Description: Written primarily for speech and language therapy students, this book provides information, ideas, case illustrations and concepts which will help those making the transition from student to qualified clinician. Drawing on their long experience with students of speech and language therapy in clinical settings, workshops, seminars, tutorials and lectures, as well as on their own professional development as speech and language clinicians, the authors have concluded that the only way to be ready to face the demands of professional practice and life-long learning is to acquire a thorough understanding of the process and practice of clinical work. Their book therefore focuses on how students can apply what they have learned to bridge the gap between theory and therapy as they begin their professional practice.

Clinical process is about the methods and actions that are used to effect positive change in the communication functioning of people. Students commonly yearn to be told what to do when faced with a clinical problem. While demonstrating and explaining techniques such as ways of administering assessments, ways of interacting, and ways of shaping and reinforcing behaviors are useful and essential, the appropriate and successful use of such methods must depend on a whole wealth of awareness, knowledge, attitudes and behaviors. Professional practice is about the context in which clinicians work, the people with whom they work, and the standards, attitudes and behaviors that they adopt in order to provide a high quality of care for people with communication disorders. This book conveys both the prerequisite skills and aptitude, and the understanding of the scope of speech and therapypractice needed to perform successfully as a speech and language therapy clinician.

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