Present Notes:
On this uplifting and insightful episode of SLP Espresso Discuss, Hallie sits down with the inspiring Alice Williams—an SLPA, entrepreneur, and trailblazer for assist personnel within the discipline of speech remedy. From discovering the career whereas working retail to founding The SLPA Community, Alice shares her unbelievable journey of resilience, progress, and management. She opens up about working throughout a number of settings, mentoring fellow SLPAs, and the ability of interdisciplinary collaboration. Alice dives into the challenges she’s overcome and the group she’s constructing to empower others to thrive—whether or not they keep SLPAs or not. For those who’ve ever felt remoted or not sure as a assist skilled, this episode will remind you that you just’re not alone—and that your voice issues.
This is what we discovered:
- SLPAs present important, hands-on remedy underneath SLP supervision—and produce distinctive worth to care groups.
- There’s a serious lack of assist and mentorship for SLPAs, which impressed Alice to construct the SLPA Community.
- Constructing a enterprise or pursuing entrepreneurship as an SLPA is feasible—and wanted within the discipline.
- Many SLPAs really feel remoted; having a group the place they are often seen, supported, and uplifted is transformative.
- The upcoming SLPA Summit is the primary of its form—centered on dreaming massive and giving assist personnel house to develop.
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TRANSCRIPT
00:00:00 Hallie: The place are my CFYs at? All my model new grads coming into into your CF 12 months, you’re most likely full of all the feelings, pleasure, overwhelm, uncertainty, pleasure once more. You are getting paid. Woohoo. However if you happen to’re feeling somewhat not sure or having some questions, perhaps somewhat doubt, I’ve a free coaching developing only for you. On Wednesday, July 2 at midday, Japanese Commonplace Time, I am internet hosting a free coaching for CFs. Whether or not you are perhaps ending up your CF and even if you happen to’re simply beginning it or gonna be beginning it very, very quickly, this coaching is for you. It’s free. Free. Free. Free.
00:00:45 Hallie: Head to speechtimefund.com/cfbootcamp. Join and declare your spot. There are restricted spots accessible, so that you wanna be sure to register to your spot ASAP. Okay? So July 2, it is a Wednesday at midday Japanese Commonplace Time. It’s a free stay occasion the place we’re gonna be speaking all about learn how to get probably the most out of your CF 12 months, and I can’t wait to see you there. Onto the episode.
00:01:17 Hallie: Welcome to SLP Espresso Discuss, the podcast designed solely for speech language pathologists who work with older college students, grades 4 by way of 12. I’m your host, Hallie Sherman, your SLP behind Speech Time Enjoyable, the Speech Retreat Convention, and the SLP Elevate membership. And I am thrilled to carry you conversations, methods, and insights that gives you the jolt of inspiration that you just want. Whether or not you are tuning in throughout your morning commute, on a break in between periods, and even throughout a properly deserved rest time, I’m right here for you each week. Let’s do that, SLPs.
00:01:58 Hallie: Hey. Hey. And welcome to a different episode of SLP Espresso Discuss. This episode is for you SLPAs on the market, whether or not you are an aspiring SLPA, you’re a present one. Welcome to the present. Alice, welcome. Now we have the SLPA, guys, that you want to hear of proper on the podcast proper now. So I believed I would be listening somewhat bit about you and your journey to what you’re doing now.
00:02:23 Alice: Alright. Effectively, hi there, stunning folks. My identify is Alice Williams, and I’m an SLPA. I’m at present within the Phoenix, Arizona space. I am initially from Detroit, Michigan, and SLPA discovered me. Gosh. My journey began most likely again in 2012 once I met an SLP working at a boutique. I used to be working at a boutique. She was searching for interview garments, telling me all about her new Grasp’s Diploma.
00:02:50 Alice: I used to be at present dwelling in Texas. She was a graduate from Baylor, so we bought to buy and discuss, and I believed, I can completely do that. However how? What’s it? How does that look with a 5 and 9 12 months previous on the time? And so subsequent two years, I came upon that I had to return to highschool, get some leveling programs. And so, yeah, it has been a protracted journey for me, however I am so proud to be right here.
00:03:20 Hallie: That is superior. And what setting do you at present work in?
