Early Years of Profession

Language and speech therapists who are new to the profession face a number of difficulties in the first years of their profession. They need to know these problems in advance and fulfill their responsibilities to become more competent speech and language therapists. Some common problems they may encounter include:

Assessment Skills: Language and speech therapists who are new to the profession may have difficulties in evaluating and diagnosing the language, speech and communication problems experienced by their clients. This includes skills such as choosing the right assessment tools, interpreting results correctly, and integrating information from various sources. In this sense, they must know very well the language, speech and communication disorders in which they want to specialize and have a good command of the distinctive features and diagnoses of these disorders. However, they must have analytical and critical thinking skills to evaluate this information for each client.
Therapy Planning: In the early years of the profession, it may be difficult to develop effective therapy plans that are adapted to the individual's therapy goals and needs. New therapists may find it difficult to create goals or choose appropriate therapy techniques that are both achievable and appropriate for their clients' developmental levels. But there are still things they should and shouldn't do. In this context, one of the most important factors affecting the clinical success of speech and language therapists who are new to the profession is that they act by heart in therapy planning. Every language, speech and communication problem is different and therefore requires different approaches and intervention methods. In addition, since it is certain that every individual is different, they should definitely avoid acting by rote during therapy planning. For this purpose, they can find the questions they need to ask to evaluate themselves here.
Clinical Decision Making Skills: It takes time to develop clinical decision making skills. Beginning speech-language pathologists may find it difficult to make quick and accurate decisions about therapy approaches or adjust interventions based on a client's progress. These decision-making processes may occur before and after therapy, as well as during therapies. In this case, the therapist's ability to make the right decision based on information about his client affects his clinical success.
Time Management: Balancing caseloads, effectively managing session time, and performing administrative tasks can be overwhelming for speech and language therapists who are new to the profession. They may have difficulty organizing their schedule and prioritizing tasks. For this, being planned in their professional lives and improving their organizational skills will provide them with great convenience.
Client Participation: Speech and language therapists work with individuals with different language, speech and communication problems in different age ranges, from early childhood to late years of life. Sometimes, while they are conducting language development therapies with a preschool child, they may immediately conduct therapies with an adult individual who has language and speech problems due to a stroke. At this point, they need to establish healthy and successful communication with individuals in different age groups, without compromising their professional attitude and stance. Establishing healthy and successful communication with clients and ensuring and maintaining their participation in therapy may be difficult at first, but this skill is indispensable in providing benefit and value to individuals suffering from language, speech and communication problems.
Communication with Client Relatives: Communicating effectively with clients' families and caregivers, explaining therapy plans and providing guidance can be another area of ​​difficulty. New therapists may need to work on their skills in teaching and collaborating with families.
Documentation: Accurate and timely documentation is very important in therapy. Newbie therapists may have difficulty keeping track of required paperwork, including therapy follow-up notes and therapy plans.
Coping with Various Cases: Dealing alone with a wide variety of language and speech disorders, each with their own unique needs, can create a feeling of helplessness as they do not know what to do. Beginning speech and language therapists may need additional support, supervision and supervision to manage complex cases.

Any career can be difficult in its early years. Language and speech therapists who are new to the profession may experience difficulties at different levels in some of the areas mentioned above. Remembering that these difficulties are normal and part of their professional development will make them stronger. Support from supervisors, preceptors, and ongoing professional development can help overcome these challenges and build the therapist's competence and confidence over time.