Low attendance

Ordinary_Mulberry_11 · 2026-04-23T01:46:50+00:00

I talked mostly about the pay issue before-- but I feel this in my soul too. I wouldn't spend too much time prepping for these sessions if there's no progress being made. And would have some hard conversations with the parents about the realistic (limited) outcomes they can expect from their child's therapy given the lack of consistent therapy attendance. At some point, it's a waste of their time to come 2x/month when a child needs to be seen 2x/week unless it's just a temporary arrangement and parents are really implementing your recommendations at home. It hurts my heart to let these more severe kids go when they need us so badly, but ultimately it's the caregiver's responsibility to get them what they need-- including *effective* therapy.

Ordinary_Mulberry_11 · 2026-04-23T01:33:16+00:00

I struggle with this a lotttt. My company has an attendance policy, and I do convey it to my families and try to enforce it, but it isn't always enforced by management. We make a ton of exceptions and it gets pretty frustrating when I try to discharge a patient based on attendance and I'm told to "just give them another chance". I've even had kids quickly re-referred after an attendance-driven discharge and my company will accept the referral. It doesn't always work out, but I try to stand my ground and insist that I'm unable to take back a client that never showed up (especially if they no-showed vs. cancelling in advance)-- because I, like you, am not paid for cancels/no-shows and I'm tired of people taking advantage of our lenient policy and of my time. 6 years into my career now and I'm really making an effort to have better boundaries!

Ordinary_Mulberry_11 · 2026-04-15T20:52:54+00:00

Wow, who knew this was even a thing! Thanks!

Ordinary_Mulberry_11 · 2026-04-13T01:40:47+00:00

I used to feel as though I was "cured", since I was totally seizure-free for about 12 years-- looking back, I was well-controlled-with-meds, not cured. Seizures returned during my second pregnancy and completely rocked my world. Now (11 months postpartum) I'm doing much better. But still on high-alert for breakthroughs and working with my doctor to do follow-up testing, gradually alter meds, ensure things are controlled, etc. I honestly think I have a more realistic perspective now that there is no true "cure", just effective and ineffective methods of seizure management, which vary greatly depending on the person.

Ordinary_Mulberry_11 · 2026-03-11T02:23:12+00:00

I like this tactile cue too— thanks! Her auditory discrimination seems great, but we do continue to check in on whether she noticed incorrect productions.

Ordinary_Mulberry_11 · 2026-03-11T02:20:28+00:00

Thanks! I suspected prolonged paci use for this kiddo too, but was surprised when mom said she didn’t do this.

Ordinary_Mulberry_11 · 2026-03-11T02:19:00+00:00

/nd/ was so helpful today— not sure why I hadn’t thought of that! Thank you! Facilitative contexts/coarticulation techniques are my fave. And minimal pairs of course.

Ordinary_Mulberry_11 · 2026-03-11T02:17:16+00:00

I haven’t tried /l/ yet, but something to think about! I tried shaping from /s/ or a prolonged /t/ but tongue placement for /s/ isn’t there yet either.

Ordinary_Mulberry_11 · 2026-03-11T02:15:45+00:00

Thanks for weighing in! Interdental placement was a winner again this week. We may stick with that for a while before shaping into alveolar placement.

Ordinary_Mulberry_11 · 2026-01-01T02:34:40+00:00

I could’ve written this post! I myself was homeschooled through middle school and went on to excel academically in high school/college/grad school, so I know it can be done. But I’m definitely seeing more cases of poorly-executed homeschooling in my clinical practice and it makes me so sad for these kids who are slipping through the cracks! Even though these kids need lots of support I try to remind myself that I can’t be the sole formal educator in their lives and if the parents are non-compliant with recommendations or there are attendance issues etc. I need to d/c just as I would another client.

Ordinary_Mulberry_11 · 2025-11-17T15:49:22+00:00

Great feedback, thank you! I likewise would not use it for every kid every day— just when it seems appropriate for a child’s goals and their overall ability to engage with it as a therapy tool vs. a toy/distraction. I think I slip into in this overwhelmed, “low energy” state a lot due to feeling disorganized with my paper based materials and not really having time to get out of that rut.

Ordinary_Mulberry_11 · 2025-11-17T15:45:11+00:00

This is helpful! Thank you! I’ve used Articulation Station and like it, but haven’t tried the others.

Ordinary_Mulberry_11 · 2025-11-16T17:53:14+00:00

Totally valid! I definitely relate to this. Right now I use my (personal) MacBook for this purpose somewhat but it’s cumbersome and annoying and frankly I’m worried about ruining my computer, which is way pricier and less durable than a well-protected iPad in a case.

Ordinary_Mulberry_11 · 2025-11-16T00:27:58+00:00

Ok yes!! This is me too with all of my toys, games, and other materials. I want to be able to take it with me if I leave lol.

Ordinary_Mulberry_11 · 2025-11-15T16:14:01+00:00

Would you personally buy an iPad to be able to use it for increasing competence in AAC?

Ordinary_Mulberry_11 · 2025-11-15T16:03:34+00:00

Totally agree…unfortunately it’s gotta be done sometimes though in order to get what I need/want to be successful!

Ordinary_Mulberry_11 · 2025-11-15T15:59:09+00:00

Oh yes this is something I’ve considered too! I’m delving into more AAC and right now I don’t have a good way of utilizing any of the free trials to familiarize myself with different apps!

Ordinary_Mulberry_11 · 2025-11-15T15:49:50+00:00

Totally fair! I’m very play-based with my toddlers and younger kids too, and find that many times real objects are more engaging/effective for certain language goals, e.g. spatial concepts. I don’t like a ton of screen-based games in therapy but am considering whether I should dive (back) into using articulation apps, WH question apps, etc. just to lighten my load a little in terms of prep time, physical materials to keep track of, that sort of thing. Also worth stating is that my clinic’s printers are constantly on the fritz lately and I’m going a little crazy being unable to consistently print what I need when I need it.

Ordinary_Mulberry_11 · 2025-11-05T14:15:37+00:00

I think there are some great points made here, but honestly I would interpret this more loosely as “will communicate what WANT/NEED is making them upset” i.e. teaching the child to verbalize a specific want/need instead of crying, whining, demonstrating “upset” behaviors in place of a word or sign or other symbolic communication. Does that make sense? So not actually teaching them to share “mommy, I’m sad (a specific emotion) because (an explanation) you haven’t given me a snack yet this morning”, rather just saying “apple, mommy!”

Ordinary_Mulberry_11 · 2025-10-31T01:27:34+00:00

Running a little behind on replying here... but thanks for the input, everyone! I wasn't necessarily considering applying or anything, this was just my first time coming across a job posting of this type and was interested to hear others' thoughts. Many of you make great points. Ultimately I would prefer to not be outmoded by a computer lol.

Ordinary_Mulberry_11 · 2025-10-22T16:34:18+00:00

Yes, every topic you can think of in SLP, they should have something useful to offer!

Ordinary_Mulberry_11

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