Check out the full episode with Gabrielle Carmody on YouTube:

 

 

SUMMARY

In this heartfelt and insightful episode of the All About Kids podcast, we sit down with Shannon Kennedy, a licensed speech-language pathologist and former CF at All About Kids. Shannon shares her journey from being her younger brother’s “toddler translator” to becoming a professional SLP working in schools and homes. She opens up about the emotional realities of her CF year, the importance of flexibility, the unspoken role therapists play in supporting both kids and parents, and the mindset shifts that helped her grow professionally. Whether you’re an aspiring SLP, a parent, or a seasoned clinician, this conversation is packed with real-world wisdom, reflection, and a few laughs about book ramps, burnout boundaries, and driving between schools with a sandwich in hand.

 

KEY MOMENTS

1. Her Origin Story
• Inspired by watching her younger brother receive speech services as a child.
• Played the role of “translator” for her brother’s early babbles:
“They would say, ‘What?’ and I’d say, ‘He wants a cookie.’

2. What She Wishes She Knew Before Her CF Year
• The surprising level of freedom and independence right out of grad school.
“I wasn’t anticipating that freedom… If I had known, I might’ve been less anxious and more excited.”

3. Learning to Trust Her Clinical Judgment
• Balancing IEP goals with real-time needs:
“You know the child can’t hit that goal yet, so you scaffold up to it. That’s still valid work.”

4. Insights on the Parent-Therapist Dynamic
• Instead of overwhelming parents, she takes a gradual, collaborative approach.
“I’ll pause mid-session and say, ‘Hey, this might look like just playing, but here’s why I’m doing it.’”
• Miscommunication moment: “They thought I was withholding objects until their child spoke. I had to explain, it’s just a 2-second pause for eye contact or a vocalization.”

5. Therapizing Parents (Without Overstepping)
• Navigating different parenting styles while still building rapport and providing value.
“You have to meet parents where they’re at. Some don’t say no at all, some say no constantly, and neither is wrong.”

6. Biggest Misconceptions About SLPs
• The field is either over-simplified or over-expanded: “People think all we do is fix lisps… or they think we’re behavior specialists and teachers too.”

7. Advice for Grad Students & Aspiring SLPs
• Show up, be present, and don’t worry about being perfect.
“Even if your lesson flops, if you’re engaging the child, that’s already half the battle.”
• Know your limits and set boundaries early: “You’re not going to make a child talk, your job is to model and lay the foundation.”

8. How She Handles Burnout
• Emphasizes boundaries with communication:
“Just because a parent texts you on a Saturday night doesn’t mean you have to answer.”
“I mute a group thread with all my families after hours — it protects my mental space.”

9. Favorite Resources
• Boom Learning and Teachers Pay Teachers for low-cost materials
• Peachie Speechie for short videos that engage both kids and therapists

10. Learning to Say No
• Turning down far-flung cases to improve efficiency: “It’s tempting to say yes to everything, but I’ve learned that sometimes saying no leads to better quality matches.”

 

TAKEAWAYS

For Grad Students/CFs:

  • Be ready for independence: no one’s laying out a syllabus anymore.

  • Trust your instincts, but stay within your scope.

  • Your value isn’t tied to immediate results.

For Parents:

  • Your therapist isn’t just “playing” — they’re modeling.

  • Collaboration and openness make the biggest difference in outcomes.

  • It’s okay to ask questions and clarify what you’re seeing.

For Fellow Clinicians:

  • Don’t underestimate the emotional labor of managing both kid and parent dynamics.

  • Set communication boundaries early.

  • Creative problem-solving (like turning a book into a ramp) can be your best therapy tool.

 

About All About Kids:

AAK, the leading provider of children’s therapeutic and educational skills in New York. Their team of experts offer diagnostic evaluations as well as direct and consultative behavioral intervention services to children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. After comprehensive assessment, each child has a portfolio or program book designed specifically to meet his or her individualized needs. The quality of our ABA services are closely monitored through program and field supervision as well as ongoing consultation by BCBA’s/BCaBA’s, and Experienced Team Leaders. 

Click here for a link to comprehensive educational and support resources. Previous podcast episodes and more information about All About Kids is available here.

Follow what’s up with AAK:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram