In this episode, we discuss Chapters 5 and 6 of The Secondary SLP Roadmap by Hallie Sherman, which focus on connection over data collection and the importance of incorporating students’ interests into therapy. We talk about why building trust and rapport with secondary students is such an important part of meaningful intervention and how relationships can support engagement and progress. These chapters also highlight the value of using student interests to make sessions more relevant, motivating, and age respectful. We reflect on the balance between collecting useful data and staying present in the interaction so therapy does not start to feel disconnected or overly rigid. If you work with middle or high school students, this conversation offers helpful reminders about what really helps therapy feel meaningful and effective.

You can check out Adrianne's app, Say Hello, by going to sayhellospeech.com/say-hello-app.

View the app in the Apple App Store here and on Google Play here.

Find great shirts, sweatshirts, and wall art for SLPs in Laura's Etsy shop, Sunshine Speech Studio.

If you love what we're doing at the SLP Book Club, please consider leaving us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen. This is the best way to support the podcast and help other SLPs and educators find us!

Connect with us on instagram @slp_bookclub

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we discuss Chapter 4 of The Secondary SLP Roadmap by Hallie Sherman, which focuses on practical strategies for working with middle and high school students. We talk about how therapy with secondary students often looks different from elementary speech therapy and why choosing strategies that support real classroom demands is so important. This chapter highlights approaches that help students build functional communication, language, and learning skills they can use across classes and everyday situations. We also share ideas for making therapy engaging and relevant for older students while still targeting meaningful goals. If you are looking for fresh strategies to use with your secondary caseload, this conversation offers helpful ideas you can bring directly into your sessions.

You can check out Adrianne's app, Say Hello, by going to sayhellospeech.com/say-hello-app.

View the app in the Apple App Store here and on Google Play here.

Find great shirts, sweatshirts, and wall art for SLPs in Laura's Etsy shop, Sunshine Speech Studio.

If you love what we're doing at the SLP Book Club, please consider leaving us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen. This is the best way to support the podcast and help other SLPs and educators find us!

Connect with us on instagram @slp_bookclub

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we discuss chapter three of The Secondary SLP Roadmap by Hallie Sherman, which focuses on where to start when working with secondary students and how to set meaningful therapy goals. We talk about how shifting toward functional, real world communication goals can help therapy feel more relevant for middle and high school students. This chapter encourages SLPs to look at the bigger picture of student needs and prioritize skills that support academic success, independence, and future planning. We also discuss strategies for deciding what to target first when students have multiple areas of need. If you have ever felt overwhelmed trying to prioritize goals on a secondary caseload, this conversation offers practical ideas and reassurance. Join us as we reflect on how this chapter can help guide therapy planning and support student success beyond the therapy room.

You can check out Adrianne's app, Say Hello, by going to sayhellospeech.com/say-hello-app.

View the app in the Apple App Store here and on Google Play here.

Find great shirts, sweatshirts, and wall art for SLPs in Laura's Etsy shop, Sunshine Speech Studio.

If you love what we're doing at the SLP Book Club, please consider leaving us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen. This is the best way to support the podcast and help other SLPs and educators find us!

Connect with us on instagram @slp_bookclub

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're finally back with a new book! In this episode, we kick off our discussion of The Secondary SLP Road Map by Hallie Sherman, starting with the introduction and first two chapters. We talk about the unique role of the secondary school SLP, including the shift from early language development to supporting academic, social, and functional communication skills for older students. We also explore common challenges clinicians face in middle and high school settings, such as caseload complexity, collaboration with staff, and navigating schedules and service delivery models. Join us as we reflect on practical strategies and mindset shifts that can help SLPs feel more confident and effective when working with secondary students.

We're discussing this book on WhatsApp! Click here to join the group!

You can check out Adrianne's app, Say Hello, by going to sayhellospeech.com/say-hello-app.

View the app in the Apple App Store here and on Google Play here.

Find great shirts, sweatshirts, and wall art for SLPs in Laura's Etsy shop, Sunshine Speech Studio.

If you love what we're doing at the SLP Book Club, please consider leaving us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen. This is the best way to support the podcast and help other SLPs and educators find us!

Connect with us on instagram @slp_bookclub

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're reading Chapter Ten from Free to Learn by Peter Gray, "Trustful Parenting in Our Modern World." In this chapter, Gray explores what it means to practice trustful parenting in today’s world. He describes how trusting children’s natural abilities to learn and grow (rather than controlling or over-directing them) creates space for independence, confidence, and responsibility. We discuss the tension many modern parents feel between societal pressures for achievement and the instinct to give kids freedom. Gray emphasizes that children flourish when adults provide safety, support, and resources while stepping back enough for curiosity and play to guide development. In our conversation, we reflect on how this perspective can shape our work as speech therapists.

