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Putting Louisiana in Your Mouth

Putting Words in Your Mouth

A place for all things speech and language...with a Cajun twist

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Call me crazy 🤪 (go ahead, you can) or call me

Call me crazy 🤪 (go ahead, you can) or call me a nerd 🤓, but I have always LOVED writing IEPs. Thinking critically about kids’ needs is like solving a very important mystery, and spending time wracking my brain to develop a strategic and intentional plan for an entire year makes me feel accomplished, empowered and confident about that child’s treatment. Then each week I don’t have to stress about what to do; I’ve already carefully mapped out a plan. I did all the thinking and put it down in meticulous wording so there is no guesswork.

I always ask myself, if it were my own child’s IEP (or nephew, or niece, etc.) would I want someone to just throw words on a page to check ✔️ it off of their To-do list or would I want them to do the hard work of developing a thoughtful treatment plan?

I don’t write IEPs anymore, but I’m still reading many of them because parents of former students reach out to me for advice and opinions.

Anyone else feel like a badass after cranking out a really excellent IEP? Surely I can’t be the only one! 😆

Do you like surprises? Well, SURPRISE...if you own

I keep wipes, sanitizer, and paper towels on the t

I keep wipes, sanitizer, and paper towels on the table where we do therapy, y’all...

3 year old: Hey, can I have these for Nene (grandmother) because she is out?

Me: Well, I need them to keep everything clean for you and the other kids who come.

3 year old: Well, if you see some, can you get them for Nene and hold them until she comes get them?

Me: Yep, I sure can. Now let’s do our work.

WHAT MADE YOU GIGGLE THIS WEEK? Hmmm, or should I be asking what made you cry this week? I hope not.

Moral of the story...Nene, your baby boy is looking out for you, just so ya know.

Also, I LOVE MY JOB! 💛💚💙

#notyourordinary3yearold
#Slpeeps #slp2b #Slp #schoolslp #speechie #slpa #instaslp #speechlanguage #speechpathology #slpsofinstagram #slpsoninstagram #slpsonig #iteachtoo
#speechtherapy
#preschool #preschoolslp #privatepracticeslp

We will never forget. Where were you on September

We will never forget. Where were you on September 11th in 2001?

I was working in a PreK-8 school and had just gotten to work when I got a call from my husband that a plane had crashed into the world trade building in Manhattan. We both thought is was just a random, tragic plane crash. I ran to the only room in the school with cable TV to try to catch the news just in time to see the second plan plow into the second tower. That’s when we knew this wasn’t random. We were under attack. My principal quickly sent out an email, along with an announcement for staff to check their email. Keep in mind, cell phones weren’t really a “thing” yet. She said that no one was to give students access to any media that day and that no one should mention this to students. Then I thought about how I would tell this to my 11 year old who was currently sitting in a 5th grade class down the hall. I wanted to run to him and hug him. I wanted to protect him. My husband and I had grown up fearing Russia, but these were enemies we didn’t see coming. My son, like countless others, cried that day. (He’s a writer now and has since written fiction about 911). All I could think about were the tears of children who lost their mom or dad or other loved ones that day. Meanwhile, my 3 year old was blissfully unaware while we sat around in shock watching the news of an attempted attack on the pentagon and stories of the real life heroes.

Our family has visited this memorial twice since it opened in 2011. New York City is my happy place. Standing there where I took this picture was humbling and somber and numbing. Seeing loved ones come and lay a flower on their loved ones’ name breaks my heart every time. It makes me cry even now. Please take a moment to remember all of those affected by that horrific act of terrorism that changed our country forever and all the soldiers that continue to defend our land. And hug your people a little tighter today (yes, even with Covid).

Where were YOU?

It’s 2020 and everyone is extra opinionated, so

It’s 2020 and everyone is extra opinionated, so I’d love to hear where you stand (and all opinions are respected here). 💛
👍 YAY?
👎 NAY?
🤷‍♀️ IDK? (which is fine btw!)

