In your own words, what was your motivation for writing this book?

As an active speech-language pathologist with a primary focus on assessing and diagnosing children and adults with communication disorder, I quickly realized how crucial the diagnostic report was to clinical practice and ultimately, patient care.

Having worked in a variety of clinical settings including a large metropolitan teaching hospital, consultant to agencies providing Early Intervention services, completing evaluations for various Department of Education CPSE and CSE assessments, and advocating for students, clients, and patients through my private practice and independent evaluations, it was apparent that the evaluation report and the information it provided was an under-appreciated and critically important aspect in client care.

Teaching Graduate level courses and clinical seminars in assessment and diagnosis in CAA accredited graduate programs allowed me to directly appreciate how students struggled with many aspects of clinical documentation, but writing the diagnostic speech and language report was by and far the most difficult hurdle to master. In addition, there are limited opportunities to practice and complete more than a few evaluations while in graduate school prior to having to be accountable for one’s own.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, I was motivated by the gratitude, relief, smiles, understanding, and appreciation expressed by my patients, clients, students and their families, friends, partners and others whose therapeutic goals were achieved, or at least correctly attempted, through the information contained in thousands of completed reports. There is nothing more rewarding than to receive a note, email or phone call from a former patient or clients sometimes 20 or more years later about a marriage, college acceptance, job offer, success or just a thank you for the role you played in making that happen.

What educational gaps does this book fill in your field?

Diagnostic Report Writing in Speech Language Pathology: a Guide to Effective communication is the only book to focus entirely on writing an effective diagnostic speech and language evaluation. While there may be other books on clinical documentation, they contain chapters on clinical notes, grammar, professional correspondence or style and there is generally limited information include-- often just a chapter or two on the clinical evaluation report. This book fills a needed gap by being uniquely tailored to discuss the production of a clinical diagnostic report. It will be especially helpful to graduate students at all levels of early report writing, but beneficial for a review by anyone completing a speech and language evaluation.

What was your experience like working with SLACK Books as your publisher?

After discussing my proposal with a number of publishers I decided to move my book forward with Slack Incorporated. The warmth, knowledge, professionalism, and skill set of every individual I encountered was immediately apparent and made it an easy choice. I realize now it was a great choice to make and never had a single regret about choosing Slack. They were always there for me, provided rapid and helpful answers and feedback, assisted in every aspect of the publishing process in every way, were extremely careful and detailed about every aspect of the process. and incredibly supportive and positive throughout. As I progressed through the production and publication process, I was introduced to each new member of the Slack organization. They were all aware of my project and ready to move me forward-- from initial editing to creating an eye-catching book cover to titling chapter headings to including charts and tables and checking citations and references. They always provided insightful suggestions, significant recommendations, alternative viewpoints and suggestions that made the final outcome more than what I had envisioned. The turnaround time was always rapid to keep things on pace. In guiding me forward my original, creative, and independent opinions, choices, and wishes were well received, welcomed, and included. The Slack group offered their ideas in a way that was always undemanding, discussed, and usually included as it made for a better product. I never felt pushed into a decision, idea or edit. I was respected, felt appreciated, and it was always like working with a friend. I would recommend Slack Inc. to anyone seeking to publish a book, and when I am ready to do another, there is only one publisher I would reach out to.

Learn more about Dr. Blaustein's newly released book, Diagnostic Report Writing In Speech-Language Pathology: A Guide to Effective Communication and request your review faculty copy at https://www.slackbooks.com/desk-adoption-copies/.