SLP Full Disclosure

What if the career path you were told to avoid turned out to be the best decision you ever made?In this episode of SLP Full Disclosure, host Michelle sits down with Claudia Jones, a travel occupational therapist with AMN Healthcare and 11 contracts under her belt. Claudia shares how she went from a new grad who was warned away from travel therapy to a passionate advocate helping the next generation of clinicians take that first leap. From building unexpected friendships to growing as a clinician in a small Oregon hospital—the only OT on staff across three settings—her story is equal parts inspiring and practical.Key Topics Discussed:Overcoming the stigma around new grad travel contracts and what has changedAMN's new grad mentorship program and clinical support teamThe recruiter relationship and why it can make or break your experienceClaudia's Oregon contract: handling three settings solo and thrivingStrategies for staying connected with family and friends while on assignmentMeeting lifelong friends on the road, including one via InstagramWorking with Jill Pantle on AMN's University and Alumni Outreach ProgramWhy travel therapy is a low-risk way to explore settings, locations, and your own strengthsChapters:00:00—Introduction and meet Claudia Jones01:30—Why new grads hesitate and how mentorship has changed the conversation03:40—The recruiter relationship: finding your person at AMN06:00—Claudia's journey: from Pennsylvania to 11 contracts nationwide10:45—The Oregon contract: three settings, one OT, one unforgettable experience13:20—Staying connected: family visits, trips home, and a best friend from Instagram20:20—Working with Jill Panto and the AMN University and Alumni Program25:35—Dispelling the myths around travel therapy for new grads31:30—Final advice: "What's the worst that can happen? Anybody can do anything for three months."Meet Claudia JonesMeet Claudia Jones, a travel occupational therapist, who has completed 11 contracts across South Carolina, Oregon, Indiana, and Florida. Claudia started her travel career straight out of school—despite being told not to—and has since become a mentor and advocate for new grads considering the same path. Passionate about building connection, embracing flexibility, and growing clinically through every assignment, Claudia works with AMN's University and Alumni Program to bring honest, firsthand guidance to students before they ever sign their first contract.Ready to take that first step toward your travel therapy career? Subscribe to SLP Full Disclosure and share this episode with a new grad who needs to hear it.Follow Claudia on TikTok WIN A TRIP TO ASHA 2026 ON US! Enter to win!The Top-5 Highest Paying States for School & Travel SLPs! Browse School Therapy Jobs & CareersLearn more about the show: SLP Full Disclosure PodcastLevel up your career today! Connect with a recruiter!Support for every step. Learn more about AMN Healthcare's EAP Program. Share the opportunity and refer a friend today! Episode Sponsor:We're proudly sponsored by AMN Healthcare, the leader in healthcare staffing and workforce solutions. Explore their services at AMN Healthcare. Discover job opportunities and manage your assignments with ease using AMN Passport. Download the AMN Passport App today! WebsiteTikTokInstagramYouTubeApple PodcastsSpotifyPowered by AMN Healthcare Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After nearly two decades of working in pragmatics and social communication, Erin Weiner noticed something shifting. Her clients were no longer engaged by traditional curricula. They were online, motivated by media and games—and she was only seeing them for one hour a week. So she did something unconventional: she built a solution. Autizan is an AI-powered platform that meets neurodivergent individuals where they are. Through an AI Chat Buddy avatar, interest-based conversations, and a guided Minecraft-based social world, users practice communication skills in a low-pressure, non-judgmental environment while SLPs and families track progress through a back-end dashboard. The platform is designed not to replace therapy, but to extend it. This episode is packed with real success stories, practical guidance for SLPs and families, and a frank conversation about what it means to bring AI into ethical, effective clinical practice. Follow SLP Full Disclosure on Instagram at @AMN_Ally for show updates and SLP opportunities.   