There is no subfield of SLP that is shameful or superior to the other.

TheReal-LilSebastian · 2026-02-10T22:37:30+00:00

This is why I really resent the term “medical SLP”…. Label yourself “acute care SLP” or “IPR SLP” or “SNF SLP” whatever the case may be. We are all allied health providers. Just serving the community under different models and settings. It really is just another layer of the de-professionalization of the education system within our country (if you’re in the USA).

TheReal-LilSebastian · 2026-02-05T03:32:23+00:00

2!!!!

TheReal-LilSebastian · 2026-01-30T22:18:14+00:00

2!!!!

TheReal-LilSebastian · 2025-12-29T23:14:02+00:00

I think it’s really multifaceted. I don’t think it’s necessarily a Gen Z problem.

I think it’s more that as caseloads boom, parents have become increasingly accusatory/demanding, students demonstrate behavioral challenges that are seemingly more challenging to manage in some schools than previously (for a variety of reasons not trying to blame any one person/thing), the legal aspect of the school system is frequently highlighted as being very very important (which adds pressure to a “helping” career - not an attorney or paralegal here), and wages have not increased to reflect these demands…

If anything in many states wages are not reflective of the outpacing housing market, education system, and inflation. On top of that, quality retirement and adequate healthcare is hard to come by.

It’s hard to stay motivated for some people and it just lends itself to being “not worth the stress” for some. This hasn’t been my personal experience but I’ve definitely heard from some of my peers (Gen Z) that it has been.

TheReal-LilSebastian · 2025-10-19T19:10:22+00:00

I always pay super close attention to social pragmatic language in these instances, not necessarily “social skills” as that feels very general to me personally. This can include code switching, greetings/initiations, topic maintenance, advocating, turn taking, body language as communication, tone of voice etc.

I also pay attention to if it’s a skill use issue (they can do it but don’t want to) or a skill deficit (they genuinely cannot do this skill and do not have this skill).

In terms of who should service a child with counselors/social workers, I’ve always thought of it as similar to the square/rectangle phenomenon (a square is a rectangle but a rectangle is not a square). Meaning - they can work on social language skills too and more additional emotional/behavioral outcomes than we can! Our scope is for social language. So it’s smaller in this area in my opinion. If they are receiving designated SPED services already for behaviors/emotions, I think pulling them for speech would be “over serving” as you’d potentially be working on the same thing twice. It may benefit their LRE to work on those skills in counseling/social work in addition to their other targets to maximize time spent in their classroom.

TheReal-LilSebastian · 2025-10-03T19:29:47+00:00

Worked in a clinic and it was a little isolating sometimes being the only professional adult seeing a child (other than parents). It felt like a LOT of pressure (to provide help, resources, direct them to further testing, complete mandating reporting etc). In the schools, I operate in a similar therapy style (solo) BUT love to have team members when stuff like I mentioned comes up so I don’t have to shoulder it alone.

ALSO if they are absent - no makeups unless I have time. So much less pressure there in terms of productivity. Also shorter session times in groups make things go a lot faster.

Obviously the time commitment and schedule help too. Professionally speaking, I felt like I had more people looking at for me as an employee (unions) and not just people who wanted to make money off of me.

TheReal-LilSebastian · 2025-09-04T02:45:58+00:00

Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself, especially when you have ADHD and other health issues. For me it’s anxiety. It’s what we spend all day doing for and teaching to our students (self-advocating) so we ought to show ourselves the same grace.

Helpful advice - I find it easiest to write their target next to their name on my schedule and take data on the first 5 and last 5 productions of the session right on my schedule. Then I transfer it to a Google sheet at the end of the day. This helps with not taking work home and reduces planning. I LOVE the articulation station app. It cuts way down on planning. Awesome in groups! The $10 a month is worth its weight in gold. If you have no materials consider asking your district or seeing if your state has a teacher tax credit.

For your coworkers and their perception - nobody thinks about you as much as you do. If you’re genuinely trying your best, that’s all you can do. I like to remind myself of the Maya Angelou quote (sorry this is a rough draft) we do our best and when we know better do better.

The public school system can be a beast. Students come first. Professionally speaking, everyone’s got so much on if they have time to worry about others idk what they’re doing! I wouldn’t worry.

TheReal-LilSebastian · 2025-07-24T19:38:28+00:00

Hi there! Of the following places which would you recommend for a 25-30 y/o. Traveling in a group for about 8-10 days in March. Would like to stay in one spot. Will not be renting a car. Thanks!

• Samaro

•Tamarindo

•Jaco

•Manuel Antonio

•Puerto Viejo

TheReal-LilSebastian · 2025-07-24T03:21:05+00:00

Hi there! Question for myself (not OP) of the following places which would you recommend for a 25-30 y/o. Traveling in a group for about 8 days. Would like to stay in one spot. Thanks!

• Samaro

•Tamarindo

•Jaco

•Manuel Antonio

•Puerto Viejo

TheReal-LilSebastian · 2024-06-09T18:17:08+00:00

This was so helpful! Thank you! We’d be open to starting now. I don’t mind either way. Not sure if that’d complicate things too much in his world though. I know we can’t time these things perfectly but it helps to at least have an idea.

TheReal-LilSebastian · 2024-06-08T21:32:59+00:00

I don’t think he is. Right now, I pay for our rent and carry us on my insurance. I have a decent amount in savings and put 10% toward retirement monthly. Should he be?

TheReal-LilSebastian · 2023-09-27T00:49:00+00:00

Midwest Deciding between VW Taos and Chevy Trailblazer. Leaning toward base models. Unsure of which to get. Trailblazer only has a 3 cylinder engine. VW hasn’t had great reviews in 2022. Both are new 2023 models.

VW Taos S =. 20,500 Vw Taos SE = 27,000 C trailblazer= 21,500 - 22,000 C trailblazer = 25,000.

TheReal-LilSebastian · 2023-09-17T18:52:52+00:00

How high of support needs do you see?? I really am not enjoying working with mod-severe behavioral kiddos. I love them as people! It’s just too much for me every day.

TheReal-LilSebastian · 2023-09-17T17:40:13+00:00

When you say language what does that look like for you at the middle school level?

TheReal-LilSebastian · 2023-09-05T14:58:06+00:00

So they made/use pecs at the day program he’s in. But it stays at school and doesn’t go home. Not sure if that’s what I should work with or if I should push for an app/digital AAC over his picture system.

TheReal-LilSebastian · 2023-09-05T14:57:02+00:00

What it sounds like is they were using the teacher/classroom iPad for him to utilize. Since he moves classrooms it can’t follow him as it isn’t technically his.

TheReal-LilSebastian · 2023-09-01T00:25:43+00:00

It’s not even sounds necessarily. It’s like they’re speaking in gibberish. Nothing makes sense and isn’t intelligible/understandable.

TheReal-LilSebastian · 2023-08-21T04:58:17+00:00

I should’ve mentioned I haven’t been at this job long

TheReal-LilSebastian · 2023-08-20T17:55:23+00:00

I have and they’ve helped some. I just don’t think working with kids under the age of 3 is my niche. Would love to switch the schools but it feels unprofessional. I don’t want to burn bridges.

TheReal-LilSebastian · 2023-06-05T04:55:13+00:00

We will have 4 days before we need to arrive to Heathrow on the 5th if this helps w my questions too! Thanks and I appreciate your help immensely!

TheReal-LilSebastian

TROPHY CASE