How PROMPT Therapy has shaped me and helped me make a difference.
I have been a speech language pathologist for many years. Doing what I do, makes a difference in people’s lives and has been incredibly rewarding. Like most things in my life, PROMPT therapy came to me for a reason.
I graduated in 1993 and had been working with many families and children with a wide variety of needs. The materials and continuing education available were good, however I always felt there should be more. That is when I found PROMPT in 2001.
PROMPT certification has changed the way I view and work with my clients and families.
PROMPT therapy looks at the client and their environment as a whole. PROMPT therapy has literally opened my eyes to see where my client’s communication system is breaking down. Traditional speech sound norms are based solely on how the word or phrase sounds, with no regard to what the word looks like when you produce it. Well guess what traditional norms, (which are still taught today at universities), movement matters! Speech is a motor act and if you are having incorrect movements affecting your jaw, lips and tongue, you are going to have communication difficulties.
With the help of PROMPT, I am able to take a holistic view of my client’s communication needs. No matter what “developmental level” you may be at, everyone has a desire to connect and communicate with others.
A PROMPT treatment session focuses on the client as a whole. PROMPT uses a communication framework that is interactive and focuses on strengths, as a way to improve weaknesses. For example, a child with Apraxia or any type of motor speech/articulation disorder, does not just have difficulties producing words and sounds. Even though their biggest weakness may be physical/sensory or cannot say words clearly, this type of disorder will impact the other areas of your communication system.
For instance, a child with apraxia of speech (motor/speech/articulation disorder) often has difficulties with social/emotional issues such as being shy and quiet with unfamiliar people. This is because they are aware their message is not being understood and it has affected their social and emotional domain. If this is not worked on too, it could have a negative impact on the cognitive/linguistic system, as the child will often not ask questions and request information needed to succeed at school and in social settings.
My PROMPT journey continues to drive my therapeutic process, my continuing education and passion for helping others. PROMPT is an evidenced based treatment and assessment which is important, as we want to treat communication disorders knowing that the therapy we use, has some research behind it.
Through listening to what is meaningful to my clients, gaining trust through realistic expectations and home practice, I have been able to make a difference many times over.
Learn more about Michele and her services here.