As a speech-language pathologist (SLP), I aspire to help individuals become effective communicators and to enjoy and more fully participate socially in their lives. This passion comes with the obligation that I provide services to clients and families that are holistic, collaborative, functional, and current.
Holistic
At the core of my philosophy is the belief that SLPs treat individuals, not just communication disorders. Every client is unique and should not be defined by their impairments. In order to most effectively facilitate a client’s communication, my approach needs to incorporate knowledge of the whole person. This includes knowledge of my clients’ strengths, their needs, their interests, their support network, and the social communicative demands that they must negotiate in order to lead meaningful and engaged lives.
Collaborative
Communication affects every aspect of life and is impacted by numerous other factors. The most meaningful and effective therapy arises from the collaboration between SLPs, other professionals, the individual, and the individual’s family. A team-based approach that encourages people to work across disciplines will lead to better carryover of communicative skills outside of therapy to a variety of contexts.
Functional
One of the most important steps in the therapy process is to listen to the individuals with a communication disorder and their family members. As the expert in their lives and how their needs or impairments may be affecting them, the clients and their family members need to be engaged in setting goals. My goal as an SLP is to use my knowledge and expertise about communication development and rehabilitation to help guide clients and families in identifying and achieving goals that are functional and contextualized to their everyday lives. This requires a clinician to be compassionate, attentive, inquisitive, and accountable.
Current
Evidenced-based practices must be at the heart of any SLPs decision making. Clinical practice is enhanced by the careful and intentional application of research, theory, and personal experience. This requires that an SLP be up-to-date on the most current developments in the field and to use our expertise to critically assess the quality and value of new treatment and assessment practices. Moreover, it is essential that we are able to translate our knowledge for others in a way that is accessible and meaningful so that clients and family members feel empowered to make well-informed decisions.