Key Takeaways Interest-Based Learning Works: When the platform meets users where they are, whether that's Sonic the Hedgehog, Minecraft, or ice cream, engagement follows naturally, and goals are woven into the conversation without the user even realizing it. AI Bridges the Gap Between Sessions: Autizan gives clients a place to turn when situations arise between therapy appointments, helping prevent regression and reducing the need for crisis intervention. The AI Chat Buddy Avatar Supports All Ages: Users eight and up who can read at approximately a third-grade level can interact with the avatar. Speaking is not required, making it accessible to a wide range of communicators. Minecraft as a Social Skills Lab: The platform's guided Minecraft world lets users practice real-world skills like teamwork, negotiation, and handling unexpected change in a safe, structured environment where four of the five characters are neurodivergent. Self-Regulation Benefits Were Unexpected: Multiple teachers and parents reported that Autizan helped with emotional regulation, not just communication goals—a discovery Erin hadn't originally anticipated. The Dashboard Gives SLPs Actionable Data: The back-end portal lets professionals and parents review session transcripts, monitor goal progress, and track usage—all exportable for IEP meetings and documentation. AI Complements SLPs—It Doesn't Replace Them: Erin is clear that Autizan is a tool, not a therapist. The human connection remains irreplaceable; AI simply extends the reach and frequency of meaningful practice.   Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: Host Michelle Gage welcomes Erin Weiner and shares her full bio 01:55 – Erin's clinical journey: noticing the shift in client engagement and identifying key pain points 03:34 – The "why" behind Autizan: limited session time, real-time needs, and the role of AI 05:12 – How Autizan was built: starting with pain points, hiring developers, and leaning on mentors 06:19 – What Autizan is: an AI-powered, interest-based social communication platform 07:06 – How SLPs use Autizan: school groups, IEP goals, no prep required 08:20 – The AI Chat Buddy avatar: what a session looks like and how goals are embedded 09:18 – Home use and carryover: parents putting goals into the platform and seeing results 10:19 – The Minecraft component: rebuilding a village, learning teamwork, and the neurodivergent-majority world 11:33 – How Autizan works within Minecraft (without selling the game) 11:57 – Platform access: web-based, available on phones, iPads, and computers 12:41 – Age ranges and accessibility: who benefits most from the avatar vs. the Minecraft component 13:15 – School-based feedback: teacher responses, token limits, and session make-ups 14:08 – The back-end dashboard: transcripts, goal tracking, and documentation for IEPs 15:06 – Success story: the child in meltdown who connected with the "Autizan woman" 15:52 – Self-regulation outcomes: an unexpected but significant benefit reported by teachers 16:29 – Success story: the young adult with a job who used Autizan during an unexpected workplace closure 17:03 – How AI is changing speech pathology, and why it won't replace SLPs 18:46 – The value of extra practice: how repetition with the avatar built conversational flexibility 20:50 – Advice for SLPs hesitant about AI: get on board or get left behind 22:57 – Advice for families: supplement therapy, create custom social stories, personalize the experience 23:28 – Closing remarks and where to find Autizan and Erin online   Meet and Connect with Erin Weiner and Autizan Erin Weiner, M.S., CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist, innovator, and the founder of Autizan. Erin earned her Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Florida International University and her Bachelor of Arts from The George Washington University. She's certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), trained in Michelle Garcia Winner's Social Thinking methodology and UCLA's PEERS Program, and she brings nearly two decades of experience in pragmatics and social communication to everything she does. What makes Erin such a joy to talk with is how she blends deep clinical know-how with a genuine drive to try something new. After years of meeting clients where they are, she noticed the world shifting. Instead of fighting it, she built a solution. That solution is Autizan: a scalable AI platform designed to support social communication for neurodivergent individuals, along with the families, teachers, and clinicians who support them across school, home, and clinical settings. Website: www.autizan.com Erin's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/erin-weiner-2904a34 Autizan on Instagram: instagram.com/autizanofficial Autizan on Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580818370224 Autizan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/autizan WIN A TRIP TO ASHA 2026 ON US! Enter to win!The Top-5 Highest Paying States for School & Travel SLPs! Browse School Therapy Jobs & CareersLearn more about the show: SLP Full Disclosure PodcastLevel up your career today! Connect with a recruiter!Support for every step. Learn more about AMN Healthcare's EAP Program. Share the opportunity and refer a friend today! Episode Sponsor:We're proudly sponsored by AMN Healthcare, the leader in healthcare staffing and workforce solutions. Explore their services at AMN Healthcare. Discover job opportunities and manage your assignments with ease using AMN Passport. Download the AMN Passport App today! WebsiteTikTokInstagramYouTubeApple PodcastsSpotifyPowered by AMN Healthcare Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Izzy Montano's path to speech-language pathology started in the deaf community of San Diego, wound through the U.S. Navy's intelligence division, and eventually landed him in a school district managing a caseload of over 100 students. Somewhere in the middle of all that, he taught himself to code and built SLP AI Tools, a platform designed specifically to eliminate the administrative burnout that plagues so many clinicians. In this conversation, Izzy and Michelle unpack what AI actually is (and isn't), why paperwork can never love you back, and how shifting the cognitive load from writing to editing can restore the human connection at the heart of the profession.  