Things SLP's Should NEVER Say!

Thanks to  The Frenzied SLPs for hosting this blog hop about things SLPs should never say!  We are all works in progress, right?  We learn and grow from our experiences.  If you are taking a moment to read this type of post, you are probably quite open to learning and growing in your profession and in your communication skills!   Me too!  So, in the spirit of growth and change, let's take a light-hearted look at things I have heard come out of the mouths of other SLPs over the years!  

1.  SLP to Johnny's parent:  "I let your child win at games in speech therapy."

This statement is misguided on two levels.  First, I try not to give parents the idea that speech and language therapy is about playing games.  Sure, we try to make therapy fun but our "games"  are actually carefully crafted and well thought out activities designed to give your child opportunities to learn and practice valuable communication skills.  Second, we are not doing a child any favors by always letting him/her win at anything.  The speech room should be a place where children can learn and practice the valuable social skill of losing gracefully or, better yet, learning to adopt a growth mindset!

2.  SLP to Johnny:  "Stop it or else _________________________" (fill in the blank with a consequence).

Bottom line here is if we find ourselves constantly threatening or  giving ultimatums to students or clients, it might be time to rethink our approaches with students or expand our toolbox of behavioral intervention and emotional regulation techniques.  

3.  SLP to IEP team during IEP Meeting:  "Johnny's behavior is just fine in speech."

Okay, that may be true but think about how it comes across to the team! Johnny may be a doll in speech but wreaking havoc in the general education classroom.  It certainly is possible for a student to act differently in two different environments.  However, when we are in an IEP meeting with Johnny's parents, we don't want to make it sound like the general education teacher is doing something wrong with Johnny in the classroom.   Students with attention, processing, mental health or sensory problems often perform better in the quieter 1:1 or small group setting.  SLP's have valuable perspectives on student learning and behavioral issues and can help students function optimally in the classroom so if Johnny is struggling in there, let's observe him and problem-solve how to help or support his learning needs!

What things have you heard come out of other SLP's mouths that would be have been best inhibited or filtered?

Be sure to drop by Doyle Speech Works to read the other posts by talented bloggers!

FYI, I am in the process of working with Becca from Jumpin Jax Designs on moving my blog to the world of "dot com."   More to come!

 Thanks,
 Donna