00:03:23 Alice: I perform a little little bit of every little thing, as a result of I get bored actually simply. And so I do house well being, I do in-clinic, and I additionally do on-line.
00:03:30 Hallie: Superior. Okay. So if you happen to’re like me in New York the place we do not have SLPAs, what’s the massive distinction?
00:03:37 Alice: Okay. So SLPAs are certified-level speech therapists that present remedy solely underneath the supervision of an SLP. We’re not allowed to do evals, and we’re not allowed to diagnose. In some states, we are able to do feeding. In some states, we are able to do screenings. However it is extremely disconjointed for the time being. We’re working very arduous to get it the place we’re equally acknowledged and we’re equally expert so that everybody does the identical factor. All of us can thrive. So that’s the distinction, the primary distinction.
00:04:18 Hallie: Okay. Very, very cool. And I do know in quite a lot of states the place caseloads are tremendous, tremendous excessive, having SLPAs to help with the remedy remedy has been very useful.
00:04:30 Alice: Appropriate. Yeah. We’re undoubtedly, undoubtedly worthwhile and indispensable in what we offer to our households. What I like greatest is that I get to have all of the enjoyable with out all of the paperwork.
00:04:47 Hallie: Okay. Find it irresistible. It is extra [inaudible] too, I am assuming.
00:04:52 Alice: Yeah. Effectively, it simply relies upon. It actually does. I have not achieved college primarily based, so I hear these may be fairly in depth. However, yeah, it is no matter you need it to be. It is a nice alternative, and I believe everybody ought to check out it somewhat bit extra intently.
00:05:07 Hallie: I imply, you simply stated it, what you’re keen on most about it, however the rest that you just love most about being an SLPA?
00:05:13 Alice: I really like that I’ve the chance to collaborate with different assist personnel. I work in a conduct clinic, so I am a 3rd social gathering supplier. So I get to work hand in hand with BCBAs and RBTs, and it’s, like, one of the best factor ever. We deal with the shoppers completely. We do not simply see them as communication issues or behaviors. We see them as little people who find themselves attempting to stay their greatest lives, and the way can we assist them do this? I additionally love working with PTAs. I really like working with everyone. It is actually, actually the interdisciplinary a part of it that brings me probably the most pleasure.
00:05:53 Hallie: What’s one thing you would like you knew or understood higher in your early years? What are some challenges that you just had?
00:06:00 Alice: I want I knew that I did not need to have all of the solutions. I simply merely wanted to know learn how to discover them or the place to look. I believe we burden ourselves, not even simply as SLPAs, simply as specialists in our discipline pondering that we now have to have all of the data, and we do not. We merely have to know the place to go to seek out it. And so I felt overwhelmed lots as a result of I did not know each single nuance, you already know, of ASD and each single nuance of CP and all of the issues. Like, properly, I am not imagined to. I merely must be openminded sufficient to acknowledge that and do the analysis and assist my households. So, yeah, I took that stress off myself, and it made it much more enjoyable. And that is when my pleasure got here again.
00:06:47 Hallie: I really like that. Did you ever need to work with – like, you stated it’s a must to work underneath the mentorship of others. Did you ever have any difficult experiences in that realm?
00:06:58 Alice: Probably not.
00:07:02 Hallie: That is signal if you cannot consider one.
00:07:03 Alice: Yeah. I imply, so long as you are openminded and also you let your pleasure and your ardour and your power lead you, folks are inclined to observe an individual who’s simply being real, who’s displaying what they get pleasure from and what they worth and it is coming alive in them. Yeah. I’ve had nothing however a optimistic expertise.
00:07:30 Alice: In all probability probably the most difficult typically is when caregivers and fogeys perhaps have a notion of there’s one thing fallacious with their little one or their sibling or whomever they’re caring for, and so they need you to repair them. That isn’t cool. And in order that perspective, that mindset shift to say, hey, that is not what I am right here to do, and there is nothing fallacious with them. In order that’s most likely the one challenges that I face once in a while.
00:08:03 Hallie: I believe all of us face that, having these troublesome conversations and particularly once we’re not feeling utterly assured or ready or the concern of being judged or all these issues, that may be so, so difficult.
00:08:16 Alice: Yeah.
00:08:17 Hallie: And I do know you now, like, mentor different SLPAs. Are you able to discuss somewhat bit extra how you bought into doing that?
