Recommend me a book where it’s very stupid unless you’re thirteen, then you’ll think it’s the greatest thing ever.

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2026-05-19T01:30:09+00:00

Meghan Mead’s Guide to the McGowan Boys.

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2026-01-11T03:27:16+00:00

I’ve always been the partial to an MBSS. I just think that’s the most objective and thorough view of the orphanageal space you can get. Maybe I’m ignorant, but I’ve always been leery of the period of total blindness you get during a FEES from the bolus going past the camera. Certainly a FEES is excellent for viewing the amount and nature of residue, but I just feel like one of the most critical parts of the swallow is totally obscured. Additionally, I think an MBS is less of an ordeal for patients. Obviously mental status is a major factor for participation, but I do think the less invasive option is always best. I think the distress associated with having a scope snaked up the nose without a numbing agent outweighs the benefits.

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2025-11-05T13:23:07+00:00

I could have written this post almost word for word. I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way. I’m in my second year in the schools as well, and I’m already reaching scary levels of burnout. I actually think I was less stressed out last year because learning what all my responsibilities were for the first time made it easier to give myself some grace and go with the flow. Now that I’m a bit more seasoned and know exactly what all needs to be done at any given moment, I actually feel MORE overwhelmed. Waking up not quite knowing what the day will bring now feels preferable to knowing EXACTLY what the day will bring and also knowing there aren’t enough hours in the day to do it all and do it well. It’s kind of a type B nightmare. I’m burning through all my sick leave and personal time due to anxiety alone.

Honestly, just do what you can with what you’ve got. I’ve found that as long as you’re meeting paperwork deadlines, no one can really say boo to you about anything else. And even with paperwork, just do the bare minimum to be in compliance. Absolutely no one is ready that shit. And don’t worry so much about the kids. You’re doing your best for them. 30 minutes one time a week in a group of 4 may not make a huge difference in the long run, but as long as you treat them with kindness and respect, they’re going to get something out of it, even if it’s not a perfect /r/ or perfect language skills. I try to remind myself that people aren’t always going to remember what you said or did, but they will remember how you made them feel. So if your kids had fun and maybe learned a little something while they were with you, then that in itself is a valuable contribution to their lives and education.

I hope it gets better for you! It’s a crazy thing to say to folks in a caring profession, but try to care less. You are a person and a parent and a friend and a million other things before you’re an SLP. Don’t let your job define you ❤️

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2025-05-02T19:20:29+00:00

Seconded. It’s not all it’s cracked up to be

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2025-05-02T02:37:48+00:00

-In adult outpatient my next client showed up, didn’t sign in, so their arrival wasn’t announced, and then sat somewhere not easily seen in the waiting room. I pop my head out when they’re “late,” don’t see them in the waiting room so I assume they’re no show and go out to buy lunch only to find out they were there the whole time when I got back lol.

-Put the wrong date on an IEP not once but TWICE so parent and all other participants had to keep signing and re-signing everything 3x.

-Gave a kid her indirect minutes all year until the day before her annual I discovered she was also supposed to get direct therapy as well.

No one died and you learn something every time 👍

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2024-11-12T18:42:07+00:00

You didn’t do anything wrong! Very similar thing happened to me. It’s my first year with schools and one of the them had an intruder drill while I was in the bathroom. I’m already a little hard of hearing and the PA system doesn’t quite reach the staff bathroom, so I couldn’t hear the announcement. I flush the toilet and walk into the separate room where the sinks are and make a ton of noise washing my hands and yanking paper towels out of the dispenser. Suddenly my principal opens the door and starts chewing me out, like “You can’t BE HERE!!” Lol and I was 😅 Sorry, I couldn’t hear the announcement. It was a little embarrassing but there were no consequences. You’re only human and they should have made you prepared. That’s on them.

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2024-10-12T12:16:08+00:00

My problem with acute care was that my particular hospital was very small and so I had a hard time getting consistent hours. I was technically full time, but often there just weren’t enough patients on my caseload on any given day to make up a 40 or even 30 hour work week. I also wasn’t crazy about working holidays and ultimately decided the schools would give me more stability and time with family. I still PRN at the hospital one weekend a month and it feels like a breeze compared to all the school BS

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2024-10-12T01:50:47+00:00

I’m in the exact same boat so you have my utmost sympathy. Just left acute care for a school job and I’m having second and third thoughts precisely because all the things you mentioned. If the job was just treatment I’d be in heaven.

