://t.co/e2pcxfhNS8

Kang & Lott, 2020
https://t.co/Xr5FV1lyq1
Kang et al. 2020
https://t.co/XTMeX1qgu1

#SLPeeps #medSLP #dysphagia #SLT

[Neil D. Gross, MD, FACS @DrNeilGross]

Excited to see this important work presented virtually at @ASTRO_org #ASTRO2020 MDADI scores at 12 months favor primary surgical approach in well-selected #HPV oropharynx cancer @kahutcheson @brandongunn @RyanGoepfert @SJFrankMD #OncSurgery @MDAndersonNews

[Sierra Downs, MA CCC-SLP @SierraSlp]

A glimmer of hope+pride: @TaylorSmallVT (she/her/hers), Director of the Health & Wellness program @PrideCenterVT, was just elected as the 1st openly transgender state legislator.
💙💗🤍💗💙
Thrilled to have Taylor’s intrepid voice represent our state & community. 🏳️‍🌈🍁

[Them @them]

BREAKING: 26-year-old @TaylorSmallVT just declared victory, making her Vermont’s first transgender state legislator. @VictoryFund has confirmed the win. Read more here: https://t.co/vqgo6ER9iT

[Sierra Downs, MA CCC-SLP @SierraSlp]

#virtualfallvoice2020 Thanks @TheFallVoice for a marathon of great discourse and research. 🙌 Much needed conversations on inclusion, clinical controversies, & even early career SLPs; let’s keep talking and taking action. 💙 Special shout out to @MauriceGoodwin and Laura Habich

[Sierra Downs, MA CCC-SLP @SierraSlp]

✅ Coffee
✅ Downloaded materials
Let’s go, day #2! 🤙 Always impressed with @TheFallVoice #VirtualFallVoice2020
Bring on that Sat AM knowledge 🧠 and good conversation! 💬