Speechie Side Up

In this episode, I am joined by Susan Golubock, an autistic Occupational Therapist and advocate, to explore why autistic communication is often misunderstood wherein she highlights two main reasons: subconscious biases about communication and neurological differences experienced by autistics.

Susan shares her insights into interpreting behaviors as communication, provides concrete examples, and offers practical tools for educators to support autistic students. The discussion also covers strategies to help autistic individuals express themselves non-verbally and addresses common misinterpretations.

Susan emphasizes the importance of using gestures and problem-solving approaches to enhance autistic communication.

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Sharlet shares her journey of integrating therapy dogs into her speech therapy practice, including the benefits, such as rapport building and sensory regulation, and challenges like liability insurance.

Sharlet also offers practical insights on selecting and working with therapy dogs, making a case for the potentials in the speech therapy field.

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In this episode, I am joined by Erin Vance, a seasoned speech-language pathologist with 26 years of experience, as she shares invaluable advice for professionals in the field.

Erin emphasizes the importance of advocating for clients and oneself, even if it means simply showing up. She discusses the growing challenges within the field, particularly post-COVID, and the impact of social media on communication skills.

Erin also shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with ADHD and how it has reshaped her approach to her work.

She highlights the need for sensitivity and adaptability when working with diverse populations and stresses the power speech-language pathologists hold in making significant impacts.

In this episode, I am joined by Yehuda Joseph, a Speech-Language Pathologist as he shares his diverse experiences working full-time at the Kiryas Joel School District and part-time at Community Medical and Dental Care in New York.

Yehuda discusses his background, including dealing with his stutter as a child, and how this influenced his career choice. He also talks about the unique aspects of working within the Satmar ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, the challenges and joys of being a generalist in the medical and educational settings, and his fascination with radio and podcasts.

The conversation concludes with Yehuda’s thoughts on continuing education, particularly in the field of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and a reflection on navigating the dual roles of medical and educational SLP.

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In this episode, I am joined by Karla Garcia as she shares her journey from humble beginnings to establishing her own practice, Leonia Speech and Language Services, LLC.

Karla discusses her dual experiences with privilege and minority challenges, how she overcame bullying and stuttering, and her advocacy for bilingual and minority families. She highlights the significance of support systems, her specialized approach to Gestalt Language Processing, and offers advice to minorities entering the field.

Karla also explains how she balances a full-time job with a growing private practice, and the importance of acceptance and diversity in speech therapy.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Laura Mansfield, a seasoned SLP and Special Education Administrator, shares insights on managing roles and responsibilities for public school SLPs.

She discusses the importance of understanding one's role within the educational system, overcoming burnout, and building positive relationships with teachers and administrators. Dr. Mansfield also offers tips on caseload management, shifting from a medical to an educational model, and finding systems to streamline SLP tasks. Resources and strategies for improving the impact and job satisfaction of school-based SLPs are highlighted.

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In this episode, I am joined by Philip Long, a member of the 2023 Marquee Who's Who of America class, who overcame significant challenges due to dyslexia.

Philip shares his personal journey from struggling with reading and writing to achieving a bachelor's and master's degree despite reading at a fifth-grade level. He emphasizes the importance of support systems, advocacy, and tailored teaching methods.

Philip also provides practical tips for parents on supporting children with dyslexia and discusses how technology played a crucial role in bridging his learning gaps.

Learn how Philip is now dedicated to empowering parents and children through his work as an educational advocate and motivational speaker.

In this episode, I am joined by Marie Muratalla, a Pre-school Speech Language Pathologist as we discuss the importance of life-work balance, emphasizing the need for self-care and mindful practices in both personal and professional settings.

Marie shares practical tips on building a fulfilling life-work balance, incorporating mindfulness in speech therapy sessions, and the significance of gratitude.

She also talks about her own strategies, including journaling, affirmations, and being mindful of media consumption.

Marie offered insights into maintaining a positive mindset and building connections with clients through mindful practices, making it a valuable guide for SLPs and other professionals.

In this panel discussion, we hear from expert speakers on trauma-informed care, Polyvagal Theory, executive functioning, and neurodiversity-affirming practices. We dive deeper into these topics, ask questions, and explore real-world strategies to support both neurodiverse and neurotypical children. Gain practical insights on fostering safety, integrating lived experiences, and enhancing interventions.

In this episode, I am joined by Devyn Heit, a Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist, and owner of Little Spark Speech in Arlington, VA.

Devyn shares her experiences and insights from working in early intervention and myofunctional therapy, highlighting the importance of early intervention in closing developmental gaps in children. She recounts her personal journey with myofunctional therapy and its benefits, the holistic approach to treatment, strategies to build rapport with clients, and the significance of caregiver involvement.

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