Week 12

I think my internship is going well and I couldn’t immediately put my finger on something I would change other than getting up so early! But sometimes I feel that the parents or guardians should be more a part of the therapy session that my mentor engages with the client. I think sometimes the child may go home and not be practicing the right information or practicing the right skills that are necessary to supplement the lesson at the speech pathology center. I know many parents are not formally educated about their child’s illness or disability and how to help their child overcome the speech obstacles they encounter daily. I think it may be a good idea to go over activities with parents to practice with their child between visits with the speech pathologist. I think informing parents about various seminars or having a private session once a month or so to sit with the parents and explain what kinds of obstacles the child still faces and also the progress the child has made. I think this will help the parents understand what the speech pathologist is doing for their child and appreciate it more.
My mentor goes to conventions occasionally to learn about new ways to teach children with certain speech problems. I think after these conventions she should either make a newsletter for her client’s parents or have some sort of meeting with them to inform them of the highlights from the convention.
Overall, I think this is just one way that this organization could improve, but I am extremely happy at my internship site and I know that my mentor is happy with the way her business is going and the reward she gets from knowing she is helping a person everyday. She is helping a child have a more promising future and a more rewarding life.

Week 11

I think the biggest challenge that my mentor encounters is coming up with activities for her clients that push her client's abilities to teach them new things while not making them too frustrated. I know that my mentor has a waiting list of client's who would like to have appointments, so I don't think she is worried about anything with the economy right now which is good. I haven't heard of any of her clients being unhappy with the service she provides, and I think she significantly helps her clients improve their speech.
My mentor really enjoys what she does to earn a living and she doesn't dislike much. She has pointed out that this is something that she is passionate for and has been for a long time and only a person who is passionate can be happy in this field. She thinks she has gotten all the little quirks out of her business and thinks the business runs as smooth as it can at this point. Because this isn't a school and it isn't publicly funded, I think my mentor's client's appreciate what she does because if they didn't value the work they do with their children, they wouldn't be there. Obviously there aren't any group projects and everything is very individualized.
My mentor began this speech pathology company a few years ago and this is her ideal work environment. My mentor is so open to new things and shes seems so happy. Its hard to think that any other person could be better for this position.
My mentor has her masters degree in speech pathology which is pretty essential to her job and the success that she has acquired. I know that this is something that she loves to do and it is something that someone needs to be passionate about. Anyone who is passionate about their career like she is will definitely be successful.