PLEASE DON’T IGNORE VOWELS! I’m sharing on my PLEASE DON’T IGNORE VOWELS!

I’m sharing on my stories how I saw two kids this week who could only say their sounds correctly using high, front vowels.

It took my half the session to figure out this pattern, but NO JOKE, I grabbed this poster (it’s a freebie, and also available in General North American English) and figured it out!

The accuracy in our practice trials significantly increased once I stuck to words with those high front vowels 👏

Have you ever come across this?

#adventuresinspeechpathology #slpeeps #slp #speechdelay #speechdevelopment #slpsofinstagram #slpsontpt #slpfreebies #speechpathology #speechpathologist
I wanted to share this video to show you how you c I wanted to share this video to show you how you can break up minimal pairs therapy with a meaningful and fun activity!

We are working on /s/ cluster reduction, and took a break from “the cards” to work on nap vs. snap using an iPad game (we also practiced no vs. snow).

We pretended our hands were the machine and said “snap” and then the reinforcer is to tap the screen and pick up (or “snap”) the snow.

I find that kids really respond to these meaningful tasks as it emphasises how our words have meaning, and you can get a lot of organic practice trials in 💪🏻

BTW... I just ❤️ my kids!!!

#speechtherapy #speechpathology #slp #slpeeps #minimalpairs #speechdevelopment #privatepracticeslp #preschoolslp
I am just LOVING this prosody cues deck! I’ve g I am just LOVING this prosody cues deck!

I’ve got three on my caseload at the moment who respond so well to the emotion visuals, and it’s so lovely to hear some change in their voice vs. a monotone, robot-like voice!!

CARDS: @bjoremspeech @iowaspeechie @bjoremspeechpublications

#apraxiaofspeech #slpeeps #childhoodapraxiaofspeech #speechtherapy
Binding. It’s a simple little joy that makes my Binding.

It’s a simple little joy that makes my SLP life easier.

And no, I don’t have a binding machine... I take it to my local office shop and it costs me around $5 to do!!!

Any other binding fans out there???

#binding #slpsofinstagram #slplife #slpeeps #slpsontpt #speechies #slporganization
Just because you are contrasting /t/ vs. /k/ words Just because you are contrasting /t/ vs. /k/ words using minimal pairs, DOESN’T mean that you are forbidden from using any other cues!

Many times, my kids need some additional types of cues, whether it be gestures (point to the throat), a mirror (to see the tongue go back), metaphors (front vs. back sounds), or placement cues (move your tongue back) to help them be accurate so that they aren’t frustrated.

Many times those cues get dropped pretty quickly... but I still use a pragmatic cue where I question what the child means (did you mean tea or key?).

And yes, I used fronting as my example because GOSH IT’S A STUBBORN PATTERN sometimes. And I need aaaaaalllll the cues 🤣 do you agree??

#adventuresinspeechpathology #speechpathology #slpsofinstagram #slpeeps #slp #speechtherapy #speechdelay #preschoolslp
Have you ever felt like you don’t know what you Have you ever felt like you don’t know what you NEED to know when implementing a new therapy approach?

I made this Minimal Pairs Therapy plan to help make sure you have thought of, and planned, the elements to implement the approach.

This means choosing the approach, picking the patterns and sounds that will make the most impact, completing generalization probes, and REALLY thinking about your treatment intensity.

So many times I have people say the child isn’t generalizing, and I wonder if they have planned for all of these elements?

Is it really the child, or has the SLP not planned the therapy correctly????

TAKEN FROM: the Minimal Pairs Handbook

#Adventuresinspeechpathology #minimalpairshandbook #phonology #slp2b #slpgradstudent #speechdelay #slpeeps #preschoolslp #ebpslp #speechtherapy #speechpathologist
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. You I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. You don’t need fancy toys to do minimal pair tasks!

I upload minimal pair resources to my iPad so I can bring them up when I’m on my school visits.

