Congratulations to Jennifer Phillips, M.H.Sc., SLP (c), Reg. CASLPO, for graduating from the Apraxia Kids Intensive Training Institute (Apraxia Boot Camp)!

I am a certified Speech language Pathologist with over 18 years of experience working in both the public and private sector. I am currently the owner of a small private practice whose mission is to provide evidence-based assessment and therapy services to clients who have complex communication needs including Autism Spectrum Disorder and Childhood Apraxia of Speech. I take a family centered approach, always striving to meet the unique needs of each family on my caseload. I have a strong drive to expand my clinical knowledge and to continue to develop my clinical skills. I am so excited to use all of the tools that I learned during Bootcamp to better support children and their families on their journey with Childhood Apraxia of Speech.

Jenn offers services in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Check out Jenn’s Apraxia Kids SLP Directory Listing to learn more.

Apraxia Kids: What are the top 3 things you learned from this training experience?
Jenn: 1) I learned about a variety of new assessment tools that I can use to support me in making a differential diagnosis.  Above anything else, I feel more confident in my ability to make a differential diagnosis.     2) I learned how to incorporate the principles of motor learning more intentionally and to be more mindful of how these principles need to be incorporated differently at each stage of intervention.    3) The importance of tracking progress to ensure that the treatment that I am providing is making a true impact. I learned how to be more detailed in my progress tracking and about different tools that I can use to do this more effectively.

Apraxia Kids: How did the boot camp experience change or expand your network of colleagues/friends?
Jenn: It was an amazing experience to have the opportunity to get to know and learn from such a varied group of like-minded clinicians. I have gained a group of colleagues/friends that I can go to discuss clinical cases and ask questions.

Apraxia Kids: How have you implemented the knowledge you gained at boot camp?
Jenn: I was able to implement my new knowledge right away. Right out of Bootcamp I was able to incorporate the principles of motor learning in a more intentional way. I was equipped with a much bigger toolbox than I had before Bootcamp, which allowed me to do a deeper dive into my assessments and feel more confident about my differential diagnosis.

Apraxia Kids: What is an example of how you have been able to (or plan to) use your expertise as a local resource/support for other professionals and/or families since attending the intensive training?
Jenn: I have been able to mentor other clinicians in my clinic to support both their assessment and treatment of CAS. I plan to seek out more opportunities to share my knowledge with other professionals in my community through offering office hours to support SLP’s that are looking to talk through a case or are seeking out resources to support their clients.

Apraxia Kids: What would you say to someone considering applying to boot camp next round?
Jenn: Go for it! This was the most intense, but the most impactful learning experience that I have had in my professional career. It is a lot of work, but absolutely worth it!