It’s important that we stay connected and continue learning while we are coping with COVID-19. That’s why the NSDA launched a series of webinars featuring different guest speakers. This series featured Life and Career Coach Dorothy Tannahill-Moran and Speech Language Pathologist Christie DeLuca.
Featuring Dorothy Tannahill-Moran
Click on the arrow for the full description along with the link to view the webinar.
WATCH | What is Emotional Intelligence? And Why Should I Care?
Watch webinar here. Emotional Intelligence or “EQ” is your ability to effectively interact with others, and is THE single biggest factor to personal and professional success. Even if your EQ is high, there are always things you can learn to improve. EQ is more than just being a nice person. Dorothy Tannahill-Moran defines top 4 EQ skills, and will provide tips and resources to “up your game”.
WATCH | Figuring Out What You Want to be When You Grow Up (even if you’re 50+)
Watch this 30-minute video on YouTube. It makes no difference if you are 18 or 68; if you are trying to figure out a new career path, it’s not clear what steps you should take to make this important decision. Most people think they will “find something” by doing a job search only, but statistics suggest that is a failed approach. Dorothy Tannahill-Moran shareS steps you can take along with resources to help you define a resonant career.
WATCH | Emerging from the Quarantine a Better YOU!
This 30-minute webinar is now available to view on YouTube.
One of the positive things the quarantine has given us is a bonus of time. Use this time to focus on the thing that is hard to find time for = YOU. It can be hard to make time and find the accountability to do things like learn new things like Emotional Intelligence skills, figure out a new career path or look for a job. Dorothy Tannahill-Moran shareS great resources and insights on your personal and professional development. As an added bonus, Dorothy is offering accountability check-ins for those that need help staying focused.
WATCH | Managing Your Fear and Anxiety during this Uncertain Time
This 30-minute webinar is now available to view on YouTube. The COVID-19 outbreak and resulting shelter-at-home has left no one untouched. Businesses have shut down, people are out of work, schools have closed and it has left many of us afraid and anxious. Dorothy Tannahill-Moran gave us some things to think about and to do to help manage the fear & anxiety to help you regain some peace-of-mind immediately. Download the PDF version of the notes from this webinar.
WATCH | Navigating Change & Transition
This 30-minute webinar is now available to view on YouTube. Change and the transition that comes with our current situation can be uncomfortable for everyone under “normal” circumstances but we aren’t in “normal” any more, which only makes it harder. Despite the challenges, transition is an inner process that you can come to understand so you can feel more confident with yourself. Dorothy Tannahill-Moran shareS useful information about change and the process of transition so you can effectively manage this global transformation. Download the PDF version of the notes from this webinar.
ABOUT OUR SPEAKER: Dorothy Tannahill-Moran
Dorothy Tannahill-Moran is a career and life coach, author, and speaker. Dorothy guides people who want to remove barriers to professional and personal success. She has a unique perspective and deep knowledge on career development forged by twenty-one years of management at Intel Corporation and 12 years as a coach. Dorothy also has spasmodic dysphonia, which gives her insight into the challenges facing those in the voice community. She writes articles for the NSDA website, newsletter, and leads a local NSDA Support Group. In the past couple of years, Dorothy has also become a certified Vibrational Sound Therapist and donates the proceeds to NSDA.
Featuring Christie DeLuca
Click on the arrow for the full description along with the link to view the webinar.
WATCH | Psychosocial and Quality of Life Impairments of Spasmodic Dysphonia and Related Voice Conditions
Watch webinar here. Chronic communication disorders, like spasmodic dysphonia, often present with psychosocial effects and quality of life impairments beyond the apparent voice symptoms. These can include navigating strong emotions like frustration, anger, sadness, self-consciousness, decreased self-confidence, hopelessness and more. Psychosocial symptoms can also be apparent in avoidance of social situations that a person used to take part in, decreased enjoyment of activities, or diminished ability to participate in activities or social events as one previously did. Spasmodic dysphonia and related voice conditions can have a significant impact on one’s job or career, particularly if communication is a highly valued component of one’s job. It can lead to more “thinking” about the process of speaking or the voice, diminishing one’s ability to fully engage in or enjoy conversations. During this challenging time with the COVID-19 pandemic, these psychosocial symptoms may be even more apparent, as general life stresses, anxiety, and changing career duties are more apparent now than ever. Some individuals may feel that “there are worse things” and that their feelings related to these psychosocial symptoms are either not valid or not important. However, these feelings are valid and similarly noted across the board for many with spasmodic dysphonia, although they affect each individual differently. Christie DeLuca is a Speech Language Pathologist and specialist in spasmodic dysphonia. She presents her research on psychosocial and quality of life impairments of spasmodic dysphonia and will speak about her own perspective on these factors, as an individual with spasmodic dysphonia herself. Coping strategies, suggestions for decreasing these psychosocial symptoms and considerations for the treatment of spasmodic dysphonia moving forward will be discussed.