We literally put animal figurines in the sections, and then after we “earned” them all, we picked them up and tried to throw them back in the container.

Also.... love how this little one correctly said “go” after we had that communication breakdown. The POWER of minimal pairs therapy 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

#minimalpairs #speechdelay #speechpathology #speechtherapy #preschoolslp #schoolslp #privatepracticeslp #adventuresinspeechpathology
I pulled out this shopping game (again) today for I pulled out this shopping game (again) today for minimal pairs!

We practice our pairs, then flip a picture over to see what the item is, and who’s list it belongs to.

Simple, but very motivating for Miss 4 today!!!

#minimalpairs #speechtherapy #slp #speechdelay #speechpathologist #Adventuresinspeechpathology #preschoolslp
Here are some truths: 1. I always wanted to be a p Here are some truths:
1. I always wanted to be a psychologist
2. I never wanted to work with kids

Then I changed degrees and
3. I thought I’d be a medical SLP

Then I realised I didn’t like dysphagia and brain stuff as much as I thought so
4. I thought I’d enjoy working with complex communication needs

Then I really found a love for:
5. Social communication ❤️ I still enjoy everything I learned, and gosh did I do a lot of PD. But I felt like my kids never moved off my caseload.

Then I realised
6. I get A LOT of joy assessing and figuring out speech patterns and seeing kids make fast progress week-to-week targeting their speech sounds.

So here I am!

It’s definitely NOT the place I thought I’d be, but sometimes you have to try different things to know what’s right for you!

#adventuresinspeechpathology #slplife #slpsofinstagram
Nothing gets me up at 5:45am on a Saturday morning Nothing gets me up at 5:45am on a Saturday morning like the excitement of a new resource.

Seriously.

I’m a morning bird and do my best work when the whole house is asleep.

I don’t even have a coffee 😲😲😲

Sooooo..... I’m still taking requests for my next set of minimal pair toolkit resources. Drop them below 👇🏻

#adventuresinspeechpathology #minimalpairs #speechtherapy #slpeeps #slpsontpt #slpsofinstagram #preschoolslp
PLEASE DON’T IGNORE VOWELS! I’m sharing on my PLEASE DON’T IGNORE VOWELS!

I’m sharing on my stories how I saw two kids this week who could only say their sounds correctly using high, front vowels.

It took my half the session to figure out this pattern, but NO JOKE, I grabbed this poster (it’s a freebie, and also available in General North American English) and figured it out!

The accuracy in our practice trials significantly increased once I stuck to words with those high front vowels 👏

Have you ever come across this?

#adventuresinspeechpathology #slpeeps #slp #speechdelay #speechdevelopment #slpsofinstagram #slpsontpt #slpfreebies #speechpathology #speechpathologist
I wanted to share this video to show you how you c I wanted to share this video to show you how you can break up minimal pairs therapy with a meaningful and fun activity!

We are working on /s/ cluster reduction, and took a break from “the cards” to work on nap vs. snap using an iPad game (we also practiced no vs. snow).

We pretended our hands were the machine and said “snap” and then the reinforcer is to tap the screen and pick up (or “snap”) the snow.

I find that kids really respond to these meaningful tasks as it emphasises how our words have meaning, and you can get a lot of organic practice trials in 💪🏻

BTW... I just ❤️ my kids!!!

#speechtherapy #speechpathology #slp #slpeeps #minimalpairs #speechdevelopment #privatepracticeslp #preschoolslp
I am just LOVING this prosody cues deck! I’ve g I am just LOVING this prosody cues deck!

I’ve got three on my caseload at the moment who respond so well to the emotion visuals, and it’s so lovely to hear some change in their voice vs. a monotone, robot-like voice!!

CARDS: @bjoremspeech @iowaspeechie @bjoremspeechpublications

#apraxiaofspeech #slpeeps #childhoodapraxiaofspeech #speechtherapy
Binding. It’s a simple little joy that makes my Binding.