When I was in grad school, they were all the rage! Then they become taboo, but now orofacial myology is 🔥.

I’ll start! Mine would be:
😍🤪 because I’ve seen orafacial myology transform my clients, but I’ve NOT always felt that way... still, I keep an open mind. When we’re done learning, we’re DONE. 😉
.
What say you, friends?

Happy Monday, and that goes double for everyone go

Happy Monday, and that goes double for everyone going back to school for the new school year today!

Whatever this week holds, sending you the courage and strength to get through it.

You’ve got what it takes.

(Even those things that make your voice shake and your insides a bit wobbly).
❤️🧡💛💚💙
Posted @withregram • @stacieswift

These 2 open ended activities are $1 today and tom

These 2 open ended activities are $1 today and tomorrow!!! Crazy 🤪 but TRUE!! Lots of you will be headed back to school after Labor Day, and bunches of us sellers want you to be ready and equipped 💪 ON THE CHEAP. Educators are real life heroes ❤️❤️❤️ now more then ever. Search hashtag #herodeals to find ALL the 1 buck downloads.

Find the link to my store in my bio and then search #herodeals there! These are called printable board games and fall open ended dot art!

#Slpeeps #slpsontpt #slpblogger #dotart #Slp #schoolslp #speechie #slpa #instaslp #speechlanguage #slpontpt #speechpathology #slpsofinstagram #slpgradstudent #slpmaterials #slpsoninstagram #slpsonig #iteachtoo #SpecialEdonTPT
#tpt #speechtherapy #iteach #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowingteachers #specialeducationteacher

I’m past ready for fall! Are you working on posi

I’m past ready for fall! Are you working on positional (aka spatial) concepts like me? I’d rather be rocking that skill with little hands 👐 playing with toys and objects, BUT these boom cards have been awesome with my little ones doing teletherapy! I have spring, fall & Easter so far but QUESTION FOR YOU: Do you want all the themes? Or which ones?

This autumn one covers IN, INSIDE, OUT, ON, OFF, UNDER, BENEATH, ABOVE, NEXT TO, BETWEEN, NEAR, FAR, BESIDE, IN FRONT, IN BACK, BEHIND, ON TOP, TOP, BOTTOM, LOW, HIGH, FIRST & LAST. In other words, I’ve gotcha covered! 🤪

Go see them by clicking on the link in my bio. 🍁

#slpsgodigital #teleslps #teletherapy #telepracticeslp
#teletherapyslp
#Slpeeps #slpsontpt #boomcards #Slp #schoolslp #slpa #digitalslp #slpontpt #speechpathology #slpmaterials #slpsoninstagram #iteachtoo #SpecialEdonTPT
#tpt #speechtherapy
#preschool #preschoolslp #prekactivities #spedteacher #preschoolteacher

Like free materials? NEED free materials? You migh

Like free materials? NEED free materials? You might wanna know that I have Pinterest Boards for all the speech and language things! This glorious board has nothing but FREE downloads, and it’s always growing! Follow me at bit.ly/2miapins or at the link in my bio!

WHOA, my school SLP friends are hurting. You’re

WHOA, my school SLP friends are hurting. You’re overwhelmed, frustrated, overextended, craving more communication, wishing for answers to hard questions, feeling helpless, wondering how you will do it all or just plain wanting to quit. I feel you. I hear you. Every DM, every text, every call, every email. I wish I could help. All I can do is tell you focusing on kids is the answer. THAT and ASK FOR HELP. If you don’t get help, KEEP ASKING.

