Life Hacks: Speech Pathology 101

In 2019, I left my job at a skilled nursing facility to become a tele-therapist, taking a huge leap of faith to join a fellow military spouse’s company. Today, seven months later, I can say without a doubt that I made the best decision of my life.

Yes, I work from home.

Yes, I semi-make my own schedule.

Yes, I sometimes wear leggings.

And yes, I flip loads of laundry on my breaks.

I would say those are the most positive assumptions made about someone who works from home or remotely. But there are hard truths too.

My children still go to childcare.

I work all hours of the day, including late into the night to complete paperwork.

Getting any work done when my two humans are awake is impossible.

But, here you are post-corona outbreak starting to navigate the world of as speech-language pathologist (SLP) or even a speech-language pathologist assistant (SLPA).

If you are now your child’s SLP, we’ve got this!

If your child is connecting via tele-therapy and you are the SLPA, we’ve got this.

Let’s start with great tools and resources for parents who are implementing speech and language therapy from home.

SLPs everywhere will thank you if you continue to follow your child’s recommended minutes per week of therapy. This can be found on your child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP). Don’t see it? Send your child’s teacher a quick e-mail. This is not a burden, as I know they will be happy to know you are working hard during this “break.” After learning how many minutes per week your child was receiving therapy, take a look at their specific goals. Unsure of what these are? Again, ask for help. We are all going to need help during this strange time. Once you understand your child’s goals take a look at  Teachers Pay Teachers.

The website is very user friendly. On the left-hand side under “subject,” you can scroll to “specialty,” then over to “speech therapy.” There are a lot of free items. Specific items may need to be purchased. This is also a great resource for all areas of academia.

The following websites are useful for elementary and middle school students with specific language goals. Language goals target comprehension of information: K12 Reader, eReading, and Home Speech Home. Try to pick materials that target specific goals. Visuals often help children remember what was presented to them. Visuals and verbal cues are often needed once, twice, or three times before a children comprehends information being presented. All children process information differently, so it is important to remember this while doing therapy at home.

The following websites are useful for elementary and middle school students with speech goals. Speech goals often target a specific speech sound. Mommy Speech Therapy, Heather Speech Therapy, and Home Speech Home. When targeting articulation or phonological goals at home with your child, remember that speech is in a hierarchy.

Before targeting the /f/ sound in the middle of the word, make sure they have mastered it in the beginning of the word, then the end of words, and finally the middle of the word. Word level sounds almost perfect? Wahoo! Now it is time for /f/ phrases and then sentences. Always try to have your child look at your mouth when you are providing them the visual and verbal stimulus for a sound. If you are unable to ask your child’s SLP for help, take a quick YouTube search.

Worksheets are cool and all, but my child needs hands-on learning. I encourage you to find everyday items and tasks to target goals.

If you’re working on following directions, make cookies with your child—allow them to read and follow the directions.

If you’re working on sequencing, have your children explain to you what they have to do to brush their teeth.

If you’re working on vocabulary, find items in a book or magazine for your child to define.

Therapy should be fun!

Looking for more ideas? Drop a comment, and I will gladly comment back with ideas

My final piece of unsolicited advice is go easy on yourself during this time of your life. We are in this together and need to come out on the other side of it together!