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5 Things to Know About Your New Director-Student, Rachel Pessah
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1. Rachel is thrilled with her new position.
For Rachel, applying to be the Director-Student was a no-brainer. “I didn’t see any downside to it. I get to work with so many communication health professionals who are top in their fields, I get to travel and I get to meet other students. It just seemed like a great opportunity,” she says.
If you think this position might be a good fit for you, keep your eyes open for an email on October 29 when SAC starts accepting applications for the 2016-2017 Director-Student (term commences in Halifax on April 29, 2016). The application deadline is November 13.
2. A varied background brought her to speech-language pathology.
Rachel was originally studying to be a teacher at Laurentian University. When she took a class in neuropsychology, she became fascinated with the medical world. “I liked that speech-language pathology was a perfect combination of teaching, medicine and science. It mixed all of the things that I like into one profession,” Rachel says. After she completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Laurentian, Rachel took the certificate program at Brock University to get some extra credit. Then, she started her speech-language pathology degree at Western University.
3. Rachel loves learning about less common areas of speech-language pathology.
Rachel is especially interested in less common speech-language pathology specialties. “I got to go to a laryngectomee conference this year and that was interesting, because it’s something you don’t see every day,” Rachel says, “Unless you’re in a major city, it’s really difficult to g et training in laryngectomees, so it was a very unique opportunity.” For more information on lesser known areas of communication health, check out our new series below, In Focus.
4. She has a dog named after Dr. House, MD.
In a spur of the moment decision, Rachel and her husband named their dog Dr. House after the TV show. The little doctor is half-toy poodle, half-Scottish terrier. “My dog is a big part of everything I do,” Rachel says. As evidenced by her photo above!
5. She wants to help you connect with SAC.
Rachel is excited to represent communication health students from across the country on SAC’s Board of Directors. She knows the ins and outs of the organization and is happy to answer anyone’s questions. “I hope that all students get a chance to get involved with SAC. I think any experience you can get outside of just theory and school is really important,” Rachel says.
If you have any questions at all, even about Dr. House, you can contact your Director-Student, Rachel Pessah, by email at studentdirector@sac-oac.ca or on Twitter at @SACstudent.
Canadian schools with speech-language pathology and audiology programs all have SAC Student Representatives. If you want to contact the Rep for your school, you can find their contact information here.
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In Focus: Spasmodic Dysphonia
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This new Student Speak series In Focus brings you information about lesser known areas of the professions. Email Felicity Feinman, SAC's Communications Assistant, at felicity@sac-oac.ca, if you have a suggestion for a focus that you’d like to see featured in a future issue.
This information on spasmodic dysphonia was compiled with the help of Judy Schmidbauer, MA, S-LP(C), CCC-SLP. Judy has worked as a speech-language pathologist with clients with spasmodic dysphonia and she also happens to be the current Chair of SAC’s Board of Directors.
Definition: Spasmodic dysphonia is a neurological disorder affecting the function of the vocal cords. It appears to be a central nervous system disorder and a focal (affecting a specific part of the body) form of dystonia (involuntary muscle contractions).
Symptoms: There are two types of spasmodic dysphonia: abductor and adductor. With adductor spasmodic dysphonia, there is an involuntary excessive contraction of the muscles that close the vocal cords, resulting in a strained, strangled vocal quality. With abductor spasmodic dysphonia, there is over-contraction of the muscles that open the vocal cords. This can lead to a breathy, choppy vocal pattern. Patients typically report that significant vocal effort is used to produce voicing for both disorders. Some patients may exhibit mixed spasmodic dysphonia, with characteristics of both abductor and adductor spasmodic dysphonia. Patients may also experience a vocal tremor (shakiness of the voice) alongside the other spasmodic dysphonia symptoms.
