How to Effectively Use SLPAs in Pediatric Speech Therapy

It’s no secret that there aren’t enough SLPs to go around right now.

Diagnosis of communication disorders doubled after the pandemic (source) and 48% of school districts report having trouble filling SLP positions (other source).

Yes, there is a lot we should be doing to fix this problem (early identification of problems, better pay for SLPs, better support to get SLPs through grad programs, etc.).

But there’s an easy fix right in front of us:

SLP-Assistants (SLPAs) are on track to have a 21% growth between 2018-2028 (source).

And SLPAs can be field ready in 6-12 months (with a bachelor’s degree in something else) vs. the 6-7 years of schooling to become a full SLP.

And that means, that we have a lovely fix for our SLP shortages and overburdened system right in front of us: SLPAs!

SLPAs are not a replacement for full SLPs.

(Remember the fact that they have way less training?)

SLPs are still needed to assess children, determine what therapies are needed, and try different strategies to find what works for each individual.

But the practice part, that’s where our SLPs come in!

Once appropriate strategies are selected, SLPAs can jump in and help the child practice and improve upon that skill!

So our SLPs and our SLPAs work in tandem, kind of like a “one-two punch”….but less violent.

Here’s the magic:

1. 1 SLP…3 SLPAs
2. Each SLPA has their own caseload of kids that they see every week.
3. The SLP spends one week per month with each of the SLPAs. The SLP assesses how the child is doing, determines the next steps, and tries out different therapy approaches to find what is most appropriate to get the child to the next level.
4. The SLP then demonstrates those strategies for the SLPA and explains the plan for the rest of the month. For the rest of the session, the SLP observes and provides feedback to the SLPA.
5. The next week, the SLP moves on to the next SLPA and the first SLPA keeps on providing that same great therapy and following the therapy plan.
6. During the last week of the month, the SLP is freed up to complete paperwork and finish admin tasks.

With this type of system…

• SLPAs get the support and guidance they need
• The clients get amazing services with evidence-based strategies
• The SLP is freed up to do the high-level work they do best without being over-burdened by unmanageable workloads

Everyone wins.

The only missing piece of this equation is that our SLPAs need to have access to evidence-based therapy plans and training to support their ability to do this type of work.

This support should include:

• Evidence-Based Therapy Materials (preferably with little to no prep time)
• Pre-made therapy plans and pathways that walk them through teaching a skill from start to finish
• Training on how to provide effective therapy for a variety of kids
• And somewhere to turn for support when they have questions.

If all of that burden falls on the SLP, then we haven’t fixed the original problem at all.

This is why we created the SLK Teams Program.

Our structured therapy approach provides pre-made therapy pathways and plans with start-to-finish resources for all communication skills.

Plus, every SLPA in our Teams Program will get access to a structured year-long mentorship program with training and support to help them confidently treat a variety of communication disorders.

And with our Teams Program, your SLPs will have access to the same tools, so making therapy recommendations is as easy as sharing a link.

Boom!

Your whole speech team is supported and running like a well-oiled machine.

We’re onboarding teams now for our SLK Teams Program.

Click Here to Learn More and Book a Free Demo to find out how we can maximize your team!