It's Kristin.
Well, if you've been following the blog, you kow that a few new SLPs or grad student readers have asked some specific questions re: how to get things started. My previous post covered "Planning." This one's going to be about carrying out the session itself. Hope it helps! Feel free to add your own comments and advice!
The Session: I personally like to start sessions by asking a few questions first. Before I just jump in and start drilling them I want to see how they've been since our last session, how they're feeling, if they think speech therapy is helping, if they understand what we're working on, if they did any
"homework assignments" I gave them, etc. This may seem obvious, but sometimes it's easy to skip this stuff when you get into automatic mode.
Then as we get going on our therapy tasks, I try to remember that if I'm bored, so is the patient. I like to keep things interesting and meaningful for them. I let them know what we're working on and why. I try to switch activities every 10 minutes or so (but that can vary depending on their attention span).
Well, that seems really brief, but many of the other things I thought of mentioning seem too obvious and boring: taking data, dealing with different personalities or family. Comment if you think I'm missing anything!
Merry Christmas!
XOXO,
~K
Friday, December 17, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
What a long crazy trip its been
Well, again I don’t know if you missed me or not, but I’m back and it has been one heck of a ride. I’m sure that there are some of you out there that have no idea what I’m talking about.
I decided to take up the challenge from National Novel Writing Month otherwise known as NaNoWriMo to write a novel in one month, thirty days, with at least 50,000 words.
I started the first day, just me and my computer starring at each other, no ideas were coming to mind, nothing was flowing, but then I started typing and I just kept going. The story kind of created itself as I went along. I had to have plenty of brain storming sessions and discussions with my wife, but the story seemed to come out the best when I just kept writing. When I just let is flow and gush out. Maybe gushing wasn’t the best word right there.
Did I make it? Did I finish the challenge of 50,000 words? Well, those of you who follow me on twitter already know.
Yes and no.
I ended up with a word count yesterday of 83,100 words, so yes, according to NaNoWriMo I made it. And no, my story had not yet been concluded yet. That was my main goal, to have a completed first draft of my novel. Having had written over 150 word document pages means I have quite a bit of this novel written. Yet every good book needs three components, a beginning, a middle, and an end. Mine seems to be lacking that last part. I’m not quite sure how it’s going to get there, but I’ll keep trudging along, just not at the same crazy intense pace that I have been doing for the last 30 days. I told my wife yesterday that she has permission to nag me to finish this. I give you all the same permission.
Speaking of my wife, she is invested. She deserves me to finish this silly project of mine because bless her heart she has read every single word that I’ve written. Yup, every single word, if you can believe it. And not only that, she’s let me write while taking the kids, doing dishes, putting up with me talking about nothing else, etc, etc. Yes, my wife deserves a trophy I dare say. She has been wonderful while I have been putting myself through this literary madness exercise. I love her for it. Well, I loved her before it as well, but I love her even more.
I can hear the whole lot of you yelling from your computers and fancy smart phones as you are reading this.
“What the heck is your stupid book about??!!???” I’m sure some of you used even more choice language than that.
Well, what I thought it was going to be about in the beginning has evolved. I’ll tell you some things that it’s about, but don’t expect it to make sense.
It entitled Harvest Wind.
It’s about a teenage boy coming to grips with his stuttering disorder.
It’s about a young blossoming teen romance. (Yeah, I especially didn’t see that one coming either).
It’s about a murder mystery.
It’s about a people, a city, who live dual compartmentalized lives in a dream like world completely separate from their reality when they are awake.
It’s about a people fighting for survival.
It’s about a young boy coming to believe in himself as he tries to find his place in the world.
Is that enough to confuse you at least? The book took so many unexpected turns as I was writing it. There were many moments while I was writing that I laughed out loud by what one of my characters said or did. There were other times I could feel the love sickness that often times infects the hearts of those who are young. And there were times that I felt heart broken at the things that had happened. It was seriously an emotional roller coaster, not just feeling all the feelings of the main characters of my novel, but I also had all of the feelings of inadequacy come at me at times. There were several times throughout the month that I was attacked by, what the NaNoWriMo people call, my “inner editor”. This evil little thing often told me that my writing was crap, that this was a stupid idea, and that I should just call the whole damn thing off. I mean seriously, what was I thinking anyway? I got myself down several times thinking about the heap of rubbish that I attempted to call a novel in progress.
