by Anne Page | Nov 1, 2016 | Inspiration, Uncategorized
Going to the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) convention can be a little overwhelming. It sure was for me the first time I went (and the second time too); I felt pretty alone. I had no idea what classes to take, what to wear, what to bring or who I would talk to.[spacer height=”20px”]
Fast forward five years to now, when I’m lucky enough to be going again for the fourth time (San Diego, Chicago, Denver and now Philadelphia). It’s the perfect time to share this list of must-do tips for successfully navigating the ASHA convention.[spacer height=”20px”]
Plan your courses.
You’ll want to go through the pocket planner or the program guide several times. Here’s a little video on how I do it. Besides your area of interest, it’s always good to choose one course that will challenge you or is something you wouldn’t normally take. Because it’s good to just shake things up. I got this idea from Activity Taylor blogger, Kim Lewis. Now I do this every year.[spacer height=”20px”]
Several of the school SLP bloggers are presenting this year; I put together a Here’s a list of the ones I know about. You’ll definitely want to consider these.[spacer height=”20px”]
- iPad & EBP: Transforming Toy into Tool in Education, Danielle Reed , Saturday 8-10 am
- Lyndsey Zurawski , Saturday 8-11
- Use What You Have: Practical uses for common objects to target all areas of communication, Felice Clark, Hallie Sherman, Natalie Snyders Saturday 4-5
- Social Media: Harnessing the Power & Avoiding the Pitfalls, Jenna Rayburn, Saturday 1:30-4:30
- Practical Tips to Manage Your Pre-K Through Fifth-Grade Caseload: How to Maintain Your Sanity, Felice Clark, Rachel Nortz,Thursday 3-4
- Progress Monitoring in the Schools, Lisa Kathman, Sarah Bevier, Friday 10:30-11:30
- Apps and EBP-How to Succeed in the Quest to Identify Research-Based Apps, Mai Ling Chan, Mary Huston, and Jessica Solari, Friday 10:30-11:30
Show up early for your courses
You’re going to want to get to your classes a little early. This is super challenging for me since I tend to run about five minutes late for everything. But some of the sessions are really crowded;if it’s a two hour session, you’re going to want to be comfortable. Seating is limited as well. So get there 20-30 minutes early, then maybe someone will save your seat so you can go grab a cup of coffee. Everyone is super nice (of course).[spacer height=”20px”]
Food is important plan ahead
Plan ahead for your lunches. If you have back to back courses it’s pretty tricky to leave the convention center and get back on time. Because, let’s face it, everyone’s got to eat, so the restaurants get really crowded. I usually do a combination of the ASHA prepaid lunches and snacks. Keep some snacks in your purse. If you’re like me you’ll need them to keep your energy up. Nuts, trailmix, and protein bars are all great. (Okay, add a little chocolate to keep things interesting).[spacer height=”20px”]
What to wear
Really consider your footwear. You’re going to be walking a lot. My choice: boots and booties. I love boots and they’re great for walking around. (And they’ll be warm for this Arizona girl). Of course, you can dress however you want. Remember you’re going to be sitting a lot, so you want to be comfortable. But you’re going to want to look professional too, (at least I do). It looks like a coat will be in order for this year’s Philadelphia location (Weather forecast highs in the 50s, lows in the 30s). I definitely recommend using the coat check instead of hauling your coat with you all day. I plan to dress in layers, because you never know what the temperature’s going to be like in each room. There’s nothing worse than trying to concentrate when you’re freezing or roasting.[spacer height=”20px”]
Tackling the Exhibition Hall
The first few times, it can be a little overwhelming because it’s HUGE. Get the floor plan that comes with your registration packet and have a look. Does that sound geeky? I just remember my first time. I didn’t have a plan and I ended up getting completely overwhelmed and exhausted. So last year, in Denver I did it differently. I went through the floor plan and highlighted all of the booths I knew I wanted to go to. Then I made sure I went to those first. I also scheduled myself a nice block of time to look at things. All the things! Remember, if you only go at the end of the day, after you’ve taken all those courses, you might just be a little brain-dead. This is a great opportunity to check out some of the big vendor’s booths. There’s always tons of swag. Super Duper has a huge area (it’s like a store), where you can actually purchase therapy materials. They also give you a big huge tote bag to carry everything in. Again, plan ahead, you don’t want to be caring that huge bag with you all day to all your classes.[spacer height=”20px”]
Be sure to go visit my SLP Blogger friends at their booths. You can learn more about their products, say hello, get more SLP swag, and sign up for prize giveawys.
