What I Wish I Knew During My Clinical Fellowship

They say hindsight is 20:20, and as this is my 9th year as an SLP, I think it’s time to write about what I wish I knew during my clinical fellowship year!

1. There is a difference between articulation and phonological disorders. I am very sure that there were a few students that I thought had straight articulation disorders, but who really had phonological disorders and I should’ve been treating them as such. I now can tell the difference much better, which makes treatment much better.
2.  You will never know everything. This is hard, because it’s not easy to say “I don’t know” when a parent/teacher/lawyer asks a question. We can’t possibly know everything, but I’ve become more confident in my ability to answer questions AND say, “I don’t know, let me get back to you.”
3. Every therapist has their own style and strengths. I consider myself more of a drill-based therapist if you will. Play based therapy is not my forte, and is a skill that I continually am trying to get better at. Since I work in the schools where I often see groups, the drill-based side of me is good at keeping the session moving and giving equal amounts of time to each student.
4. You don’t need tons of things to do therapy. Now,  I do have lots of materials in my therapy room, BUT I’ve slowed way down on buying things. I love the dollar spot just as much as you do, but I don’t buy nearly as much as I used to.
5. For the first couple years, you will eat, sleep, live, and breathe speech (or it will feel like it). While you’re trying to get your bearings and learn IEP systems, new students, etc. it can feel like you’re constantly thinking about work. This will dissipate. Now, I only rarely bring my work computer home during the week and I’ve even been leaving it at work a lot of weekends too.
6. There will be hard meetings. The ones where you’re nervous beforehand and during. The ones where you rehearse what you’re going to say in your head over and over again and your palms sweat. Breathe and you will get through them.
7. If you’re in a school, there will be staff members you don’t necessarily get along with. Be it scheduling issues, personality differences or whatever, it will happen. You don’t have to get along with everyone, but be sure you treat everyone with respect.
8. You will cry. I definitely cried during my CF. From feeling overwhelmed, from moving away from my family, from just about everything. You’re learning how to be a professional, yet you feel like such a beginner.

Those are just some of the things I wish I knew! I’m sure there are many more and I’d love to hear from you! Comment and let me know what you wish you knew during your CF! And if you’re currently doing your CF and you’re reading this, I’m here for you. I’ve been there, so if you need help reach out to me!! 🙂