Izzy also gives a candid look at the propaganda on both sides of the AI debate, explains why a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) is non-negotiable before using any AI platform, and reminds every listener—new grad and 30-year veteran alike—that AI is a tool to amplify clinical expertise, not replace it. Whether you are drowning in IEP paperwork, just starting your career journey, or somewhere in between, this episode will change how you think about AI in your practice. Key Takeaways AI simulates output—it never simulates origin. Human clinical judgment, creativity, and decision-making cannot be replicated. AI produces a first draft; the SLP shapes the final product. Editing is faster than starting from zero. Shifting the cognitive load from generation to editing dramatically reduces documentation time, leaving more bandwidth for direct client care. A Business Associate Agreement (BAA) is non-negotiable. Before using any AI platform with patient or student information, confirm that a BAA is in place to ensure HIPAA compliance. Graduate students can access AI Praxis Prep for free. A 30-day free trial is available for students preparing for the Praxis exam, with the ability to focus on specific topic and subtopic areas.   Chapters and Timestamps 00:00:00—Introduction and Welcome: Michelle introduces Izzy Montano and his background as a Navy veteran, school-based SLP, and founder of SLP AI Tools 00:02:24—Izzy's Journey: From San Diego's deaf community and American Sign Language to speech-language pathology and the U.S. Navy 00:03:51—From Teletherapy to AI: How Izzy's private practice teletherapy experience sparked his interest in coding and building AI tools for SLPs 00:07:53—Building SLP AI Tools: How Izzy coded the platform himself using AI, starting with a Chrome extension concept and scaling to a full web application and iOS app 00:09:47—The AI Debate: A balanced look at the propaganda on both sides of the AI conversation, drawing on Izzy's background in Naval Intelligence 00:13:48—AI as an Output Simulator: Izzy's foundational principle—AI can simulate output but can never simulate origin—and what that means for SLP practice 00:15:26—Paperwork Can Never Love You Back: Why reducing documentation time is ultimately about returning focus to patients, families, and clinical outcomes 00:17:56—The Editing Advantage: Why the editing phase of the literary process matters more than the writing phase, and how AI accelerates the path to a polished clinical document 00:20:30—The SOAP Note Tool: How the tool generates fresh, session-specific SOAP notes from live dictation, including full support for group sessions 00:22:42—The Evaluation Sidekick: Apple Watch wireless mic integration, customizable templates, and hands-free first-draft evaluation reports 00:25:07—Language Sample Analysis Tool: Automated transcription and analysis that calculates MLU, TTR, C-units, percent grammatical utterances, and more—in collaboration with CMU Case 00:29:21—The Caseload Calendar: How the logic-based scheduling tool generates multiple caseload schedule options within a single day, with a patent pending 00:32:17—AI Praxis Prep: Praxis preparation aligned to ETS guidelines, with topic-specific customization and a free 30-day trial for graduate students 00:34:01—SLP Chat: A speech-language pathology-specific AI tool for creating therapy materials, custom games, and parent-friendly resources 00:35:19—Staying Current with AI: How Izzy keeps pace with a rapidly evolving technology landscape and what he wants to learn from the broader SLP community 00:37:34—ASHA Indianapolis: Izzy's booth at the ASHA Convention—directly across from AMN Healthcare 00:38:46—Advice for SLPs Using AI: Always confirm a BAA is in place, use AI to amplify your work, and remember that the profession started with the focus on people   Meet Izzy Montano Izzy Montano—known as Mr. Speechy on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok—is a father of four, Navy veteran, and self-employed SLP contractor based in the Arlington School District, where he serves developmental preschool and high school students on a caseload of more than 100. He is also the founder of SLP AI Tools, an AI-powered platform and iOS app designed to eliminate administrative burnout for speech-language pathologists. Izzy served as a U.S. Naval Intelligence Specialist from 2015 to 2022, stationed in San Diego, Hawaii, and Australia. His journey into communication began with American Sign Language in San Diego's deaf