Two SLPs Multiply a Child ’ s Gains Through Collaboration

Meredith Gennaro and Stephanie Sigal are speech-language pathologists who met in September 2017 when they began working with the same child. This school year, I worked with another speech-language pathologist to help 4-year-old Michael improve his articulation and language skills. His parents wanted to supplement his school-based intervention—provided by SLP Meredith Gennaro—so we began working with him simultaneously. We knew we needed to work collaboratively. Using each other’s assets, we could enhance Michael’s progress. These are the steps we took to help Michael along the way. Reach out right away to the other SLP. Just as you would contact other disciplines, such as occupational and physical therapists, embrace collaboration with other SLPs! For Michael, we initially met face to face, but a phone call, email or text also works. Now, Google Voice allows us to talk easily with each other and Michael’s parents. Be sure to get explicit, written permission from the child’s parents to communicate with any other professional. Discuss the child’s goals. Meredith sticks to the goals listed on Michael’s IEP, focusing on expressive and receptive language and articulation. I primarily worked on speech clarity. Meredith used traditional methods to treat Michael’s articulation, while I combined oral placement with phonetic placements, such as using a tongue depressor to prompt Michael for lip closure to say /m/. When Meredith noted Michael’s gains with me, it mad...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Tags: Private Practice Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Language Disorders Speech Disorders Source Type: blogs