Instagram and the SLP

By now you have probably heard of Instagram. Basically it is like Facebook, but it uses only pictures or videos, not text status updates, to share information.  It was a looong time before I even checked out Instagram, I figured everything was on Facebook.  Boy was I wrong! Instagram is its own social media platform with lots to offer. As an SLP, it is a fantastic place to see games in action, new craft ideas, different ways people have used materials, etc.

Instagram is super easy to use! Making an account is free which is great. Just download the Instagram app on your smart phone to set up your account.  Then it is nothing but fun.  You can search people and pages to follow by going to the little star looking button at the bottom of the screen.

From here you can tap the search bar and choose to search by users or hashtags.  OK, let’s talk about hashtags for a second.  Hashtags, or the pound symbol ( # ), as some of us used to know it, is a way to categorize pictures. Categorizing, it is like they designed Instagram for SLPs! Searching by hashtags will bring all pictures and videos that have been labeled with that hashtag.  One quick thing about hashtags, it kind of bugs me, but you can’t use spaces.

Instagram is a great way to stay update to date and current on therapy activities and materials, as well as contests and giveaways!!! Yes, there are lots of prizes being given away on Instagram! There are also Instagram parties.  These are awesome!  SLPs set up ‘parties’ where others can use a certain hashtag to label a pictures. These hashtags maybe for favorite apps, board games, unconventional materials, etc.  It all the depends on the theme.

You can follow me on Instagram at thespeechbubbleslp 🙂