CO-WRITTEN BY CHATGPT
ChatGPT isn’t writing for me—it’s helping me communicate more effectively in my writing. In the same way, the strategies we use in therapy aren’t doing the work for our clients, they are giving them the tools to succeed on their own.
It is not a secret that I Use ChatGPT
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: ChatGPT. I thought I’d take a moment to be open about how I use the tool, ChatGPT, why I find it so helpful, and how I make sure the human part of my work always comes first. Let’s demystify and destigmatize it.
Behind the Scenes of My Writing Process
Like many of you, I wear a lot of hats—speech-language pathologist (SLP), practice owner, mom. Ideas come to me at the most random times: while I’m driving, during a therapy session, or when my daughter is napping and I’m quickly jotting notes to myself.
Here’s what happens:
I’ll scribble down half-thoughts like, “parents asking about dyslexia—need to explain the role of the SLP in treatment” (sidebar: this was actually going to be this week’s blog post but I pushed it to next week)
Or I’ll draft a clunky paragraph that’s way too heavy on technical jargon.
Or sometimes, I just know what I want to talk about but can’t quite find the right flow to organize it for readers.
That’s when I’ll drop those messy notes into ChatGPT and ask it to help me structure the ideas into something reader-friendly.
The Human Touch Still Matters
Even when ChatGPT gives me a nice draft, it’s never the final product. I go back through and:
Add in my personal experiences (like how I explain concepts to families in the clinic).
Rework sections so they sound like me and not a generic blog voice.
Double-check all the details so nothing is oversimplified or inaccurate.
It’s a bit like having a writing buddy who helps me sort the laundry of ideas—but I’m still the one folding, organizing, and putting everything in its right place.
Why I Value It
Honestly, this process saves me so much time and mental energy. Instead of getting stuck staring at a blank screen, I can quickly turn my notes into a blog post or resource that helps families. It means I get to spend more time connecting with clients and less time agonizing over how to get started or whether a sentence sounds “just right.”
How to Tell Something Was Written by ChatGPT
Here’s where it gets fun—yes, there are little “tells” when something is AI-written. A few to watch for:
Overly smooth transitions. If every section starts with “In conclusion,” “Furthermore,” or “On the other hand”… yep, ChatGPT probably had a hand in it.
List overload. ChatGPT loves bullet points and numbered lists.
That neutral, polished tone. It’s almost too professional, missing the quirks and imperfections that make human writing feel real.
Lots of balance phrases. If you see a lot of “On one hand… on the other hand…” that’s the robot trying to cover all bases.
So if you’ve ever thought, “Hmm, this feels a little ChatGPT-y,” you’re probably right!
The Risks I Watch Out For
ChatGPT isn’t perfect. It can:
Smooth things out too much you lose value.
Present information with confidence that isn’t 100% accurate.
Sound too polished and impersonal.
That’s why I always go back and carefully revise with my own eyes, experience, and heart before I hit publish.
A Parallel I See With My Work
The way I use ChatGPT actually reminds me a lot of the way we encourage families to think about supports for their kids. Tools, strategies, and resources are not meant to replace a child’s unique voice, abilities, or ideas—they’re meant to guide and support them.
ChatGPT isn’t writing for me—it’s helping me communicate more effectively in my writing. In the same way, the strategies we use in therapy aren’t doing the work for our clients, they are giving them the tools to succeed on their own.
Final Thoughts
So… did ChatGPT write this? Yes, ChatGPT and I wrote this. I used it to help me brainstorm and structure my ideas, but the stories, the editing, and the voice are mine. I use ChatGPT—but always thoughtfully, critically, and with plenty of personal editing. For me, it’s not about outsourcing my voice; it’s about using a tool that helps me communicate more clearly and consistently with you.
Maybe you can tell and maybe you can’t—honestly, I’m okay with it either way! Using ChatGPT is legal and helpful! What matters most to me is that the message comes through clearly and with my voice and perspective guiding it. Of course, it is important in this day and age to be skeptical and look critically at information presented. So, keep reading carefully and get more than one opinion!
At the end of the day, my goal is the same as always: to share information in a way that’s helpful, accessible, and from my perspective.
