Meet the experts

Ms. Hodges received her master’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from the University of Colorado. She has been part of Dr. Ramig’s research team since 2004. Ms. Hodges is a consultant, expert clinician, training and certification faculty, and CE Administrator with LSVT Global. She also enjoys her role within LSVT Global collaborating and presenting on Google’s Project Euphonia, which aims to improve voice recognition software for those with dysarthria and dysphonia. In addition to specializing in neurogenic voice and speech disorders, Ms. Hodges worked for 13 years at an outpatient hospital specializing in diagnosing and treating dysphagia, dysphonia, and upper airway disorders. She has presented nationally and internationally on LSVT LOUD, Parkinson’s disease, PVFM/VCD, cough, and dysphagia. Ms. Hodges has published articles and a book chapter on speech treatments for upper airway disorders. Educating others on the diagnosing and treatment of upper airway disorders remains a focus and passion for her. 

Jade graduated from the University of Toronto with a Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy Degree, following a Bachelor of Arts degree in Kinesiology & Physical Education completed at Wilfrid Laurier University.  Jade is a certified dance instructor as an Associate Member of the Canadian Dance Teacher's Association (CDTA) and a Rhythm Works Integrative Dance (RWID) Instructor. She is also a Level 1 certified gymnastics coach through NCCP.  Jade is an energetic community-based Occupational Therapist and dance instructor who enjoys working with children and families to help them reach their goals. Jade believes in a family-centered approach, understanding and appreciating that families know their children the best, and can work together as a team to enable children to maximize their meaningful participation in all aspects of life. Jade incorporates a variety of approaches based on training and experience, including certification in the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach, training in the DIR®/Floortime Model, Handwriting Without Tears programs, Rhythmic Movement Training, Principles of Safe Moving and Handling, and training in Motor Right Along and child development. Jade believes in adapting approaches for the individual needs of the child, that each child deserves equal opportunities, and every child can achieve success. These beliefs fostered the creation of The Dance Ability Movement, a community dance program for children and youth of all abilities that Jade, along with her sister and OT colleague Mallory Ryan, developed and currently run.  Jade thrives off of the relationships created with the children and families she works with, and looks forward to being a part of many more children’s dance through life!

Wendy B. Stav, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA received a BS in occupational therapy from Quinnipiac University and a PhD in occupational therapy from Nova Southeastern University, as well as a specialty certification in driving and community mobility.  For more than 20 years her work has focused on driving and community mobility with involvement at the state and national levels include AOTA’s Older Driver Initiative, co-authorship of AOTA official documents, book chapters, and articles, and collaboration with the American Medical Association, the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrator’s Older Driver Working Group. Dr. Stav was named to the AOTA Roster of Fellows in 2009 for her contributions to the advancement of driving and community mobility practice and received the Maryland Occupational Therapy Association Award of Merit for similar contributions to driving rehabilitation practice.  In recent years her scholarship has explored occupation-centered practice including contribution to a model of occupation-based practice, clinic makeover studies to enhance occupation-centered practice, and development of an assessment to measure occupation in practice.