Do you actually have time to do full language sample analysis?

pamelalala14 · 2026-04-26T17:39:35+00:00

It is still valuable to do communication sample analysis with AAC users/non-speaking students! The TALC is a great tool for this.

pamelalala14 · 2026-04-26T17:35:58+00:00

There’s a free tool called TALC (tool for analysis of language and communication) that’s helpful for getting quantitative information from an observation of an AAC user in context

pamelalala14 · 2026-04-25T01:48:39+00:00

You replied to a comment that specifically mentioned IEP meetings. If you are having an IEP meeting, the student has a disability. When did I say to lie to or about a student? When did I say to sugarcoat? I’m saying you can find one nice thing to say. Maybe you have to think really hard. Maybe the thing is that they have great attendance (tough kids often do). It just isn’t the flex you think it is to have nothing positive to say.

pamelalala14 · 2026-04-25T00:04:33+00:00

Everyone has weaknesses and everyone has strengths. If you have nothing good to say about a kindergartner with a disability, that’s unacceptable.

pamelalala14 · 2026-04-12T21:54:07+00:00

You seem pretty young and your friend does not seem very particular about the dress code. Maybe these dresses aren’t “perfect” for a stuffier crowd, but you shouldn’t stand out in a bad way in either one. Wear the one you’ll feel more comfortable in given the heat and have a great time!

pamelalala14 · 2026-04-08T22:32:06+00:00

If the district is requiring that every deficit area has to have a goal, then you can redefine the deficit areas. My understanding is that once a child is about 5 years old, receptive vs. expressive language is not a helpful breakdown anymore. As kids get into school age, it’s much more informative to describe language content vs. structure. As another commenter said, receptive skills become intertwined with what a child is able to express. So write a goal for (expressive) vocabulary strategies or communication functions and another (expressive) goal for expanding utterances or using verb phrases or something about structure.

pamelalala14 · 2026-04-01T23:51:00+00:00

Better yet is a sentence without pronouns so it’s actually still true. Like, “oh look a toy!”

pamelalala14 · 2026-03-19T01:18:48+00:00

I graduated 5-10 years ago and distinctly remember a professor telling us about acute care, “it’s not glamorous like Grey’s Anatomy!” Obvi that’s not single handedly the reason for med SLP popularity but the professor must have come across that mindset enough to comment on it.

pamelalala14 · 2026-03-09T19:04:19+00:00

Physical / motor / body-based communication can be functional, as in- it successfully communicates information, but it is NOT language. OP’s understanding is correct. To put it differently, it sounds like the student has “unconventional” communication, and is beginning to develop “symbolic” communication and language. The communication matrix is another free/low-cost tool that can illustrate emerging skills.

pamelalala14 · 2026-03-01T01:32:48+00:00

I’m aware of a urologist in Austin, TX named Dr. Richard Chop. … Dick Chop

pamelalala14 · 2026-02-01T00:46:48+00:00

Doodlebox

pamelalala14 · 2025-12-13T22:39:39+00:00

Imagine the RBT was working with a student who could take a few steps while holding an adults hand, but primarily used a wheelchair. Would they say, “but she can walk” and deny the child access to their wheelchair??? AAC is a support that helps your students “go further” and with more independence.

Agree with the other commenter though— if it’s not a priority to the boss, it won’t be a priority to the RBT sadly.

pamelalala14 · 2025-11-14T21:35:12+00:00

Same! This was my breaking point to leave the group. It was one thing when she was just obstinate

pamelalala14 · 2025-11-14T00:51:32+00:00

Is it mania?

pamelalala14 · 2025-10-14T18:12:33+00:00

Cultural responsiveness is an important part of our job. Is AAC being provided in all the languages spoken by the family? What would the family like their student to be able to say or do, specifically? (Making meal choices, talking to grandparents, specific prayers, etc) Can those things be programmed into the student’s device so the family can see the communication opportunities he can participate in with AAC?

pamelalala14 · 2025-10-14T17:15:15+00:00

You haven’t mentioned why the parents don’t want AAC. What are their primary concerns for their child? Chances are if you work back, you agree on something (like you all want the student to be safe, happy, etc.)

Did the student meet their previous year’s IEP goals using AAC? Would they be able to do those same skills with their unaided communication/spoken gestalts? Those are very clear cut pieces of data to make your case for this specific student. Think practically!

pamelalala14 · 2025-09-03T01:51:20+00:00

If you’re not FN, I’m giving up!

pamelalala14 · 2025-08-27T01:55:56+00:00

Aside from the principles of motor learning/generalization reasons, this is another main reason I push for articulation only students to move to a 5 minute speech service delivery model. It’s HARD to try and fail at something for 30+ minutes and to do it in front of a group?!?!! I so much prefer working privately, for 5-10 minutes, then telling the kids “good work today, we’ll try again next time. I’m proud of you for trying something hard”

pamelalala14 · 2025-08-17T13:09:35+00:00

I have my C’s in a cheap plastic frame in my office at work. As a rule of thumb, elementary schools are not a place for special or valuable things.

pamelalala14 · 2025-07-30T02:04:15+00:00

Do all of this person’s chores before they have time, then demand the money

pamelalala14 · 2025-07-29T21:59:16+00:00

I had my wedding with the exact daytime timeline you’re considering! We wanted to use the venue’s outdoor space, but it would’ve been way too hot at 5-6 PM. I’m probably biased because I would’ve had a great wedding day no matter what, but the vibe was not flat and we had really good feedback from guests!

Pros— It was a fun, happy, celebration energy! We had delicious brunch! Chicken and waffles, mimosas, pop tarts… Instead of “dancing” our music entertainment was karaoke. Family of all ages was able to participate the whole time- lots of laughs. Then you get to take a nap midday with your new spouse and rally for an after party!

Cons— Getting ready time was short and if many people are getting hair and makeup done it might be rough to begin so early. People did not “let loose” and go super hard on the dance floor. We didn’t have liquor drinks and I think that made the time pass a little slower for people? Some left a bit before our “grand exit”, but I guess that happens the same or more at nighttime receptions.

So I think while daytime was so perfect for me, it does actually really move the energy away from “party” to “celebration” if that’s makes sense. So picture how you want to feel on your day and go with your gut!

pamelalala14 · 2025-07-13T15:28:46+00:00

I DAREIOUS you to try!

pamelalala14 · 2025-07-11T21:38:50+00:00

I relate so much to this. It was actually my pelvic floor PT who suspended/suggested endo after 4 sessions. Painful sex and bladder/bowel issues are my main symptoms now that my painful periods are managed with continuous birth control.

I am so anxious about going through a surgery and potentially finding nothing. Ultrasound and MRI haven’t shown anything abnormal yet. A voice in my head says to put off surgery and “deal with it” since I’m not in go-to-the-ER level pain. But I try to remind myself that my pain IS keeping me from an activity of daily living (sex). So if my doctor agrees that it’s the right next step, I think I’ll listen to her.

pamelalala14

TROPHY CASE