Barbara R Schwartz-Thorne, M.A., CCC-SLP Expert Witness
Curriculum Vitae

Expert in Cognitive-Linguistic Eval & Treatment

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Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

General Specialties:

Speech-Language Pathology

Keywords/Search Terms:

Licensed in AZ CA UT OR NM GA SC NC MA and NV, Speech Therapy for Brain Injury Victims, Traumatic Brain Injury, Speech-Language Evaluations for Legal Cases, Speech Therapy Stroke, Communication Disorder Specialist, Cognitive-Communication Therapy for TBI

Education:

Bachelor's, California State University, Los Angeles; Master's, University of Nothern Colorado, Greeley

Years in Practice:

40

Number of Times Deposed/Testified in Last 4 Yrs:

20

Additional Information

Licensed in AZ, CA, UT, OR, NM, GA, SC, NC, MA, and NV. Expert in the treatment of Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injuries; MVA, slip and fall, industrial accidents, bicycle, and motorcycle accidents. Cognitive-Linguistic Assessment and Treatment available. Cognitive-Linguistic Therapy is provided by a Speech-Language Pathologist who has expertise in treating acquired head injury, referred to as head trauma, concussion, and/or TBI/ABI. Cognitive Therapy focuses on the 10 main skill sets of cognition also known as executive functions: attention, focus, problem-solving, planning, organizing, time management, processing speed, language comprehension and expression, cognitive flexibility in addition to emotional regulation. When an individual suffers a brain injury all/some of these areas may be impaired. In addition, speech-language impairments due to a TBI/ABI may include stuttering, oral motor sequencing difficulties resulting in impaired word production, difficulty retrieving names and words, swallowing disorders, auditory and visual memory difficulties which in turn impairs short-term memory, reading comprehension, left-right orientation, resulting in getting lost while driving or in the grocery store, or while reading a sentence or paragraph. When attention and focus are impaired short-term memory is affected along with an inability to remember conversations or instructions, passwords, and where you have placed items. Common behaviors are losing keys, leaving the garage door open, and forgetting how to get to a place you have been to many times before. Without attention and focus, memory is greatly impaired. Much confusion abounds impacting all areas of life, work, school, home life, and personal relationships. Problem-solving may be impaired given a TBI resulting in difficulty initiating, performing, sequencing, or completing tasks. We problem-solve all day comparing and contrasting information while holding the information in short-term memory to arrive at a solution or task completion. Difficulties in these areas impact work performance, social interactions, and activities of daily living: paying bills, balancing a checkbook, returning calls, and keeping appointments. Life is generally confusing with a TBI. As a Speech-Language Pathologist-Cognitive expert, I treat the above areas along with cognitive flexibility, the ability to integrate old and new information, and the ability to mesh new thinking patterns with current deficits. In addition, cognitive-linguistic therapy assists in re-establishing brain health and balance, solidifying and unifying an individual’s cognitive processes, and providing a cognitive foundation for a successful and productive life following a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). About Me! I received my master’s degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Northern Colorado-Greeley. I also completed a postgraduate fellowship at Denver VA Medical Center with an emphasis on stroke, TBI, swallowing disorders, and head and neck cancer. I established STA in 1986 to serve the needs of Las Vegas and surrounding areas, I am certified in Vital Stim, the leading dysphagia treatment. My free time is spent volunteering and supporting the smaller independent animal rescue groups in Nevada and California, riding my road bike up in the Red Rock Canyon and spending time with my husband and our rescues at both the beach and mountains.