Many of us find ourselves the only bilingual therapist on the speech and language team in our districts. It can feel frustrating and isolating to complete evaluations, work through a differential diagnosis, and write appropriate goals without bilingual support nearby.
Monolingual therapists can bounce ideas off each other anytime they want. What can you do to increase community with other bilingual therapists? How can you actively grow and be challenged professionally?
- Use your SSG resources! Our Bilingual Consultant is always available to help and listen. Bridge Academy has helpful content, as well! If you requested to be paired up with a bilingual peer, you will receive information on that soon.
- Maintain contact with any bilingual professors and peers from graduate school. If you have lost touch with these individuals, make a conscious effort to re-engage professionally. You can never have too many brains to bounce ideas off of!
- Attend bilingual sessions at conferences and network with other attendees. Don’t miss any opportunity to challenge yourself professionally. Not only will the information in these sessions be beneficial to you, you can also meet like-minded therapists and build professional relationships with them.
- Join Sig Group 14: Cultural and Linguistic Diversity so you can learn about current clinical issues other clinicians are facing. There are a variety of topics in the different posts and therapists from all backgrounds and experiences contribute to the dialogue.
- Seek out and attend additional trainings, seminars, and continuing education opportunities when available. If an opportunity for continuing education, volunteer experience, or other professional development arises, take advantage of it. Even if it’s during your CFY and you won’t receive credit, take advantage of the other professional and personal benefits you will gain by participating.