WATCH | PART I: Voice techniques to Manage Symptoms of Spasmodic Dysphonia and Related Voice Conditions during the COVID-19 Pandemic
This webinar is available to view. PART I: Many individuals are experiencing increased levels of stress and anxiety during these challenging times. Some may have had botulinum toxin injections cancelled or pushed out to an indefinite date, or cannot risk traveling to their voice center to receive an injection. Many have shifting work duties that include significantly increased phone and virtual meeting demands. All of these factors can worsen spasmodic dysphonia symptoms and can have a significant impact on one’s quality of life. This two-part webinar, led by Speech Language Pathologist/Voice Therapist, Christie DeLuca, walks you through specific voice techniques to help cope with and manage these voice symptoms. She covers voice therapy techniques to decrease strain, tension, throat discomfort and severity of breaks when speaking, to increase speech fluency, and to increase ease and clarity of speech. She also discussed helpful “tricks” and tools for speaking on the phone, speaking in virtual meetings, and projecting your voice without effort. This is part one of a two-part webinar.
DOWNLOAD: Quick Voice Tips for Dealing with Spasmodic Dysphonia or Related Voice Disorders
DOWNLOAD: Teletherapy for Spasmodic Dysphonia and Related Voice Conditions
DOWNLOAD: Spasmodic Dysphonia and Related Voice Conditions during COVID-19
WATCH | PART II: Voice techniques to Manage Symptoms of Spasmodic Dysphonia and Related Voice Conditions during the COVID-19 Pandemic
View this 40-minute webinar on YouTube. PART II: Many individuals are experiencing increased levels of stress and anxiety during these challenging times. Some may have had botulinum toxin injections cancelled or pushed out to an indefinite date, or cannot risk traveling to their voice center to receive an injection. Many have shifting work duties that include significantly increased phone and virtual meeting demands. All of these factors can worsen spasmodic dysphonia symptoms and can have a significant impact on one’s quality of life. This two-part webinar, led by Speech Language Pathologist/Voice Therapist, Christie DeLuca, walks you through specific voice techniques to help cope with and manage these voice symptoms. We’ll cover voice therapy techniques to decrease strain, tension, throat discomfort and severity of breaks when speaking, to increase speech fluency, and to increase ease and clarity of speech. We will discuss helpful “tricks” and tools for speaking on the phone, speaking in virtual meetings, and projecting your voice without effort.
DOWNLOAD: Quick Voice Tips for Dealing with Spasmodic Dysphonia or Related Voice Disorders
DOWNLOAD: Teletherapy for Spasmodic Dysphonia and Related Voice Conditions
DOWNLOAD: Spasmodic Dysphonia and Related Voice Conditions during COVID-19
ABOUT OUR SPEAKER: Christie DeLuca
Christie is a Speech Language Pathologist/Voice Therapist specialized in the assessment, treatment and research of spasmodic dysphonia. She received her Master’s degree at New York University and did her Clinical Fellowship at the Mount Sinai Grabscheid Voice and Swallowing Center in NYC. She also has experience working in the Motor and Dystonia research lab helping to research neurological underpinnings of spasmodic dysphonia with Dr. Kristina Simonyan. Christie has lectured for graduate and medical students, has provided hospital in-service presentations on voice treatment, and has presented her research at local spasmodic dysphonia support groups and at the past six American Speech Language Hearing (ASHA) conferences. She has additionally presented clinical knowledge through writing informational handouts and blog posts on spasmodic dysphonia.
Christie works as a Clinical Voice Specialist in the Voice Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and additionally treats individuals with spasmodic dysphonia and related voice conditions through teletherapy in her private practice, Speaking Boldly. Christie continues to conduct research on patient perceptions of the impact of spasmodic dysphonia and effectiveness of current treatment methods for the disorder. Christie has spasmodic dysphonia herself, which gives her a unique insight into the disorder as a patient, researcher, and clinician.