Audrey Holland has joined Nan Bernstein Ratner as Editors-in-Chief of the journal Seminars in Speech and Language, a quarterly topic driven review journal that covers the entire spectrum of speech language pathology. Two issues per year are Adult focused and two are Child focused. In each issue, a leading specialist covers diagnostic procedures, screening and assessment techniques, treatment protocols, as well as short and long-term management practices in areas such as apraxia, communication, stuttering, autism, dysphagia, attention, phonological intervention, memory as well as other disorders. Audrey took time out to discuss the language disorder, aphasia -- the most common causes and what is the primary treatment or management option. She also offered her advice to people just starting out in her field, and shared her role models. Audrey L. Holland, Ph.D. Editor-in-Chief of Seminars in Speech and Language Q1. Since you've recently joined Seminars in Speech and Language as one of the Editors-in-Chief; can you tell us a little about what new direction and ideas you've brought to the journal? I am trying to be responsible to a broad range of readership, over a broad range of issues. My predecessor, Nancy Helm Estabrooks, of course established that precedent, and I am just trying to follow it. Q2. Can you share any new topics you'd like to cover in upcoming issues? The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) issue is coming up, and is clearly in response to questionnaires from the readership. I am totally grateful to the principled leadership of Lyn Turkstra in spearheading this important issue. Next comes Becky Cornett's incredibly informative issue on the regulatory environment in which we practice our profession. I think I will leave it at those, simply to wet your appetites. Q3. What fascinates you about the medical area you are in? It is never boring. Q4. Your major research interests have been in neurogenic communication disorders, with special emphasis on aphasia and management of aphasia. You also maintain an active clinical role in rehabilitation of aphasic adults. Would you please tell us your definition of aphasia? I was expecting a harder question after that introduction! Aphasia is the language disorder that follows upon damage to the language processing routines (areas?) of the brain. The consequences of this damage are also important to its definition. Communication is one of humans' most unique characteristics. Thus, the definition of aphasia has to recognize the complexity of its consequences on activities of everyday life and participation in society. Q5. What are the most common causes of aphasia, and what is the primary treatment or management option for aphasia? Of course, stroke is the most common cause. There is a difference of opinion on whether or not treatment should be focused on the language impairment itself, or its functional consequences. However, regardless of which is viewed as primary by clinicians, most also recognize the importance of the other position. Q6. The National Aphasia Association (NAA) did a survey in 2003, which found the most common need of people with aphasia was to have greater understanding and public awareness of aphasia. From your experience, can you please tell us what has been done over the past couple of years to educate the public more of aphasia? Progress has been made in increasing awareness, but it is a long and slow road to travel. The NAA is a leader, and the recent publication of the Aphasia Handbook, adapted for Americans from its British parents, is a remarkable step. There is growing, but slow awareness of raising national consciousness. Three very heartening examples are the CaliforniaAphasia Center, the Adler Aphasia Center, and the Aphasia Hopel. Q7. What advice can you give people just starting out in your field? Tough question. I entered the field when it was benignly neglected. Now the field is neglected attended to. Fight hard for your clients! Be optimistic! Keep up with what is happening both in best practices and in how they are reimbursed. And finally, have fun. Q8. What was the toughest challenge you faced in your career? I have always championed functional concerns in aphasia treatment. It has been hard dealing with individuals who think this means I don't care about the basic impairments that influence functional concerns. I guess that means I have always been unhappy about being in a "treatment camp." Q9. Who are your role models? Professionally it is Hildred Schuell, Norman Geschwind, Elizabeth Webster and Louise Ward. Personally (and it also counts professionally -- It seems to me that one cannot totally separate the two) -- the Dalai Lama, Martin E.P. Seligman, and most of my very close friends. Q10. What would you like to be known for when you're gone? I would like to be known as a humanistic clinician who also recognized the importance of solid scientific evidence concerning our clinical interventions. I would like to be thought of as an innovator, and as a facilitator. Click here* to download a PDF version of the interview. For more information and to subscribe, please visit: Seminars in Speech and Language Click here for additional Thieme speech and language titles. (* Pdf file, Adobe® Acrobat® Reader required. Free Download.)