…How will I change all these IEPS?
Just focus on kids. IEPS can wait (GASP!) as a former sped admin, I’m telling you it’s taboo but happens all the time.
…How will I get it all done? Just focus on kids’ immediate needs.
MAYBE you won’t get it all done, and surely you will be given grace. I mean , there IS a global pandemic going on. Again, ask for help.
...How am I supposed to do this? Just focus on seeing kids how and
when you can, and some of the “this” will have to wait. Ask for support.
…What if I can’t do it? What you CAN do is focus on kids. That’s what we know how to do. That’s what matters. Look around, they can’t fire ALL of you. They can’t even find subs. Then, tell someone with your director’s ear that what you’re being asked to do isn’t possible and ask if they can help you.
…Why doesn’t anyone care that I’m drowning? Focus on kids; you mean the world to them. You are their safe place. They care about you. Then tell someone who outranks you that you need assistance.
…How am I supposed to be a teletherapist overnight? Focus on doing your best for kids, and then tell someone with influence that you need training. Did you know that ASHA repeatedly states in their practice portal that “SLPS should be educated and appropriately trained.”

Look, I know focusing on kids comes at the cost of your paperwork mountain turning to 💩 but it’s past time we all become advocates. We treat people HOW they can behave by our actions or lack of action. Teach them that you’re tired of being abused. SLPs have had unreasonable -sometimes even impossible - expectations put on them for long enough. “Speak the truth even if your voice shakes” (my motto, btw). I realize it may not make you popular with your boss (continued in comments).

If you own one of my bestsellers - exploring feeli

If you own one of my bestsellers - exploring feelings about speaking for selective mutism and other speech and language disorders), GO 💃🏻 redownload because it has grown! I’ve added pages and pages about treatment, educating staff and working on generalization (just to name a few). Link is in my bio👆🏼or go to bit.ly/2selectivemute or get my free handout for teams (also in bio)

👉🏼 During my last year in schools, I used this more than EVER to model for school teams and while working with kids who not only had selective mutism- but also some who strictly had behavior issues or low self esteem due to stuttering/articulation/voice, or lack of confidence due to being an English learner. I also worked closet with one child who had behaviors due to insecurities about his reading disability. That was all discovered while using this activity. If gives great insight into a child’s thoughts and feelings without the having to talk about it. All they have to do is SORT statements by “agree”👍🏼 or “don’t agree”👎🏼. Of course it’s magic when that DOES result in discourse, though.✨ It’s some of the most fulfilling work I ever got to do, and I’ll never forget those kids. They’re forever stamped on my ❤️.

I’ve been finding that selective mutism, social emotional struggles, and mental illness are steadily on the rise. 😔 Have you seen that in your practice, too?

#selectivemutism #behavioralhealth #slpeeps #counselorsofinstagram #selectivemute #schoolslp #ashaigers #slp #slpa #slpsontpt #slp2be #slpgradstudent #slpfollowfriday #ELteacher #specialeducation #emotionalhealth #ellteacher #spedteacher #speechpathology #speechtherapy #psychologistsofinstagram

Heyyy! We are painting Instagram yellow 💛 for @

Heyyy! We are painting Instagram yellow 💛 for @smilesforspeech! It’s the non-profit organization’s 3rd birthday and their mission of supporting humans with disabilities in underserved and disadvantaged communities around the world 🌎 has been even tougher lately due to Covid.

Did you know that 50% or the world’s school children with disabilities are kept out of the classroom because little to no money is budgeted for their special needs? I was shocked to read that statistic on their website. 😢
The goals of this organization are to:
1️⃣ Provide training and education to teachers and families without access to therapeutic services
2️⃣ distribute materials like books, toys, and games to expose children to new experiences and to stimulate language development
3️⃣ organize mission trips to bring resources and professionals to families around the globe that don’t have access to assessment, treatment or training
4️⃣ create global awareness of the importance of therapeutic services (speech tx, OT, PT) for children speech special needs
5️⃣ collaborate with other non-profits with similar goals
6️⃣ increase cultural awareness and learning through giving of resources and expertise

THIS is a mission that hits home for me. They do good work - work you may feel called to do, too. You can! Follow their page, donate, buy a t-shirt or even volunteer!

They’re still doing their thing in communities that need them! 💪 Many children have lost access to services to to Covid closures and restrictions. Their goal is to provide long solutions! Tiny steps will get them there!

#sfsfriends2020 #slpeeps #schoolslp #slp #slpa #slpsofinstagram

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