I Just Can’t Fix Them All

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I went into the field of Speech Language Pathology to help people.  It started out that I was definitely going to work with children and more than likely work in a school system.  I had ZERO interest in working with adults while I was still in graduate school.

It was a wonder that I actually completed an adult-based internship.  I was in a Level 1 Trauma hospital working in the rehab unit.  I actually enjoyed it.  I was a little grossed out at the time with some of the dysphagia techniques, but eventually grew to love it.

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Starting Somewhere

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It’s so easy to become judgmental and forget that we all had a beginning point in our careers.  It becomes so easy to forget all of our screw-ups and not so perfect evaluations and therapy sessions.   It’s so easy to forget those times that you thought you didn’t need an instrumental assessment because you already knew what was wrong with your patient.

Facebook groups have been a blessing for many and a source of frustration for many others.  Comments come off as snarky and know-it-all, even when that’s not the intention.  We often don’t want to hear about what we’re doing that wrong.

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Dysphagia Awareness

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Dysphagia Ramblings

June is Dysphagia Awareness month. This is great, it really is. I love that we finally have a month. Dysphagia Awareness is so needed and so necessary in our field. We seriously need to have Dysphagia Awareness Day, everyday.

I can’t even begin to tell you how many patients I have that have never heard of dysphagia. When my patients have trouble with swallowing, they always tell me, I never knew that was a thing!

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Wrapping Up 2017

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I always like to reflect on my year and all of my accomplishments (or all those tasks I have to carry over from my to-do list.  I also like to challenge myself for the next year and this year, I will challenge all of you as well!

A new year means new beginnings.  Everyone always jokes about how the current year has beaten them down and they’re hoping for better times in the new year.

  1.  Don’t let the new year lead you.  Grab it by the throat and own it!  There are so many new adventures in this new year, don’t be afraid to get to it!   Many people do the #onelittleword hashtag for the new year.   My #onelittleword for 2018 is #adventure as I adventure out into the world of private practice.
  2. If you’ve been doing therapy the same way for the past 20 years, maybe it’s time for a change.  When you think you know everything about dysphagia is when you need to brush up.  There have been so many changes and new findings.  Read some journal articles, start a journal club or join one if there is one in your area.  Keep updated on the latest in swallowing management and treatment.
  3. Stop taking continuing education courses because they’re free or convenient.  Find something that is worth the money.  That may be your state convention or the ASHA convention (in Boston in 2018).  If you want quality, you will have to pay.  It takes many, many hours to put together quality continuing education.  Some courses that I really enjoyed from 2017 or even developed are:

Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself in 2018!  Make this your year to do the best you can for your patients.