In my last blog I just skimmed the surface of how paraprofessionals (referred to as ''aides'' in some districts) can help make our jobs a bit easier by helping us out.  Continuing with this series on ways to get help in the school setting, I've found there are many other staff members out there who can help us.  One such group are ...

Last month I wrote about needing help and wondering where to get it. Many readers offered great suggestions on how to get more help to make our jobs more manageable. I've started my pursuit of being able to recognize help when it is right in my face and to be able to accept that help. The control freak in me still has a hard time with this ...

(School Psychologist  x  Guidance Counselor  x  Special Ed Teacher )+ ½ OT = School-Based SLP You might be wondering, ''What's with the math?'' I know, I know. We school-based SLPs do very little math in our jobs except for calculating percent correct from data - most likely using a calculator or app to do so!  The ...

As I write this, I have 2 more weeks before school starts, however I know that in many parts of the country you are already back to school! Do you have some new school year resolutions for the year? I always do, and here they are! 1) Remember that bulletin board I described last year? This year I will have it up and running! 2) Creative ...

Across the country public education (and people who work in public education) has been on the news and in the papers, often in a negative way. One of the things that I often hear and read is, ''Teachers (or school-based SLPs) get paid for three months off in the summer.''  For me personally, I've had anywhere from a little under two months to ...

Dear Kathie: ''Chad is 5 years old and ‘very' autistic and non-verbal. He covers his ears with his hands when there is a loud noise, such as a fire alarm, or even when he anticipates a loud noise, like a balloon that he thinks may pop. How can I help him, his classroom teacher, and his parents? - Payton, speech-language pathologist My ...

Dear Kathie: What are your thoughts on using an iPad with the autistic population?'' - Mary, speech-language pathologist and parent of a child with autism Kathie's Response: I like it. I love it. I want some more of it. But, instead of calling it an iPad for the autistic population, I think we should rename it a wePad. That is because WE ...

To date, my graduate student extern (referred to as ''student teacher'' from here on out for the sake of convenience) has been with me for two weeks now. I'm hoping she has learned a lot so far, as I know I have learned things from her already. Having a student teacher really has caused me to do some self-reflecting on my own therapy and ...

Last week, Sam asked a great question: if I could give one single word that best describes what autism is or how it feels to have autism, what would it be? That single word is anxiety. This week, I want to give you some techniques to use with people with autism to ease that high anxiety level they suffer. And I do mean suffer. Anxiety ...

  In my last entry, I wrote about a free, recycled object that makes a wonderful therapy tool. Today I'm going to share and (hopefully) get, some advice about something else I got for free! Check this out...   Yup, it's a free and completely blank bulletin board. There is a spot in our staff room where people put items they no ...