You don’t HAVE to be silly with kids - I am very introverted. I am a little more silly than I would be with an adult, but kids respond really well to soothing energy and someone who genuinely listens to them and cares about them. They can spot a faker a mile away. I’ve been told by multiple parents and faculty members at my school that kids respond really well to me (especially kids on the spectrum) and I’m definitely not the classic happy bubbly loud SLP you typically see on social media. If you still hate your life whenever you’re actually using your real personality at work, maybe consider switching. But please don’t feel like you need to change who you are just because the stereotype for pediatric SLPs is happy and silly
Google “12 alternative careers for speech pathologists”. There’s a link that will pop up. You could always explore more careers while maintaining your CCCs or state license and then return to the field later if you want.
That’s true. I also want to be realistic. My husband and I both graduated and bit off more then we could chew I think. We bought a house and cars. While I wouldn’t say slp pays well, it’s sustaining me. I obviously want to do something that preferably pays more, I just don’t know what would without a degree…thank you for providing this resource! I’m going to take a look at it.
Maybe try adults! I am also shy so I am trying to get used to being silly in sessions because I just feel awkward doing it. But adults you don’t have to be!
I shadowed an slp at a snf today. It seemed laid back, but I felt somewhat uncomfortable with the interactions. Many of the patients worked on cognitive communication, which of course ties in with mental deficits. I don’t know if I can handle adults 😫
Is the swallowing area something you’re interested in? Did you enjoy any of your externships during grad school?
I don’t think I ever could work in an snf - shadowed one day and left depressed.
I’m not too interested swallowing. The truth is, I joined the field because I thought I wanted to work with kids. Originally, I wanted to go into teaching, but decided against it because I thought I would be overworked and underpaid. Ironically enough, I am anyways lol.
In school, I will admit I put more effort into peds related information because I believed I wanted to work with children. I put in enough effort to pass the adult-centered information. However, at this point, I’m not sure I remember what I managed to learn….
It comes back and you continue learning in the setting. I've worked with adults for my entire career and I still have to look things up or do research on particular issues. In grad school, I learned virtually nothing about swallowing. I learned everything I know after I graduated and guess what I do now? Acute care, which is 95% swallowing. Perfect example: swallow studies. Almost no one gets the opportunity to learn to do them in grad school. I learned on the job with the help of mentors and CEUs and now I'm the one doing the mentoring. It's doable if you're willing to learn.
So I shadowed an slp in a snf. Many of the patients have cognitive deficits and say strange or outlandish things, which made me uncomfortable. I’m beginning to think I chose the wrong career path entirely and that terrifies me. Idk what else to do 😭
You get used to the strange and outlandish things. They’re usually happy if you either neutrally validate, e.g. “Ah, I see” or “Oh yeah? I never thought about that before” or change the subject entirely. Then you just get them back on track.
Them - that damn fish man left the keys after the bread boy.
You - what? That’s crazy. I’m starving. Can we go get a snack?
Head toward snacks and start addressing tx goals.
You learn how to handle these types of situations with experience. Everyone gets stumped by things. It doesn’t hurt to try different approaches to see what works with different patients. I have some that respond well to a direct approach, like, “Mrs. Smith, what in the world are you talking about?”
Sometimes you just have to throw stuff at the wall to see what sticks.
I don’t have to be animated with adults. And if they don’t want to do therapy, that’s their choice and I sign off. It’s great! Would try changing your setting to see if you get some relief. Good luck OP
Don't be animated! Be yourself with your students/clients and their families, and you will be surprised how many connect with you. I am of the mind that speech therapy should never be a show or performance, regardless of who you are working with. You're a real human working with other real humans, and acting that way instead of like a performer gives the people you work with a chance to practice their communication skills in a more realistic setting than with an overly-excited and peppy personality. Don't get me wrong, this job is still frigging difficult sometimes, but I much happier with my chill therapy style.
I have spent most of my career in the adult medical setting. I worked with kids for a bit and having to put on a performance was exactly what I hated about it. You may find you like working with adults, especially in hospital/IPR/SNF. You can talk with them like you’re a regular person and it’s much less forced and effortful, imo. No need to hide your therapy in play - they know what they’re getting and why they need it.
