Comments on: The Bagless SLP – Part 2: The Good, the Bad, & the Unexpected

By: SublimeSpeech

SublimeSpeech — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 05:14:09 +0000

Hi Larissa, thank you for letting me know that this was how that bit could be perceived, although it was not my intention. I was expressing that where I was practicing at the time of this article, a major struggle for me in going bagless was that my parents couldn’t initially understand why the DTs in that area brought items into the environment and I was now implementing treatment strategies within their routine instead. I’m not here to state that all DTs use outside materials or that, for their particular goals, it may be appropriate. I was just stating that it made my transition to bagless a little more tricky and that I had to explain the “why” and “how come” to some parents on multiple occasions. I hope this clarifies my statement. DTs are great members of the team and children benefit from services with skilled DTs on their team!

By: Mandi

Mandi — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 02:11:46 +0000

I am a DT and have been going bagless for quite some time. My trunk definitely looked the same as yours!! 🙂 loved reading

By: Larissa Berty

Larissa Berty — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 02:02:18 +0000

I find your comment on needing to “fix” DT provision very condescending and unprofessional.

By: Elizabeth A. Early

Elizabeth A. Early — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 11:59:18 +0000

Reading your blog for a credentialing activity in Indiana…one year after your posts. I go bagless about 50% of the time. I have specific reasons for my bag: I teach routines for getting access to “the toys” which consist of materials that most families have access to: bubbles, balloons, some books, old fashioned toys such as spinning tops and so on. Absolutely no battery operated toys! I also ask parents to sit down with me on the floor (and explain why). Parents are requested to join in with the chants, gestures, signs etc. The only parents that are allowed to opt out are the physically disables or elderly (grandparents taking care of their grandchildren or great-grandchildren)…I use the recurring toys as a way to measure growth in new vocabulary (as well as parental report on a regular basis), child’s initiation of requests for toys (they do not have access to anything without a communication request) and even then…I do warn parents that I won’t always bring the bag in because it is about them, the interaction, and the time in between the sessions that is important. I educate parents as much as possible during my sessions and we talk about their new, old, ongoing concerns every week. Thank you for your blog, it has been very informative and I hope to join the facebook group! So, now, off to find and read #3…

By: Courtney

Courtney — Sun, 08 May 2016 14:15:48 +0000

I was so happy to find this post. I am starting an EI job in addition to full time my school-based job. I have been eagerly buying toys so that I feel prepared and have lots of options for therapy. Your post(s) have had me thinking twice about bringing ten different toys into the home when I can use what the family has. I went to an EI workshop last year that encouraged us to use recycled materials for therapy, because most homes will have an empty container or egg carton that can be easily turned into a toy that targets multiple words, concepts, etc. Thanks for this post! It is definitely being bookmarked on my browser!

By: Tracy A.

Tracy A. — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 04:31:52 +0000

After a compelling class at this year’s CSHA conference where “bagless” came up, it made so much sense to me. Still took a month or 2 to let go, to change, and now after getting excited and experiencing a couple weeks without my usual “way” I got cold feet this week and have gradually eased in more and more materials into my car and into my arms. I am so glad to come across your blog here. I needed the boost of encouragement. It really does make so much sense. Thank you so much for sharing your experience.

By: Stephanie Phelps

Stephanie Phelps — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 17:23:32 +0000

I love this series. I was in EI outside Chicago for several years so I know all about toy bag dependence. I’m getting ready to go back to doing EI full time in Kansas and it’s going to be great to get to start fresh with families. I can’t wait for part 3!

By: SublimeSpeech

SublimeSpeech — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 20:45:23 +0000

That’s great Kate! Yes, a run-down is in Part 3… I hope to have that up this weekend if possible! 🙂

By: Kate

Kate — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 14:42:27 +0000

I love that quote too, Meghan! What a great way to communicate the difference. I’ve been going in with a couple toys or completely “bagless” for all of my new clients. For the past 10 years, I have plopped down on the floor and immediately enticed my clients with the magical toy bag. If I bring it now, I hide it a bit and only open it if the situation calls for it, which doesn’t come up much! Our agency issues all clinicians a company branded toy bag to tote around. Knowing that other therapists are bringing this to homes, I now bring a different looking tote that the kids don’t already associate with toys.

Danielle, any chance you can give a quick run down of what you have left in your trunk? (By the way, I’m drooling over all that free space!)

By: Meghan

Meghan — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 04:40:07 +0000

“What I can do is explain that they target play and concepts and occasionally language… but I target communication. And they don’t make a toy for communication… they make people for that.”

I love this statement! It’s so true. I’ve been doing a few home sessions “bagless” for families in a Hanen program. It’s been so freeing to walk into a home with just a few pieces of paper to take notes. The families have gained so much more from the sessions and I’ve felt so much more useful.