Better Speech & Hearing Month Practitioner Spotlight

Kari Armideo

Why did you decide to become a Speech-Language Pathologist?
I originally was in school to become an early elementary teacher, but, during the summer, I had two jobs that opened my eyes to new possibilities. The first was working in a long-term care facility and the other was working with an autistic child who went to speech therapy. Working with the young child presented the opportunity to learn what the job of a speech-language pathologist entailed. I was very interested. While working in the long-term care facility, I realized that I enjoyed working with people of all ages! After researching the work of a speech-language pathologist, I changed colleges and switched majors to begin to study the field of Speech-Language Pathology. It seemed like the best job. I could see so many opportunities to work with people of all ages with so many specialties in the areas of speech, language, and communication.

How did you end up as an SLP at SDP?
I moved to Philadelphia 4 years ago. Prior to moving here, I worked in Cincinnati Public Schools, which was another larger urban school district. I knew I wanted to work in another urban district that challenged me, but also presented many opportunities o challenge myself and work in fulfilling situations. So, over my spring break, I traveled here to interview for the next year!

What is the best part about being a SLP?
It is difficult to just pick one thing. Hearing from parents and colleagues about students’ successes is probably the most satisfying and fulfilling thing about my job. When I hear that a child did something independently or was able to ask for something shows the strength and determination of the child to take what I teach them and succeed. In my position, I get to work with many people and support them with their communication skills which I see as one of the most important life skills.

How do you feel SLPs improve the lives of their students?
And, share what it means to you when you see the progress and success of your students. Communication is one of the most important skills we have as human beings. Everyone has the right to be heard and as SLPs, we get to work with students primarily to improve that! Whether it be working with a student to improve speech sounds so that they may be more intelligible to communication partners, working with a student who communicates using augmentative and alternative communication devices or building confidence in someone who stutters so that they can communicate in different environments are all ways that SLP’s improve the lives of those with whom we work. We get to support students to build their speech and language skills to improve their overall communication skills and access the school curriculum.

What is something you think everyone should know about SLPs?
That SLPs do more than work on fixing lisps or work on /l / and /r/. I think everyone should know what we can bring to the table as part of a team. We are able to assist with social skills, vocabulary development, formulating thoughts (written, verbal, using communication devices), and comprehension of language while also working on speech sounds. Everyone should know the tools we can give to a school team to help all students learn.

Tell us about any current unique programs or initiatives you have created or worked on to support students?
Khaiden uses a speech generating device to communicate throughout the day. He communicates across his school environments using his SGD with a variety of people. It’s so rewarding to hear from people like our climate manager or the cafeteria staff that he uses his device to ask for help or request certain food. Khaiden has mastered the ability to communicate his wants effectively. He can confidently let anyone know he wants something! My role now is to support him, his teacher, and his family to use his device to communicate for other purposes. Khaiden is beginning to participate in games with his peers, asking them if they would like to play games and taking turns. He is using his device to participate more during academic work and circle time, and is making comments throughout the day. He never leaves the room without his device. Khaiden is also beginning to verbally communicate more as he uses his device! Therefore, we continue to support all forms of communication.

I am very lucky to work with an amazing team of people who are willing to collaborate, ask questions, make suggestions and do what is best for our students. It makes my job so much more rewarding and fun. The fact that everyone is unified for one common goal, the success of the students, is what I wake up for each day!

Kim Behling

Why did you decide to become a Speech-Language Pathologist?
When I was in high school, I watched my grandmother receive speech and swallowing therapy in the hospital after suffering from a stroke. Through her recovery, I saw first hand how this specialized service helped her regain many of her communication and feeding abilities. I knew then that this was something I wanted to pursue.

How did you end up as an SLP at SDP?
I had been working with adults and early intervention students in years prior and wanted a change. I saw there were positions available within the SDP and I applied! I’m so thankful to have landed in a district with such a supportive speech and language department!

What is the best part about being a SLP?
Being able to work with students with diverse needs is both challenging and rewarding. Educating and empowering students and their families is my favorite part of this job!

