ASHA Convention Posters: Tips and Suggestions

Since learning I made it into the battle rounds of presenting at #asha12 , I’ve asked around for advice on how to create these mystical posters. It is quite difficult to find an example online, much less how to go about putting one together. Have no fear, I’ve done all the work for those of you still searching.

Here are a few tips and helpful links to help make an ASHA Convention Poster Presentation:

Direct Hire vs. Staffing Company – My Crossroads

I am at a crossroads. 

In May 2012, I traveled 5,000 +  miles  from Atlanta, Georgia to Kenai, Alaska (details in a previous post).During my 12 day stay, I observed 3 different SLPs – 2 in schools and 1 in private practice. After this visit, I was hooked. Now I want to live and work in Alaska as an SLP. Here we go.

On a beach in the Kenai Peninsula

Since then, I’ve flipped-flopped between waiting to work in Alaska until I finish my CF or actually doing my CF in Alaska. At the moment, I want to complete my CF in Alaska; so I’ve been looking into positions and exploring my options as both a direct hire or via staffing companies. Below is my experience with both school districts and staffing companies so far.

SLP Graduate School Midterm

In undergrad, studying for a midterm in a course like Biology, math, history, etc. was more about the short-term. How little can I study in order to make an A or B? or What do I need to make in order to make my desired grade? I’m sure others may disagree with this mentality, but that’s how I got things done. Now,  in SLP graduate school, I need to know this information for the long-term. I realize I will have these textbooks/resources down the road, but when I am assessing or treating a client, there are just certain things I need to know immediately. Thus, I study differently.

I have a midterm in Neuropathologies of Language on Tuesday covering the following topics from our Brookshire (2007), An Introduction to Neurogenic Communication Disorders, textbook:

1. Neuroanatomy
2. Neurologic Assessment
3. Assessment of Cognition
4. Assessment of Language
5. Context for Intervention
6. Aphasia
7. Right Hemisphere Syndrome

First year of SLP Graduate School (It needs its own name)

I just finished my first year of a Speech-Language Pathology Master’s Program here in Georgia. I have cried, sweat, laughed, and earned every ounce of that first year; it feels like there should a name instead of a sentiment like, “Congrats! You made it half way, now for the even harder part.” I have been trying to term the first year of SLP grad school; so here were some of my ideas:

• Hell (sarcasm, of course)
• SLP_Jumanji Journey
• Newbie Years_SLP
• The year you think you have every disorder you read about (needs work)

SLP Hipster Salad

Are you aware that you have a mammillary body, infundibular stalk, peduncles, and an inferior olive in your brain? Well, you do; but it sounds more like hipster salad ingredients to me. If this comes up on my Neuropathologies quiz tomorrow, I plan to put “hipster salad” on the label; I will get extra points for my quip, I imagine.

 

“Tough times never last, but tough people do.” ~ Robert H. Schuller

 

Applying to Graduate School for Speech-Language Pathology

Rising Seniors in Speech-Language Pathology and/or Communication Sciences and Disorders programs think of one thing during the summer: Where will I apply for Grad School?  At least that’s how it was for me. Questions begin forming as the impending nature of applications loom…

How much are application fees? Do they have an out-of-state tuition waiver for Audiology? Is my GRE score high enough? Will my GPA be good enough? How much is tuition? What are the professors like in each program? Is the program more medical or education based? Does the Master’s program require a thesis and/or completion test?

I wanted to share ideas and inspiration for those applying to graduate school and about to start a graduate program.

Core Skills for an #slp2b

A WONDERFUL and helpful book for the growing SLP is entitled “Here’s How to Do Therapy: Hands-On Core Skills in Speech-Language Pathology”  Not only is her book encouraging and practical, the accompanying CD is wonderful.

While topics below are covered in many textbooks and SLP grad courses, this is my attempt to share those gems of knowledge and further explanation, which have stuck with me along the way:

SLP Humor Part 2

With all the social networks – Twitter, Facebook, Pintrest, Tumblr – which invade us with pictures, quotes, and opinions, I want to share a few of the things I’ve come across over the past few years which have made me smile, laugh, and/or agree with. I wish I had done a better job of tagging where I got the images from; just know the only image in this post that is my own is the one above (purple socks).

<<This book was in a shop in Chattanooga, TN. Perhaps this would be a good book to discuss grief with…this dino just looks so heartbroken.

In therapy you could discuss why he is all by himself, why his neck is awkwardly long, or what death means for his own species.

What a book

Ahh, exams. I found this picture in the>>> midst of final exams in Fall 2011.

The perfect comic comes along at the perfect time. I wish I could recall all the things I recalled from the days of studying for hours.

First week of Grad School in Speech-Language Pathology

Well…

After a full week of having my first clients I am feeling better about the rest of the semester. I feel more confident in myself and in my knowledge.

I still want to move to Alaska or at least do one of my internships in 2013…but i have to find a school district, find a contact person, find someone to live with, and live through snow and coldness I’ve never experienced before. No problem 

I am happy to be at the University of West Georgia and hope that my time here will serve me well for the rest of my career.

And of course I can’t leave you without a comic Gotta love Cyanide and Happiness