Stepping Out Beyond Our Four Walls {Let’s Talk Speech Therapy}

Today I’m continuing our series “Stepping Out Beyond Our Four Walls.” Earlier this year, Jenna from Speech Room News, Desiree from SLPTalk and I presented at OSLHA on ways we were getting out from our therapy walls and promoting our wonderful profession to our districts and communities. We received such a great response I thought I would ask a few of my friends to share ways they are also making a big difference in their districts. Today’s guest post is from Let’s Talk Speech Therapy. Rachel is as genuine as they come and I love how her approach to volunteering and simply “showing up” are having an impact on her district (and even more important), on her students.
Hey y’all! I’m so.excited. to be guest posting for my sweet friend Nicole today! So we can get to know each other quick, I blog over at Let’s Talk Speech Therapy  and am getting ready to start my 4th year as a school-based/EI SLP. I service mostly grades K-5, which includes a K-5 functional skills/life skills program.

When she asked me to write about breaking outside our 4 walls, my first thought was “Oh, I don’t really do that. Like I have time?!” But the longer I got to thinking, the more I realized that we almost ALL do it without realizing! Here’s a couple ways that I’ve found to get out of my room and into the “rest of the world.” 

-One of my favorite ways to break out is volunteering. While the act of volunteering itself is rewarding, what better way to practice my skills than to volunteer as an SLP?! Every fall my undergrad alma matter hosts an AAC camp, which is a weekend-long event that allows for AAC users all over the area to come and strut their stuff on stage. Guys and gals of all ages and ability levels work for three long days to put on a play for the community using their means of communication. I volunteer as one of the on-site SLPs who programs devices, helps the undergrad students interact with the campers, troubleshoot when technology inevitably fails, and make a lot of of coffee runs 😉

-Another way to break out of my classroom’s walls is by co-treating! This year I had the chance to work with an incredible occupational therapist at my school, and together we co-taught seasonal lessons to each of our functional skills classrooms. My favorite by far was when we made crockpot applesauce this fall. I got to target speech and language skills in a more natural setting, our OT got to do all kinds of fine motor activities, and it really let the teachers, aids and even our principal see what it is we do and how our services make a difference. We also got a really tasty snack, which is an added bonus!

-My third favorite way is one that every single one of us can do no matter our resources, although it’s a little tongue-in-cheek. Show up to things. Yep, you read that right. Volunteer for arrival/dismissal duty. Come to evening events/carnivals at school. Now before you come after me with pitchforks, let me tell you that I’m just as busy as you are! I have a caseload of 85+, and I work EI in the evenings. My time is just as precious as yours! But I can’t tell you enough about how I have seen my parent communication and involvement SOAR because I see parents at events. IT SOUNDS CRAZY. But working for a highest poverty district (or in any district), relationships are everything and once parents know and trust you, they’re much more willing to come to meetings, send back homework, or even answer the phone when you call. 😉
I can’t tell you that without posting this from Sublime Speech, because no mater how hard you try, it’s still so true.

Instagram
Teachers Pay Teachers
Pinterest