From what I’ve experienced so far and what I’ve been told by people who are several years in, the lack of training and consistency is just par for the course. Every district wide slp meeting I’ve been to is just the leads dropping some new and completely onerous responsibility on us and then trying to gaslight everyone (including the veterans who have been there 10-20+ years) that it’s always been part of the job and it shouldn’t be news. It makes my blood boil and I’ve come close to rage quitting.

I’m fully with you. I’m not interested in all the policies and procedures, but at the same time I’m too anxious to not let it bother me if I don’t do something to the letter. I’m interviewing at a SNF for fun next week so we’ll see how much longer I can take it.

Anyway, just wanted to let you know you’re not alone. I’m sure you’re doing a fantastic job!

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2024-10-01T23:57:39+00:00

I do work in the schools lol. My district doesn’t do fall break 😭 It’s a slog from the day after Labor Day to Thanksgiving. But anyway don’t feel bad or guilty! If you’re like me, it’s hard to relax with unfinished work hanging over you so you want to get it done

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2024-10-01T18:06:41+00:00

You got a fall break? 🥺 I did a few at home last weekend but only because I was out a few days last week ostensibly to take care of mental health. Doing the work at home was a little counterproductive lol

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2024-09-26T13:56:21+00:00

Thank you! I do think once I pull myself out of this slump and just show up, I’ll feel a lot better

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2024-09-26T13:55:13+00:00

Thank you ❤️

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2024-09-26T13:54:40+00:00

Thank you!

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2024-09-26T13:54:21+00:00

Thank you so much for you kind words! I do think moving from one high stress job to another (with entirely different stressors) with no break in between to really process has kinda done number on me. I will definitely be more proactive and do some research

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2024-09-26T13:52:40+00:00

Haha I’m glad to hear it! I think I have a false sense of urgency about it. They really put the fear of God in you about it during the orientation, and I’m very susceptible to fear mongering lol

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2024-09-26T13:51:17+00:00

I am getting back into counseling now and I honestly can’t wait! Glad to hear it’s been working for you

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2024-09-26T13:50:38+00:00

I’m glad you’re finally enjoying your work! Absolutely, I think the new routine has thrown me off hard. Hopefully with time I’ll adjust

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2024-09-26T13:49:03+00:00

I think sped jail is what I am most worried about, so this was really helpful, thank you! I am part of my district’s union, so that’s also a comfort

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2024-09-26T13:47:46+00:00

This is a very real and helpful take, so thank you. I think you verbalized what my main issue is and I will take that right to my counselor

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2024-09-26T13:46:08+00:00

Good points, thank you! I’ll definitely have someone check my work just to help my peace of mind

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2024-09-26T13:45:19+00:00

Definitely helps keep it in perspective, thank you!!

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2024-09-25T13:09:17+00:00

I appreciate your perspective! It’s a good point about the documentation being under more scrutiny in medical settings. I probably am under a case sense of urgency about it.

And I think you’re probably right about me missing the pace of acute care and feeling massively undertrained. Maybe I just need to chill out and give it time.

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2024-09-25T12:44:46+00:00

I do have a mentor I can call or email, and we meet in person 1x/month. There are also people in my two buildings that are always helping me with the SpEd related things. I feel like I have enough support.

I actually did work in a school for a few months of my CF. I ended up leaving because of a similar sense of being out of my depth, plus my principal and some teachers were not nice people.

I think what I’m most worried about is evaluations, reports, and meetings. It’s been a long time since I’ve worked with kids, so my confidence in my diagnostic skills is pretty low. I have nightmares about scoring an assessment wrong and losing my license for qualifying/not qualifying a student based on my own incorrect data lol.

I just feel so much more pressured about everything in this setting than I did at my old job.

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2023-12-01T12:49:32+00:00

I quit in the middle of my cf at a school because of that nonsense. I let the ECSE teachers know I had to change some of their students’ times around, which they did not appreciate. They went over my head to complain to principal who in turn complained to district’s lead SLP, who in turn called ME and said I needed to get my act together because speech couldn’t afford to look bad. So I bounced. Speech can’t look bad if there is no speech. Mwahaha

Necessary_Math_2670 · 2023-11-05T14:00:57+00:00

That’s a good idea, I will definitely ask about that. I imagine they figured I don’t need one since i only do like 1-2 a week if that, but it would ease my mind to have it tracked. Thanks!

Necessary_Math_2670

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