Resources for new SLP graduates
SLPs (Speech Language Pathologists) have the opportunity to help people with communication disorders interact with their loved ones and live their lives with improved communication. Familiarizing yourself with great resources now can help you throughout your career. Although you already have a wealth of knowledge from your studies, having additional websites, software, and books for further education and support will always be helpful. With this in mind, here are a few of our favorite resources for new SLP graduates!
Websites
Speechpathology.com
This site offers unlimited courses for SLPs to continue their education with a yearly subscription. Additionally, this is a great option when you need to expand your knowledge about a specific condition or area of treatment.
Although people often use Pinterest for lifestyle inspiration, the platform contains many resources for SLPs! When searching for a particular lesson plan, exercise, or another resource, you can usually find dozens of results to help you plan sessions.
Software
HappyNeuron Pro
The #1 cognitive rehabilitation tool, HappyNeuron Pro offers exercises to train the brain, including a collection of language-based exercises to help with speech and the processing of language. The software tracks patient progress, creates reports, and allows for remote practice and in-platform messaging with clients. This is a great way to plan for sessions and have a clear path to progress for your clients. With a yearly subscription, you can use the platform with unlimited patients. And new graduates get a discount! Try it out with a free trial here.
HappyNeuron Pro also offers worksheets for patients who respond better to a more tactile version of exercises.
Books
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby
This memoir was written by the former editor-in-chief of French ‘Elle’ magazine, who suffered a massive stroke and ended up trapped in his own body by Locked-In Syndrome. He was unable to speak or move with the exception of his left eyelid. Nevertheless, he remarkably dictated the book by signaling each letter through blinking his eyelid. This book provides valuable insight for SLPs about patients who are unable to communicate verbally.
My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey by Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D.
In My Stroke of Insight, Jill Taylor shares her experience as a Harvard-educated brain scientist who suffered from a stroke. After losing the use of her left brain, she eventually recovered completely. She offers valuable insights into the possibilities of recovery, and how she rebuilt her brain after intense trauma.
The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism by Naoki Higashida
This memoir is written by a highly intelligent 13-year-old boy with autism and shares a look into how a young autistic person thinks and responds to life. This is a great read for parents with autistic children or clinicians who work with autistic people.
But My Speech is Fine by Lauren Hermann, MS CCC-SLP
This book acts as a great introduction to how versatile the SLP field can be. The collection of unexpected and encouraging stories is a great read for new SLP graduates who are starting out and want to hear true stories from the field.
Goddess Aphasia by Shai Anbar
Anbar weaves creative non-fiction with a memoir. He describes his journey of stroke recovery, personifying Aphasia as its own character who ends up assisting him in his recovery. Insightful and creative, this book provides a look into what stroke recovery can feel like for a survivor.
Associations
It can be helpful to familiarize yourself with associations and organizations within your field. Essentially, they provide information and continuing education, host events, and create networking opportunities within the community. All of these are helpful when you’re beginning your career, and as you continue to grow as an SLP.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
ASHA comprises of over 223,000 members who work and study within the science of speech, language, and hearing. Their motto is, “Making effective communication, a human right, accessible and achievable for all.”
Often, states and cities will have their own Speech Language Hearing associations. Be sure to search online if you’d like to find a more local organization that you can be involved in.
