Book Review: The Heartbeat of Speech-Language Pathology

 

Let me just start out by saying that this book landing in my lap at that time it did was totally a God thing. 

I try to read a few speech therapy related books each year. I found this book on Amazon and added it to my cart without really reading the description. I've had it for a month or so and finally sat down to read it. It was like a salve for my little burnt out SLP heart. 

The Heartbeat of Speech-Language Pathology: Changing the World One Session At A Time (affiliate link) by Phu'o'ng Lien Palafox was everything I didn't even know I needed. This last year was rough - the face masks, the tele therapy, the worry. It was filled with learning something new everyday with no resources or money to do it. But somehow, we just kept chugging along. Packets were sent home, conference calls became the norm. Everything changed without warning. I felt like I was just surviving. And I know I wasn't the only one. Then my patients came back and there was a whole new round of challenges - helping children with SPD or ASD wear a mask, finding time to sanitize all the things between patients, keeping everyone safe. This was the first time in a long time that I was feeling burn out. My passion for my job was fizzing out. 

But Phu'o'ng Lien Palafox has written the words that we all need to hear to keep us going without even knowing we would need them so (the book was written in 2018). She reminded me of my why. She reminded me that my work is important and I am needed. She reminded me of all the ways I could make an impact without even realizing it. She reminded me that my patients deserve the best from me, regardless of the circumstances. But she also gave me permission to acknowledge that this job is hard. And it's okay to feel overwhelmed. I was reading it with a sleeping baby on my chest and tears streaming down my face. I have earmarked several pages to refer to when I am feeling this way again - because I am sure it will happen again. Are you going to learn earth-shaking, ground breaking new strategies that will suddenly make even the most challenging situations easier? No. But you are going to feel rejuvenated and invigorated enough to be able to handle it, figure it out, and make it better for you, the patient, and their family. 

If you are feeling overwhelmed and not sure how you are going to survive another school year, I would highly recommend this book for you.