How do you feel SLPs improve the lives of their students?
We help to ensure that our students are effective communicators. To see success with our students is extremely fulfulling!

What is something you think everyone should know about SLPs?
One of the great things about our field is that you can work with individuals across the lifespan. We assist in building essential communication skills that stay with our students beyond the classroom.

Tell us about any current unique programs or initiatives you have created or worked on to support students?
When working with our neurodivergent students, we foster communication in all forms. Sib uses a speech generating device, in combination with gestures and vocalizations, to communicate. My role in supporting Sib is ensuring he has access to his device during the school day, modeling language on his device, and assisting his teacher and classroom staff on how to support, honor, and respond to all of his communication attempts.

Lourdes Pride

Why did you decide to become a Speech-Language Pathologist?
I decided to become a speech and language pathologist because I wanted to provide a lasting positive influence on others’ lives. I learned about the profession as a sophomore in high school. While babysitting a child who struggled with communication, I observed this child progress from being minimally verbal to expressing basic wants and needs. I remember being so excited when he asked for his favorite show. He was now able to communicate with his family and caretakers with the help of a speech and language pathologist. This intrigued me and prompted me to do research into the profession.

How did you end up as an SLP at SDP?
I grew up in North Philadelphia and attended Philadelphia public schools. After high school, I completed my undergrad and graduate studies at Misericordia University. I wanted to give back to my bilingual community. I knew that my community needed and deserved someone who could provide them with services in their native language.

What is the best part about being a SLP?
The best part of being a bilingual SLP is providing my expertise and services to the families in our community in their native language. As an SLP, I have been able to assist students in finding their voices and a means to communicate.

How do you feel SLPs improve the lives of their students?
We provide our students with a voice. We build on their strengths and assist them in forming the foundation needed to express themselves to the best of their abilities.

I am always elated when I see my students progress. Every student deserves to have a voice and a way to communicate. It is an overwhelming feeling when I see my students empowered and heard.

What is something you think everyone should know about SLPs?
SLPs are widely versed and trained to treat disorders that affect the entire communication system. These include language, fluency, voice, cognitive, social skills, feeding & swallowing, and speech sounds.

Tell us about any current unique programs or initiatives you have created or worked on to support students?
I currently support my bilingual students who use speech-generating devices by making sure their devices include Spanish and English vocabulary sets. This allows them to continue to expand on their native language and continues to enable communication at home. My role in supporting them is to make sure the school staff and caregivers are trained in the care and use of the speech-generating devices.

Kerry Adams

Why did you decide to become a Speech-Language Pathologist?
After my father’s stroke he was in a rehabilitation center for several months. I spent everyday visiting and working with him and his team of therapists. It was amazing to observe their interventions and see my father progress. Seeing the way they helped people recover and rebuild independence after such an event was amazing.

How did you end up as an SLP at SDP?
I have stayed in touch with my graduate program professors. After hearing that I was moving to Philadelphia one of them reached out to me. They shared that the District was hiring and looking for SLPs. I applied and the rest is history.

What is the best part about being a SLP?
The best part about being an SLP in general is seeing clients/students make progress and working with families. The best part about working as an SLP for SDP is the support and partnership from other SDP SLPs and the team of teachers and staff at my payroll school (Penn Treaty).

How do you feel SLPs improve the lives of their students?
SLPs improve the lives of students by helping them understand the world around them and helping them find the words to talk about their world. Seeing progress and success with my students fills me with joy for them.

What is something you think everyone should know about SLPs?
In schools, speech language pathologists work with individuals with speech sound delays/disorders, receptive language and expressive language delays/disorders, fluency disorders, and social language disorders. We do so much more than articulation and have extensive knowledge on the development and structure of language.

Tell us about any current unique programs or initiatives you have created or worked on to support students?
At my payroll school we are working on building an AAC library for device trials and to provide support to students who are awaiting a device. I am a member of a local organization that works to improve working conditions for SLPs. I co chair a racial justice and equity committee that seeks to educate/inform, inspire, and elevate the practice of SLPs working within diverse communities.