How I Became a Speech Language Pathologist

Rachael Rose — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 16:36:34 +0000

How I Became a Speech Language Pathologist

When I was 13 years old, my family was having dinner with another family whose daughter was studying speech and language therapy in college. She explained that she was learning how to teach kids who have trouble with their language how to speak. I thought that was incredible. Teaching someone who cannot talk, how to do so, sounded like a superpower. I knew then and there that’s what I wanted to do with my life. To this day, I’ve never looked back.

In high school I began searching for good speech/language therapy programs and ended up choosing the University of Maryland. I majored in hearing and speech science and as I explored my passion, my aspirations were confirmed and my excitement grew. I took several years off between undergrad and graduate school to work in an elementary school as a Speech Language Pathology assistant. There, I worked under the direction of an SLP implementing speech and language therapy to the children at school. I loved how creative I could be in treatment and figuring out the best ways to access each child to motivate them. I was certain I wanted to pursue the field and I enrolled at a wonderful graduate school called Loyola University. There, I met three friends who I studied with and eventually graduated with two years later. I was armed and ready to pursue my dreams.

I worked as an SLP in elementary schools for many years before moving to NYC. Once settled in the city, I knew I wanted to work with children of many different ages and stages. I found that work at a sensory gym and in client homes as an early intervention therapist. I had always believed in and saw the importance of collaboration in elementary school, but when I started with early intervention, I really understood how critical it was. I learned so much from the physical therapists I collaborated with about how to position children for optimal feeding and speech production. I have learned invaluable insights from occupational therapists about the sensory system and how incredibly important it is to understand and regulate children that way. I still incorporate that daily into feeding therapy.

When I started Creative Speech Therapy (CST) I knew I wanted to treat children with holistic and collaborative care. Myself and all the SLPs who work at CST maintain that to this day. I often tell parents that, once you come here you are part of our family and we are part of yours. When kids come for therapy they are vulnerable. They are going to be working on things that are hard and they will make mistakes. It’s important to remember those vulnerable feelings are uncomfortable for anyone, regardless of age. That is why my first job is to make each child feel comfortable, relaxed, loved, and respected. I genuinely find kids interesting and I love asking them about their favorite topics. Don’t tell, but I always have the inside track because we ask their parents about their favorite things in our intake paperwork. This kind of treatment inspires kids to want to come to therapy and look forward to their “speech days.” CST is a place where kids can feel loved and respected while making progress toward their goals.

With 20 years of experience, I now teach college courses on feeding therapy and speak at conferences to educate parents and providers about speech and feeding therapy. I love to spread my passion and knowledge to as many people as possible. I truly feel I was born to do the career I am doing and it’s much more than a job to me. Every day I look forward to working with more children and making positive changes in their lives.

Written by: Rachael Rose, Owner/Founder

The post How I Became a Speech Language Pathologist first appeared on Creative Speech Therapy NYC.

What is holistic treatment and is it important for speech & feeding therapy?

Rachael Rose — Wed, 01 May 2024 16:55:41 +0000

What is Holistic Treatment and is it Important for Speech & Feeding Therapy?

“Holistic” has become quite the buzzword in medical spheres the past few years. And though it may be plain to most what holistic care means, what does a holistic provider actually stand for? Specifically. Is it just a an elevated word people throw around to convey trendiness? Is it important? Does it matter when it comes to your child’s speech or feeding therapy? How is it different from “non-holistic” or naturopathic care?

What is it?

Well here is what holistic does NOT mean:

deficient
fragmentary
incomplete
partial
abbreviated
reduced
scattered

Thus, the term holistic conveys completeness. Methods may vary, but what stays consistent from provider to provider, is the focus on the big picture.

“The terms holistic or holism refers to considering the whole person, problem, or idea. In health care, holistic treatments take the whole person into account, not just his or her symptoms. Thus, the opposite of a holistic treatment approach to a patient would be purely symptoms-based approach, and a single symptom or small set of symptoms at that.” – Mayfield Clinic

Because holistic refers to an approach, rather than the instruments used, it could indicate naturopathic (Eastern, alternative, self-healing, etc) methods or more allopathic (Western, conventional, and orthodox, etc). Whether they follow Western or Eastern techniques, the provider can still use a holistic approach. A provider who treats holistically will tend to focus on all the following aspects of their clients:

physical
emotional
spirital
cultural
familial
environmental

A holistic practitioner sees all of these categories as valid, connected, and integral to healing and progress. A practitioner less concerned with holism (treating someone holistically) will tend to focus on one aspect of a person or the symptoms alone.

Is it important?

Marymount University published an article discussing the importance of holistic care in nursing:

helps de-stigmatize mental health care
honors the body’s natural healing intelligence
respects cultural differences and traditional healing methods
teaches the value of preventative health
decreases the use of invasive procedures
sheds light on economic, social and political barriers in health
empowers practitioners to bring their humanity to health care

While holistic care may come at a higher financial rate, garner a longer wait list, or simply be harder to find in a small town, it is worth the effort. Holistic practitioners care deeply about lasting results and the experience of their clients.

Holistic speech & feeding therapy

“Holistic practices are becoming more mainstream because integrative medicine address the full spectrum that makes up being human, giving people a wider reach for care” says, Avalon Malibu.

Clients who need speech or feeding therapy are rarely only receiving one kind of service, or even the same kind of service from only one provider. They typically have a team of dedicated professionals working to help them close the gap of their skills and the skills of same aged peers. Communication between these providers is integral to holistic care. Though technique and method may vary from service to service, goals should be in tune and harmonious for the client to progress.

A real life example can be seen in a client with a speech disorder and dysphagia (difficulty or discomfort in swallowing). This client’s speech therapist will need to:

take into account the support this client has at home for family meals and speech homework
research cultural sensitivities when it comes to menu planning for feeding therapy
communicate with the client’s occupational and/or physical therapist and teachers for sensory and school support
understand the financial limits of the family and how to make the most of the time they can afford (this could mean parent support through phone call check-ins if they cannot afford to come several times a week)
be in tune with the child’s mood and emotional intelligence in a session to provide them with positive experience

This process, though timely, is holistic care. It is all encompassing and leads to lasting results.

Creative Speech Therapy NYC providers are committed to this approach for all their families. Whether a client has a whole team of private practice doctors, therapists, and family members at their side, or a more limited support system – they are treated thoroughly and with care.

Sources

Written by: Jane Wright, Office Manager/Marketing

The post What is holistic treatment and is it important for speech & feeding therapy? first appeared on Creative Speech Therapy NYC.

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How I Became a Speech Language Pathologist