SLP Coffee Talk

Latest Episodes:

Helping High School Students Transition to the Workforce Nov 25, 2024

Show notes

Hallie talks about helping high school students transition into the workforce and how it relates to speech therapy.

In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie dives into supporting high school speech and language students as they transition from school to the workforce. As SLPs, we play a vital role in preparing our students for real-world communication demands—from interviewing skills and professional etiquette to problem-solving and self-advocacy. Hallie shares actionable strategies to integrate job-readiness skills into therapy sessions, making learning relevant and impactful. Tune in to discover role-playing activities, helpful resources, and tools to empower your students for success beyond the classroom. Perfect for SLPs working with older students eager to prepare for the future!

Bullet Points to Discuss:

The Role of SLPs in Transition Planning
Adapting Therapy Goals to Workplace Skills
Using Role-Playing for Real-World Practice
Building Strong Written Communication
Generalizing Skills Beyond the Classroom
Resources & Tools for Workforce Readiness

Here’s what we learned:

IEP integration and the role of SLPs in workforce readiness.
Personalizing expressive/receptive language and social pragmatics to include job-specific scenarios.
Developing self-advocacy and problem-solving skills through simulated job scenarios.
Helping students craft resumes, job applications, and emails.
Teaching email etiquette and formal language in professional contexts.
Ideas for bringing therapy out of the “speech closet” and into real-world settings.

Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP:

📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/

🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup

Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

Give Them A Say Nov 18, 2024

Show notes

Hallie discusses giving your students a say in what they do in speech therapy.
On this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie Sherman explores the importance of giving older speech students a SAY in their sessions. Sharing personal insights and strategies from her career, Hallie explains how empowering students can lead to a more engaging and motivating learning environment. From offering flexible seating and allowing students to choose their learning tools to discussing individualized goals, she provides practical tips that make a real difference. Tune in to learn how small changes can foster student collaboration and trust, creating a more positive experience for both students and SLPs.

Bullet Points to Discuss:

Benefits of Giving Students a Say
Practical Ways to Empower Students
Encouraging Ownership of Learning
Creating a Comfortable and Collaborative Environment
Long-Term Impact

Here’s what we learned:

Small autonomy boosts student confidence and willingness to participate.
Empowering students makes sessions feel less like “work” and more collaborative.
Customizing session reminders helps students take ownership of attendance.
Offering choice reinforces respect for students’ preferences and independence.
Simple adjustments can reduce classroom resistance and build rapport.

Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP:

📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/

🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup

Get Rid Of The Prize Bin Nov 11, 2024

Show notes

Hallie discusses why you should get rid of the prize bin and how to motivate your students.

On this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie Sherman discusses her shift from using reward systems to fostering intrinsic motivation among her students. She shares early experiences with gumball machines and speech dollars, which led to unintended issues like competition and even stealing. Realizing the limitations of extrinsic rewards, Hallie emphasizes the value of helping students find personal meaning in speech sessions. She offers practical strategies for connecting lessons to students’ lives, encouraging SLPs to focus on rapport-building over traditional prize-based motivation.

Bullet Points to Discuss:

Early Experiences with Reward Systems
Limitations of Extrinsic Motivation
Shifting to Intrinsic Motivation
Strategies for Building Intrinsic Motivation
Encouragement for SLPs

Here’s what we learned:

Reward systems can backfire, leading to competition and behavior issues.
Intrinsic motivation creates longer-lasting engagement in students.
Tailoring sessions to students’ interests increases relevance and impact.
Storytelling and real-life connections help students see the value of speech goals.
Building rapport is more effective than relying on material incentives.

Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP:

📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/

🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup

Navigating Conversations in Stuttering Therapy Nov 04, 2024

Show notes

Hallie is joined by Ashley Cubberly and Eddie Brown from Brown Cub Speech to discuss how to navigate conversations in stuttering therapy.