- Booth 514, Danielle Reed, Hallie Sherman, Jenna Rayburn, Natalie Snyders, Felice Clark, Shannon Werbeckes (This group is hosting the ASHA Blogger Meet n’ Greet on Thursday night at the Marriott Hotel, Grand Ballroom, Salon 1 from 7:30 to 8:30)
- SLP Talk, Speech Paths and Speech Language Pirates at Booth243
- Lyndsey Zurawski has a booth
- Peachie Speechie Booth 528
- Lisa Kathman and Sarah Bevier from SLP Toolkit Booth 739,
- Kim Lewis at 3DSLP’s booth
- Marisha McGrorty Lesson Plan Membership Booth 743.
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Have fun
I have one last tip for you. Reach out to some of the SLPs that you know from social media. Maybe you can meet up with one or two of them. I’ve made some great friends that way. One of the best things about going to an ASHA convention is connecting. We all work so hard, it’s nice to have time to socialize with people who speak our language.[spacer height=”20px”]
That’s all for now. I hope you find these tips helpful and I would love to see you in Philadelphia! I’ll be posting on Instagram (Beautiful Speech Life) and maybe even Facebook Live.
Wishing you more joy, less stress,
Anne
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by Anne Page | Oct 25, 2016 | Inspiration, SLP Like a Boss, Uncategorized
In this series I’m interviewing SLP boss women who work by day as a speech language pathologist, but at night (and on weekends) they are building a business. I’m talking about websites, blogs and therapy materials for their fellow SLPs and teachers. These are women I admire professionally and who inspire me. I write this series because I feel we can all make our practice as SLPs better and stronger by connecting with other SLPs.[spacer height=”20px”]
Can you imagine interviewing a guru? That’s what I felt like when I had the great pleasure of a phone chat with Dr. Carole Zangari. Not only is she is a professor of Speech Language Pathology at Nova Southeastern University(my alma mater) where she teaches AAC classes at the master’s and doctoral level; she also supervises AAC clinical services for children and adults, and administers an AAC lab. She has presented and published on AAC topics in national and international venues. She is a past coordinator of ASHA’s AAC Division. I could go on and on. Suffice it to say, she has opened the doors of AAC for thousands.[spacer height=”20px”]
Tell me about yourself in seven words: passionate about aac, support colleagues + next generation[spacer height=”20px”]
Where did you go to grad school?: Doctoral degree from Purdue University (where I spent most of my graduate time), Masters degree from College of New Jersey and undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh.[spacer height=”20px”]
What are your top three SLP must haves (other than your own amazing materials)?:
“Well, Anne, I learned not to get attached to therapy materials early on. I was working with adults with pretty significant behavioral and cognitive impairments during my CF. My supervisor was pretty old school and of the belief that an SLP should be able to do therapy with (almost anything). Periodically, she would meet us at the door as we were going in to do therapy, hold out her hands and we’d have to turn our materials over to her and then go do therapy. We learned pretty quickly to focus on strategies. But if I did have to choose I would say internet access, a laptop and a mobile device, then you can access just about anything.”[spacer height=”20px”]
What do you love most about what you do?:
“At this point in my career, every day is different. I spend about one third of my time with the autism grant and then teaching with the AAC clinic. For my hobby I have Praactical AAC. I love the diversity and being able to touch the next generation of SLPs.”[spacer height=”20px”]
Tell me your advice for the newly minted SLP: (Anne’s note: This is GOLDEN)
“Mindset. Commit yourself to being an excellent clinician. It can take a long time. Give yourself time to learn, but commit to being great. The real prize is in the outcome.”[spacer height=”20px”]
Tell me about your blog:
“I started it in 2011 with my dear friend Robin Parker who passed away a few years later. We decided we would write blogs we wished we had when we got started. Although we started it for SLPs, it has broadened to include parents and other professions. We receive 2800 page views every day, with an additional 2300 mailboxes that receive a daily post as well. At this point there have been over 1500 posts.”[spacer height=”20px”]
What SLP-boss inspires you? :
“Jane Farrell in Australia. Her energy, her ability to lead teams and change entire schools. I’m inspired by every conversation we have or post I read.”[spacer height=”20px”]
