My name is Janice, and I am currently in the first year of my Master of Speech Pathology degree, and this is a day in my life as a student Speech Pathologist at De Silva Kids Clinic!
As a student speechie, my role includes generating session plans, running sessions, and providing feedback to my assigned clients’ families, with support from my amazing clinical educator, Anita. I benefit from our discussions and debriefings before and after sessions, which help me gradually improve my reasoning and clinical skills. I also value self-reflection on my strengths and areas of improvement after each session, as it plays an indispensable role in personal and professional growth.
Resourcing and rehearsing before each session have been significant parts of my daily routine. I create various types of materials/activities and develop appropriate contingency plans to tailor to each client’s specific needs. At DSKC, I have access to a wide range of resources to facilitate the implementation of speech pathology services!
Another fascinating part of DSKC is the opportunities to observe the sessions run by other speech pathologists and occupational therapists. Learning from these experienced professionals has been inspiring because it not only enables me to reflect on how they adapt their own interactional style to the needs of their clients but also helps me come up with effective strategies and engaging intervention activities to enhance my practice.
While working in a paediatric setting has been a new challenge for me, I genuinely appreciate the chance to complete my intermediate placement at DSKC with the supportive multidisciplinary team. I have been able to perceive
a gradual change in myself when interacting with the little ones- from incredibly nervous to more confident and independent. It has been pleasant and rewarding to be a student speechie at the De Silva Kids Clinic, and I am ready to continue my exciting learning journey with such an invaluable experience!
Written by Janice, Speech Pathology Student from Melbourne University.
