Must-Have Courses for New School SLPs
Start with foundational courses on IEPs, data collection, goal writing, AAC, and dismissal decisions. For preschool/elementary, explore language and literacy, phonological processes, grammar, and language sampling. For middle/high school, focus on social language, collaboration, grammar, and residual sound errors. If you're in teletherapy, learn the basics and creative strategies. And for professional issues, advocate effectively and think outside the box for service delivery.
Review: SpeechPathology.com for CEUs
SpeechPathology.com is a cost-effective solution for earning CEUs. For only $99/year, you get unlimited access to a wide range of courses. I've taken courses on various topics like hearing loss, stuttering, /r/ therapy, and AAC. The flexibility to choose from live, recorded, video, audio, or text-based courses is fantastic. If a course isn't what I expected, I can switch to another. It's been a money and time-saving resource for me. Join using my affiliate link with code KAYLASLP for a free month and stay up-to-date on relevant topics.
Using Scented Rewards With Students
The treasure box may not be the best choice for rewards. Instead, try scented rewards like lip balm, markers, and stickers. Scented lip balm, or "smellies," is a hit. Mr. Sketch scented markers and smelly stickers are also great options. Tailor your rewards to suit your students' preferences. Find these rewards on my Amazon page and add a "scent"sational touch to your rewards!
Review: Swivel Scheduler for SLPs
Tired of forgetting to target your students' goals? Meet Swivel Scheduler, an IEP goal-scheduling service that helps you rotate through goals and track data. With Swivel, you can create schedules, collect data, and generate graphs effortlessly. Try it with the free trial and see the difference it can make in your therapy sessions. Check out their YouTube channel for tutorials and start Swiveling your way to better goal management!
Using 5-Minute Speech Therapy in Schools
Looking for a more efficient way to target articulation goals? Consider implementing the 5 Minute Speech service delivery model. This approach involves short, frequent, and intensive therapy sessions that can benefit students of all ages and with various speech sound errors. With minimal planning and the use of technology, such as iPad apps, you can engage students and see positive results. Plus, you can adapt the setting to ensure student privacy and maximize session time. Discover how the 5 Minute Speech model can enhance your therapy sessions and explore the research supporting its effectiveness.
Using Christmas Songs in Speech-Language Therapy
Looking for a fun and engaging activity for the weeks leading up to Christmas break? Download this free print-and-go song pack! It includes the lyrics to 7 Christmas songs related to winter and Santa. Use it to target a variety of goal areas with your students, from highlighting target sounds to practicing fluency techniques. Whether you put the sheets in dry-erase page protectors or give students their own copy, this activity is perfect for mixed groups. Enjoy the festive spirit and have a wonderful Christmas break!
Favorite Thanksgiving Apps for Speech-Language Therapy
Looking for fun and interactive Thanksgiving-themed apps for speech-language therapy? Check out these favorites: Hand Turkey, Thanksgiving Puzzles, More Holiday Dinner!, and More Pie! These apps offer engaging activities while targeting various therapy goals such as vocabulary, following directions, verbs, and life skills. Whether it's creating a turkey, solving puzzles, preparing a feast, or baking a pie, these apps are sure to add excitement to your sessions. Happy Thanksgiving!
Favorite Halloween Apps for Speech-Language Therapy
Looking for fun and engaging Halloween-themed apps for speech-language therapy? Check out these favorites: Go Away Big Green Monster, Pumpkin Carving Salon, Frankenstein Build and Play, and Peek-a-Boo Trick or Treat. These apps offer interactive activities that target various therapy goals such as vocabulary, sequencing, body parts, emotions, and more. From reading interactive books to carving virtual pumpkins, these apps are sure to make your Halloween sessions spooktacular! Happy Halloween!
Review: SLP Now for Preschool SLPs
Are you a speech-language pathologist working with preschoolers? Discover how to make the most of your SLP NOW membership with these three favorite ways to engage your preschool students. Start with books and companions, using themed books and activity packs to facilitate language development. Then, incorporate hands-on crafts that reinforce vocabulary, sequencing, and articulation skills. Finally, utilize extension activities for carryover and less structured practice. With SLP NOW, you have a wealth of resources to create engaging and effective therapy sessions for your preschoolers. Enjoy exploring the themes and activities that both you and your students will love!
Top 5 Reference Books for SLPs
Discover essential reference books to simplify your SLP journey. From "Language Disorders from Infancy through Adolescence" to "Eliciting Sounds," these resources offer research-based interventions and practical solutions. Don't miss "The Reading Teacher's Book of Lists" for vocabulary ideas and "IEP Goal Writing" for aligning goals. Explore bonus resources like "Advanced Review of Speech-Language Pathology" and speechpathology.com for targeted topics. Simplify and enhance your practice with these invaluable resources.
The SLP's Guide to Simplifying Report Writing Using Google Docs
Discover three tips for making report writing quick and painless with Google Docs. Use the platform for observations, create templates for different sections, and leverage the voice typing feature to dictate your reports. Streamline your process and save time with these Google Docs tricks.
Using Pumpkins in Speech-Language Therapy
Looking for a fun fall therapy activity? Grab a bag of pumpkins! Engage students of all ages with activities like comparing and contrasting, vocabulary practice, joint attention exercises, labeling parts of a pumpkin, preposition games, body part placement, sorting by attributes, describing with the EET, and encouraging requesting. Pumpkins offer endless possibilities for therapy goals.
Using a Dollhouse In Play-Based Speech Therapy
In this blog post, the author shares their love for using a dollhouse in play-based speech therapy with preschoolers and kindergartners. They highlight the versatility of this activity, explaining how it can be used to target various goals. They provide examples such as practicing categories, pronouns, verbs, nouns, expanding MLU, prepositions, requesting, turn-taking, following directions, articulation, and social skills. The dollhouse provides a natural and fluid way to address these skills, making it suitable for mixed groups. The author emphasizes the functional and interactive nature of using a dollhouse in therapy and the potential for engaging and effective sessions.
App Review: Little Stories Pro by Little Bee Speech
Little Stories Pro is a versatile app that addresses speech, language, and literacy goals for diverse caseloads. With 80+ stories categorized by speech sounds, it's perfect for articulation practice. For language, there are comprehension checks, story retells, sequencing, and more. The app also supports literacy development with sight words and customizable reading formats. It's a lifesaver for mixed groups, providing options for data collection and individual progress tracking. This comprehensive app offers endless possibilities for therapy sessions.
Review: Amazon Prime for SLPs
Amazon Prime offers numerous benefits for SLPs. Get free 2-day shipping on therapy materials, crafts, and books. Enjoy free unlimited photo storage for all your pictures and PECS images. Access Prime Reading for free books, including children's books for therapy. Stream movies with Amazon Instant Videos. And stay tuned for Amazon Prime Wardrobe, a new service for fashion lovers. Try Amazon Prime for free and explore all the perks during your trial period. It's a must-have for busy SLPs!
Review: SLP Now for Elementary SLPs
SLP Now is a game-changer for both clinic and school SLPs. With skill packs and themed therapy options, it caters to a wide range of ages and grades. Reduce planning time, establish baselines, keep data, and involve parents with themed newsletters. The Facebook group offers support and collaboration. Try the monthly or yearly membership for a discount. Exciting things are coming, so stay tuned for more SLP Now!
5 Steps to Writing Better IEP Goals
Writing IEP goals can be challenging, but with a few "make sure" tips, you can create better goals. Include the ABCDEFs (Audience, Behavior, Condition, Degree, Evidence, Frequency) to cover all aspects. Know how to measure the goal clearly and simplify as much as possible. Keep goals specific, targeting specific skills instead of combining multiple skills. Be realistic in your expectations and aim for progress. Lastly, have a peer proofread your goals to catch any mistakes or clarity issues. Writing better goals will lead to more effective therapy and better outcomes for your students.
5 Under $5: Easter Must-Have Items for Your Therapy Room
Looking for affordable Easter-themed therapy tools? Here are 5 must-have items under $5! Mini eggs for reinforcement, bubble wands for communication skills, plastic Easter eggs for hiding objects, Easter grass for sensory boxes, and stretchy bunnies for target practice. Find them at Dollar Tree, Walmart, Target, or Amazon. Make therapy "cheep" and "egg-citing" this Easter!