Speech therapist, Kelly Moreale, reflects on her first year as a clinician and what she learned.
1
You are not expected to be an expert immediately after graduation. No one will judge you if you ask for guidance about something you are unsure of.
2
You will make mistakes. Chances are, they can be fixed. Even if they can’t, it is not the end of the world.
3
You will regret some of the goals you write. Either you wrote one in a way that is difficult to take data on, or you wrote one that is too high/low for the child. If possible, have someone look over your goals for you. Even better, practice the targeted skill with the child while taking data before the IEP is finalized.
4
Be flexible. People will cancel appointments. Teachers will give you last-minute notice about IEP meetings. A patient might be working the the OT during the time you wanted to see her. Everyone has a lot going on. You just have to adjust and deal.
5
Many people will not know exactly what you do. It’s not their fault. SLPs have a wide scope of practice.
6
Don’t re-invent the wheel. Don’t waste hours trying to make new therapy materials for every session. Invest in materials that can be used a variety of ways, like games. And always look on the internet because chances are, what you are looking for has already been made by someone else.
7
It’s okay to say no. Taking on too much not only hurts you, but it affects the quality of therapy you are providing.
8
Always carry a change of clothes. Things can get messy in this field.
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