Diagnosis: There is no definitive test for spasmodic dysphonia. It is important that an interprofessional team assess patients suspected of having this disorder. The speech-language pathologist is an integral team member. They can work alongside an otolaryngologist (ENT) or a neurologist. The speech-language pathologist is responsible for completing a thorough voice assessment, which consists of a case history and a voice evaluation. The voice evaluation includes an assessment of pitch, intensity, vocal quality, breath support for voicing and laryngeal/lingual tension. Differential diagnosis is important to rule out other voice disorders that may sound similar (e.g. severe muscle tension dysphonia). Some speech-language pathologists may use endoscopy to look at the structure or function of the larynx, depending on their training. The otolaryngologist assesses the structure and movement of the vocal cords and provides a medical diagnosis, while a neurologist may look for signs of other neurological conditions.
Treatment: The primary treatment is the injection of a drug called botulin toxin (Botox) into the vocal cords. This weakens the vocal cords enough to reduce the spasm but not completely paralyze them. The effect of the toxin can last anywhere from three to four months, at which time reinjection is necessary. Use of Botox may be supplemented with voice therapy, focusing on controlling breath support and relaxation strategies.
Demographic: Information from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation suggests that most people with spasmodic dysphonia are middle-aged, although patients may be younger.
To learn more about spasmodic dysphonia, visit:
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In Focus: Vestibular Disorders
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 The following information on vestibular disorders was compiled with the help of Janine Verge, Aud(C). Verge works with patients with vestibular disorders at the Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Centres. Janine also teaches courses on vestibular testing as an adjunct professor at Dalhousie University and chairs the Canadian Vestibular Guidelines Committee.
Definition: The most commonly diagnosed vestibular disorders include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, vestibular labyrinthitis, Ménière’s disease, secondary endolymphatic hydrops, superior semicircular canal dehiscence, acoustic neuroma, perilymph fistula, ototoxicity, enlarged vestibular aqueduct, migraine-associated vertigo and mal de débarquement. Some patients have one condition that may be affecting their vestibular system. Other patients may have multiple causes which can make their case histories more complex. Disease, injury, complications from aging, autoimmune disorders, genetic conditions, environmental conditions, and allergies can result in vestibular dysfunction. Vestibular disorders can be due to peripheral, central, or systemic causes.
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October 7, 2015:
SAC Webinar: EHDI Toolkit: Developing a Universal Hearing Screening Program, presented by Bill Campbell
October 15, 2015:
Deadline for applications to SAC's Scholarship Program
October 29, 2015:
Call for applications for the Director-Student position
October 30, 2015:
Workshop: Children Who Struggle to Speak: Establishing Effective Vocal-Verbal Skills for Children With Apraxia of Speech and Other Speech Sound Disorders, presented by Nancy Kaufman – Regina, SK
November 4, 2015:
SAC Webinar: Supporting Written Language in Children With Language Impairment, presented by Jennifer Larsen
November 13, 2015:
Application deadline for the Director-Student position (term commences April 29, 2016)
November 18, 2015:
SAC Lunch & Learn: Disability Tax Credit — What Is It?, presented by Lucie Thibault-Beaulne
December 1, 2015:
Submission deadline for the Isabel Richard Student Paper Awards
December 9, 2015:
Peer nomination deadline for SAC's Student Excellence Awards
January 31, 2016:
Deadline for applications for the spring clinical certification exam
April 2, 2016:
Spring clinical certification exam
April 27 - 30, 2016:
SAC Conference – Halifax, NS
June 30, 2016
Deadline for applications for the fall clinical certification exam
September 10, 2016
Fall clinical certification exam
September 18 - 22, 2016
The World Congress of Audiology - Vancouver, BC
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#Trending on Twitter
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Check out what's been trending for #slpeeps and #audpeeps lately!
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@SAC_OAC thinks @MemorialU must do better http://t.co/O8gUFavHrb #audpeeps
— SAC | OAC (@SAC_OAC) September 18, 2015
The CBC published a story in September about a professor at the Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) who refused to wear an FM transmitter for a student who was hard of hearing. The professor said her religious beliefs prevented her from wearing the transmitter. SAC has released an official statement criticizing MUN for failing to protect the rights of its students. Follow our Twitter account for more updates on initiatives like these.
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#Trending on Facebook
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We have exciting news! Today we are launching our Vote Communication Health Campaign - an advocacy campaign that aims to put communication health issues front and centre in the minds of election candidates....
Posted by Speech-Language & Audiology Canada on September 10, 2015.
