Brainstorms: The Autonomic Wildcard: Dysautonomia in Neuro Rehab

Full video interview with Renee Garrett MSEd, CCC-SLP, CBIS and Guest: Julie Fechter MS, CCC-SLP for The Autonomic Wildcard: Dysautonomia in Neuro Rehab an episode of the Brainstorms podcast.

Hosted by: SpeechTherapyPD

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/cours...

In this episode of Brainstorms, host Renee Garrett, MSEd, CCC-SLP, CBIS, is joined by Julie A. Fechter, MS, CCC-SLP, to explore dysautonomia, an often overlooked but highly impactful factor in neuro rehabilitation. Autonomic dysfunction can quietly influence attention, fatigue, communication tolerance, swallowing safety, and overall engagement, showing up in therapy sessions in ways that are easy to miss or misinterpret.

This conversation is especially relevant for clinicians working with adults following stroke, TBI, long COVID, and other neurologic conditions. Renee and Julie walk through common red flags, practical assessment considerations, and therapy modifications that help protect energy and support carryover. If you have ever questioned why a patient’s alertness, vitals, or cognitive endurance feel inconsistent from session to session, this episode offers a clearer framework for understanding what may be happening and how to adapt your clinical approach with greater confidence.

About the Host:
Renee Garrett is a native of Hampton Roads, VA. She graduated with her Bachelors and her Masters, both from Old Dominion University. She worked in a variety of medical settings, providing care for adults across the lifespan with dysphagia and a variety of communication and cognitive disorders. Renee has a special interest in cognitive retraining post-TBI. She holds certification as a certified brain injury specialist from the Brain Injury Association of America and is active in educating families, friends, and patients about dysphagia, communication, and cognitive disorders. She has served the Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia in several roles, including president. She is the secretary for the Communication Disorders Foundation of Virginia. Renee is the recipient of the 2023 Darden Fellow award from Old Dominion University.

About the Guest:
Julie A. Fechter, MS, CCC-SLP, is an adult medical SLP with 15 years of experience across nearly every setting imaginable. Specializing in Parkinson’s in her home health clinical practice, Julie was recently diagnosed with Sjogren's disease. She participated in a clinical trial, which greatly deepened her understanding of being a patient. Julie has spoken at state speech conventions in California and Louisiana, as well as for the APDA NW. Julie spends time outside of work traveling (60+ countries), baking, arguing about politics, and moderating speech Facebook groups.