It very well maybe a big heap of … rubbish, but at least I proved that I could nearly write a novel in 30 days (over 80,000 words strong!). And if I can write a novel in thirty days I can do just about anything. Such as write a blog post at least once a week! Ha!
I’ve already had several people ask if they could read it. I want to at least finish the first draft before letting anybody touch it, but then I really need some people who have a good editing eye. Right now the book is untouched, riddled with inconsistencies and typos. I hope that some of you will please read this and help me make it better. If you would like to read a draft of this to help improve it, email me at pathologicallyspeaking (at) gmail (dot) com and I’ll add you to a list. Don’t hold your breath as to how long it might take me to complete the first draft. It feels like it still needs at least 10,000 more words, its kind of hard to tell.
And yes, I totally plan on doing this again next year, but I hope to enlist some friends in real life and on the web, to join me in this crazy challenge. Maybe you could join me next November.
Thanks for letting me ramble on this topic. I promise to shut up about it for a good year or so unless I really just want to tell you guys about one thing or another.
Now back to your regular scheduled blog program.Yes, I'm actually going to be writing about speech therapy stuff again.
I decided to take up the challenge from National Novel Writing Month otherwise known as NaNoWriMo to write a novel in one month, thirty days, with at least 50,000 words.
I started the first day, just me and my computer starring at each other, no ideas were coming to mind, nothing was flowing, but then I started typing and I just kept going. The story kind of created itself as I went along. I had to have plenty of brain storming sessions and discussions with my wife, but the story seemed to come out the best when I just kept writing. When I just let is flow and gush out. Maybe gushing wasn’t the best word right there.
Did I make it? Did I finish the challenge of 50,000 words? Well, those of you who follow me on twitter already know.
Yes and no.
I ended up with a word count yesterday of 83,100 words, so yes, according to NaNoWriMo I made it. And no, my story had not yet been concluded yet. That was my main goal, to have a completed first draft of my novel. Having had written over 150 word document pages means I have quite a bit of this novel written. Yet every good book needs three components, a beginning, a middle, and an end. Mine seems to be lacking that last part. I’m not quite sure how it’s going to get there, but I’ll keep trudging along, just not at the same crazy intense pace that I have been doing for the last 30 days. I told my wife yesterday that she has permission to nag me to finish this. I give you all the same permission.
Speaking of my wife, she is invested. She deserves me to finish this silly project of mine because bless her heart she has read every single word that I’ve written. Yup, every single word, if you can believe it. And not only that, she’s let me write while taking the kids, doing dishes, putting up with me talking about nothing else, etc, etc. Yes, my wife deserves a trophy I dare say. She has been wonderful while I have been putting myself through this literary madness exercise. I love her for it. Well, I loved her before it as well, but I love her even more.
I can hear the whole lot of you yelling from your computers and fancy smart phones as you are reading this.
“What the heck is your stupid book about??!!???” I’m sure some of you used even more choice language than that.
Well, what I thought it was going to be about in the beginning has evolved. I’ll tell you some things that it’s about, but don’t expect it to make sense.
It entitled Harvest Wind.
It’s about a teenage boy coming to grips with his stuttering disorder.
It’s about a young blossoming teen romance. (Yeah, I especially didn’t see that one coming either).
It’s about a murder mystery.
It’s about a people, a city, who live dual compartmentalized lives in a dream like world completely separate from their reality when they are awake.
It’s about a people fighting for survival.
It’s about a young boy coming to believe in himself as he tries to find his place in the world.
Is that enough to confuse you at least? The book took so many unexpected turns as I was writing it. There were many moments while I was writing that I laughed out loud by what one of my characters said or did. There were other times I could feel the love sickness that often times infects the hearts of those who are young. And there were times that I felt heart broken at the things that had happened. It was seriously an emotional roller coaster, not just feeling all the feelings of the main characters of my novel, but I also had all of the feelings of inadequacy come at me at times. There were several times throughout the month that I was attacked by, what the NaNoWriMo people call, my “inner editor”. This evil little thing often told me that my writing was crap, that this was a stupid idea, and that I should just call the whole damn thing off. I mean seriously, what was I thinking anyway? I got myself down several times thinking about the heap of rubbish that I attempted to call a novel in progress.