00:08:23 Alice: Oh my goodness. So, sure, I have been a SLPA for seven years, and over that point, I acknowledged that there actually wasn’t any actual steering or assist for us inside our discipline past eager to go to graduate college. That gave the impression to be the most important push from people. However what about us that need to thrive right here as SLPAs?
00:08:50 Alice: And I made a decision to start out my very own enterprise the place I am an unbiased contractor, And even that was trying round pondering, is anyone else doing what I am doing? Does anyone else have need to change into an entrepreneur and do their very own factor? And it was like birds and crickets had been chirping. And so I believed, properly, I am gonna be the factor that I would like. I am gonna try and be the assist to others that I want that I noticed and that I had.
00:09:17 Alice: So I made a decision to show a web page and change into that mentor and change into that house. And so I started to supply enterprise consulting by way of my firm, Speech with Miss Alice, and all of the tales had been the identical. Can I do that? Do I’ve the talent set? Do I’ve what it takes? And the reply is sure and sure. So long as you are doing it legally and abiding by your certification, you are able to do no matter it’s that you really want.
00:09:44 Alice: And in order that was in 2022. I began Speech with miss Alice. After which 2024, I began doing the enterprise consulting. After which I made a decision to create a group, which known as the SLPA Community. And inside that community, all assist personnel are welcome, and I do supply a mentorship program inside that. It is superior.
00:10:05 Hallie: I really like that. , we are able to all all the time really feel so alone at work, particularly, you already know, if you’re independently contracting and you are not essentially working for a college or no matter. It may be lonely, and it might probably really feel isolating. And if you happen to’re burnt out and pissed off and drained, it is gonna present up to your shoppers. So what are some wins or some ahas you’ve got seen in your group since beginning it?
00:10:34 Alice: I’ve seen pouring out of assist, not solely from assist personnel, but in addition from BCBAs, additionally from SOPs saying, oh my gosh. That is so wanted. That is so fantastic. That I used to be not anticipating. After which SLPAs clearly are so excited and so… I do not even know. Like, it is just like the ceiling has been opened up for us. Like, we did not even know this was a factor that we may do, and that is what I maintain experiencing. The extra I kinda attain out past individuals are like, oh my gosh. Like, I did not even know I wanted this. Like, I do know. Proper? Is not this cool? Do not you would like you had this while you first began?
00:11:15 Alice: After which quite a lot of SLPs say, I want I had this once I was a SLPA. Possibly I’d have felt extra empowered. I’d have felt extra assured. A whole lot of tales of simply the frustration and the loneliness of not seeing anybody that appeared like them going by way of what they had been going by way of. And so it has been wonderful. It has been wonderful to create this group. She’s simply turned 5 months previous this month. And so yeah. She’s a child nonetheless, however she’s rising.
00:11:42 Hallie: Effectively, hey. Like, infants at 5 months, they’re creating. They’re altering and rising and blossoming.
00:11:50 Alice: Sure. Very a lot so.
00:11:52 Hallie: And I find it irresistible that you just simply noticed a necessity, one thing that you just wanted for your self. And so the questions coming in. I really like these such as you stated, can I do that? Sure. You may.
00:12:05 Alice: Yeah. I’ve by no means seen anyone else do it. And that is what we are inclined to do. We glance round to see if anyone else is doing it. And if nobody else is doing it, you are like, properly, perhaps it might probably’t be achieved. However I simply knew if I make it, they may come. I simply knew. I simply felt it so strongly. And that [inaudible] a fail however a strive. That is one factor I can say about me. I haven’t got concern of falling on my face. I do not know.
00:12:33 Hallie: What’s the worst that occurs?
00:12:34 Alice: Yeah. I imply, it does not work out. Oh, properly, you already know, strive one thing new. However if you happen to by no means ever step on the market, you by no means know. You simply by no means know. And that remorse, eats you alive, man. Eats you alive. So I am so proud and excited to have this group.