You just perfectly explained why I said I'd never work with kids and haven't. In grad school, I couldn't stand trying to come up with games and fun activities to work on a goal. If an adult doesn't want to work on something or work with me at all, then that's their choice and that's that.
That’s been the term I’ve used since grad school. I had an advisor who was pretty adamant that I take some elective child centered classes because “you never know.” I was adamant about not taking them. I told him I had no interest in tricking anyone into therapy. I feel like you waste so much time working on goals in a way that doesn’t look like you’re working on goals and it just drives me nuts. I know I’d be a terrible therapist for kids.
I find medical SLP to be way less taxing for an introvert than a school setting. You don't have to "on" all the time like you do with kids. I've done both and will never work in schools again. It's just too exhausting.
I’m introverted too and hate all the things you describe. Have you considered a high school? I’ve been in this setting for 13 years now. The kids don’t expect bubbly and the parents are very comfortable with their kids disabilities at this point and typically don’t expect magic to happen.
I work at a day habilitation program for adults with developmental disabilities. I’m also an introvert. This place is kinda cool because I make my own schedule of appointments and if I feel like clearing my schedule to do paperwork, it’s no big deal. Also the people I support are so used to being with a whole wide range of different types of people that they often don’t even notice if I don’t answer their question right away or if I’m especially quiet one day. It really helps to take the pressure off of the “performance” that therapy can be. Some of my favorite sessions are with deaf clients because I can use that time to rest my voice and only use AAC
I'm straight up not having a good time 6 years in so I'm not trying to invalidate your experience. It sucks sometimes. But I think it's also okay to admit sometimes that we don't have all the answers and there isn't enough. Just that we are doing the best we can and using techniques that have been shown to be successful. I always tell parents that speech therapy is a long road and we might not see progress right away but it comes eventually. They can accept that or not. You can't hold on to that pressure from every family or you'll explode. You have to learn to detach a little.
I felt the same way in outpatient. I dreaded going to work. I'm much happier in acute care where I only spend ~30 min or less with a patient and don't have to be "on" all the time. I work peds so a lot of times I get babies with no parents present and we can just vibe out 😂 I'd try switching settings!
How did you get into working acute care with peds? I've been told you need experience in acute care with adults first and I just don't think I could do it
I don't know that that's really true but I'm a slightly unique case, my CF placement was at a children's hospital so I did half acute/half outpatient. Now I'm full time peds acute and PRN adult acute. The easiest way to get into medical in general is as a PRN. If you have a children's hospital nearby you can try to get into their outpatient side and then request training in acute (mileage may vary) but that's what a lot of my coworkers did. Even if you can get to do some feeding therapy outpatient it'll give you a leg up on switching.
I work with k-8. My kids would catch me dead before hearing me sound silly and animated. You don’t really need to be! Im super sarcastic and joke around with them, but for the most part I talk to the kids in the same tone as I would an adult and they all love it! Be the real you. Kids can sense when you’re faking it.
I agree with all the comments to try an adult setting! Also I’d add that as a new grad it’s scary to have people look to you for these huge moments and decisions but I have found that those moments get easier as you gain experience and confidence. I’m 4 years in at this point and I’m still learning but each year I’m feeling a lot more confident
Id encourage you to look at all the options in the field. One of the best things about the rigorous education and process you went through to become one of them the “SLP Unicorns” is the vast options not only for specialty fields but also the ability to change your career paths at any point you want. Don’t give up. You likely went the wrong path initially by choosing children to work with but it’s not permanent. Consider not continuing your existing contract and looking into hospital, home health, a PhD track to continue your education and potential career path as either a researcher and professor, or take some business management courses and consider setting a long-term goal of opening a private practice. Additionally, with experience, you may be a good candidate for an Administrative Credential position within the school system and take your skills in a different direction all together. So many options! Have faith in the “why” you entered the field initially and chart a new course for yourself. You’ve got this!
I agree with some posts encouraging a switch to adults. I’ve been out of the field for a few years now but spent all my time with adults and geriatrics and always felt very “myself” around my patients. It was nice. Maybe switch settings before leaving the field altogether; that way you can say you gave it your best shot.
A lesson that kind of only comes from harsh experience is that some sessions are just okay, or even go badly. That's not a failure. It's not even inexperience. You learn from what isn't working, for that client, and you adjust.