On this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie interviews Ashley and Eddie from Brown Cub Speech, a dynamic speech-language pathology team focused on stuttering therapy. Ashley, a pediatric SLP based in Kentucky, discusses her journey in working with children who stutter and her efforts in leading support groups and providing professional education. Eddie, a PhD candidate in speech pathology at the University of Tennessee, shares his unique perspective as both a clinician and a person who stutters. Together, they emphasize the importance of building trust, community engagement and the need for a bottom-up therapeutic approach, which prioritizes clients’ emotional experiences. They also discuss their upcoming professional development retreat, where they’ll share practical tools for SLPs to support clients more effectively.

Bullet Points to Discuss:

Introduction to Brown Cub Speech
Ashley's Pediatric Practice
Eddie’s Dual Perspective
Bottom-Up Approach
Community and Connection
Therapeutic Tools and Trust-Building
Upcoming Retreat

Here’s what we learned:

Eddie’s life as a person who stutters gives him insight into clients’ needs beyond typical fluency goals.
Engaging with stuttering communities enriches therapy by exposing clients to real-world challenges and shared experiences.
Therapy benefits from addressing emotions and self-perception, not just fluency skills.
Balancing goals between clients, families, and educators is key to creating meaningful progress.
Integrating counseling into therapy helps clients open up, address deep-seated fears, and build resilience.

Learn more about Ashley Cubberly and Eddie Brown | Brown Cub Speech

Instagram: @brown.cub.speech

Teachers Pay Teacher

Freebie

Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP:

📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/

🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup

AAC & Working With High Schoolers Oct 28, 2024

Show notes

Hallie and her guest Alexia Bassin discuss AAC and high school students

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Alexia Bassin, a seasoned speech-language pathologist with 15 years of experience in the NYC Public Schools! With a passion for empowering fellow SLPs, Alexia shares her journey working in special education and her expertise in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). From her role as an assistive technology evaluator to creating 'AAC Corner,' a series of bite-sized videos to help SLPs master AAC, Alexia’s dedication shines through. Tune in for practical tips, collaboration advice, and real-world strategies that will help you elevate your AAC game in the classroom. Let’s dive into all things AAC!

Bullet Points to Discuss:

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Age-Respectful Communication
Expanding AAC Beyond Requests
Resources and Support
Adapting to Technology Changes
Advice for Newcomers to AAC

Here’s what we learned:

Evolution of AAC technology from clunky devices to apps like Proloquo2Go.
Importance of choosing a flexible AAC system that grows with the student.
Leveraging Instagram and online communities to stay updated on AAC strategies and tools.
Balancing student interests (e.g., Disney Cars) with age-appropriate content.
Encouraging exploration of new, age-respectful topics through AAC.
Collaboration with teachers and other related service providers to implement successful strategies.

Learn more about Alexia Bassin:

Instagram: alexia_slp_chronicles

TikTok: lex_slp_chronicles

Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP:

📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/

🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup

How To Avoid SLP Burnout Oct 21, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Dr. Angelyn Franks, an experienced speech-language pathologist (SLP) and recent clinical doctorate graduate, joins Hallie Sherman to discuss overcoming burnout in the SLP profession. With 14 years in the field, Dr. Angelyn has made it her mission to help SLPs prevent burnout and achieve a sustainable work-life balance. Dr. Angelyn also shares her personal journey, including her own experience with burnout and how adopting mindfulness helped her regain her passion for the field. She introduces “The Thrive Method,” her coaching framework designed to move SLPs from survival mode to thriving in their careers. Dive deep into the importance of setting healthy boundaries, prioritizing self-care without guilt and recognizing the signs of burnout before it becomes overwhelming.

Gain practical strategies for stress management, tips on how to protect their mental well-being and advice for sustaining a fulfilling career in speech-language pathology.

Bullet Points to Discuss:

