where's the beef?

So since I'm one of the Lead SLPs in my school district, I've been back at work for a while.

But my SLPs just finished their second week of work.

We've all been hustlin' like we have to hustle the first few weeks of school.... oh, who am I kidding? We hustle all year long!

So I've been eating out a lot and need to get some healthy food choices that I can bring to school with me...

This week, I'm making home made brocoli salad and homemade chicken salad.
I've got a large glass bottle for water (gotta stay hydrated since we talk all day long), kombucha and coffee.

[I know coffee contradicts the large water.... but y'all know... no coffee, no Speechie]

So I need your help.... what are some good lunch and snack choices for the school-based- multiple- sites-a-day SLP?

[thanks in advance for your help!]

Uno

Uno is a magical magical game. Since I've been working with more upper elementary, middle school and high school students, I had to find something that would create a face-to-face interaction while giving us a reinforcer for the stagnant (but important) drill work.

Enter Uno - down from Heaven on a unicorn.

So here's how I use Uno so my kids don't think speech is lame-

*for my artic kids: say three target words; take a turn

*for my language kids: answer three questions; take a turn

*for fluency kids: say three sentences using fluent speech; take a turn

(you get the idea)

But there's something extra magical when we SLPs stumble upon something that can work for ANY kid on our caseload- this is where you'll need a parking space for the unicorn because Uno comes to the rescue again!

I have some kiddos who KNOW what to do during social situations but struggle to implement said skills when they are in the heat of the moment. Uno sets up those situations and moments of frustration, need, disappontment and excitement. Especially good for practicing turn taking! All you have to do is talk the kids through it and help them role-play.

Uno's not expensive and I have a stack at every site I serve-

So get a deck and let me know what language and speech treasures you stumble on!

to the mommas and daddies of kiddos with special needs

I see you.

I see you lean against the waiting room wall- sighing as your child and I go to the speech therapy room- sighing for the 30 minutes that might be your respite for the day.

I see you across the table at the initial IEP meeting nervously twisting the tissue trying not to cry.

I see you - so stressed that you lash out in exhaustion.

I see you - and your marriage strained because your attention is required by your special needs child.

I see you- tear up as I say "it's not your fault- let's talk solutions."

I see you- mourning missed milestones; missed play dates; missed interactions.

I see you.

I see you.

I stand by you. For a short amount of time. But I am cheering for you.

I see you- smile as we talk about his progress.

I see you- comment about how her grandparents say they understand her more.

I see you- as you tell me about his report card...

I see you.

You were made for this.

So was I.

what do you call your speech therapy room at school?

Humans of ASHA

http://www.asha.org/Humans/Jennifer-Williamson/

auditory feedback

So I worked with this kid this week who COULD NOT HEAR HIMSELF PRODUCE /r/ INCORRECTLY... 

I whipped out my iPhone and pulled up the Voice Memo app. I recorded his production of /r/ in the initial position of words in sentences. When I played back his recording, his eye grew big and he quietly said "oh."

BREAKTHROUGH!!!

if you were on a deserted island...

If you were on a deserted island and could only bring ONE item to use for speech therapy, what would it be?  

THIS book- I would bring this book-  it is super versatile and can cover just about any speech, language or fluency goal out there.  I've used it so much that the binding is coming off... I hope I can find a new one at the conference I am attending this week!

What's the ONE item you can't do speech therapy without?