It very well maybe a big heap of … rubbish, but at least I proved that I could nearly write a novel in 30 days (over 80,000 words strong!). And if I can write a novel in thirty days I can do just about anything. Such as write a blog post at least once a week! Ha!
I’ve already had several people ask if they could read it. I want to at least finish the first draft before letting anybody touch it, but then I really need some people who have a good editing eye. Right now the book is untouched, riddled with inconsistencies and typos. I hope that some of you will please read this and help me make it better. If you would like to read a draft of this to help improve it, email me at pathologicallyspeaking (at) gmail (dot) com and I’ll add you to a list. Don’t hold your breath as to how long it might take me to complete the first draft. It feels like it still needs at least 10,000 more words, its kind of hard to tell.
And yes, I totally plan on doing this again next year, but I hope to enlist some friends in real life and on the web, to join me in this crazy challenge. Maybe you could join me next November.
Thanks for letting me ramble on this topic. I promise to shut up about it for a good year or so unless I really just want to tell you guys about one thing or another.
Now back to your regular scheduled blog program.Yes, I'm actually going to be writing about speech therapy stuff again.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
A little bit more for the brand new SLP's (aka: advice for the Medical SLP Newbies-- part II)
It's Kristin here.
So, one of you commented after our advice posts that you are even wondering about some of the basics- how to plan a session, "run" a session, take data and write reports. I know that can all be overwhelming when you're in grad school or just entering your first internship or first job. I thought I could say a little more on that for those who are interested. And you veteran SLPs- feel free to add to this in the comments. You know Bob and I love comments and feedback.
I work in a Rehabilitation Unit in a hospital. I mainly see adults with neurological issues. Bob- maybe you'll want to address a more pediatric version of some of the stuff I have to say. :) No pressure!
(Let's assume that the initial evaluation is done here and I'll start with the first session after the eval.)
Planning: I think the most efficient way to plan for a session, is to look at the patient/client/student's (okay, from now on I'll just say patient) goals and decide what the priorities are. Maybe they have 7 goals, but which one is affecting their communication or life the most? In my case, swallowing often comes first. Then speech and language. Then cognition. In the schools, maybe it's a specific phoneme, or glaring syntactical deficit, or a pragmatic/social issue that's causing him major social problems. Then there are those secondary goals that can wait a bit- like why start the session focusing on /s/ when the student can't even form clear sentences? In my world- why start with memory tasks if the patient can't even name words? Anyway, I think we may have a tendency as clinicians to start with the tasks that are the most enjoyable to work on, or that we feel the most skilled with, so you gotta watch out.
Let's stop there for now and I'll address other topics in my subsequent "Newbie" posts.
Thanks for reading,
~K
So, one of you commented after our advice posts that you are even wondering about some of the basics- how to plan a session, "run" a session, take data and write reports. I know that can all be overwhelming when you're in grad school or just entering your first internship or first job. I thought I could say a little more on that for those who are interested. And you veteran SLPs- feel free to add to this in the comments. You know Bob and I love comments and feedback.
I work in a Rehabilitation Unit in a hospital. I mainly see adults with neurological issues. Bob- maybe you'll want to address a more pediatric version of some of the stuff I have to say. :) No pressure!
(Let's assume that the initial evaluation is done here and I'll start with the first session after the eval.)
Planning: I think the most efficient way to plan for a session, is to look at the patient/client/student's (okay, from now on I'll just say patient) goals and decide what the priorities are. Maybe they have 7 goals, but which one is affecting their communication or life the most? In my case, swallowing often comes first. Then speech and language. Then cognition. In the schools, maybe it's a specific phoneme, or glaring syntactical deficit, or a pragmatic/social issue that's causing him major social problems. Then there are those secondary goals that can wait a bit- like why start the session focusing on /s/ when the student can't even form clear sentences? In my world- why start with memory tasks if the patient can't even name words? Anyway, I think we may have a tendency as clinicians to start with the tasks that are the most enjoyable to work on, or that we feel the most skilled with, so you gotta watch out.
Let's stop there for now and I'll address other topics in my subsequent "Newbie" posts.
