Guest: Emily Sweet, MS, CCC-SLP

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD:

https://www.speechtherapypd.com/courses/multilingual-evaluations

In this episode of School of Speech, host Carolyn Dolby, MS, CCC-SLP, is joined by Emily Sweet, MS, CCC-SLP, to tackle one of the most complex and high-stakes areas of school-based practice: evaluating multilingual children with accuracy and confidence.

Designed for both bilingual and monolingual SLPs, this conversation introduces the converging evidence framework proposed by Castilla-Earls et al. (2020) and explains how multiple sources of data work together to support sound clinical decision-making. Rather than relying on a single test score, Carolyn and Emily walk through how to build a comprehensive evaluation protocol that reflects real-world language use.

Topics include ethnographic interviewing, language sampling, nonword repetition tasks, and dynamic assessment, with clear explanations of how each contributes unique and meaningful information. The episode also addresses ethical and effective approaches for monolingual SLPs who are assessing bilingual or English learner students when a bilingual clinician is not available.

By the end of the episode, listeners will leave with concrete tools, resources, and strategies they can immediately apply to strengthen multilingual evaluations and confidently distinguish language difference from language disorder.

About the Guest: Emily is a bilingual SLP and a clinical associate professor at the Institute for Speech-Language Pathology at Widener University. She earned her MS in Speech Language Pathology with a bilingual extension from Teachers College, Columbia University, and worked for 15 years, first as a hospital-based SLP and then as a school-based SLP. Emily currently specializes in clinical education and issues related to culturally responsive care in pediatric and adult populations.

Guest: Robert McKinney, MA, CCC-SLP

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD:

https://www.speechtherapypd.com/courses/successful-speech-therapy

This first episode of the season of School of Speech focuses on what it really takes to make speech therapy effective and meaningful in the high school setting, where priorities shift and students are preparing for life beyond graduation.

Host Carolyn Dolby, MS, CCC-SLP, sits down with Robert McKinney, MA, CCC-SLP, for an honest, practical conversation about the evolving role of the SLP in secondary schools. Together, they talk through how speech therapy can support academic access, social communication, and increasing independence for teens and young adults.

The discussion centers on the real communication challenges high school students face and how SLPs can design services that fit busy schedules, complex team dynamics, and future-focused goals. Carolyn and Robert also highlight the importance of collaboration, sharing approachable strategies for working with educators, families, and related professionals to support students’ post-secondary transitions.

Grounded in real school environments, this episode offers realistic ideas SLPs can use to strengthen their impact in high school settings while keeping student needs, dignity, and long-term outcomes front and center.

About the Guest: Robert (Bob) McKinney, MA, CCC-SLP, is the author of *Here’s How to Do Accent Modification* (Plural Publishing, 2019). He holds master’s degrees in Communicative Disorders, International Relations, and Education. Bob speaks six languages, has lived in six countries, and has worked with clients from over eighty nations. Prior to becoming a speech-language pathologist, he spent 26 years in ESL instruction, including serving as a teacher trainer at UC San Diego’s English Language Institute. He currently serves as the lead SLP at the Sweetwater Union High School District, working primarily with bilingual students. At San Diego State University, Bob teaches phonetics and supervises graduate students in the Accent and Communication Training Program. He is Chair-Elect of the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association (CSHA) and Co-President of the Corporate Speech Pathology Network (CORSPAN).

*****Originally Aired: January 22, 2025*****

Guest: Julie Barber-Bristol MS, CCC-SLP

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/courses/top-5-tips-for-excelling-in-your-school-based-cfy

In this episode of School of Speech, host Carolyn Dolby and guest Julie Barber-Bristol share essential insights for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) entering their Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) in a school setting. Drawing from their extensive experience, they provide practical strategies to navigate assessments, therapy planning, and professional growth. Julie emphasizes the importance of mastering evaluations, organizing data effectively, and leveraging literacy-based therapy to maximize student engagement and goal attainment. They also discuss the significance of collaboration between CFs and supervisors, creating an environment that fosters learning and confidence.

Listeners will gain valuable tips on balancing workload, embracing continuous learning, and using organization techniques to stay efficient in a fast-paced school environment. The episode underscores the role of mentorship and open communication in shaping a successful CF experience while encouraging both CFs and supervisors to adopt a mindset of flexibility, curiosity, and lifelong learning.

Key Questions:

- How can CFs effectively manage assessments, data collection, and therapy planning to streamline their workflow?

- What strategies can supervisors implement to support and mentor CFs while fostering their clinical independence?

- Why is organization essential for school-based SLPs, and what tools can help CFs stay on top of their responsibilities?

About the Guest: Julie L. Barber-Bristol, MS, CCC-SLP, is a highly experienced speech-language pathologist with a career spanning more than two decades. She holds licenses in New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas, respectively, and specializes in school-based therapy. Julie integrates children’s literature to enhance speech and language development. Currently based in Cypress, Texas, she works in the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District. She previously worked at the Capital Area Intermediate Unit in Pennsylvania, offering therapy across various educational settings. In New York, she worked in private practice, delivering services to clients in diverse settings including homes, preschools, schools, private facilities, hospitals, and nursing facilities.