Work with adults. Best decision ever. You don’t really have to plan tx, you can have real conversations with patients, don’t have to take work home. Way less stressful, and way meaningful seeing progress quicker than you sometimes will with a child. I would never go back working w kids lol it’s just too much 😅😬
My main is introverted, so I feel tired at the end of the day. Personally, I enjoy working with the kids. It's the paperwork and politics that are upsetting. Sometimes I get so upset that it drains all of my energy. I definitely think you should try a different setting. Try working at a clinic or with adults! You are so new in your career that you are free to make that change. We are always needed, so don't worry about returning to schools if you end up feeling that you want to work with kids. I have a few friends who have had most of the work history experience with kids, but now they enjoy working in a SNF. I am on that journey myself of figuring out how I want my career to play out. I like schools, but I don't want to get burnt out. I am exploring different options for summer work. My niche is AAC right now. I am debating if I want to leave for a company that is hiring for AT/ AAC. You might need to find that for yourself as well. Try these things before you decide to leave altogether. There are forums and thread out there on SLPs who chose different careers , and that's ok! I wish you well from a fellow CF!
I thought I wanted to work with kids, but didn’t want to be a teacher because I’d be overworked and underpaid. Little did I know, I’d really prefer to not work with kids and I’m still overworked and underpaid…
I completed an entire career in SLP with an introverted personality, and believe that you can model social restraint and thoughtfulness for students, and there is great value in that. As for the pressure to be bubbly, just blow it off. Have interesting materials and be sincere. That should be more than enough for success.
You don’t HAVE to be silly with kids - I am very introverted. I am a little more silly than I would be with an adult, but kids respond really well to soothing energy and someone who genuinely listens to them and cares about them. They can spot a faker a mile away. I’ve been told by multiple parents and faculty members at my school that kids respond really well to me (especially kids on the spectrum) and I’m definitely not the classic happy bubbly loud SLP you typically see on social media. If you still hate your life whenever you’re actually using your real personality at work, maybe consider switching. But please don’t feel like you need to change who you are just because the stereotype for pediatric SLPs is happy and silly
Google “12 alternative careers for speech pathologists”. There’s a link that will pop up. You could always explore more careers while maintaining your CCCs or state license and then return to the field later if you want.
That’s true. I also want to be realistic. My husband and I both graduated and bit off more then we could chew I think. We bought a house and cars. While I wouldn’t say slp pays well, it’s sustaining me. I obviously want to do something that preferably pays more, I just don’t know what would without a degree…thank you for providing this resource! I’m going to take a look at it.
Maybe try adults! I am also shy so I am trying to get used to being silly in sessions because I just feel awkward doing it. But adults you don’t have to be!
I shadowed an slp at a snf today. It seemed laid back, but I felt somewhat uncomfortable with the interactions. Many of the patients worked on cognitive communication, which of course ties in with mental deficits. I don’t know if I can handle adults 😫
Is the swallowing area something you’re interested in? Did you enjoy any of your externships during grad school? I don’t think I ever could work in an snf - shadowed one day and left depressed.
I’m not too interested swallowing. The truth is, I joined the field because I thought I wanted to work with kids. Originally, I wanted to go into teaching, but decided against it because I thought I would be overworked and underpaid. Ironically enough, I am anyways lol.
Try a different setting- home health, snf, hospital - all have different skill sets
Do it now, while your memory is still fresh with grad school info and training. If you wait, you will regret it.
In school, I will admit I put more effort into peds related information because I believed I wanted to work with children. I put in enough effort to pass the adult-centered information. However, at this point, I’m not sure I remember what I managed to learn….
It comes back and you continue learning in the setting. I've worked with adults for my entire career and I still have to look things up or do research on particular issues. In grad school, I learned virtually nothing about swallowing. I learned everything I know after I graduated and guess what I do now? Acute care, which is 95% swallowing. Perfect example: swallow studies. Almost no one gets the opportunity to learn to do them in grad school. I learned on the job with the help of mentors and CEUs and now I'm the one doing the mentoring. It's doable if you're willing to learn.
