The National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association invites you to attend the 2018 NSDA Symposium on Saturday, May 5th, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas DFW Airport South. Join us for fellowship, education, and fun. The event will host some of the leading experts in the field of spasmodic dysphonia while providing the opportunity to meet others who share a similar experience.

What can you expect if you attend this meeting?

• Meeting others and sharing YOUR story about living with spasmodic dysphonia at the Welcome Party on Friday evening prior to the symposium, and, if a first-time attendee, sign up for the SD Ambassador Program;
• Updates on the latest developments, including research, on spasmodic dysphonia from experts in the fields of laryngology and speech and language pathology;
• Your questions answered during panel discussions with the medical presenters.

The Symposium will take place on Saturday, May 5th in Salon A at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas DFW Aiport South.

Medical Speakers include (in alphabetical order):

• Lesley Childs, MD, UT Southwestern Clinical Center for Voice Care
• Se-in Kim, MA, CCC-SLP
• Ted Mau, MD, UT Southwestern Clinical Center for Voice Care
• Barbara Schultz, MD, UT Southwestern Clinical Center for Voice Care

Dorothy Tannahill-Moran is an author of four career success books, speaker, leadership coach and known as the Introvert Whisperer. Dorothy is going to talk about confidence and self-esteem in her talk titled: Think rebuilding your Self-esteem is Impossible? (Don’t Believe Everything You Think!)

ASU PhD Student Meredith Moore will be speaking on her research on "Evaluating the Needs of Individuals with Spasmodic Dysphonia for the Design of Voice-Assistive Technologies" and you might have a chance to partipcate! 

After a day of learning, relax with us on Saturday evening for an optional dinner after the symposium.

Symposium Schedule

10:30 a.m. Welcome and Overview of the NSDA
Charlie Reavis, NSDA President 

10:40 a.m. History of Spasmodic Dysphonia 
Barbara Schultz, MD

11:00 a.m. Role of Speech Therapy for Spasmodic Dysphonia:
Se-in Kim, MA, CCC-SLP 

11:20 a.m. Evaluating the Needs of Individuals with SD for the Design 
of Voice-Assistive Technologies
Meredith Moore 

11:25 a.m. Break

11:40 a.m. Medical Treatment for Spasmodic Dysphonia
Lesley Childs, MD 

Noon Surgical Treatment for Spasmodic Dysphonia
Ted Mau, MD

12:20 p.m. Question and Answer Panel 

1:00 p.m.  Lunch

2:00 p.m.   Think Rebuilding Your Self-esteem is Impossible?
(Don’t Believe Everything You Think!
Dorothy Tannahill-Moran 

2:45 p.m. Break

3:00 p.m.  Break-Out Session: Impact of Spasmodic Dysphonia

Personal Journeys: Living with Spasmodic Dysphonia
Rarest of the Rare: Abductor Spasmodic Dysphonia
Spasmodic Dysphonia Impact on Family and Friends

4:00 p.m. Closing Comments 

4:15 p.m. Adjourn  

6:00 p.m. Dinner (optional – additional fee)

Hotel Information

The meeting will be held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas DFW Airport South located at 14650 West Airport Freeway, Irving, Texas. A hot breakfast and wifi is included in the special rate of $119 plus tax. To make reservations, please click here or use the Group Code NSD on the Hilton app. The rate is available until April 16, or until the group block is sold-out, whichever comes first.

PLEASE NOTE: The are two Embassy Suites near the DFW Airport. The meeting will be at the Embassy Suites South in Irving, TX. The other hotel is located in Grapevine, TX. 

Enjoy spacious, contemporary accommodations in this all-suite hotel, where a separate living area and bedroom are standard and this rate includes complimentary Wi-Fi. Start the day with a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast, and end with complimentary drinks and snacks at the Evening Reception.

Visit DFW attractions such as Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. Indulge in some retail therapy at the Irving Mall, Grapevine Mills Outlet Mall, or the Grand Prairie Premium Outlets. Catch a game at the AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, or Globe Life Park, home of the Texas Rangers.  

Transportation

The closest airport is the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The hotel is about 2 miles or a 5 minutes drive from the airport.

A complimentary airport shuttle is provided for all hotel guests to and from the Embassy Suites DFW International Airport South beginning at 5:00 am until midnight. Upon arrival at DFW International Airport (DFW), guests should call the hotel directly at 972-790-0093 so operators can verify and confirm all reservations and give instructions for pick-up. Please allow up to 30 minutes for pick-up during peak travel times. The airport shuttle departs the hotel every 30 minutes for return flights. 

A taxi is about $25 each way. Rideshares, like Uber and Lyft, are also available at the airport. Look for "rideshare’ signs for the specific pick-up areas. 

The other airport in the area is Dallas Loves Field (DAL). That airport is almost 13 miles from the hotel or a 20 minute drive. The hotel does not offer a free shuttle from Loves Field. Super Shuttle, a cab, or rideshares are available. 

Self-parking at the hotel is free for both hotel guests and attendees of the conference. 

Dress
Casual attire is appropriate for the symposium. Since the hotel is air-conditioned, bringing a sweater or jacket is advisable. We cannot control the temperature in the meeting rooms.

NSDA Ambassador Program
NSDA Symposiums provide a wonderful opportunity to connect with others living with spasmodic dysphonia. For first-time attendees, we host an NSDA Ambassador Program. We will try to match people of similar experience with another experienced attendee to help answer questions and be a “point-person” at the symposium. If you have been to a NSDA Symposium or similar type meeting, we encourage you to sign up to be an Ambassador on the registration form. A follow-up survey will be sent to you after you register with additional details.

We hope you join us for the exciting meeting in the Dallas area!

Register Now!