A couple of weeks back, at the ASLTIP conference,  I led a session about how to start a speech and language therapy blog. I knew I didn’t want to stand and talk for an hour, so I included activities as we went along, which I hoped would leave attendees ready to write their first blog post when they got home.

We started by discussing why we were interested in blogging and who we wanted to read our posts. People were keen to explain what speech and language therapy is and how therapists work, share their expertise and resources, and use their blog as a place to reflect, so as professional development.

Next I showed the group how easy it is to start a blog with WordPress. I played them a video of me setting up a new blog and writing my first post in 5 minutes. I hope I reassured them that you don’t need lots of technical skills to start a blog.

We talked about titles and the importance of being clear, so that people know what you’re writing about and can find your posts. I talked about how using photographs can makes posts stand out, encourage people to read them and break up the text. I explained the purpose of linking to other websites (it helps your reader and respects your “sources”) and showed them how to do it. And I encouraged them to share their posts on social media.

We discussed finding our voice, and sounding like ourselves. Blogs aren’t reports or research papers, so don’t need to be written in a very formal style. I shared with the group a tip from Kate Kiefer Lee: try reading what you’ve written out loud (or to your dog!) Does it sound like something you’d say? If it doesn’t, go back and take out some of the words you wouldn’t use in conversation.

We discussed the responsibilities of being an SLT blogger. Then I finished up by sharing resources. I use Trello for keeping track of ideas I’d like to blog about, then when the mood to write strikes, I can just pick a topic from my list. I read other blogs (you can find SLT related ones by searching on google or using the #slpeeps hashtag on Twitter) and find the resources about blogging from Braid Creative useful.

The group got stuck in with the activities and asked some questions that made me think, thank you! If you were at the workshop and you’re now blogging, send me the link, I’d love to have a read.

Any questions about blogging as a Speech and Language Therapist? Let me know.

Since setting up in independent practice I’ve had almost weekly emails from people who want to train as speech and language therapists. They explain they need to gain relevant work experience and ask if they can come and shadow me during therapy sessions with my clients. 

At the moment I can’t see how having someone observe me carry out therapy benefits my clients, who are my customers. So I’ve been politely explaining that I don’t offer shadowing opportunities for this reason. Am I missing something? Do you deal with these types of enquires differently?

I tend to suggest that people contact their local NHS service; when I worked in the NHS we offered half day observation sessions. Back when I was looking for relevant experience before applying to train as a therapist I had lots of luck with my local volunteer centre. They matched me to a weekly Stroke club and a summer day camp for children with Down’s Syndrome. I received training and worked alongside therapists, during both of these placements.

The guidance for applying for a place on a speech and language therapy degree course says applicants need to demonstrate awareness of client needs and the skills required to work as a therapist. I wondered if I could put together a short workshop that would support the people who ask to shadow me with their applications. I could cover things like:

• an introduction to the range of clients I work with, and their needs, with video examples,
• an introduction to different types of therapy, and ways of working,
• workshop exercises to demonstrate and practise the core skills therapists require,
• a reading or resource list, particularly those written by people with speech, language and communication needs or their families,
• suggestions for how to approach therapists, to ask for observation experience,
• an opportunity for questions and answers.

What do you think? Does this sound useful? If you’re in the process of applying for a therapy degree course would you attend?

Photo by crabchick

I’m in a transition phase; I’ve left my NHS role and started work as an independent therapist. I find change tricky. I had an interesting conversation with Abi Roper and Tom Starr-Marshall that made me think — why is change in the NHS so difficult? And in a solution-focused kind of way, what makes particular projects successful?

Looking back, there was a pattern to my attempts at service development (try and follow along with the diagram!):

• I’d have an idea, then it felt like people were blocking me, I’d hear: “sounds great, but….” followed by a long list of why it wouldn’t work, or we couldn’t try it.
• I’d feel angry, frustrated and disappointed.
• I’d either: ignore the objectors and try the idea out, maverick style.
• Or start asking questions. This takes time and requires persistence.
• I’d try for quick wins to show the team that the idea was worth piloting.
• Then cycle through the process again, asking more questions and making more small changes, to try and show value.

Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t! So what helped?

• The 5 Whys is a useful exercise for identifying barriers and understanding what was really getting in the way,
• using “yes, and….” (rather than “no, but…”) helped me stay open to other people’s ideas and viewpoints,
• working with allies, and
• focussing on both the end goal and the details, kept me on track.