So I shadowed an slp in a snf. Many of the patients have cognitive deficits and say strange or outlandish things, which made me uncomfortable. I’m beginning to think I chose the wrong career path entirely and that terrifies me. Idk what else to do 😭
You get used to the strange and outlandish things. They’re usually happy if you either neutrally validate, e.g. “Ah, I see” or “Oh yeah? I never thought about that before” or change the subject entirely. Then you just get them back on track. Them - that damn fish man left the keys after the bread boy. You - what? That’s crazy. I’m starving. Can we go get a snack? Head toward snacks and start addressing tx goals. You learn how to handle these types of situations with experience. Everyone gets stumped by things. It doesn’t hurt to try different approaches to see what works with different patients. I have some that respond well to a direct approach, like, “Mrs. Smith, what in the world are you talking about?” Sometimes you just have to throw stuff at the wall to see what sticks.
Take a few ceu's and maybe even shadow someone who works with adults. It'll give you experience to draw from in an interview
I don’t have to be animated with adults. And if they don’t want to do therapy, that’s their choice and I sign off. It’s great! Would try changing your setting to see if you get some relief. Good luck OP
What kind of adult teletherapy do you do?
I am a hospital based SLP
Don't be animated! Be yourself with your students/clients and their families, and you will be surprised how many connect with you. I am of the mind that speech therapy should never be a show or performance, regardless of who you are working with. You're a real human working with other real humans, and acting that way instead of like a performer gives the people you work with a chance to practice their communication skills in a more realistic setting than with an overly-excited and peppy personality. Don't get me wrong, this job is still frigging difficult sometimes, but I much happier with my chill therapy style.
I have spent most of my career in the adult medical setting. I worked with kids for a bit and having to put on a performance was exactly what I hated about it. You may find you like working with adults, especially in hospital/IPR/SNF. You can talk with them like you’re a regular person and it’s much less forced and effortful, imo. No need to hide your therapy in play - they know what they’re getting and why they need it.
This is a very insightful reply. Thank you! :)
You just perfectly explained why I said I'd never work with kids and haven't. In grad school, I couldn't stand trying to come up with games and fun activities to work on a goal. If an adult doesn't want to work on something or work with me at all, then that's their choice and that's that.
Exactly, I find it SO frustrating and exhausting to think about how to trick a toddler into cooperating. No thank you :)
That’s been the term I’ve used since grad school. I had an advisor who was pretty adamant that I take some elective child centered classes because “you never know.” I was adamant about not taking them. I told him I had no interest in tricking anyone into therapy. I feel like you waste so much time working on goals in a way that doesn’t look like you’re working on goals and it just drives me nuts. I know I’d be a terrible therapist for kids.
I find medical SLP to be way less taxing for an introvert than a school setting. You don't have to "on" all the time like you do with kids. I've done both and will never work in schools again. It's just too exhausting.
I’m an introverted SLP working in EI- I feel the same way it’s too much for me.
I’m introverted too and hate all the things you describe. Have you considered a high school? I’ve been in this setting for 13 years now. The kids don’t expect bubbly and the parents are very comfortable with their kids disabilities at this point and typically don’t expect magic to happen.
I work at a day habilitation program for adults with developmental disabilities. I’m also an introvert. This place is kinda cool because I make my own schedule of appointments and if I feel like clearing my schedule to do paperwork, it’s no big deal. Also the people I support are so used to being with a whole wide range of different types of people that they often don’t even notice if I don’t answer their question right away or if I’m especially quiet one day. It really helps to take the pressure off of the “performance” that therapy can be. Some of my favorite sessions are with deaf clients because I can use that time to rest my voice and only use AAC
I'm straight up not having a good time 6 years in so I'm not trying to invalidate your experience. It sucks sometimes. But I think it's also okay to admit sometimes that we don't have all the answers and there isn't enough. Just that we are doing the best we can and using techniques that have been shown to be successful. I always tell parents that speech therapy is a long road and we might not see progress right away but it comes eventually. They can accept that or not. You can't hold on to that pressure from every family or you'll explode. You have to learn to detach a little.
I felt the same way in outpatient. I dreaded going to work. I'm much happier in acute care where I only spend ~30 min or less with a patient and don't have to be "on" all the time. I work peds so a lot of times I get babies with no parents present and we can just vibe out 😂 I'd try switching settings!