Visit the campaign website to send a letter to your local candidates, asking them to make communication health an election issue. Join the discussion by using #VoteCommHealth on social media.
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#Trending on YouTube
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This video features interviews with audiologists in a wide range of settings and touches on some of the many issues that audiologists address. The video was supported by the Quebec Association of Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists. Note that it is available in French only.
Did you know SAC has its own YouTube channel? Subscribe to see more videos about communication health!
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Interview With SAC Student Associate in Audiology Worldnews
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This article profiles SAC student associate Victoria Stone, who just graduated with an M.Cl. Sc. from the University of Western Ontario. Victoria outlines the job market for audiologists in Canada. "In terms of employment, I would definitely recommend that they check out this profession. It is growing. It is a great time to enter the field," Victoria says. She will be starting her career with the Canadian Hearing Society in Toronto. Congratulations Victoria!
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Did You Know?
Student Line of Credit at RBC
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Speech-language pathology and audiology students across Canada are eligible to apply for a professional line of credit with RBC. SAC student associates and SAC CEO Joanne Charlebois advocated for the inclusion of speech-language pathology and audiology students to the Royal Credit Line in 2013. Learn more about the program here.
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Symptoms: The symptoms of vestibular disorders vary according to the cause or disorder but may include vertigo (the illusion of movement of the self or the environment), nausea, vomiting, oscillopsia (a visual disturbance where objects in the visual field appear to oscillate), diplopia (double vision), motion intolerance, disequilibrium (unsteadiness, imbalance, or loss of equilibrium), hearing loss, tinnitus, ataxia (lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements that includes gait abnormality), lightheadedness, spatial disorientation (not knowing where one’s body is in relation to the vertical and horizontal planes), ear fullness, an enhanced ability to hear own body sounds (such as blinking or eyes moving), headaches, difficulty paying attention, poor memory, visual auras, new anxiety or depression and sensitivity to light, sound and/or busy environments.
Diagnosis: The most important tool in diagnosing vestibular disorders is the patient’s case history. Audiologists should ask about how long the patient has had dizziness, the type of dizziness, a description of the most severe spell, how often the dizziness happens, how long it lasts, the symptoms that occur with dizziness and the circumstances in which it happens. Bedside clinical examinations, hearing testing, and laboratory testing can assist in documenting normal or abnormal patterns to assist in diagnosis and monitoring of physical or functional abnormalities over time. Assessing dizziness-related quality of life with the use of scales is also important in diagnosis.
Treatment: Depending on the diagnosis, treatments for vestibular disorders can include surgery, pharmaceutical drugs, positioning maneuvers, vestibular rehabilitation, general physiotherapy, diet and life style changes or counseling. There are three main ways you can help patients who are at risk of falls. First, ensure that your clinic is a safe place for your patients to visit. Second, always include a question about a history of falls or near falls in your case history. Third, educate your patient about fall prevention.
Demographic: Vestibular disorders can affect people of any age, though children are typically underdiagnosed. BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) is the most common vestibular disorder and although it's rare in children, it can affect both younger and older adults. It is important to note that children who have sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) are at greater risk to develop vestibular disorders than peers without SNHL.
To learn more about vestibular disorders, visit:
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SAC Benefits You May Be Missing Out On
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By André LaFlamme, Members and Associates Officer
I started working at SAC as the new Members and Associates Officer in early May. Over the past several months, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know SAC’s wonderful members and associates. I’ve been impressed by the wide array of interesting, talented and thoughtful people who make up our association.
However, it’s become clear to me through my interactions with some of our student associates that many of you don’t know about the plethora of benefits available through SAC. Maybe you've heard of our most well-known benefits: student associates are eligible to write our prestigious clinical certification exam, new graduates get 50% off their first year as a member or associate, new graduates receive free professional liability insurance for six months and our resource library.
I’d like to take a few minutes to share five of the great perks you might not already know about… with the help of some memes.
Benefit #1: Member and Associate Directory
When you're starting your career, SAC's Member and Associate Directory is an incredible resource to build contacts. If you're moving to a new city or looking for a job, consult this directory of our more than 6,200 members and associates. You can filter your results by profession, language, city, province or country. This makes networking easy.