Thanks for reading,
~K
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Where Did Bob Go?
Howdy peoples,
I bet you’ve been wondering, hmm, were did Bob go? If you are anything like me, if something doesn’t come up in your google reader it just doesn’t exist. So, you’re most likely not very concerned. If you aren't then you can stop reading right now, if you are concerned though (and I love you for it!!) then continue.
Well, I’m not writing jack this month because I’m writing too much. Make any sense? Of course not. If you know me well, you should know that I rarely make much sense at all. But there is a very good reason for this nonsense.
It’s November, which is National Novel Writing Month, affectionately known as NaNoWriMo, if you follow me on twitter, then you’ve seen my frantic tweets about the event already (on both accounts @speechbob and @aoirselvar), as well as updates on facebook (poor confused dave). This year I have decided to throw in my lot with those crazy people who are attempting to write at least 1667 words a day in order to meet the grand old goal of 50,000 words by Novemeber 30th.
It’s been fun, but everything else in my life has been put on hold. Including writing blog posts, playing video games, catching up on my DVRed shows, feeding my cat (did I mention that I recently got a cat?), personal hygiene… you name it.
But today is November 13th, and I’m at 28,000 words already! I’m more than half way there! Woot! But only problem is that my novel is more than half way done. I’ve actually set my goal for 70,000 words, which I hope to eep out a decent story.
My story? Well, it’s a fantasy story about a boy name Praxton (yes I stole this character from previous writings, but he’s nearly completely different. Like a different dimension Praxton, in a different world, etc). I’m actually pretty happy with what I’ve written so far, I’m worried about letting the masses actually read the book, but if really really want to read the book and help me revise it, email me at aoirselvar (at) gmail (dot) com. I won’t even send anything out until I’m done with draft one, after I let some people at least get rid of all the many typos.
Anyway, I have spent much too much time writing this blog post. And in order to save time so I can write more on my NaNoWriMo, I’m just going to put this post on the three blogs that I write on (Pathologically Speaking, Casual Huntering, Blog of Bob & Lindy, even though the have nothing in common and I write on some of them more often than others.
Everybody have a great day, and I’ll see you in December.
I bet you’ve been wondering, hmm, were did Bob go? If you are anything like me, if something doesn’t come up in your google reader it just doesn’t exist. So, you’re most likely not very concerned. If you aren't then you can stop reading right now, if you are concerned though (and I love you for it!!) then continue.
Well, I’m not writing jack this month because I’m writing too much. Make any sense? Of course not. If you know me well, you should know that I rarely make much sense at all. But there is a very good reason for this nonsense.
It’s November, which is National Novel Writing Month, affectionately known as NaNoWriMo, if you follow me on twitter, then you’ve seen my frantic tweets about the event already (on both accounts @speechbob and @aoirselvar), as well as updates on facebook (poor confused dave). This year I have decided to throw in my lot with those crazy people who are attempting to write at least 1667 words a day in order to meet the grand old goal of 50,000 words by Novemeber 30th. It’s been fun, but everything else in my life has been put on hold. Including writing blog posts, playing video games, catching up on my DVRed shows, feeding my cat (did I mention that I recently got a cat?), personal hygiene… you name it.
But today is November 13th, and I’m at 28,000 words already! I’m more than half way there! Woot! But only problem is that my novel is more than half way done. I’ve actually set my goal for 70,000 words, which I hope to eep out a decent story.
My story? Well, it’s a fantasy story about a boy name Praxton (yes I stole this character from previous writings, but he’s nearly completely different. Like a different dimension Praxton, in a different world, etc). I’m actually pretty happy with what I’ve written so far, I’m worried about letting the masses actually read the book, but if really really want to read the book and help me revise it, email me at aoirselvar (at) gmail (dot) com. I won’t even send anything out until I’m done with draft one, after I let some people at least get rid of all the many typos.
Anyway, I have spent much too much time writing this blog post. And in order to save time so I can write more on my NaNoWriMo, I’m just going to put this post on the three blogs that I write on (Pathologically Speaking, Casual Huntering, Blog of Bob & Lindy, even though the have nothing in common and I write on some of them more often than others.
Everybody have a great day, and I’ll see you in December.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
My new commitment
Hey all! It's Kristin posting. Sorry we've taken a short blog-bbatical! We're really still here, just got a little swamped for a sec.