community before his passion led him to speech-language pathology. He completed his graduate training at San Diego State University and the University of South Dakota. Outside of work, Izzy is working toward the 1,000-pound club in weightlifting and looks forward to his wife Kaylie's homemade sourdough pizza with pineapple. Connect with Izzy: YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok: @Mr. Speechy Email: [email protected] Resources and Calls to Action Download the SLP AI Tools App on the iOS App Store—search SLP AI Tools Graduate students: Sign up for a free 30-day trial of AI Praxis Prep before your Praxis exam at slptools.ai Visit Izzy's booth at the ASHA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana—directly across from the AMN Healthcare booth     WIN A TRIP TO ASHA 2026 ON US! Enter to win!The Top-5 Highest Paying States for School & Travel SLPs! Browse School Therapy Jobs & CareersLearn more about the show: SLP Full Disclosure PodcastLevel up your career today! Connect with a recruiter!Support for every step. Learn more about AMN Healthcare's EAP Program. Share the opportunity and refer a friend today! Episode Sponsor:We're proudly sponsored by AMN Healthcare, the leader in healthcare staffing and workforce solutions. Explore their services at AMN Healthcare. Discover job opportunities and manage your assignments with ease using AMN Passport. Download the AMN Passport App today! WebsiteTikTokInstagramYouTubeApple PodcastsSpotifyPowered by AMN Healthcare Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome back to another episode of the SLP Full Disclosure podcast. In Episode 144, host Michelle sits down with Maurice Goodwin, a licensed speech-language pathologist and voice teacher based in Houston, Texas. Maurice is the founder of Goodwin Voice and Speech, adjunct faculty at Lamar University and Marymount University, and a specialist in voice and upper airway disorders. Together, they pull back the curtain on a subspecialty that many SLPs rarely encounter—and explain why that needs to change. Maurice shares his unique path into speech pathology—from vocal performance and music in undergrad to becoming a voice specialist who works with professional singers, performers, and medical patients alike. The conversation covers the full spectrum of voice disorders, diagnostic tools (many of them free), therapy approaches for pediatric and adult clients, and the critical importance of medical collaboration. Michelle also opens up about her own post-surgical voice experience, making for a candid and relatable discussion. Whether you're a new grad, a school-based SLP who has never seen a voice referral, or a seasoned clinician curious about expanding your scope, this episode delivers practical insight and genuine encouragement. Key Takeaways Voice Is a Broader Scope Than Most SLPs Realize: Voice disorders range from nodules and muscle tension dysphonia to neurologic conditions like spasmodic dysphonia, head and neck cancer, and post-surgical dysphonia. Hospital-based clinics manage the most medically complex cases, but community-based and school SLPs have real opportunities for early impact. Free Tools Exist for Voice Diagnostics: The CAPE-V, the GRBAS scale, pediatric patient-reported outcome measures, and Praat acoustic analysis software are all accessible and implementable without expensive equipment. Move Away from "Stop It" Therapy: Rather than telling clients what not to do, effective voice therapy focuses on active skill-building—using play-based activities, shaping voice behavior in real contexts, and teaching healthy voice use. Voice Therapy Is Not Harmful, but It Can Be Unhelpful: Without complete diagnostics or a clear understanding of the etiology, therapy may not produce results. Good diagnostics and medical collaboration are key to ensuring intervention is targeted and effective. SLPs Are Professional Voice Users Too: Using your voice for eight to 10 hours a day in clinical and social settings adds up. Awareness, balance, and rest are foundational to vocal health for clinicians themselves. The Research Is Positive: Evidence supports that when SLPs are involved—whether through indirect hygiene-based approaches or direct voice exercises—clients improve. The data is encouraging. Timestamps 00:00:00 – Introduction: Michelle welcomes Maurice Goodwin and shares his background 00:02:11 – Maurice's origin story: from vocal performer to speech-language pathologist 00:03:39 – Inside a hospital-based voice clinic: what clients and diagnoses look like 00:06:08 – What therapy looks like for medical voice patients vs. professional performers 00:08:35 – Diagnostics in the school setting: free tools and accessible resources 00:12:44 – What voice therapy looks like for pediatric clients 00:14:44 – The problem with "stop it" therapy and why active therapy wins 00:15:39 – Unpacking the statement: "Voice therapy is not harmful, but may not be helpful" 00:17:10 – The medical diagnosis gap: why laryngeal imaging matters 00:18:27 – Michelle's personal experience with post-surgical dysphonia 00:22:42 – Vocal health for SLPs: voice fatigue, balance, and knowing when to rest 00:25:17 – ASHA resources, perspectives, and the practice portal for voice disorders 00:27:37 – Advice for new grads and early-career SLPs interested in voice Resources Mentioned CAPE-V (Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice) – Free auditory-perceptual rating scale for documenting voice quality https://www.asha.org/form/cape-v/ GRBAS Scale – Rates voice characteristics including roughness, breathiness, weakness, and strain https://nyvoice.org/forms/Pediatric%20Voice%20Handicap%20Index.pdf Pediatric Voice Handicap Index and Pediatric Voice-Related Quality of Life – Patient-reported outcome measures for pediatric voice cases https://baysidevoicecentre.