If narrative language intervention is one of the pillars of your therapy, then you’re going to love what I have for you. As much as I love teaching narrative language, I always struggled to find enough stories to feed the therapy machine. A couple of years ago, in a somewhat desperate state of mind, I took pencil in hand and drew my own stories, featuring Wanda Witch. My clients loved the Wanda stories, despite my rudimentary drawing.

Wanda Witch was soon followed by the Tony character, then Peter Pig, Tess, and Danny Dinosaur. In all I ended up with 50 stories—more than enough to get me through an entire year of therapy.

Eventually I found an artist who brought my stories to life and now you can have them too! Each character has 10 stories, and they are geared for the earliest story tellers.

Tune into this podcast to learn more about the Simple Tales collection of 50 illustrated stories. This is a tool I use multiple times a day, and all I have to do is hit print. Talk about simple tool for optimal outcomes!

Podcast Links
Follow the Narrative Road
Where Everybody Knows Your Name
To Infinity and Beyond
Interview with Doug Petersen part 1
Interview with Doug Petersen part 2

No doubt you've noticed how our role as SLPs overlaps with other professions. Collaboration is highly desirable of course, but sometimes roles overlap so much as to be almost indistinguishable. It can be a disconcerting feeling - as though the earth has moved beneath your feet! Today, Denise Stratton, a veteran pediatric speech-language pathologist, tackles the confusion and frustration that can arise in this multifaceted field. Join us as we explore the root causes of speech and language disorders, helping us understand why multiple diagnoses and professions often converge at the same point. We'll confront the professional uncertainty many young SLPs feel about their scope of practice and compensation, and reveal simple but powerful interventions that can help navigate these professional lanes more effectively.

In the second part of this episode, we delve into the intricate relationship between auditory processing and memory, shedding light on the importance of targeting root causes rather than just applying labels to language disorders. Denise shares a treasure trove of effective interventions and tools. By honing in on these root causes and understanding the progression of interventions, we can achieve significantly better outcomes for our clients. Don't forget to explore the wealth of materials available on The Speech Umbrella website and the value of sharing knowledge within our professional community.

Stepping into a job interview is intimidating for many of us, but when you're a teen or young adult with a communication disorder, it can feel overwhelming. On the Speech Umbrella podcast, we tackle this subject head-on, with my husband, Dan Stratton, bringing his IT management and interview expertise to the table. One of Dan's passions is helping young adults in their career searches and interviews. Together we demystify the interview process, transforming it from a daunting task into an exciting stage to spotlight your problem-solving abilities. We discuss the art of self-presentation, the power of a well-told story, and how to do networking interviews.

You'll hear firsthand how strategic networking and informational interviews can forge paths to unexpected job offers and meaningful professional relationships. From the impact of a thoughtful handwritten note to the nuances of asking the right questions, we delve into the details that can set you apart. We also examine how to make an impression in the interview itself, with tips on maintaining composure under pressure and using body language to your advantage.

So plug in, listen up, and let's get you ready to nail that interview with grace and confidence.

Helpful Links
Amy Cuddy TED Talk
List of Skills.
Long List of Skills
Sample Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
More Interview Questions