About The Speech Team, Inc. Staff

Developer: DPNS/FMEP

Karlene Stefanakos, M.A., CCC-SLP has been a practicing speech pathologist for 26 years. Her experience includes acute care, rehab/SNF facilities, home health, and public schools. She is the senior author of two therapeutic texts entitled Auditory Rehabilitation and Auditory Memory for Language. She has designed and received the U.S. patent on the labial goniometer for assessment measurement of labial/facial flaccidity as it impacts communication and swallowing function. In the area of treatment, Ms. Stefanakos has developed Deep Pharyngeal Neuromuscular Stimulation (DPNS) dysphagia treatment and the Facial Muscle Exercise Program. She has lectured nationally and internationally on these topics over the previous 20 years and has trained and certified over 7,000 speech pathologists in the United States alone. Internationally, she has trained SLPs within the healthcare systems of Ireland, England, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, and China. Her work continues in the area of dysphagia and product design of instruments for speech pathologists.

Click here for DPNS History

Developer: Crouch Swallow Competency Scales

Pamela Crouch, M.A., CCC-SLP, has been a practicing speech pathologist for over 16 years. Her experience includes rehab/SNF, ALF, outpatient and public schools. She has served as a Director of Rehabilitation for HCR/ManorCare for 6 years. Ms. Crouch has been in research and product design with the Speech Team, Inc. for 8 years and currently lectures with Karlene Stefanakos, MA, CCC-SLP on the Comprehensive DPNS Workshop nationally and internationally. In the SNF/ALF settings, her responsibilities include program development, training and marketing to physicians, administrators, staff, and the community concerning dementia. Her work continues in the areas of dysphagia, dementia, and Medicare/OBRA law education for speech language pathologists.

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