We're discussing this book on WhatsApp! Click here to join the group!

Head to patreon.com/theslpbookclub/membership to become an SLP Book Club supporter! You'll get episodes early and ad-free and a resource from Laura's TPT store every month.

You can check out Adrianne's app, Say Hello, by going to sayhellospeech.com/say-hello-app.

View the app in the Apple App Store here and on Google Play here.

Find great shirts, sweatshirts, and wall art for SLPs in Laura's Etsy shop, Sunshine Speech Studio.

If you love what we're doing at the SLP Book Club, please consider leaving us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen. This is the best way to support the podcast and help other SLPs and educators find us!

Connect with us on instagram @slp_bookclub

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're reading Chapter Nine from Free to Learn by Peter Gray, "Free Age Mixing: A Key Ingredient for Children's Capacity for Self-Education." In this chapter, Gray focuses on the unique value of age-mixed play, where younger and older children learn together. He shows how younger kids benefit from observing and modeling older peers, while older children gain patience, empathy, and leadership skills by guiding the younger ones. We discuss how these interactions create a natural cycle of learning that is often missing in age-segregated classrooms. Gray emphasizes that age-mixed play mirrors real-life communities, making it one of the most powerful settings for both academic and social growth.

We're discussing this book on WhatsApp! Click here to join the group!

Head to patreon.com/theslpbookclub/membership to become an SLP Book Club supporter! You'll get episodes early and ad-free and a resource from Laura's TPT store every month.

You can check out Adrianne's app, Say Hello, by going to sayhellospeech.com/say-hello-app.

View the app in the Apple App Store here and on Google Play here.

Find great shirts, sweatshirts, and wall art for SLPs in Laura's Etsy shop, Sunshine Speech Studio.

If you love what we're doing at the SLP Book Club, please consider leaving us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen. This is the best way to support the podcast and help other SLPs and educators find us!

Connect with us on instagram @slp_bookclub

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're reading Chapter Eight from Free to Learn by Peter Gray, "The Role of Play in Social and Emotional Development." In this chapter, Gray explains how play is essential for children’s social and emotional development. Through play, kids practice cooperation, negotiation, empathy, and conflict resolution in ways that can’t be taught through direct instruction. We discuss how these experiences help children learn to manage emotions, build friendships, and develop resilience. Gray emphasizes that mixed-age, self-directed play provides especially rich opportunities for growth because younger children learn from older ones and older children practice leadership and care. In our conversation, we connect these ideas to speech therapy, reflecting on how play-based interactions support not only communication skills but also the social-emotional foundations that make learning possible.

We're discussing this book on WhatsApp! Click here to join the group!

Head to patreon.com/theslpbookclub/membership to become an SLP Book Club supporter! You'll get episodes early and ad-free and a resource from Laura's TPT store every month.

You can check out Adrianne's app, Say Hello, by going to sayhellospeech.com/say-hello-app.

View the app in the Apple App Store here and on Google Play here.

Find great shirts, sweatshirts, and wall art for SLPs in Laura's Etsy shop, Sunshine Speech Studio.

If you love what we're doing at the SLP Book Club, please consider leaving us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen. This is the best way to support the podcast and help other SLPs and educators find us!

Connect with us on instagram @slp_bookclub

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're reading Chapter Seven from Free to Learn by Peter Gray. In this chapter, Gray explores the “playful state of mind,” showing how play supports creativity, flexibility, and resilience in learning. He explains that play isn’t just an activity but a mindset where mistakes become opportunities and curiosity leads the way. We talk about how this state helps children take risks, problem-solve, and develop confidence without the fear of being judged. Gray contrasts this with the rigid, high-pressure atmosphere of traditional schooling, which often suppresses playfulness and intrinsic motivation. In our discussion, we reflect on how speech therapists can intentionally use playful contexts to reduce anxiety, encourage exploration, and make communication practice more meaningful.

We're discussing this book on WhatsApp! Click here to join the group!

Head to patreon.com/theslpbookclub/membership to become an SLP Book Club supporter! You'll get episodes early and ad-free and a resource from Laura's TPT store every month.

You can check out Adrianne's app, Say Hello, by going to sayhellospeech.com/say-hello-app.

View the app in the Apple App Store here and on Google Play here.

Find great shirts, sweatshirts, and wall art for SLPs in Laura's Etsy shop, Sunshine Speech Studio.

If you love what we're doing at the SLP Book Club, please consider leaving us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen. This is the best way to support the podcast and help other SLPs and educators find us!

Connect with us on instagram @slp_bookclub

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.