SLPs overcome burnout, set healthy boundaries, & prioritize self-care without guilt, enabling them to reclaim their passion for their work and achieve a sustainable, fulfilling career.
I am happy to share my own burnout experience and what lead me to my Capstone topic (The Effect of a Mindfulness App on Perceived Stress in SLPs).
I help burned-out SLPs recover from burnout, prevent future burnout, and create a sustainable, fulfilling career with work-life balance and without sacrificing their well-being.
Three-component definition of burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. What to look for, the different phases of burnout. For SLPs burnout/risk of burnout can look like:
- Feel drained, overwhelmed, and discouraged by their work
- Dreads going to work (especially on Mondays)
- Struggles with setting boundaries and practicing self-care due to guilt, perfectionism, and difficulty asking for help
- Experiencing anxiety, stress, and exhaustion despite loving aspects of their job
- Exhausted and doom-scrolling/on autopilot when they get home from work
- Difficulty focusing at work
Identification of primary burnout factors. 6 known areas of mismatch: Workload, Control, Reward, Community, Fairness, Values
The Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model provides a framework for work-life balance. Distinguishes between job demands—such as high caseload/workload, intense work pressure, and the emotional or physical demands of a job—and job resources, which include support from leaders or colleagues, performance feedback, and autonomy.
My approach to work-life balance is to assess areas of stress/mismatches and build a robust, flexible toolkit of resources. (This includes mindfulness- my area of research).
I would also be happy to discuss anything I shared about during my hour inside your group— including the deconstruction framework which is one of the primary tools in my toolkit!

Here’s what we learned:

Burnout often stems from chronic stress.
Incorporating mindfulness into daily routine can significantly help reduce stress.
The importance of setting and upholding boundaries to protect mental health.
Prioritizing self-care is essential for maintaining long-term career satisfaction.
Implementing small, consistent changes— whether in stress management, boundary-setting or daily habits— can create lasting improvements.

Social Media Links

Changing the way SLPs service speech sound disorders in the schools Oct 14, 2024

Show notes

Hallie is joined by Mindy Hudon & Rachelle Mauer from Achieve Speech & Language Services, LLC. They are changing the way SLPs service speech sound disorders in the schools.

In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie Sherman welcomes Mindy Hudon and Rachelle Mauer, co-owners of Achieve Speech and Language Services and the creators of Snappy Speech. This research-based speech sound intervention program is designed to help school-based SLPs work more efficiently by reducing high caseloads, allowing them to focus on what matters most — working at the top of their license. With over 30 years of combined school-based experience, Mindy and Rachelle developed a groundbreaking strategy to alleviate the pressures faced by SLPs in schools.

Mindy is an award-winning author of the graphic novel Kodi’s Adventures: How I Learned to Defeat the Time Snatcher and creator of the Bee A Time Keeper® Clock, a tool designed to help young children develop time management skills. Rachelle, a national trainer and accomplished author-presenter, is known for her expertise in developing and applying cognitive and executive function skills, making her a leader in her field.

Tune in to learn more about their innovative approach to speech sound intervention and how they are changing the landscape for school-based SLPs.

Bullet Points to Discuss:

The pandemic has increased the need for speech services in schools
Caseload sizes continue to increase and Shortage of SLPs due to overwhelm
Students with mild to moderate speech sounds disorders are lingering on IEP's year after year, as well as challenges supporting RTI students.
High-frequency intervention is the gold standard, but how do busy SLPs manage the time needed to implement this method? - This is the problem we solve.
Snappy Speech®: use of evidence-based methods and why it works.
Utilizing extenders to support SLP's and common mistakes
How can SLP's practice at the top of their license and get back to their passion for the profession!

Here’s what we learned:

Mindy and Rachelle’s combined 30 years of school-based experience inspired the creation of Snappy Speech.
Their program focuses on high-frequency speech drills, proven to accelerate student progress.
Snappy Speech helps reduce large SLP caseloads, addressing common issues like burnout and stress.
Mindy is also known for her work in time management for children through the Bee A Time Keeper® Clock.
Rachelle has expertise in cognitive and executive function skills, providing a holistic approach to speech and language therapy.
Their intervention model emphasizes working at the top of the SLP license, allowing SLPs to focus on more complex cases.
Snappy Speech has been piloted in schools with significant results, including reduced caseloads and improved student outcomes.
The program uses trained extenders to assist SLPs, increasing the frequency of student drills and reducing time out of class.

Social Media Links

Check out their website: Achieve Speech & Language Services

Instagram: @achievect_SLP

Facebook: Achieve Speech & Language Services

Snappy Speech®

Freebie Links: Snappy Speech®

Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP:

📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/

🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup

Relevant Articulation Therapy Ideas for Older Students Oct 07, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Hallie shares creative and fun strategies to engage older students (grades 4-12) in articulation therapy. These students have been through years of speech therapy, and it's time to shake things up! From podcast creation to role-playing games, Hallie breaks down five easy-to-implement activities that will keep students motivated and make articulation practice exciting again. Tune in to discover how to make speech therapy both relevant and enjoyable!

