Hello, I’m Alena!
I have been working as a speech therapist at Mozaika School in Prague for two years.
I graduated from the South Ukrainian State Pedagogical University named after K. D. Ushinsky
with a degree in speech therapy – defectology.
I constantly improve my qualifications, for example, by attending courses such as
“Inclusion. Specifics of a speech therapist’s work in a group of children with SEN”
and “Massage in the structure of speech therapy work.”
What strengths are important in your work?
In my work, it is essential to be attentive to each child’s needs, patient, resilient, creative, and able to wait for results even when the process takes time.
What do you do as a speech therapist at Mozaika?
At the beginning of the school year, I conduct assessments of the children. I lead group lessons in classrooms as well as individual sessions, depending on each child’s needs. Together with the school team (teacher, psychologist, rehabilitation specialist, etc.), I develop an individual development plan for every child: we set goals for the semester, monitor progress, and adjust the plan if necessary.
As a speech therapist, I use a variety of methods and techniques to help children develop speech and communication. This includes teaching them words and gestures, expanding vocabulary, vocalizing sounds, distinguishing between speech and non-speech sounds, developing articulation skills, and automating correct sound production.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love helping children start speaking when they have no speech, correcting pronunciation difficulties, teaching them to read, and encouraging them to answer questions. Most of all, I value seeing the results of my work and accompanying a child on their challenging journey. Every session is unique, tailored to each child’s needs, and the smiles, progress, and positive energy they bring are what give me the greatest satisfaction.
What are the main challenges for young specialists in this field?
The most important thing is to love children and your profession, and to be able to properly assess a child’s needs in order to provide the right support. Methods and theory are important, but practice is equally crucial. My advice is to work with children as much as possible, while also maintaining a strong theoretical foundation.
What do you wish you had heard when choosing this profession?
That being a speech therapist–defectologist is not just a profession — it’s a calling, something you truly love and live for.
Would you recommend working at Mozaika to young specialists?
Yes, absolutely — especially if you feel called to support children with special educational needs in their growth and learning journey.