Phonological Awareness, Phonemic Awareness, and Phonics are all terms that sound alike but are very distinct. Often the image of an umbrella is used in trying to explain the differences between the three terms, with phonological awareness being the umbrella and phonemic awareness and phonics…

Home programming is an important part of speech and language therapy so that what the child is learning in the therapy room has practice outside of the treatment room. This seems very logical but what exactly should this be? First one needs to consider the…

As a speech and language pathologist or a teacher we need to use research to drive instruction. Recently on an emergency trip to the dentist, I complained that as I was getting older my teeth were falling apart and I lamented the aging process. However…

Just when you are thinking that you are safe from observations, the state changes the evaluation requirements and you are again required to have announced and unannounced observations! Now don’t get me wrong I love what I do. I am proud of the work that…

I am forever a student!  One of my favorite ways to learn is through a website called speechpathology.com.  It allows me to pick a topic that I am interested in and then also to pick how I want to learn that particular topic. Do I…

January 1979 I started my Clinical Fellowship Year as a speech and language pathologist. I have NEVER regretted the decision to become a speech and language pathologist. It has been a phenomenal adventure! When I began my college career I had not really known a…

When we have a structure supported with simple behavioral routines and visuals our classroom and therapy sessions are more effective and focused.  This benefits not just the student but also you as the instructor giving you a framework for your sessions. I find that if…

Sometimes the best materials are ones that are inexpensive, readily available and easy to use. I am someone who is never without her cup filled with water and a straw.  I have straws stored at home, in the car and at school so I always have…

Have you ever skipped to the end of a book to preview how the story will come out?  This is a good way of thinking about how to write recommendations on a report. Some of your readers may have skipped to what they may consider…

One of the most difficult things to do in supervising and/or instructing graduate students is evaluating their skills objectively. It is easy to observe rapport, set up of the learning space, development of the lesson plan, review of data collected and the student’s interpretation and analysis…