As a speech-language pathologist (SLP) working in the schools, I often found myself over-worked, under-appreciated, and flying by the seat of my pants during some of my sessions.  Sure, I knew that every thing I did needed to be backed by research, but when was I supposed to have time to sit down and pore through the latest research?  Between coordinating the schedules of the classroom teachers and driving all over town for my itinerant students, I barely had time to eat lunch!  Let alone sit down and research a specific topic.  These kids were depending on me!  And I didn’t feel like I was helping them in the way I should.

And I found that I wasn’t alone.  

Across the nation, SLPs are struggling to keep up with large case loads, piles of paperwork, and an ever-changing body of research upon which we’re supposed to base our practice.  It’s just too much.  That’s why I created Speech and Language Kids and The SLP Solution!

Task Analysis to the Rescue!

I found my saving grace to be task analysis.  Yes, I know that sounds weird.  Yes, I know I’m a nerd.  But when I started breaking down larger skills into step-by-step plans, I felt like I could take a breath and relax a bit.  Task analysis is backed by research and for me, breaking these skills down comes second nature to me.  I LOVE IT!

So I started sharing what I was doing.  At first, I was just blogging about what I was doing.  Just writing down my task analysis steps with brief descriptions of how to work on each step.  I wrote it in a way that parents could understand but SLPs could use in their therapy sessions.  And I started building a following!  Over time I built up massive list of SLPs who benefit from using my task analysis break-downs in therapy to make sure that what they’re doing is effective, backed by research, and is going to support the children they work with in the best ways possible.

Now, instead of helping just the 30-40 preschoolers on my caseload, I’m helping thousands of children across the world!  And I couldn’t be more proud!

Enter this Membership:

As my list grew, I found myself spending all of my time answering questions via email about the tough cases that my followers were facing.  I also found myself answering many of the same questions over and over again.  My challenge then became finding a way to help even more SLPs with the time I had available. And thus, the membership was born.

The SLP Solution membership allowed me to answer a question from a member once and then post that video online so the other members could see as well.  This grew into a huge database of training videos, worksheets, and step-by-step guides to help SLPs create therapy sessions that truly help the little ones who depend on us!

Now, the mission I started with The SLP Solution is continuing over at The Speech and Language Kids Hub!  I am so pleased to be able to help so many SLPs across the world!  We as SLPs are caregivers and we care so much about those that we serve.  It’s about time that someone was there to support us!