It’s a simple little joy that makes my SLP life easier.

And no, I don’t have a binding machine... I take it to my local office shop and it costs me around $5 to do!!!

Any other binding fans out there???

#binding #slpsofinstagram #slplife #slpeeps #slpsontpt #speechies #slporganization
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Adventures in Speech Pathology

Feel confident treating speech sound disorders

Working Overseas · September 16, 2016

5 Things I wish I knew before working overseas as an SLP

Who doesn’t want to pick up their life and work and travel across the world? It was life-changing, eye-opening and amazing. But I wasn’t mentally prepared for all the little things it takes to actually get you there. These are the things I wish somebody had told me first….

1. The whole process can take a reaaaaaaally long time

You don’t realise how much paperwork, certifications, licenses etc. you may need, until you are halfway through the process and checking the mailbox every 10 minutes. It took me 6 months to find an SLP position until I entered the country and boy did that feel like eternity. A lot of the things that you need to apply for can have a ‘4-12′ week processing time, so you have to be prepared for the ’12 week’ side of things and make sure that you sequentially target everything. There can also be a lot of running around, so it really is a ‘waiting’ game. I remember looking at the long list of things I needed to do and wanting to get to it, but they couldn’t be completed yet until a particular license came through or paperwork was processed. You will get through it, it’s just frustrating and confusing.

2. It can cost a lot of money

When you add up flights, obtaining licenses, certifications (and the little things you don’t think about like fingerprints from the police station), the cost to buy new things for your house, it is likely that this initiative could cost quite a few thousand dollars. Plus a little more. Just be flexible with your budget. I think I spent at least $5000 just to get me to the U.S. with correct licenses/certifications. Of course this will be different for your individual situation, but it’s important to have money saved and be realistic about the initial overlay of costs before you move and in the first few months.

3. You need a support people or know someone who has already done it!

You may not realise it before you decide to go ahead with this, but moving to and working in another country is really stressful. You will need someone who will let you vent your frustrations on how much things cost, how long they take and why are you doing all of this in the first place. This person will keep you on track! Facebook groups can be great to get in touch with other people who are doing the same thing as you. It would have been so much easier if I would have known an SLP who worked overseas just to give me the tips and point me in the right direction. Search on online forums and see if anyone can answer your questions as it is likely that someone out there has already done what you want to do.

4. You will still be stressed when you first arrive

This is not a holiday… I know you think it is and you’re crazy excited but you will likely have to look for a place, buy a car, get phone/internet connection and that is all non-work related. My first few months were frustrating and a little bleak because I thought it would be exciting like going on a holiday! All you have to do is adjust your expectations (and not expect that you will tick off all the great attractions in the first month) so that you don’t get disappointed. Your days off might consist of meeting with banks, filling out applications, calling the internet provider for the 13th time….

5. You will feel like a student again

All the lingo, acronyms, departments, government organisations (and spelling!) and laws may have to be relearned. You will feel like you are on your first day on student placement except that you know how to do therapy. People took for granted that I knew what an RTI meeting was, FERPA rights and the difference between a 504 and an IEP while working in the U.S. I remember sitting there nodding in agreement thinking ‘I have no idea anything you just said’. So you may go back to not knowing what anybody is talking about and feeling lost, confused and questioning if you will ever learn all of the things that are seemingly ingrained into your new culture!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. She Traces says

    September 25, 2016 at 9:34 am

    Hi! I’m from the US hoping to move overseas for work through the DoD. Where did you move from?

    Reply
    • Rebecca Reinking says

      September 25, 2016 at 10:39 am

      I moved from Australia to the US – have you checked any online forums/Facebook groups? A colleague of mine in Aus is in the process of moving to the US as her husband is DoD and I know she has been active reaching out.

      Reply

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I encourage SLPs to feel more confident treating speech sound disorders, and make faster progress with their students.

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