Impacts of COVID-19 on Communication: Key Factors for Parents & SLPs
The COVID-19 pandemic left a lasting impact on many parts of life, including children’s speech and language development. Since the lockdown in 2020, there has been a significant increase in children with speech and language delays. For both parents and SLPs, understanding the root causes of these issues and addressing the delays is vital to the success of these children. Let’s consider the impacts of COVID-19 on communication and what can be done to help families and their children! Silent Impact of COVID-19 on Communication Development While physical health concerns were at the forefront of COVID-19, the results were so
Exploring New Horizons: Alternative Careers for SLPs
Are you feeling like your career as an SLP is no longer for you? Does what once ignited you full of passion now seem like a dull flame or just embers? You’re not alone in these thoughts, and you aren’t out of options! Your skills, education, and experience set you up for success in other ways. It’s time to explore new horizons and consider viable alternative careers for SLPs! Reimagine Your Role Within Speech-Language Pathology Before diving head first into the many alternative careers for SLPs, stop to consider if a possible shift within the profession might rekindle your excitement.
A Helpful Guide for Preparing for the Holidays in Speech Therapy
The holiday season is upon us! With it comes a variety of opportunities and challenges in the world of speech-language therapy. The holidays are usually filled with excitement, changes in routines, and many new sensory experiences that can both motivate and overwhelm the children you work with. As an SLP, it’s important to navigate this time of year thoughtfully in order to best support your clients and their families. Consider these helpful tips for preparing for the holidays in speech therapy! Special Considerations While Preparing for the Holidays in Speech Therapy Before jumping straight into lesson planning for holiday speech
3 Powerful (& Simple!) Ways to Embrace Diversity in the Speech Room
For SLPs, being intentional to create an inclusive environment isn’t just about best practices— it’s vital! One of the most important things you can do for your students is to provide resources that reflect their own families and communities. This approach to therapy encourages greater self-esteem and stronger connections with caregivers. Check out these 3 easy ways to embrace diversity in your speech room this year! Why You Should Embrace Diversity Diversity includes race, religion, age, disabilities, and other important pieces of a person’s identity. Research consistently shows that representation matters and that’s no different when providing speech and language
5 Practical Tips for Managing Speech Therapy Groups with Confidence & Success
In the world of school-based speech therapy, managing speech therapy groups is often an area SLPs don’t feel prepared for. Handling multiple students at once can be challenging, but with the right strategies and mindset, it can also be highly effective and rewarding for everyone. Rest assured— managing speech therapy groups can be done with confidence and success! Common Challenges with Speech Therapy Groups Managing speech therapy groups comes with its unique set of challenges: To address these challenges, you will need well-thought-out strategies, patience, and a positive mindset. Managing Speech Therapy Groups with Success It’s important to choose strategies
4 Tips for School-Based SLPs: How to Have Tough Conversations with New Teachers
The beginning of the school year can be challenging for school-based SLPs— especially when working with teachers who are either new to your school or new to the field. Effective communication and collaboration with teachers are vital to providing the best care for students. Understanding common problem points in advance will help you be better prepared for your interactions with new teachers. Use these 4 tips to have tough conversations with new teachers and make this school year easier for everyone! Common Problem Points Expect to encounter at least one of these common challenges with new teachers. As you consider
3 Considerations to Increase Caregiver Involvement in Speech Therapy
As a pediatric SLP, you understand the importance of caregiver and parent involvement in speech therapy— but caregivers often do not! Building effective partnerships with caregivers is crucial for the success of your therapy sessions and the overall progress of your clients. Caregivers don’t usually anticipate this expectation for collaboration so it’s up to you to be clear from the start. Increase caregiver involvement in your speech therapy sessions in 3 easy steps! Importance of Caregiver & Parent Involvement in Speech Therapy Caregivers need to know from the start that speech therapy is a collaboration. Many caregivers are often misinformed
Everything You Need to Know to Begin Treating Phonological Processing Disorders
Treating phonological processing disorders is a key piece of what you do as a pediatric SLP. It’s important to understand how phonological processing disorders differ from other speech sound disorders, how to get caregivers on board, and how to choose the best treatment approaches to help your clients. You CAN help children develop more intelligible speech and set them up on a path for successful communication all of their lives! Understanding Phonological Processing Disorders Before you begin to educate caregivers about phonological processing disorders (PPDs), it’s important to ensure you have a solid understanding of this type of speech sound
3 Ways to Handle Caregivers Who Don’t Follow Through with Speech Therapy Suggestions
As an SLP, you understand the frustration with caregivers who don’t follow through with speech therapy suggestions after they’ve asked. You KNOW progress would be so much faster if carryover was happening at home! This can be especially challenging, but it’s important to consider why this breakdown is happening and consider what you can do to help. Why Aren’t Home Activities Happening? There are a few different reasons why caregivers may not be following through with the home activities you suggest after therapy sessions: Because each of these reasons is different, your approach to helping families work through them will
Creating Systems: 3 Ways to Make Life Easier as an SLP
As a pediatric SLP, your days are filled with countless responsibilities from providing therapy to completing paperwork to educating caregivers. It’s so easy to become overwhelmed, but take heart! There is a way to make your life easier as you start the upcoming school year– creating systems. By focusing on your biggest challenges, you can create systems and routines that save time during busy days, reduce stress, and prevent burnout. You’re worth this investment! Identify Your Biggest Struggles Before Creating Systems According to James Clear’s book Atomic Habits, success is not achieved by relying on willpower or pure discipline. Success
