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This is a brief introduction with samples for developing a professional SWO (strengths, weaknessess, and opportunities) analysis appropriate to each career stage. Note that professional development opportunities may not always lead immediately to a continuing education (CE) activity to fulfill the ASHA CE requirement but are important to ensuring long-term success of the plan.
A. Early career professional development plan for a school-based SLP whose goal is to become competent in assessing and treating students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Professional Strengths
Knowledge of test administration. I understand concepts of test validity and reliability as they apply to tests of receptive and expressive language in school-age children.
Test administration skills: I can administer and interpret the CELF, EOWVT, DTLA, and PPVT-III.
Knowledge of treatment principles: I can interpret results of receptive and expressive language tests to identify appropriate goals of treatment.
Treatment skills: I can establish appropriate school-year goals and contribute to the student's IEP.
Professional Weaknesses
Knowledge of test administration: I am uncertain how to modify testing procedures to identify language disorders in children from culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) backgrounds.
Test administration skills: I do not know how to perform dynamic assessment with students from CLD backgrounds.
- Knowledge of treatment principles: I need additional information on how other cultures regard speech and language disorders and treatment.
- Treatment skills: I am uncertain how to develop and implement a treatment plan for a student from a CLD background.
Professional Opportunities
- Obtain and review ASHA's document: Knowledge and Skills Needed by Speech-Language Pathologists to Provide Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services.
- Attend Convention sessions devoted to assessing and treating school-age children from CLD backgrounds.
- Read articles on assessing and treating school-age children from CLD backgrounds.
- Obtain a self-study sponsor to establish a CE plan for developing knowledge and skills for working with students from CLD backgrounds.
- Join ASHA Special Interest Divisions 1 and 14.
B. Professional development plan for a mid-career professional interested in becoming a clinical supervisor.
Professional Strengths
- Knowledge of supervision: I know the ASHA guidelines for serving as a student practicum supervisor.
Professional Weaknesses
- Knowledge of supervision: I don't know how to differentiate supervision needs of beginning vs. experienced clinicians.
- Supervision skills: I have no supervision experience. I don't know how to conduct a supervisory meeting to obtain maximum benefit for a supervisee.
Professional Opportunities
- Identify, obtain, and read existing textbooks on supervision.
- Join ASHA Special Interest Division 11.
- Attend state and national workshops on supervision.
- Identify a supervision mentor and develop an individual professional growth plan.
- Audit a supervision course.
C. Professional Development Plan for a late-stage professional interested in learning how to develop an in-service presentation for skilled nursing facility staff.
Strengths
- Knowledge about communication and aging and communication issues associated with Alzheimer's disease.
- Developed and implemented communication techniques for family caregivers of Alzheimer's patients.
Weaknesses
- I have not used slide presentation software.
- I have no public presentation experience.
Opportunities
- Take a workshop on professional speaking.
- Work with a mentor to learn how to prepare a PowerPoint presentation.
- Work with the local Alzheimer's Association to identify resources to distribute to staff and families.
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