One of the best things about providing speech/language services in a school setting is endless access to real-life communication demands. We are always pulling natural context into our therapy sessions, and building opportunities to use speech/language skills outside the therapy room. So in November and December, it is only natural to think about incorporating holidays… (read more)
We had a great evening with Wes Chernin as he shared his expertise in Building Transgender Cultural Awareness. Wes is an SLP working in Early Intervention in the Portland area who provides transgender cultural awareness trainings to SLPs and educators. His passion for his work is rooted in his personal story as a man of… (read more)
The theme for School Psychologist Awareness Week (SPAW) 2019 is “Find Your Focus,” so we asked our THF school psychs how they find (and keep!) their focus in their work. Here’s what they had to say: Laura As school psychologists, we can get caught up in the hustle and bustle of busy workdays, demanding deadlines,… (read more)
IEP accommodations are an essential yet often overlooked component of the special education system. They allow “a student to complete the same assignment or test as other students, but with a change in the timing, formatting, setting, scheduling, response and/or presentation,” (Families and Advocates Partnership for Education). While an accommodation intends to assure that a… (read more)
Our Communication Red Flags series continues this month with a resource addressing the late elementary years (grades 3-5). The hallmark of communication development at this age is that all-important shift to becoming a Student with a capital S. Understanding and using academic vocabulary takes center stage with this group. Kids this age can have conversations… (read more)
An important part of our telepractice training for clinicians focuses on technology, including hardware, software, and the workings of the internet. There are sometimes questions about why this is necessary. Clinical skills are at the heart of my job. Our scope of practice already includes so many populations, settings, and disorders. Why do SLPs need… (read more)
Time for a new installment in our Communication Red Flags series! This time, let’s talk about the early elementary years. Communication development in early elementary school (kindergarten through 2nd grade) is an exciting time! Starting school means that children learn to understand and manipulate language in a whole new way. Every day brings new things… (read more)
Do you remember that quote that describes a baby’s first days in the outside world as “one great blooming, buzzing confusion”? As a veteran SLP who has had more first days than I care to count, I can attest that the same adage holds for staff who are new to a school district. Most districts… (read more)
Linda Huseby! The Portland Business Journal accepted applications from numerous Portland businesses. We nominated Linda because we value her contribution to making THF a fun place to work that lives and breathes its values. The Portland Business Journal picked just three award winners and Linda was one of them! Today, they recognized her at an… (read more)
School-based THFers gathered in style last night at the Kimpton Hotel Vintage. Over food and drinks, clinicians compared notes on summer adventures and fall plans. Highlights of the evening included the introduction of our 2019-20 “All Together Now” theme, sharing our new First Day road map, and a review of all of our exciting new… (read more)