SLTA time

So just as a bit more background about me, I spent 3 years as a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant (SLTA) in Coventry, working across a number of mainstream and special schools. There was a steep learning curve, particularly when working with speech sound difficulties, but the team of SLTs and Assistants were fantastic. They were supportive, encouraging, great teachers, and no question was too stupid. My work was so varied. I spent one day a week in a mainstream special school, both in their nursery and across their primary classes, two days a week in special schools, and one day a week creating resources and supporting the dysphagia SLTs (those working on swallowing difficulties). With one child I could be doing speech sound work, the next supporting them with AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) and then a language therapy group, as well as training teachers and TAs. Even during the pandemic I was able to continue working, often over video, and working with a small group of therapists to develop resources suitable for teletherapy for our team. I loved my job but spending time with such a fantastic bunch of SLTs made me want more....