Clinic Observation

I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to observe and participate in Missouri State University’s Speech Language and Hearing Clinic because I received hands-on experience and had the ability to interact with a client. Before entering the clinic, I was extremely nervous, but I was excited to begin working with a graduate clinician and client. During my first experience in the clinic, my graduate clinician, Bob, taught me how to collect data. Bob was an excellent mentor because she acted professionally and was open and willing to answer questions. She took the time out of her busy schedule to visually show me her session plans and SOAP notes, so I had a better idea of the paperwork format. Bob had a supportive and positive attitude toward
the client and was interested in my thoughts and opinions on each therapy session. I was assigned a client with an articulation disorder.
Along with collecting data, I contributed to each session by welcoming the client and participating in the daily activities. During each therapy session, we took part in four activities and spent approximately 15 minutes on each activity. Bob and I attempted to make the session as fun and engaging as possible by switching up the goals and activities. For example, we played Go Fish, Hi! Ho! Cherry-O, created silly sentences with target sounds, and participated in scavenger hunts. The target sounds that we focused on included ………….. In order to participate in the game or activity, Bob, the client, and I took turns practicing the target sounds of the daily sub goals before we were able to spin or role the dice. After the client produced the correct target sound, the board game or activity acted as reinforcement for his
productions.
After a few sessions, I became more comfortable with participating in the interactions, so I spent time in the materials center and created activities to practice the target sounds. For the last couple of weeks, I led the activities that I created while Bob participated and took data. I had the opportunity of creating all of the activities for the final interaction and the ability to lead the session at my own pace. During the final session, the client demonstrated difficulty focusing because the individual that typically was in charge stayed passive. Even though I led the session, I was thankful that Bob chimed in when the client was getting off task because I struggled with recollecting his attention. Overall, I enjoyed observing and interacting with the client because he was energetic and had a positive attitude. Before each session, he was happy and excited to participate in activities and showed his emotions by smiling and telling creative stories. I believe working with an individual with an articulation disorder was a great learning and stepping stone experience because each therapy session had similar goals and relatable activities to reach those goals. I personally did not develop a close relationship with the client’s family because they interacted with the graduate clinician; however, I developed a positive relationship with Bob during my experience in the clinic. Bob mentored and gave me advice during my involvement in the clinic. She explicitly described her plan and how I played a role in her treatment plan. I was able to ask questions about her experiences in the clinic, the goals she was working on with the client, and her thoughts on graduate school, and she responded with honest and encouraging answers. Observing and interacting with a client in the Missouri State University Speech Language and Hearing Clinic has been an incredible opportunity to further my knowledge and receive hands-on experience. I believe that having the ability to collaborate with a client before entering graduate school or the workforce will benefit me because I will have a better idea of what to expect before I begin my own work in the clinic. From this experience, I learned to become stern in my treatment approach when working with a client to keep the client engaged and motivated for therapy; otherwise, the client will begin to stray away from treatment, and it is difficult to recollect their attention. I learned that you need to ask questions and take note of the activities that the client is interested in. By expanding the activities and providing a form of reinforcement that is motivating, the client is more likely to actively participate and provide correct speech and language productions. Even though I had limited time in the clinic, being able to work with a client has really motivated me to continue classes and apply for graduate school.
I want to develop personal relationships with clients of my own and have the rewarding experience of mending and creating opportunities for individuals to communicate effectively. Depending on the client’s difficulties, I want to take on the challenge of treatment so they can function in daily life activities. I fully believe that this experience has given me a taste and prepared me for the upcoming years that I will spend working one-on-one with a client. Overall, the associate clinician experience in the Missouri State University Speech Language and Hearing Clinic has provided me with confidence in the information that I have learned in undergraduate school and has encouraged me to continue my knowledge in the Communication Sciences and Disorders
field.