Brain Bridge Therapy, PLLC

03/11/2026

What’s That Word Wednesday 🧠

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

An acquired brain injury is any damage to the brain that occurs after birth. These injuries are not present at birth and are not related to genetic or developmental conditions.

Acquired brain injuries can happen for many reasons, including:
• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injury (such as a fall or car accident)
• Brain tumors
• Infections
• Lack of oxygen to the brain (anoxia/hypoxia)

Because the brain controls how we think, communicate, move, and process information, an acquired brain injury can impact many areas of daily life. This may include changes in:
• Speech and language
• Cognition (memory, attention, problem solving)
• Swallowing
• Voice
• Social communication

Every brain injury is different, which means recovery and rehabilitation look different for each person. With the right support and therapy, many people can regain skills, develop strategies, and improve their independence and quality of life.

03/10/2026

The brainstem sits at the base of the brain, connecting the brain to the spinal cord. Even though it’s small, it plays a huge role in keeping us alive and functioning every day.

The brainstem helps control many of the body’s automatic functions, including:
• Breathing
• Heart rate
• Blood pressure
• Sleep and wake cycles
• Swallowing
• Basic reflexes like coughing and blinking

It also serves as a communication highway, carrying messages between the brain and the rest of the body.

For professionals in communication and swallowing, the brainstem is especially important because it houses many of the cranial nerve nuclei that control muscles involved in speech, voice, and swallowing.

When the brainstem is injured (such as after a stroke or traumatic brain injury), people may experience difficulties with:
• Swallowing (dysphagia)
• Speech or voice
• Breathing coordination
• Balance and alertness

This is one reason why interdisciplinary rehabilitation — including speech-language pathology — can be so important in recovery.

Even though we don’t often think about it, the brainstem is constantly working behind the scenes to keep our bodies regulated and our communication systems functioning.

03/09/2026

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month 🧠💚

Brain injuries can affect so much more than people often realize—communication, memory, attention, problem solving, and the ability to manage everyday tasks. These changes can impact relationships, work, independence, and overall quality of life.

Speech-language pathologists play an important role in brain injury rehabilitation by supporting communication, cognition, and functional skills that help individuals return to the activities that matter most to them.

Recovery looks different for everyone, but with the right support, education, and strategies, people can continue to make meaningful progress and live fulfilling lives.

This month is about raising awareness, supporting survivors and families, and recognizing the professionals who help along the journey.

03/04/2026

Enjoyed being an exhibitor at the Annual Brain Injury Association of Iowa Conference!

02/26/2026

Happy to have been a part of this 💙

02/26/2026

Thanks for having me on your podcast Mary!

New Podcast out today with guest, Emily Anker, from Brain Bridge Therapy, PLLC
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0uU5UESXAw4YTXOICrgmob?si=uo4CN6e7TGSCGRIlyGHTtw

02/17/2026

Independence isn’t just about strength — it’s about skills. 🧠✨

When we think about daily functioning, we often focus on the basics like bathing, dressing, and eating (ADLs). But true independence also relies on higher-level skills like managing medications, handling finances, transportation, and communication (IADLs).

For individuals with brain injury, stroke, dementia, or other neurological conditions, challenges with cognition and communication can impact both ADLs and IADLs (sometimes in subtle ways at first).

As a speech-language pathologist, I don’t just work on “speech.” I support the thinking, problem-solving, memory, and communication skills that make everyday life possible.

🗣️ Supporting functional, real-life skills.
🏠 In-home services in Des Moines.
💻 Virtual services across Iowa.

DesMoines IowaSLP

02/12/2026

I'm looking forward to attending (and being an exhibitor at!) the Iowa Brain Injury Association's Conference! Let me know if I'll see you there!

02/10/2026

I’m excited to share that I am now a "Certified Brain Injury Specialist" (CBIS) through the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS)!

This certification reflects advanced training and commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based care for individuals with acquired brain injury. I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue growing and better supporting my clients and their families. 🧠💙

02/06/2026

Wellness is more than just one thing 🧠✨

This Wellness Wheel reminds us that true health is multidimensional—emotional, physical, intellectual, occupational, social, nutritional, financial, and spiritual. When one area feels off, it can affect the others.

Communication and cognition are deeply connected to every part of this wheel. How we understand information, express our needs, make decisions, and connect with others impacts relationships, work, health management, emotional well-being, and independence in daily life.

In therapy, we look beyond isolated skills and focus on the whole person—supporting communication and cognitive skills in ways that strengthen overall wellness and quality of life.

02/03/2026

Visuals aren’t just for kids 👀🧠
Visuals are tools like written words, pictures, schedules, checklists, maps, or symbols that support understanding and communication.

Adults use visuals every day without even realizing it. Think calendars, to-do lists, GPS directions, or step-by-step instructions. For adults with communication, cognitive, or memory challenges, visuals can make information clearer, reduce overwhelm, and support independence.

Visuals can help adults
• understand and remember information
• follow routines or multi-step tasks
• reduce frustration and anxiety
• support communication when words are hard

Whether after a brain injury, with neurodegenerative disease, or just during a busy day, visuals are a powerful support at any age.

01/31/2026

The “Big 9” Areas of Speech-Language Pathology

Speech-language pathologists assess and treat more than just speech sounds. Our scope of practice includes nine core areas:

1️⃣ Speech – articulation, phonology, motor speech
2️⃣ Language – understanding & using words, sentences, and stories
3️⃣ Hearing – hearing loss, auditory processing, and communication strategies
4️⃣ Social Communication – pragmatic language & social interaction
5️⃣ Voice – pitch, loudness, and vocal quality
6️⃣ Fluency – stuttering and cluttering
7️⃣ Cognition – attention, memory, problem-solving, executive functioning
8️⃣ Feeding & Swallowing – safety and efficiency with eating/drinking
9️⃣ AAC – augmentative & alternative communication

Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)