Encouragement for SLPs: Changing the World Through Caregiver Education
In the hustle and bustle of your daily life as a pediatric SLP, it’s easy to lose sight of the incredible impact you are making in the world. The stresses and challenges of being an SLP can sometimes cloud your vision, but it’s important to take time to remind yourself that you ARE changing the world! At the pediatric level, much of this change comes from the work you do with your clients’ caregivers. Caregiver education has transformative power! Don’t Lose Hope The demands of being an SLP can feel overwhelming at times. It feels like the documentation is endless,
3 IMPORTANT Considerations for SLPs: Choosing Continuing Education Courses Wisely
As a pediatric SLP, your dedication to ongoing learning is vital for providing the best care for your clients and their families. Continuing education (CE) not only enriches your practice but also ensures you stay up-to-date with the latest research and techniques in the field of speech-language pathology. With the vast options available, choosing continuing education courses wisely is important to best serve both yourself and your clients. 1. Understand What is Required of You Before diving headfirst into the depths of available CE courses, be sure you understand the specific requirements set by both your state and the American
Navigating the Current ASHA Fee Increase: Insights for Pediatric SLPs
Early in 2024, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) announced an impending increase in dues of $25 for certified members. The response has been nothing short of intense! The emotions of many SLPs have ranged from frustration to great disappointment to anger and more. As SLPs who care deeply about our profession, it’s important to consider the depth of this ASHA fee increase and how it impacts us all individually and collectively. ASHA’s Significance on the SLP Profession For many of us SLPs, our relationship with ASHA is a huge part of our career. It has been a: ASHA set many
How To Embrace & Nurture Your Identity as an SLP
You spend so much of your time investing in others– your clients, their families, your colleagues, your family… But are you investing in yourself? Let’s take a look at the depth of your identity as an SLP. Consider who you are beyond your professional title, and how to fully nurture yourself in the process! Your Professional Identity Let’s face it– it’s not uncommon for us as SLPs to closely identify with our job title. This deep connection often stems from the demanding journey of undergraduate and graduate education plus all that’s involved with licensure and certification. All of these coupled
4 PRACTICAL Tips to Share with Caregivers for Summer Speech Success
As you approach the summer months, it’s crucial to equip families with the tools they need to support their child’s speech and language development during this break. Here are 4 easy and practical tips to share with caregivers for summer speech success! 4 PRACTICAL Tips for Summer Speech Success Clarify Goals and Strategies First of all, it is important to make sure caregivers clearly understand their child’s specific diagnosis and goals. They also need to be fully aware of what types of prompts their child responds best to. This bundle set of Parent Education Handouts is a great resource to
4 Simple Ways to Celebrate National Speech-Language-Hearing Month
As May approaches, it’s time to consider ways to celebrate National Speech-Language-Hearing Month with your fellow SLPs, parents, and colleagues. Embracing Change National Speech-Language-Hearing Month was formally called Better Hearing and Speech Month. The shift to this new name is important for inclusivity and references the multifaceted roles you fulfill as an SLP. This change also recognizes the ever-changing landscape of the world of speech-language pathology. Embrace the change as an opportunity to amplify your voice for better advocacy and bring much-needed awareness to our fantastic profession! 4 Simple Ways to Celebrate National Speech-Language-Hearing Month 1. Promote the Field Take
3 Ways to Build Trust and Respect with Caregivers: A Guide for Pediatric SLPs
As a pediatric SLP, you understand the importance of gaining the trust and respect of your clients’ caregivers. Developing a strong rapport with parents is crucial for successful collaboration and implementation of treatment plans. While your (fabulous!) credentials may highlight your expertise, it’s your interpersonal skills and approach that will truly solidify your role as a trusted partner in a child’s communication journey. Read these 3 strategies you can begin to easily incorporate to build trust and respect with caregivers that lasts! 3 Ways to Build Trust and Respect with Caregivers 1. Active Listening One of the first steps in
3 Ways to Empower Caregivers in Speech Therapy
The journey of speech-language therapy can be overwhelming for families. As an SLP, it’s crucial to recognize the emotional challenges caregivers often face when their child is diagnosed with a communication delay or receives an unexpected medical diagnosis. Rather than assuming disinterest, it’s important to acknowledge their vulnerability and seek to empower them as integral members of the therapy process. Let’s go over 3 easy ways to empower caregivers in speech therapy– because they really do want to help! 3 Easy Ways to Empower Caregivers in Speech Therapy 1. Speak Simply Communicate simply with families by using easy-to-understand terms and
5 INGENIOUS Strategies to Empower Students in Speech Therapy
As you know, even the most intricately planned speech sessions and thought-out goals cannot overcome a student who is unmotivated in speech sessions. Figuring out how to empower students in speech therapy is a delicate balance of providing support while also promoting independence. As you address passivity, avoid being the sole motivator for success, reduce caregiver stress, establish quality home programs, and implement speech stations, you will set your speech students up for life-long success as they take control of their goals and learn to communicate effectively. Address Passivity to Empower Students in Speech Therapy Passive learners often struggle to
EASY Steps to Ensure Caregivers Feel Like an Integral Part of the IEP Process
Navigating the world of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) can feel overwhelming for caregivers, but the process can be more manageable with your help as an SLP! Let’s delve into how and why you should ensure caregivers feel like integral parts of the IEP process. I promise– everyone will be better for it! How & Why to Ensure Caregivers Feel Like an Integral Part of the IEP Process IEP Reminders Maybe you’re new to the school setting or are working with a different age than you previously have. Either way, it’s always good to review the basics before you begin to