What is your favorite children’s book?:
I don’t know if you remember Caps for Sale? It’s a oldie but a goodie. I read it when I was a kid. It’s so fun for describing and acting out.[spacer height=”20px”]
What about picture books?:
All of the Alexandra Day books about Carl, like Good Dog Carl. They are so language rich, with a cool take on absurdities. They have almost no text, just the beautiful illustrations.[spacer height=”20px”]
Let’s commit ourselves to being great,[spacer height=”20px”]
Did you like this post? Comment below and scroll down to the bottom of the page to subscribe to the Beautiful Speech Life tribe, we’d love to hav you! [spacer height=”20px”]
by Anne Page | Jul 6, 2016 | Blog, Inspiration, SLP Like a Boss
What?![spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
I want you to think about the school year during summer?[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Yes I do. Just hear me out for a minute. Don’t worry, I still want you to enjoy your summer.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Summer is a time I always look forward to. Two months off to relax, regroup, travel and even do a little planning. Did June fly by for you too?[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
However, just taking a little time now to reflect on what worked for you last year will help you continue that trend. Did some new therapy materials get amazing results? Or did you find a new organization tool? You want to keep that good stuff going.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Take a moment right now. Close your eyes and think about going back to work. What’s the first thing you think of that fills you with dread? Or that gives you that “oh yuck” feeling? You know, that activity that you wish you could pay someone to do for you?[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Really, I’m not trying to bring you down. I’m suggesting you take a look at what you can do to make it better.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
I’ve been chatting with a lot of other SLPs this summer. Here’s a sampling of what some of you said when asked about professional roadblocks:[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
“It can get bit crazy with the testing and paperwork that is required. You feel like time is being taken away from your students.”[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
“[I have a] hard time finding the balance between paperwork and making sure my kiddos get the attention they need.”[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
“…lack of time.”[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Hands down lack of time and too much paperwork were the biggest obstacles.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
I know it can be overwhelming at times. So what I’m suggesting is that you take a little bit of your down time, even if you’re just making some mental notes from your beach blanket, to put some systems into place that will make the coming school year run more smoothly.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
During the next few weeks, we will explore some systems and thought processes that will help you free up your time. So you can get your school year running smoothly and spend more time doing what is really important to you…spending time with your students and making a difference in their lives.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
We’ll explore it all from IEP’s to scheduing to progress reports to billing.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
But for now, let’s start off nice and easy with a thought provoking question…[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
What is your why?[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Think back to why you chose to be an SLP. Specifically a school based SLP. What are your top three reasons? Really think about it and dig deep. Don’t let yourself off the hook with “I don’t know”, this is important. Are the reasons still the same? What results do you want? You can do this, it doesn’t need to be perfect; you just need to be clear.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Here’s my example just to get you started. My top three “why’s” are:[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
- Connectedness. Making the world a little better place than when I got here (lofty, I know)
- Independence. (I like having a lot of autonomy to make my own decisions)
- Diversity. I love how diverse the profession is, with the continuous learning curve.
- Honestly, salary and vacation time does have something to do with it; I’m pretty happy with mine, considering the amount of time I have off.