00:12:50 Hallie: I find it irresistible. And I do know you are empowering so many and making such a distinction as a result of we will not do it alone. And having mentors and folks that’s made errors earlier than you so as to get there quicker, simpler, smoother than another person, like, make the most of another person’s.. what was it? Another person’s scabs or your – I do not know. There’s undoubtedly a time period, a saying. Like, another person’s…
00:13:14 Alice: Yeah. Another person’s pitfalls. And that is why we undergo issues. We undergo issues not just for us, however to point out different folks that I went by way of that too. And it harm, however I bought again up. And look what occurred from that. And so yeah. It has been wonderful.
00:13:30 Hallie: I find it irresistible. And also you’re planning a occasion for SLPA’s developing too. Are you able to discuss [overlap].
00:13:36 Alice: I’m.
00:13:37 Hallie: Doing quite a lot of issues. I find it irresistible. I find it irresistible.
00:13:39 Alice: As soon as once more, I appeared round and I stated, there’s quite a lot of nice conferences. There’s quite a lot of nice summits. There’s quite a lot of nice organizations that come collectively and supply profession growth and inspirational panelists, and we get to ask questions and evolve. And I stated, properly, the place’s the SLPA occasion? A few of my colleagues go, oh, yeah. We tried to do one, however we simply could not get off the bottom. Or, yeah, you already know, we do want one, however I do not know the place to start out. And I am like, okay. Effectively, let’s do it. And everybody’s like, okay. However then nothing ever occurred. Like like, it by no means… we by no means bought collectively.
00:14:13 Alice: And so I made a decision I used to be gonna do it myself-ish with my group, inside my group. And so I’m having – we’re internet hosting on the SLPA Community, the very first, that I do know of anyway, SLPA Summit. It is a on-line digital occasion, and I’m so ecstatic. I’ve to pinch myself someday that these concepts and these desires are literally taking place. They’re really taking place.
00:14:41 Alice: And so, sure, October, and it is solely on the Community. You shouldn’t have to be a member. I do have a membership tier, however you actually can simply click on the hyperlink and register like some other convention or summit, and it is gonna be wonderful when I’ve SLPs. And I’ve a shock visitor as properly that you do not know about.
00:15:03 Hallie: Oh.
00:15:04 Alice: However, yeah, I do know I am saving that for the top. However entrepreneurship, voice, and feeding are our themes, and the theme for the whole occasion is Dare to Dream as a result of it is vital to suppose outdoors of the place you simply at present are. And if we do not dream, we will not develop. And so I simply need us to be empowered and take into consideration voice, feeding and entrepreneurship because it pertains to assist personnel. So that is what I am bringing this October.
00:15:38 Hallie: I find it irresistible. Effectively, voice and feeding usually are not my experience. I do know somewhat bit about entrepreneurs. I find it irresistible. And because you stated Dare to Dream, let’s have you ever dream somewhat bit. The place do you see this Community within the subsequent 5 years? I am not saying 5 [overlap]. I am saying 5 years. I went there.
00:15:55 Alice: Okay. I need each single SLPA – identical to they learn about ASHA. Proper? Identical to they learn about NSSLHA. I need them to learn about TSN, which is the acronym for the SLPA Community. I need it to be a nationwide group that they know that they’ll go and get the assist that they should thrive. Whether or not they resolve to be SLP later or not, that doesn’t matter. We’d like assist proper out the gate.
00:16:26 Alice: I need SLPAs that go and work for clinics or they go and work for companies. I need these clinics and companies to have the ability to supply TSN as an worker profit for his or her profession growth wants. As a result of at present, all I do know of is speechpathology.com, which is a superb useful resource, and so they do supply CEUs. In 5 years, I am gonna offer CEUs as properly. That is what I see. I get so enthusiastic about the place we are able to go along with this.
00:16:55 Alice: She’s gotta crawl earlier than she walks, and I respect that. However later and really quickly, it is gonna be the premier place for assist personnel to get profession growth, self growth, CEUs, mentorship, the entire 9 yards.
00:17:13 Hallie: I really like that. I really like that. Particularly for those who, like, are not sure in the event that they wanna go for the SLP or not. Having a spot to ask these questions, bounce these concepts versus simply doing it on their very own and simply perhaps regretting selections, both path.
00:17:27 Alice: Yeah. Yeah. And it isn’t only for SLPAs. I do know I am a SLPA, and that is my space of experience. However like I stated, I thrive in interdisciplinary assist, and so I believed, what about for everyone? PTAs, CODAs, audiology assistants, everyone wants the identical confidence, the identical empowering, the identical assist. And I do know they’ve their very own particular person nationwide stage organizations, and that is nice, however they will even have TSA.
