Professional Communication in Speech-Language Pathology: How to Write, Talk, and Act Like a Clinician

The authors introduce student clinicians to the various types of written and verbal communication they will encounter across three different clinical settings: university clinics, medical settings, and public schools. The text is written in a student-friendly manner with appendices that provide examples of correspondence, diagnostic and treatment reports from all three settings, a professional term generator, and IEP paperwork. The uniqueness of the text is reflected in chapters on verbal interactions with families, allied professionals, and supervisors. Also included are scenarios written in the form of vignettes that address issues of ethics, confidentiality, and safeguarding clinical communications.

A. Embry Burrus, MCD, is an associate clinical professor in speech-language pathology at Auburn University. Her areas of interest include children with developmental delay, children and adults who stutter, and supervision. She is also the author of Mama and Margaret, a memoir about her older sister with Down syndrome. Before becoming a clinical professor, she practiced in Atlanta, Georgia, where she worked with children in the public schools, Head Start, and Early Intervention.
Laura B. Willis, MCD, is an Associate Clinical Professor at Auburn University (AL) and a certified Speech-Language Pathologist. She teaches undergraduate students about clinical procedures and the clinical writing process and also supervises graduate students within the university clinic setting. Her areas of professional expertise span adult neurological and literacy disorders. Mrs. Willis earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communication Disorders from Auburn University and now enjoys working alongside undergraduate and graduate students as they evolve into competent and confident clinicians.