Middle schoolers. They're a tricky age group, right? Caught between childhood and adolescence, these students are navigating a world full of changes—and when it comes to speech-language teletherapy, keeping them focused and engaged can feel like a feat. But with the right approach and the use of creative resources, you can turn your teletherapy sessions into something they look forward to. Let’s dive into how you can achieve just that.

Engaging reluctant students in school-based speech therapy can be challenging, yet worth every bit of effort. Successful speech therapy lies in the students' active participation and enthusiasm. Without engagement, progress slows, and the benefits of therapy may dwindle. So, how do we capture and hold the interest of those who are hesitant?

Visual schedules play a key role in maintaining structure and predictability in therapy sessions. These schedules provide a roadmap of activities, helping both speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and their clients navigate virtual sessions with clarity and predictability.

Building a strong rapport with students is more important than you might expect when it comes to effective therapy. This connection promotes trust, encourages engagement, and enhances overall outcomes. However, in a teletherapy setting, where face-to-face interactions are replaced with virtual connections, establishing this rapport can be a little more challenging. However, it is not only possible but also crucial for the success of remote therapy sessions.

Discover the joy of taking speech therapy sessions outdoors with these engaging activities. From nature scavenger hunts to outdoor role-play and language games, these activities target various speech and language goals. Tailor them to your clients' needs and make learning effective and enjoyable. Let nature be your therapy backdrop for a refreshing and engaging experience.

Discover the benefits of taking speech therapy sessions outdoors. From physical health and sensorimotor development to language enrichment and social skills, outdoor activities enhance therapy outcomes. The novelty and engagement of the outdoor environment create a fresh context for learning. Prioritize safety and individual needs for a stimulating and effective outdoor therapy experience.

Discover the excitement of incorporating scavenger hunts into your speech therapy sessions. Whether indoors or outdoors, scavenger hunts keep clients engaged while targeting speech and language goals. Find themed resources on TPT, adapt tasks to individual needs, and watch as clients light up with enthusiasm. Scavenger hunts add a dynamic and interactive twist to therapy, fostering progress and enjoyment. Try it out and experience the adventure firsthand!

Discover the benefits of using punch cards and reward cards as a behavior management system in speech therapy sessions. They are cost-effective, customizable, and provide a visual representation of progress toward a goal. With punch cards, clients receive punches for meeting behavior targets, leading to a reward card. This system keeps clients motivated, empowers them, and eliminates the need for tangible prizes. Get started by setting goals, explaining the process, and customizing rewards. Punch cards and reward cards are a simple yet effective way to enhance engagement and progress in therapy. Give it a try and see the positive impact it has on your clients!

Discover the versatility of the Expanding Expression Tool (EET) for teaching language skills, specifically comparing and contrasting. With its visual and interactive approach, the EET breaks down complex concepts into manageable parts. SLPs can use Venn Diagrams and colored beads to help clients identify similarities and differences. Real-life examples, objects, and stories enhance the learning experience. The EET is a valuable tool recommended by SLPs for developing strong language skills and effective communication. Check out the research and consider training options available. Unlock the power of the EET in your therapy sessions!

Engaging middle schoolers in speech-language therapy can be a challenge, but fear not! Online game-style activities like EdPuzzle and Jeopardy Labs promote teamwork while covering various topics. Activities like Mad Libs and Would You Rather work on grammar, reasoning, and articulation, keeping the group entertained and engaged. Reading books or using ReadWorks audio stories highlights target vocabulary and comprehension questions. These tried and true favorites make therapy fun while addressing individual goals.

Trashketball is a fast-paced, engaging, and affordable activity that can be adapted for therapy sessions with students of various ages. The game involves throwing trash, such as crumpled-up paper, into a trash can for points. Clearly posted rules are essential to maintain order, and students must participate in drilling before taking their shots. Options for materials, scoring methods, and goal targeting provide flexibility. Trashketball can be used to target articulation, listening comprehension, categories, social scenarios, describing, and compare/contrast skills. It's a fun and interactive game that keeps students motivated and excited while working on their therapy goals.

Functional challenges can be a valuable addition to speech therapy sessions, helping students develop important life skills. By clarifying that these challenges won't take away from therapy time, SLPs can focus on IEP goals while encouraging students to learn and demonstrate functional skills independently. Challenges can be practiced at home, with SpEd teachers, or during OT sessions. Examples of challenges include birthday, address, and phone number recognition, signature writing, coin identification, analog clock reading, shoe tying, recipe reading, and community/safety sign recognition.

I recently discovered that my SLP Now subscription is just as valuable with my middle school caseload. Non-fiction units provide engaging articles and activities for a variety of language goals. Video activities offer a multimedia approach to therapy. Skill-based lessons, such as inferences and narratives, provide systematic teaching and practice. Vocational skill units are perfect for preparing students for post-secondary life. SLP Now is a must-have resource for SLPs working with older students!

Looking for a fun and engaging project for your speech-language therapy sessions? Create menus with your students! This multi-session activity allows for creativity, language practice, and a finished product to take home. Take your time, pre-write sections, encourage silliness, and let students practice with each other. Target articulation, categories, critical thinking, describing, grammar, life skills, math, perspective-taking, problem-solving, vocabulary, and more. Get the free menu template and start this exciting project today!

Spark Sequencing Cards are versatile tools for targeting a range of language goals. They can be used for storytelling, predicting, problem-solving, verbs, pronouns, sentence structure, inferencing, and reasoning. The cards come with a user guide, 8 sets of sequencing cards, relevant questions, dividers, and color-coded sets. They are suitable for SLPs, special education and general education teachers, and parents. The durable material, included questions, large color pictures, and multiple sets make them engaging and practical for therapy sessions.

These are some of my favorite Valentine's Day apps for speech-language therapy. They help practice targets such as vocabulary, following directions, verbs, articulation, prepositions, and more! These apps provide engaging and educational activities for therapy sessions.

Articulation Station Hive is a comprehensive app for articulation needs, offering various levels and activities. However, the pricing model as a subscription service may not be ideal for SLPs reliant on school funds. The app's features, such as expanded levels and updated word lists, are impressive. The data collection page with graphed progress is a valuable tool, allowing for easy tracking and planning for future sessions. Despite the pricing structure, the app's enhancements make it a worthwhile consideration for articulation therapy.

Speedy Speech® is an evidence-based program that focuses on short, intensive 1:1 drill-based sessions to improve speech-sound production. The program includes workbooks for various phonemes, providing flexibility to target specific speech sounds. It offers a comprehensive package, including a program guide, auditory discrimination pair sets, drill pages, conversational prompts, data collection forms, and more. The program also provides guidance on writing service times in IEPs and implementing it for RTI. With minimal academic disruption and a focus on quick progress, Speedy Speech® offers an efficient and effective approach to speech therapy.

Looking to add affordable holiday-themed items to your therapy room? Check out these must-have items under $5! Foam snowflakes are great for scavenger hunts and home practice. Themed stickers make decorating activities fun while targeting various skills. Wrapping paper offers versatile crafting opportunities. Mini presents are perfect for teaching concepts and articulation games. Toy catalogs engage students in speech sound search, categorization, and perspective-taking activities. Find these budget-friendly items at Dollar Tree, Walmart, or request free catalogs. Elevate your Christmas therapy with these engaging and cost-effective tools!

Looking for functional and evidence-based social skills resources? Check out Video Learning Squad for video modeling activities and UCLA PEERS® Clinic for nuanced conversation topics. The Josh Speaks on YouTube offers relatable advice for navigating tough social situations. These resources are invaluable for upper elementary and middle school students in need of direct instruction.