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/BVC-Paed-Voice-Related-QOL-Survey-PVRQOL-formonly.pdf Praat (praat.org) – Free, open-source acoustic analysis software for voice samples https://www.fon.hum.uva.nl/praat/ Dr. James Curtis's Website – Free resources for acoustic and aerodynamic voice analysis https://www.jamescurtisphd.me/tutorials ASHA Practice Portal: Voice Disorders – A comprehensive, clinically relevant guide developed by voice specialists https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/voice-disorders/?srsltid=AfmBOorCvjk6hgPaJ1NDhLTvHPsAyrWyfthDDzFK-TM9oUn4MzSp6BNR ASHA Perspectives (SIG 3 – Voice and Upper Airway) – Now accessible to all ASHA members; includes articles specifically for new and early-career voice clinicians https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/voice-disorders/?srsltid=AfmBOorCvjk6hgPaJ1NDhLTvHPsAyrWyfthDDzFK-TM9oUn4MzSp6BNRb Goodwin Voice and Speech – Maurice's private practice in Houston, Texas https://www.mauricegoodwin.com/ WIN A TRIP TO ASHA 2026 ON US! Enter to win!The Top-5 Highest Paying States for School & Travel SLPs! Browse School Therapy Jobs & CareersLearn more about the show: SLP Full Disclosure PodcastLevel up your career today! Connect with a recruiter!Support for every step. Learn more about AMN Healthcare's EAP Program. Share the opportunity and refer a friend today! Episode Sponsor:We're proudly sponsored by AMN Healthcare, the leader in healthcare staffing and workforce solutions. Explore their services at AMN Healthcare. Discover job opportunities and manage your assignments with ease using AMN Passport. Download the AMN Passport App today! WebsiteTikTokInstagramYouTubeApple PodcastsSpotifyPowered by AMN Healthcare Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ever wonder how your dream school assignment actually comes together? What does it take for a staffing agency to land a contract with a school district, and what does that mean for your career? In this episode of SLP Full Disclosure, host Michelle sits down with Patrick O'Connor, President of AMN's Schools Division, for an inside look at the school staffing world. With more than 15 years of experience at AMN, Pat pulls back the curtain on the RFP process, the technology transforming teletherapy, and why choosing the right agency makes all the difference for your career. Key Topics Discussed: The Evolution of Travel: How the staffing industry shifted from transactional to consultative over the past decade. Behind the RFP: What it really takes for AMN to secure school district contracts. Technology and Access: How teletherapy and AI bring services to students in underserved areas. Choosing Your Agency: Why researching benefits, values, and reputation matters more than the highest pay. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and meeting Pat 02:15 - From nursing to allied health: AMN's growth story 04:02 - How the travel industry has changed in the last 10 years 06:35 - Why staffing shortages happen 07:32 - The future of travel and teletherapy technology 11:36 - Inside the RFP and school contract process 18:23 - Balancing vendors and job openings 24:38 - Expanding into teachers and international staffing 28:09 - Why researching your agency matters Guest Spotlight Meet Patrick O'Connor, President of AMN Healthcare's K-12 Schools Division. Since joining AMN in 2011, Pat has led sales, recruitment, and operational teams while championing student-centered care and school safety. His deep industry knowledge offers SLPs and new grads a rare look at how the right partner can shape a fulfilling career. WIN A TRIP TO ASHA 2026 ON US! Enter to win!The Top-5 Highest Paying States for School & Travel SLPs! Browse School Therapy Jobs & CareersLearn more about the show: SLP Full Disclosure PodcastLevel up your career today! Connect with a recruiter!Support for every step. Learn more about AMN Healthcare's EAP Program. Share the opportunity and refer a friend today! Episode Sponsor:We're proudly sponsored by AMN Healthcare, the leader in healthcare staffing and workforce solutions. Explore their services at AMN Healthcare. Discover job opportunities and manage your assignments with ease using AMN Passport. Download the AMN Passport App today! WebsiteTikTokInstagramYouTubeApple PodcastsSpotifyPowered by AMN Healthcare Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.