I got a comment from one of you (thanks Brenda!) recommending an /r/ program when I asked for help with that neighbor kid's /r/'s. I went to research it a bit on Twitter and realized I am missing out on this whole SLP twitter world out there. Bob, you are obviously totally SLPeeps savvy, but I am now jealous and I want to be a part of it.
Yes, I have a twitter account, but I don't really use it. I don't fully understand how Twitter works, but I'm sure I'll figure it out. (Examples: Why do people's twitter names have the @ symbols and how does that help you find the person, as opposed to just searching for them without the @? Why can you only see fractions of conversations, even when you expand them on the right? Etc.)
Well, I am going to post and check my Twitter account at least 3X/week. I am going to post about SLP stuff and if you wanna follow me its apparently @ and then my name kristinm333. :)
Hope to see you there. Hope we can get good ideas from each other. And for heaven's sake- we need blog comments. Come say hi or add your 2 cents or something!
XOXO
~K
I got a comment from one of you (thanks Brenda!) recommending an /r/ program when I asked for help with that neighbor kid's /r/'s. I went to research it a bit on Twitter and realized I am missing out on this whole SLP twitter world out there. Bob, you are obviously totally SLPeeps savvy, but I am now jealous and I want to be a part of it.
Yes, I have a twitter account, but I don't really use it. I don't fully understand how Twitter works, but I'm sure I'll figure it out. (Examples: Why do people's twitter names have the @ symbols and how does that help you find the person, as opposed to just searching for them without the @? Why can you only see fractions of conversations, even when you expand them on the right? Etc.)
Well, I am going to post and check my Twitter account at least 3X/week. I am going to post about SLP stuff and if you wanna follow me its apparently @ and then my name kristinm333. :)
Hope to see you there. Hope we can get good ideas from each other. And for heaven's sake- we need blog comments. Come say hi or add your 2 cents or something!
XOXO
~K
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Good Byes and Hellos
I recently have released a few students from speech services. Often times I have mixed feelings about this. On one side, it’s good for the student to move on, they don’t need you anymore. Yet, we tend to grow rather fond of our students. Those of us working in elementary schools, we get to watch our students grow up. I work preschool through 6th grade. I’ve only started the preschool part last year, but I have 3 of my preschoolers in kindergarten now. They’re already a little taller and a little more mature. It’s incredible just how quickly it all happens. And every year, a new batch of our kids are getting ready to enter Jr. High School. I hope and pray that they’ll be able to make it, that they’ll do okay.
The speech language pathologist has to have a big heart to do what we do with so many that we work with. We have to be flexible to let new kids enter our heart at a moments whim; yet, we have to be understanding when our students move with little notice.
I use to have a real hard time with good-byes. I’ve never much really liked them, but there have been so many in my life, not many were permanent though, just moving on from one stage of my life to another. This school year seems to be riddle with them. My school has a high turn over rate mostly due to our status as a title one school. I always have a stack of files that are ready and waiting for a file request, and I’m constantly adding kids to my schedule. My schedule has been all over the place this year. As if it wasn’t bad enough due to the fact that we’re also a year round school. At least some of the kids come and go so quickly that I don’t get time to get attached.
There are those who manage to sneak into your heart quicker than others. One that I released recently reminds me of my daughter, same spirit, same obsession with princesses, same smile. I had to let her go, and I was happy to hear from the mom that the student was very sad to have to end speech.
Luckily, we still have several years where she can say hello in the halls.
Monday, October 25, 2010
That nasty /r/ phoneme
Calling all pediatric SLPs! This post is in regards to the bain of many SLPs' existences. /R/.
Thanks guys!
Kristin
My neighbors/friends asked if I would help them out. Their son is not saying his /r/'s correctly. As you know, I work in the hospital with adults. I am wanting to help them, but feeling like I might not be the best person for the job. They are willing to try me anyway.
Their 12 year old has been in speech therapy for years. He can produce /r/ correctly in structured tasks some/most of the time. They do their speech homework.
My questions to you are:
What are the cues you SLPs use to elicit the /r/? (I know several of us use different cues.)
Do any of you take private clients at home, just informally? Do I need to do any official paperwork??
Kristin
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