- Creativity/Play. Helping my students learn through play and creativity is another aspect of the job that I really love. [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
(I know that’s more than three, I’m having a tough time narrowing it down.)[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
So here’s your “homework”… figure out your top three reasons for being an SLP. I’ve created a few fun worksheets for you to help get you started, just click on the image below.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Stay tuned for next week, when you’ll figure out how to get more of what you want (from your 3 things list) and remove some of the obstacles.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
SLP Like a Boss,[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
by Anne Page | May 24, 2016 | Blog, Inspiration, SLP Like a Boss, Uncategorized
What’s SLP Like a Boss? An SLP boss is professional, compassionate, organized and Inspirational with a capital “I”. An SLP boss gets things done! In this series I’m interviewing SLP boss women who work by day as SLPs , but at night (and on weekends) they are business builders, advocates, huggers, tear-wipers, encouragers and creators. These are strong, amazing women that I admire and am happy to call Friend.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Today our SLP Boss Lady is my friend Sara Wu. I met Sarah in Las Vegas last summer at the Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) Seller’s Conference. (I met so many great people there.) We also share the blog Speech Spotlight, along with seven other fabulous speech language pathologists.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Sarah is a powerhouse bilingual SLP. Not only is she bilingual (speaking fluent Spanish), but she has a Chinese last name (Wu), and is a dual citizen(she was born in Australia). Sarah is mother to two young boys and still finds the time to create bilingual therapy materials for her TPT store AND to blog weekly. I love her thought provoking, helpful and insightful blog posts. She writes “evergreen” content that you’ll want to bookmark and share with your friends. I’ll put a link to her blog and TPT store at the end of this post for you.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
I write this series because I feel we can all make our practice as SLPs better and stronger by connecting with other SLPs. It’s also really interesting to see what other SLPs are using in therapy and what advice they have to share.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
So let’s dive in and see what we can learn about Sarah.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Tell me about yourself in seven words: Joyful, fun, silly, smart, mischievious, mother, and writer.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Where did you go to grad school?: Northwestern University.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
What are your top three SLP must haves (other than your own amazing materials)?: My clipboard, my laptop, and big foam dice.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
What do you love most about what you do?: Helping my students reach their potential. I think the students I work with have so much potential that’s hard to see. So many of them speak Spanish only and they’re learning English. I work with them exclusively in Spanish until they are ready to move on to English.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Tell me your advice for the newly minted SLP: It’s important to take risks. I don’t think it’s something women are encouraged to do. Don’t just take the safe path, not just the easiest or the closest. Don’t settle. Do what you have to do to go for it. I’ve always made sure I feel one hundred percent about where I work. If you don’t, it’s worth it to take a leap.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Tell me about your blog: I like to make sure that it’s useful and important to SLPs. I blog about being bi-lingual. I talk about topics instead of products. [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Tell me about your TPT store: I’m creating the Spanish products I can’t find anywhere else. Sometimes I don’t care for the word choices of commercially produced items. It’s not just Spanish, I have English products too, and bilingual. They’re so much fun to create.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
What SLP-boss inspires you? Natalie Snyders. Her products are very evidence based and well researched. And she has the gift of connecting other SLPs through facebook. My hat is off to her.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
What is your favorite children’s book? Charlotte’s Web[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
What about picture books? La Oruga May Hambrienta (The Very Hungry Caterpillar)[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
So now you know a little more about one of our fellow SLPeeps and SLP Like a Boss Sara Wu. I hope you feel inspired and connected, I know I do.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Who inspires you to SLP Like a Boss? Would you like to suggest an SLP for me to interview? Let me know in the comments OR email me at
[email protected].