00:17:58 Hallie: I really like that. I really like that. Any final bit of recommendation for somebody who, you already know, is an SLPA, feeling alone, struggling? What would you say to them?
00:18:08 Alice: I’d say you are not alone, and all of us wrestle at each stage. I do know some fifteen 12 months veterans. I do know some twenty 12 months veterans. I do know some individuals who simply bought out of college, and all of us have completely different ranges of wrestle. And that is why group is so crucial. Generally it is simply that group chat, which I supply, the place you possibly can say, is anyone else experiencing this? And you will ping, ping, ping, ping, ping, ping, ping. You will begin feeling, oh my gosh. I am not going loopy. Generally that is all you want simply to get you thru the day. Proper?
00:18:45 Alice: And so do not wrestle in isolation when you do not have to. You may attain me on Instagram, Fb, and on TSN, and you are not alone. That is what I need them to know. You are not alone. We’re all struggling in several methods, however we are able to all overcome with the fitting instruments and assets, and I am wanting to supply that on the SLPA group.
00:19:10 Hallie: I really like that. We’re gonna have all of the hyperlinks within the present notes, however the place can everybody study extra about you and every little thing it’s a must to supply?
00:19:16 Alice: Okay. I’d first begin with www.theslpanetwork.web as a result of we’re a group. I didn’t need to do dot com. You may as well discover me on Instagram. I’d do @speechwith_msalice, M-S, not M-I-S-S. And you’ll all the time DM me, touch upon a put up. It is a public platform. I even have speechwithmsalice.com the place you possibly can study extra about enterprise consulting if you happen to’re interested by how are you at SLPA and you’ve got your personal LLC. What’s that appear to be for you? You may attain out to me there. And I am additionally on LinkedIn, Speech with Ms. Alice.
00:19:57 Hallie: I find it irresistible. Effectively, I all the time finish my episodes with a joke as a result of jokes construct rapport, and so they’re very language primarily based. What did the reporter say to the ice cream?
00:20:09 Alice: You look so candy.
00:20:11 Hallie: What is the scoop? My corny dad jokes right here, guys. They’re with you each week along with your corny dad jokes so you possibly can share them along with your college students, and so they could make enjoyable of you for it. Thanks, Alice, a lot for sharing your experience, your knowledge, and fervour for serving to SLPAs in every little thing you are doing for the sector. So thanks so, a lot. Go test her out on social, on her website, every little thing, and undoubtedly try her occasion taking place in October. So thanks so, a lot, Alice. And till subsequent week, everybody, keep out of hassle.
00:20:54 Hallie: Thanks a lot for tuning in to a different episode of SLP Espresso Discuss. It means the world to me that you just’re tuning in each week and getting the jolt of inspiration you want. You could find all the hyperlinks and data talked about on this episode at my web site, speechtimefun.com. Remember to observe the present so you do not miss any future episodes. And when you’re there, it could imply the world to me if you happen to would take just a few seconds and go away me an sincere overview. See you subsequent week with one other episode filled with enjoyable and inspiration from one SLP to a different. Have enjoyable, guys.
00:21:35 Hallie: The place are my CFYs at? All my model new grads coming into into your CF 12 months, you’re most likely full of all the feelings, pleasure, overwhelm, uncertainty, pleasure once more. You are getting paid. Woohoo. However if you happen to’re feeling somewhat not sure or having some questions, perhaps somewhat doubt, I’ve a free coaching developing only for you. On Wednesday, July 2 at midday Japanese Commonplace Time, I am internet hosting a free coaching for CFs. Whether or not you are perhaps ending up your CF and even if you happen to’re simply beginning it or gonna be beginning it very, very quickly, this coaching is for you. It’s free. Free. Free. Free.
00:22:21 Hallie: Head to speechtimefun.com/cfbootcamp. Join and declare your spot. There are restricted spots accessible, so that you need to be sure to register to your spot ASAP. Okay, so July 2, it is a Wednesday at midday, Japanese Commonplace Time. It’s a free stay occasion the place we’re gonna be speaking all about learn how to get probably the most out of your CF 12 months, and I can’t wait to see you there.
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