Speech/language therapy
Hey all, I wasn't sure which forum to post this in, so I hope this is the right one.
I'm a budding speech-language pathologist (I'll graduate in May with my master's in SLP). I also have Asperger's syndrome. I've discovered that I really love working with children and adults who also have ASDs!
So far, between private clinics and public schools, I've worked with several teachers, instructional aides, other SLPs, and students and learned a lot about what they expect from me as a speech therapist. I'm expected to do speech/language therapy, yes, but I'm also expected to change my style and register of communication depending on who I'm speaking with. Learning to communicate in five different ways with five different people has been more of a challenge than learning to be a good therapist!
So to those of you who have children in speech therapy (either school-based or in a private clinic), what do you expect from a speech therapist? Do you want me to explain what I'm doing in easy terms, scientific terms, etc.? Is it appropriate to ask parents how they want me to talk to them? Would you prefer I be formal or more relaxed? Each parent is different, I know, but maybe there is a trend towards a particular type of preferred behavior.
Also, out of sheer curiosity, how would you feel about your autistic child being treated by a speech therapist who is also autistic?
My daughter is 3.5 and has autism. She had ST during early intervention and now gets it in school.
I expect the SLP to be sensitive to my child’s sensory profile. I would not expect a therapist to change her personality, I think it is good for my daughter to be able to work with people who are perky and kind of loud and also more laid-back people who are quieter. A natural sense of playfulness seems to be what makes the great therapists we have met the most successful. (I’m also referring to ABA therapists)
It is important for me to have our SLP consider other therapies my child is doing, and make sure that everyone is consistently working on the same goals. This was more of a challenge during early intervention. Now she gets ST during school. It is also important to me that the SLP be familiar with and use Floortime type approaches.
I prefer a straightforward, informal approach when communicating with therapists. I do expect our therapists to explain things in detail on a level I can understand. I also request reading material so I can get up to speed. I also expect the therapists to give me instructions on what to do on my own.
I would be thrilled to have my daughter work with a SLP who has autism. I hope you will keep us posted.