Until next time,[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Anne
by Anne Page | May 17, 2016 | Inspiration, SLP Like a Boss
So I have a confession to make…my Better Hearing and Speech Month poster and handout never got posted or handed out at my school this year.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
What?! I know… (big sigh)[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Here’s what I pictured. Laminated poster in the staff room, copy in all staff mailboxes with a cute saying and some candy. Then, everyone says, “wow, thanks Anne. That was really informative.” I post a nice pic of it on Instagram and feel like SuperSLP.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Here’s what really happened. I hit print for my handout and then walked to the staff room where the color printer is located (which is two buildings away) to get my copies. Got error message that printer needed toner cartridge. I checked with school secretary and she told me toner would arrive the next day.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
I tried again the next day and my passcode no longer worked. I retried and walked to the staff room two more times. Meanwhile, I had all my year-end things to do.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Please note that our year end is May 22. The teachers are busy, tired and frazzled. I am busy, tired and frazzled. I know they are not going to ready my handout now. (There’s something to be said for timing).[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
So….I made an executive decision.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
I told myself ( for the one billionth time) that I don’t need to be perfect. I thought about my teacher friends and what they needed at this time of year.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Donuts![spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
I grabbed a few dozen Bosa Donuts ( soooo delicious) on my way to work last Friday, made a cute sign promoting Better Hearing and Speech Month, put them in the staff room and called it a day.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Once again, “done is better than perfect”.
Of course, I still want to give them the handout because it’s good stuff (that can be really helpful). But, I can do that in August when we’re all refreshed and ready to go. I’ll just rename the handout then.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
For your very own copy of my Better Speech and Hearing month poster/handout click here.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
I know many of you are winding down for the end of the year. It can be a crazy demanding time.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Remember you don’t have to do it perfectly.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
SLP Like a Boss (a real one, not a perfect one)
P. S. For more SLP True Confessions read this great article by my friend Sarah “Confessions of a School Based SLP”
by Anne Page | Apr 20, 2016 | Inspiration, SLP Like a Boss
Dear young school SLP,[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Congratulations on your graduation-you made it! I know it wasn’t easy. But you did it. You are the proud owner of a masters degree in speech language pathology. [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Make sure you get a beautiful frame for your diploma-show it the respect it deserves. Celebrate and take a little time to relax. No more tests, finals or studying for the Praxis. No more research papers, at least not for a while.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
You are starting an amazing journey. I’m sure you’ve had a taste of it through clinics and internships. Clinical fellowship is next. A time to jump in with both feet with a mentor who will have your back.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
This job will delight you and at times exhaust you, but should never bore you.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
You are now life changer.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
You will connect with parents during times of doubt and vulnerability. You will teach them ways they can help their child. You will laugh with them and most probably you will cry with them.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
You’ll have some great triumphs. Like the first time a previously nonverbal child speaks. You’ll have some epic disappointments. Because you care, you’ll feel the highs and the lows and all the emotions in between. And you wouldn’t have it any other way.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
You will try all kinds of therapy methods and you’ll keep trying until you find something that works.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
You’ll get hugs and high-fives every day. You may be the one person that is a constant source of love for a neglected child. Your heart will be broken. I’m sorry but it will. Maybe by a story a child tells you about his home life or by having your favorite child move without saying goodbye. Or even worse, by having a student die. But you will keep coming back.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
You’ll work with so many amazing teachers who inspire you and a few negative teachers who will draw you into their disappointment if you let them. Protect yourself from The Negative Ones.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
You will have scheduling challenges and conflicts. At times you’ll be overwhelmed with progress reports and IEP’s. But you’ll figure it out.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Even though you learned so much in grad school, you’ll wonder about all the practical things they didn’t teach you. Remember, you don’t have to do it alone; you’ll find other SLP’s to support you and who’ll share their ideas.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
As the years go by, you will shape lives. Yes, you. You are helping children to communicate. You are giving them a voice for their thoughts. And sometimes you are giving them the building blocks to create new thoughts.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
You are helping them have rich conversations with friends and giving them strategies that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
It is with honor, laughter, knowledge and kindness that you will guide your students to experience success. You will love it.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Welcome. The world needs you my friend, wishing you all the success you deserve. [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
With love,[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
P.S. Have you heard? We are having a huge SLP2Bgradgift giveaway and there’s still time to enter.
Click here to find out all the amazing details. The prize is worth over $500. Hurry! Giveaway ends on Friday, April 22.
Hey there I’m Anne Page. I help heart centered SLPs and educators put the fun in functional communication. 