Boost SLP Services with Blogs, Websites, Apps, and Videos!

If you're a speech-language pathologist (SLP), you know that providing direct services is the heart of our profession. However, it can be challenging to find enough time in the week to provide all the services our students or clients need. This article will discuss how blogs and other technologies can help boost your direct services!

Let's Take Some Time to Make Time

School-based SLPs spend over 20 hours per week on direct services (ASHA, 2020), and that number can vary depending on the nature and severity of students on caseloads. However, even with a smaller caseload, it can be difficult to find enough time in the day to provide all of the services our students need. That’s where technology comes in!

Blogs for Therapy Ideas

Finding that perfect blog is a great way to discover therapy ideas, materials, and tools, understand what other therapists are going through, and even vent. Bloggers are constantly updating new content, so it’s worth checking back frequently. For technology-inspired blogs, check out SpeechTechie, The Digital SLP and GeekSLP.

Students can blog as part of direct intervention as well. One excellent and easy way to collaborate with students to plan direct services is to use Google Slides. SLPs and their students can use Google Slides to share, debate, and present on any topic. Read Ditch That Textbook for some helpful information on using slides as an activity.

Apps, Websites, and Videos Work for Direct Services

There are many great apps that SLPs can use for direct services, many of which are free! These apps cover various topics from articulation to vocabulary and language to social communication. Some of my favorites are Sounds of Speech, Speech Tutor and Conversation Therapy.

Websites are also a great way to provide direct intervention with minimal preparation. Websites like Story Place, Starfall, Once Upon a Picture, and Into The Book are easy to use and perfect when working on pre-literacy, literacy, and inferencing skills.

Another fantastic approach to engaging students is with video. Clinicians can utilize videos for various goals; quick, easy to access, and often take zero preparation. EnglishCentral and EdPuzzle have activities built right into the video, so it is just a plug-and-play activity. YouTube also has playlists of videos that are perfect for therapy. For example, check out this great playlist from Seldom Speechless.

Technology Can Give Us Time!

Technology can help us save time if SLPs know how to access resources quickly and are familiar with their content. When starting with any new technology, it is essential to explore test the usability, and have fun!

What are your favorite ways that you've used technology for direct services? Send me an email at michelleb@easyreportpro.com to let me know!

And if you’re looking to avoid burnout, check out my webinar on Innovative Tech Tools Made for Overworked Speech-Language Pathologists.

Reference:

ASHA. (2020). Speech-language pathologists in schools: Roles and responsibilities. 

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