The Practitioner’s Path in Speech-Language Pathology

Book excerpt: The Practitioner's Path in Speech-Language Pathology: The Art of School-Based Practice bridges the gap between theory and practice, evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence, and the science and artistry of speech-language pathology. This book takes a critical look at areas related to wellness, professional development, and growth that can impact the personal self along with the professional self. It examines each area through an overview of inter-disciplinary research in addition to personal narratives illustrating key principles and strategies and offers the reader a professionally balanced perspective. The first section of the book helps us understand the importance of building a foundation for our clinical path through a discussion about scientific and evidence-based principles, different types of knowledge systems, and development of wisdom. The second section of the book helps us understand the importance of supporting our foundation through an introduction to reflection, counsel and care, balance and harmony, growth and detachment. The third section of the book includes chapters that serve as pillars of practice: organizational frameworks, materials and activities, measuring progress, best practices, and the importance of community. The fourth and final section of the book highlights shared vision, clinical expertise, emotional intelligence, leadership trends, the scholarship of teaching and learning, and research dissemination. This book challenges us to consider our own perceptions about the explicit nature of professional practice, and facilitates the development of four attitudes that can have a profound impact on both clinical success and professional satisfaction: a scientific attitude, a therapeutic attitude, a professional attitude, and a leadership attitude. It contains a blend of clinical evidence and research, practitioner views, common sense, philosophical stances, and historical overviews. The Practitioner's Path in Speech-Language Pathology is designed for students and practitioners who are actively involved with the process of knowledge acquisition, and targets issues we encounter along our path to becoming reflective practitioners, as they relate to the excellence behind and scholarship within teaching and learning.