Have you managed to push new ideas through and make changes? What helped? I’d love to hear your ideas.

We’ll be exploring this issue at the Therapy Ideas Workshop on 17 May. Join us! If you’d like to discuss whether the workshop would be a good fit for you, email me.

When I remember the therapy package I offered “Freddy”, I wince. Over 18 months, I gave him four six-week blocks of therapy: 24 sessions in all. When I eventually discharged Freddy, he still couldn’t consistently produce velars—and worse, he still didn’t care. Even though his parents realised that I didn’t have a magic wand, they didn’t practise with him at home. So I didn’t achieve my objective and I wasted several precious days—days I could’ve used working with other clients. I had clients on a waiting list who were ready to engage with therapy and work towards realistic targets. What a waste.

What can I learn from this failure story? Instead of managing my caseload, monitoring my progress, and focusing on outcomes, I kept on repeating the same activity, hoping for a different outcome. That’s one way to define insanity—and yet, that’s how most of us still operate today. We need to change the way we approach therapy.

Modern SLT teams need new skills

I asked SLT managers what they’re looking for in their staff team. They told me that they need therapists who manage their own caseloads, balance a range of demands, and achieve outcomes for clients. Managers need therapists who know how to collaborate, can deal with conflict, and have a flexible mindset.

Here’s the problem: managers need staff with these skills and therapists need to learn them, but traditional training courses don’t teach them. I developed the Therapy Ideas Workshop to tackle this problem. It’s a day of practical learning, through exercises, discussions, and case studies. After attending the workshop you’ll get noticed at work—for all the right reasons!—and life as a therapist will be more satisfying.

The commissioning landscape is changing and we don’t have a map to follow, so teams need therapists who can make their own map, take personal responsibility, and challenge the old working practices. Think of this workshop as an investment in yourself. Whether you’re looking for a promotion, your first job, or more satisfaction from your current role, this workshop is for you.

The workshop is on Friday 12 October at Sadler’s Wells, London. You have a week to snap up a ticket at the early bird price of £139. Book online today. Spread the word by emailing these details to colleagues, posting about it on your Facebook wall or Tweeting. Come with a friend, and you’ll be a force to be reckoned with when you take your new ideas back to work!

Photo by KWDesigns

The Therapy Ideas Workshop, Get Control of Your Time and be More Productive by Prioritising Your Caseload is on 12 October at Sadler’s Wells in London. That’s a Friday–so it’s a perfect excuse for a weekend away!

London for speech therapists

To make your London visit speech and language therapy themed, start with dance and music—a great way to study non-verbal communication. Your workshop ticket gets you 20% off any show at Sadler’s Wells or the Peacock Theatre. Just buy your theatre ticket on the day of the workshop. Check out Some Like it Hip Hop or the Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet.

How about observing pragmatic skills in action during a stroll around the market? At Borough Market you can also conduct a single case study: which texture of treats are easiest to nibble while walking? We all know SLTs like to natter, so enjoy a good catch up over afternoon tea at Bea’s of Bloomsbury, coffee at Workshop Coffee Company or cocktails at the Zetter.

There are plenty of affordable hotels near the workshop venue, like the Premier Inn and Jury’s Inn. So come and join me for the workshop and enjoy a weekend in London, it’s win – win!

Photo by coolhunting “tapas”‘s 

With caseload and waiting list sizes increasing and staff teams shrinking, life for speech and language therapists is tough at the moment. We’re struggling to juggle large numbers of clients and mountains of paperwork while trying to provide a quality service.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all of this, you should join me for the Therapy Ideas Workshop in London on 12 October 2012. This full day workshop will help you get control of your time and gain perspective by prioritising your caseload. You’ll improve your productivity, reduce stress, and learn how to negotiate expectations with clients, managers and yourself!

Full-day interactive workshop in Central London

We’ll have interactive presentations, practical activities, round-table discussions, and case studies. We’ll focus on gaining perspective by getting real about our commitments, prioritising, setting boundries and collaborating. I’m excited to be leading this full-day workshop at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London. It’s a bright, airy space with Internet access and plenty of coffee. Lunch is included, and you even get a discount on tickets to the dance shows!

Get your ticket now

The early bird price of £139 is available until 31 August, so check out the details, including the learning outcomes, and book now.

I’m looking forward to workshopping with you!

Photograph by BrittneyBush