Bullet Points to Discuss:

Podcast Creation
Role-Playing Games
YouTube Video Reviews
Speech Competitions
Tailored Interests

Here’s what we learned:

Students can script, record, and self-assess their articulation through dynamic podcast projects.
Use games like Dungeons and Dragons to weave articulation targets into fun, interactive scenarios.
Encourage students to articulate clearly while reviewing their favorite videos or topics.
Create speech challenges and debates to build confidence and practice articulation in a fun, competitive setting.
Incorporate students' hobbies like gaming, sports, or social media into speech activities for maximum engagement.

Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP:

📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/

🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup

The Importance of Building Connections Sep 30, 2024

Show notes

Meet Michelle, Risa, and Stephanie—the dynamic trio behind NYC Speechies! These passionate SLPs saw a gap in the market for middle and high school speech and language resources on TPT and decided to fill it. What started as a plan to create enough materials for just one school year has grown into an impressive collection of over 400 resources by 2024. NYC Speechies love nothing more than connecting with fellow SLPs and educators, helping them navigate the world of speech and language for older students. They've expanded their reach even further with workshops and their coaching business, Speechies Connect, where they empower and support other SLPs. Join us as we dive into their incredible journey!

Bullet Points to Discuss:

ice breakers and the importance of establishing rapport with therapist and group members at the beginning of the year
creating a group atmosphere where they want to come back, feel accepted, and heard
engaging mixed groups

Here’s what we learned:

Strategies for building connections with high school students in speech therapy.
Challenges and rewards of working with older students in therapy settings.
Importance of establishing trust and rapport with students.
Incorporating students' personal goals and interests into therapy sessions.
Utilizing icebreakers and interactive activities to foster a positive environment.
Discussing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) with students to empower them.
The significance of collaboration with educators and school staff.
Flexibility and patience in adapting to students' emotional needs and challenges.
Building a supportive community among speech-language pathologists for professional growth.

Learn more about NYC Speechies:

Check out the NYC Speechies’ Website

Follow them on Instagram @nycspeechies or Facebook

Check them out on Pinterest

Visit their TPT store

Freebie Links

A FREEBIE from the NYC Speechies!

Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP:

📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/

🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup

Tips From An Introverted SLP Sep 23, 2024

Show notes

Get ready for another exciting brew of SLP Coffee Talk! This week, Hallie sits down with Marsha Pinto, a proud introverted SLP, who’s here to prove that being a quiet professional is nothing short of a superpower. Marsha, a speech therapist with the San Jose Unified School District in Northern California, primarily works with autistic students, as well as those with selective mutism and apraxia. She’s a familiar face on local news stations, where she shares her expertise on pediatric speech and language development, and she’s also a seasoned conference speaker, advocating for introverted students. As the founder of the non-profit "Softest Voices," Marsha is dedicated to promoting greater acceptance of introverts.

Marsha opens up about her career journey, discussing how she finds balance as an introvert in a typically extroverted field. She shares insights on how embracing quiet time can be your secret weapon in therapy. If you’ve ever thought that being an introvert might hold you back, think again—Marsha is here to show you that it’s actually your greatest strength!

Bullet Points to Discuss:

Navigating a very extroverted demanding field as an introverted SLP
Burn-Out as an introverted SLP
Discouragement faced by introverted grad and college students wanting to be SLPs
Effectiveness of "Quiet time" during therapy
How to network as an introvert SLP student
Benefits of being an introverted SLP

Here’s what we learned:

How Marsha turned introversion into her SLP superpower.
Why starting sessions with silence can boost focus and progress.
Marsha’s strategy for managing energy to avoid burnout.
How introverts can ace interviews and connect without the anxiety.
How Marsha went from doubting herself to presenting at major conferences like ASHA!

Learn more about Marsha Pinto:

Website: https://www.softestvoices.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/softest_voices/

Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP:

📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/

🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup