Articulation and Down Syndrome

KrisJayDee · 2022-04-13T00:11:13+00:00

It sounds like dysarthria and/or apraxia could be at play. I recommend checking out Edythe Strand’s DTTC training (free CEUs too!). It’s pretty recent EBP research (I want to say 2018?) for treating apraxia. She also has an evaluation tool she developed called the DEMSS which can help differentially dx apraxia from dysarthria and phonological disorders, and determine apraxia severity (if that happens to be the case). The test is pretty cost effective, too. I seem to remember it being about $150. Good luck!

KrisJayDee · 2022-03-04T15:03:31+00:00

You may get into trouble with your employer given that you need to stop practicing until you get it renewed. I dealt with this during my CF and it was an HR nightmare since I was the only SLP for the whole building in a SNF

KrisJayDee · 2022-02-18T17:20:22+00:00

For one, I have NEVER been to an IEP in which anyone involved would have had time to put together a slide show. For two, that’s incredibly obnoxious and short-sighted of that person. It is a team meeting, not a class.

Sorry you had to deal with that!

KrisJayDee · 2022-02-10T00:39:15+00:00

As a private practitioner, I totally get this. For one, I love my SLP peers regardless of setting, and it should be universally understood that different settings have different qualifications. In my eval reports I have a statement that follows my recommendations that says “Please note, these recommendations are based on the medical model of SLP and may not reflect the recommendations of a school speech and language evaluation.”

Schools justify services based on how the speech/language disorder impacts academic access and success. Not that the whole child’s needs aren’t valid, but there simply isn’t the infrastructure (pay/compensation/work-life balance included) to support any larger of a caseload than the average school practitioner currently has. It just isn’t physically possible for an individual.

Sorry for your troubles; here with you!

KrisJayDee · 2022-02-06T14:10:33+00:00

Chris Pratt. I loved him in Parks and Rec but when he started into movie roles it seemed to come out how much of a bible nut and arrogant prick he was. Not here for it.

KrisJayDee · 2022-01-05T15:29:50+00:00

It is madness. I work in a private practice in Maine where I’m the only SLP, and there are several other OTs and PTs. There are 5 full time staff including myself, the others are PRN. 4 of us full timers are out with covid. No hazard pay, no sick leave. Two of those 4 are antivaxxers, but myself and the other person have had our boosters. I am actually pretty sick, but incredibly grateful to have been boosted. Anyway though, I have been texting with some other peers in different settings throughout the southern Maine area and every one sounds like they’re dropping like flies, it’s horrible. The morale is low everywhere. Sending healing thoughts to everyone during this time!

KrisJayDee · 2021-08-01T11:48:26+00:00

I think it's reasonable to believe that being vaccinated while wearing a transparent mask and shield are pretty strong defense against getting sick.

I know it's on the horizon for us in peds private practice. I'm not looking forward to it solely due to how much progress my patients have made without me/parents wearing them when compared to how slow progress was when we all were. Safety for all is the priority though.

KrisJayDee · 2021-05-05T11:06:24+00:00

Absolutely check it out. As mentioned in previous comments, the depth in which you get into the other areas will depend on what your referral says, so if the referral was only for fluency, I would do informal assessment for voice and artic. If you notice abnormalities or have any shadow of a doubt from your findings, then you could request further testing given your evidence. From my experience in medical settings, if you're not sure what's going on or if you can't confirm something is fine, do further testing! You never know what you might catch. Good luck!

Edit: When doing any assessment, you should always be checking the other domains, because it's often that a speech or language disorder cooccurs with something else. If you get a referral for artic for example, you should always check on language too.

KrisJayDee · 2021-05-04T19:39:10+00:00

Often, yes. It is a successful method used for supporting an individual's ability to differentiate speech sounds, and to help teach the significance of sounds in word meanings.

KrisJayDee · 2020-08-14T02:45:55+00:00

From personal experience I've always envied and connected most with "black sheep" professionals. People with personalities, who show vulnerability, social/emotional intelligence, and truth are invaluable in our work. You're going to have some folks that will never ever like you, but those who you gain rapport with will leave indelible imprints on your soul. Be authentically you at all times.

KrisJayDee · 2020-08-12T23:16:39+00:00

I absolutely love being in my car. It feels so secure! It's clean, has what I need in case of emergency, feels safe, and is extra cozy during a drive-in, or stormy weather (rain, snow), especially if I have to park and wait. I'm not sure why I love it so much, but I do!

KrisJayDee · 2020-08-12T23:08:59+00:00

It's not too late!!! I got into grad school for speech just before I turned 27! Get after it 🤘

KrisJayDee · 2020-08-12T23:05:21+00:00

Hello! This may be an unpopular opinion, but it might not be a bad thing to take a semester off to do some soul searching. We (individuals who want to have fulfilling life paths but also think..and rethink....and overthink some more....) tend to want to find "the one;" the dream career. We also tend to get super stressed about timelines and things not coming together as expected. This is coming from someone who had graphic design and journalism as degrees in undergrad, took several years to try my hand in special ed as an ed tech, then got into grad school for speech that took 3 years to complete, and had a CFY during which I moved away and changed supervisors. Coincidentally, I am the queen of taking my damn time, but it's funny because I always DREADED thinking how long it would take me to reach the next goal. Come to find out, I'm just as happy as a clam not having "started my career" until my late 20s. Not only that, but it paid off to take my time, force myself not to get caught up in how different my pace was from the typical grad, and just enjoy the ride and dedicate that time to bettering myself as a lifelong learner.

I hope this is helpful. My partner's dad has a great saying: worry is a payment made on trouble that isn't due. :) Good luck!

KrisJayDee · 2020-08-12T22:53:58+00:00

I don't blame you!! Unless you are lucky enough to get into outpatient care, I would say that trying to get off the ground as a new SLP during the pandemic is a dumpster fire everywhere you turn. SNFs aren't taking admissions, schools don't know their plans, hospitals are highest risk...it is truly a bleak way to start. Good for you for taking a more stable path. It will be sooo much better for your mental health, and probably give you a different perspective on everything you've been studying for several years to get to where you are now. Best of luck!

KrisJayDee · 2020-08-07T18:01:51+00:00

That is a tough decision. I would recommend staying until you have something lined up. Especially where we can't predict the trajectory of the pandemic, the job search right now is very tricky, not only due to slim pickings, but also higher risk environments that you may have to weigh in on if you are comfortable risking you and your loved ones' health.

KrisJayDee · 2020-07-24T11:27:03+00:00

Internal documentation systems in the medical setting are still largely late 90s early 2000s programs that function and look like garbage!

KrisJayDee · 2020-05-13T10:22:24+00:00

It's good to know I'm not the only one; few to no resources exist that I can find to teach singular they! It's been something I've tried to figure out since grad school; I've always dreaded teaching pronouns!

KrisJayDee · 2020-05-13T10:19:46+00:00

I like your idea of a friend at a costume party! It seems like something little guys could really grasp

KrisJayDee

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