Professionalism in Speech Pathology

Vocal Quality:
- Be aware of how your voice sounds during sessions.
- Consider whether your voice reflects your emotions (nervousness, anger, happiness).
- Avoid sounding upset, especially if you're having a bad day.
- Be mindful of your pitch, as high pitches or loud volumes can be problematic for elderly clients and students on the autism spectrum.
- Pay attention to client body language for feedback on your vocal quality.
Pacing:
- Avoid talking too fast, especially when nervous, as clients may get lost.
- Avoid talking too slowly, as it may be insulting.
Word Choice:
- Treat clients like regular people, regardless of age.
- Avoid talking down to children.
- Don't use unnecessarily complex vocabulary to prove intelligence; it's often unnecessary and can be off-putting, especially to elderly clients.
- Example: Using excessively long or complex words does not necessarily indicate higher intelligence.
Agility:
- Adjust your communication style based on the client (adults, students, toddlers).
- Adapt pitch, voice volume, and pacing to suit the individual.
- If nervous, "fake it till you make it" to project confidence.

Timeliness:
- In private clinics and outpatient settings, punctuality is crucial due to scheduling constraints; being on time ensures that subsequent client appointments are not delayed.
- If delayed by client, still end on time
- School-based settings offer more flexibility; schedules can be adjusted to accommodate unexpected events (e.g., tantrums, urgent discussions).
- Missed sessions should still be made up, but rescheduling is generally easier in schools.
- Timeliness remains very important.
Time Management:
- Avoid giving clients extra time; always end sessions on schedule.
Organization of Materials:
- Organize materials for each session in advance and have everything accessible.
- Stack tactile objects or manipulatives in the order of use.
- For iPad work, open necessary tabs beforehand.
- Efficient organization saves time during sessions.
**Planning and Preparation:
**
*Dedicate time for meetings (IEP), assessments, observations, and makeup sessions.
*Example SLP schedules student services Tuesday-Friday, clerical work is scheduled on Monday.
*Avoid taking work home after hours.
- Set boundaries between work and personal life.

Setting-Specific Rules:
- Understand and adhere to the dress code of your specific work environment.
- Avoid being either overdressed or underdressed.
Contextual Appropriateness:
- Example: A SLP dressed casually in the classroom relative to dressing up when shadowing in a hospital.
- The SLP who went to shadow at the hospital initially wore a jean skirt and a nice top but was told to change into scrubs because the skirt was inappropriate
Client Considerations:
- Consider the needs of the clients (e.g., wearing tennis shoes for active sessions with preschoolers or for community outings with adult transition groups).
- SLP recalls a colleague in her 50's-60's chasing children in skirts, dresses and heels. Find an outfit to accommodate for client environment.

Social Media:
- Remove questionable content from your social media accounts.
- Employers may unofficially check social media profiles during hiring.
Client Confidentiality:
- Avoid posting anything that identifies clients, including photos with emoji stickers over their faces, without explicit parental consent.
- It is best practice to avoid posting any identifying information about clients.
- Keep social and work life separate.
Cell Phone Use:
- Avoid using cell phones during therapy sessions.
- If expecting an urgent call, inform the client beforehand.
- Do not play games on your phone during sessions.