Benefit #2: Student Awards
Many students initially join SAC for our scholarship program, since we offer $27,000 in scholarships to our student associates across Canada every year. However, very few students also participate in our awards program. SAC has a number of different awards, including two awards specifically for students. These prestigious awards don’t just look great on your CV — they come with prize money and a continuing education voucher towards SAC’s Professional Development Program! Check out our website to learn more.
Benefit #3: Our Most Newsworthy Publication
SAC has a range of high-quality publications that our members and associates receive automatically, but did you know that you have to sign up to receive our most popular newsletter? Every week, we gather the top news stories related to speech-language pathology and audiology and summarize them for our readers in one convenient email. As a student associate, you can sign up for This Week in the News to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in the professions using this form. You can also access archived issues of the newsletter here.
If you’re looking for more reading material, don’t forget to check out our blog, the Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, SAC in Action, and the PD Bulletin.
Benefit #4: Hotel and Car Rental Discounts
With Thanksgiving approaching, many of us will soon be travelling to spend the long weekend with loved ones. I was surprised to learn that few student associates take advantage of the great hotel and car rental discounts available to them. We’ve partnered with Local Hospitality to offer you (and your friends and family) savings on hotel and car rentals, so be sure to make use of this discount program when planning your next weekend away!
Benefit #5: We Help You Live the GoodLife
Did you know that all student associates are eligible for great discounts at GoodLife Fitness? And by great discounts, I mean students also get more than 50% off the regular price of a membership. For just over $1 per day, you can have unlimited access to GoodLife’s equipment and fitness classes, no matter where you are in Canada! Sign up today.
If you have any questions about signing up for these benefits, or if you want more information about other programs available to you as a student associate, please send me an email or give me a quick call. As the new Members and Associates Officer, making sure that you are getting the most out of SAC is my job!
André LaFlamme
Members and Associates Officer
andre@sac-oac.ca | 1.800.259.8519 x221
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SAC Scholarships and Awards: Your Chance to Shine
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Each year, SAC offers student associates in their final year of study several scholarship opportunities to support their goals of becoming speech-language pathologists or audiologists.
These scholarships range from $1,000 to $2,000 and are available to full-time students enrolled in a master's degree program in speech-language pathology or audiology. (Students who are enrolled in a full-time doctorate degree program (AuD), who have not previously completed a master’s degree program in audiology, are also eligible.)
Please visit our website to learn more about the scholarships and download the application forms. The SAC office must receive all applications by October 15, 2015.
Contact Nancy Vardy, Members and Associates Coordinator, at nancy@sac-oac.ca if you have any questions.
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SAC has two awards specifically for its student associates:
Isabel Richard Student Paper Awards
These awards recognize the best papers written by SAC student associates on a specific topic related to the professions. Student associates in a speech-language pathology or audiology program and doctoral student associates in any program are eligible. Each winner will receive a $1,500 cash prize, a continuing education voucher for SAC’s professional development program and a framed certificate. Plus, we’ll publish the winning papers on our blog!
Application deadline: December 1, 2015
Student Excellence Awards
SAC student associates in their graduating year of study in any speech-language pathology and audiology training program in Canada are eligible for these awards. They recognize the best all-round future professionals who have shown significant enthusiasm for their field of study and have inspired others to contribute to the development and growth of the professions. Winners receive a continuing education voucher for SAC’s professional development program and a mounted certificate!
Peer nomination deadline: December 9, 2015
Please visit our website to read the full award descriptions and download the application forms. You can contact Riana Topan, Communications Specialist, at
riana@sac-oac.ca with questions.
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We know that as a student, you're busy. Between staying on top of your classes and assignments, doing practicums and volunteer work and making connections with peers and mentors, you have a lot to keep track of. That's why we have a manual just for our student associates — it will tell you everything you need to know about SAC and remind of you of why it pays to be part of your national professional association.
We hope you find this resource helpful! And don't forget that your Director-Student, Student Representatives, SAC's staff and Board of Directors are also here to answer your questions at any time.
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