Here's what some of you said on Facebook, Twitter, and in e-mails.
The ASHA Leader asked: What's the best part of being an SLP or Audiologist? What keeps you going back every day?
Watching patients previously NPO [nil per os, or nothing by mouth] on tube feeding enjoying a meal with their family because of swallowing treatment.
Melissa Powell, MS, CCC-SLP
As an active-duty audiologist in the U.S. Navy, mainly focusing on hearing conservation, every day is spent taking care of and educating our war fighters. Giving back to those that sacrifice so much makes every day a joy.
Amanda Oliver Boudreaux, AuD, CCC-A
I work with adults with brain injuries. The best part for me is teaching them to help themselves ... being able to provide tools that they can use to address/solve whatever comes their way feels pretty good. :)
Sara Levis, MA, CCC-SLP
Seeing a child light up when they can be understood. Communication is power!
Lauren Dodson, MS, CCC-SLP
The look on a patient's face after a huge successful production ... speech/language/swallowing—it doesn't matter. That never gets old!!
Julie Cox Dalmasso, MS, CCC-SLP
Giving a nonspeaking child the power of communication: Watching their face light up as they successfully use a communication device for the first time and they realize, "I did that!"
Katrina Hannigan, MS, CCC-SLP
Knowing that I'm privileged to help give kids the best chance at a good life. My parents did that for me, and not every child has that. By being an SLP, I honor those who afforded me the best life.
Ceci Perez, MA, CCC-SLP
Helping my aphasic patients tell their family, "I love you" for the first time after a CVA [cerebrovascular accident, or stroke].
Lacy Aylsworth, MA, CCC-SLP
Taking a patient from NPO and PEG [percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube] to full PO [per os] and no PEG. Also, concocting new things to freeze for my "ice only" patients.
Sheri Fogel Dubiner, MS, CCC-SLP
When doing an AAC [alternative and augmentative communication] assessment and having a client that realizes, "This device gives me words." It can truly be a powerful moment.
Elizabeth Sampson, MA, CCC-SLP
The relationships that naturally develop with the clients I am blessed to help, from school age to geriatric, their families and my coworkers!
Kristen "Zeno" Caipen, MA, CCC-SLP
Knowing that I make a difference in each of my patient's lives makes everything worth it at the end of the day. I love being an SLP!!!
Adam R. Nadle, MS, CCC-SLP
Seeing how much the kids love coming to "speech." At recess the kids say, "Ms. Robyn! Ms. Robyn! Speech today?!?!?!"
Robyn Sebastian, MA, CCC-SLP
The joy at the end of the day knowing you made a difference and helped at least one person and their family come a little closer to their goal.
Chrissy Lecrone-Szczepanek, MS, CCC-SLP
Being able to provide hope, comfort and encouragement to families on a wide range of communication difficulties. This quote describes it well. "... the word ‘encourage' means to inspire courage. Words of affirmation can give someone the courage to move forward, to face things that are hard and to unleash hidden capacities." —Brigham Young University Professor Kent Brooks
Tia Rose Orton, ME, CCC-SLP
It's not one thing. It's all the little things that make me stay. The hugs in the hallway, the light in the students' eyes when they see me, the parents who don't move their student to another school because you're there, and the gift of giving my students the belief in their own abilities.
Melony Scheel O'Flaherty, MS, CCC-SLP
Helping children find their autonomy through communication of their basic wants and needs.
Amber Filipski, MA, CCC-SLP
With the birth-to-3 population, their eyes that know I can communicate with them through play and those first moments when I realize they acquired a new skill. For my high-schoolers, keeping it "real" and relating to them like no other adult can.
Latisha Elliot-Gayle, MS, CCC-SLP
Hearing a child say his/her first words ... the best!
Lucia Cazares, MA, CCC-SLP
Next Issue's Question
How do you help adult clients buy into treatment activities that will ultimately help them?
How to submit your answer:
TWITTER — @ashaweb using hashtag #LeaderPosted
E-MAIL— leader@asha.org.
FACEBOOK—facebook.com/asha.org
Your response may appear in a future issue of The ASHA Leader.