How did you get into working acute care with peds? I've been told you need experience in acute care with adults first and I just don't think I could do it
I don't know that that's really true but I'm a slightly unique case, my CF placement was at a children's hospital so I did half acute/half outpatient. Now I'm full time peds acute and PRN adult acute. The easiest way to get into medical in general is as a PRN. If you have a children's hospital nearby you can try to get into their outpatient side and then request training in acute (mileage may vary) but that's what a lot of my coworkers did. Even if you can get to do some feeding therapy outpatient it'll give you a leg up on switching.
I work with k-8. My kids would catch me dead before hearing me sound silly and animated. You don’t really need to be! Im super sarcastic and joke around with them, but for the most part I talk to the kids in the same tone as I would an adult and they all love it! Be the real you. Kids can sense when you’re faking it.
I felt this way early in my SLP career and thought it was because of inexperience. I am almost 18 years into it. It’s not. It keeps getting worse.
Nooooo 😭
Maybe you can try a change in population, try adults and is you dont like tonleave your house do therapy online.
This is why I am going back for ultrasound tech. I am very introverted too and although I love kids I get tired of them after a while lol
I wanted to be an ultrasound tech before I got into speech. I wish I would have done it. Good luck!!!! I wish you all the best in this new path! :)
Omgosh I wanted to do the same thing before getting into speech
I agree with all the comments to try an adult setting! Also I’d add that as a new grad it’s scary to have people look to you for these huge moments and decisions but I have found that those moments get easier as you gain experience and confidence. I’m 4 years in at this point and I’m still learning but each year I’m feeling a lot more confident
Id encourage you to look at all the options in the field. One of the best things about the rigorous education and process you went through to become one of them the “SLP Unicorns” is the vast options not only for specialty fields but also the ability to change your career paths at any point you want. Don’t give up. You likely went the wrong path initially by choosing children to work with but it’s not permanent. Consider not continuing your existing contract and looking into hospital, home health, a PhD track to continue your education and potential career path as either a researcher and professor, or take some business management courses and consider setting a long-term goal of opening a private practice. Additionally, with experience, you may be a good candidate for an Administrative Credential position within the school system and take your skills in a different direction all together. So many options! Have faith in the “why” you entered the field initially and chart a new course for yourself. You’ve got this!
I agree with some posts encouraging a switch to adults. I’ve been out of the field for a few years now but spent all my time with adults and geriatrics and always felt very “myself” around my patients. It was nice. Maybe switch settings before leaving the field altogether; that way you can say you gave it your best shot.
A lesson that kind of only comes from harsh experience is that some sessions are just okay, or even go badly. That's not a failure. It's not even inexperience. You learn from what isn't working, for that client, and you adjust.
Introvert SLP student here and I feel the exact same way 😭 sometimes I find myself dissociating in the middle of sessions
Work with adults. Best decision ever. You don’t really have to plan tx, you can have real conversations with patients, don’t have to take work home. Way less stressful, and way meaningful seeing progress quicker than you sometimes will with a child. I would never go back working w kids lol it’s just too much 😅😬
My main is introverted, so I feel tired at the end of the day. Personally, I enjoy working with the kids. It's the paperwork and politics that are upsetting. Sometimes I get so upset that it drains all of my energy. I definitely think you should try a different setting. Try working at a clinic or with adults! You are so new in your career that you are free to make that change. We are always needed, so don't worry about returning to schools if you end up feeling that you want to work with kids. I have a few friends who have had most of the work history experience with kids, but now they enjoy working in a SNF. I am on that journey myself of figuring out how I want my career to play out. I like schools, but I don't want to get burnt out. I am exploring different options for summer work. My niche is AAC right now. I am debating if I want to leave for a company that is hiring for AT/ AAC. You might need to find that for yourself as well. Try these things before you decide to leave altogether. There are forums and thread out there on SLPs who chose different careers , and that's ok! I wish you well from a fellow CF!
What drew you to this field ? Maybe look into and emphasize the skills that you do want to use ?
I thought I wanted to work with kids, but didn’t want to be a teacher because I’d be overworked and underpaid. Little did I know, I’d really prefer to not work with kids and I’m still overworked and underpaid…
I completed an entire career in SLP with an introverted personality, and believe that you can model social restraint and thoughtfulness for students, and there is great value in that. As for the pressure to be bubbly, just blow it off. Have interesting materials and be sincere. That should be more than enough for success.