Tech Tips for the Overworked SLP!

All together now...caseloads are unmanageable!

With an average caseload of approximately 47 students, SLPs spend more than 20 hours a week providing direct services, according to the 2020 ASHA School Survey. While this number and amount of time spent on direct services varies significantly from provider to provider, several studies report that most SLPs feel that their caseload numbers are "unmanageable".

Integrative and Embedded Technology to the Rescue

Technology can help us streamline this process, especially when prepping for services and documenting progress. Many speech and language apps are now available that target a variety of goals for clients of all ages. Choose apps that automatically collect data, such as Word Vault, Little Bee, and Conversation Therapy. These apps are used during individual sessions or in a group setting. Apps can also be used to support skill practice outside of direct services as you can easily embed direct links or friendly reminders in emails or texts. Additionally, integrative tools can be used in conjunction with material to scaffold direct online and in-person services. Some favorites are ReadWrite and Google Lens to support reading and vocabulary and Google Earth for virtual field trips. Augmentative Reality (AR) is just emerging in our field and provides a promising blend of inclusion and scaffolded services.  The ability to enhance real images with virtual modes of learning may increase student confidence, interest, and motivation (Fombona et al, 2017).

Tech to Turn Around Assessments

Another time-consuming task for SLPs is assessments. Evaluations can take up to 15 hours per client or student (Prath, 2017), and clinicians in all settings see a surge in evaluations. Technology can help us streamline this process, especially during the planning, reminding, data collection, and report write-ups. Integrative approaches such as shared Google calendars, automatic reminders, digital testing material, and dynamic report writing platforms such as easyReportPRO provide much-needed relief to the time-consuming tasks associated with assessments.

Articulate and Communicate

Speech-language pathologists must collaborate with colleagues, help implement strategies, support students and clients, and communicate with caregivers and outside agencies. Use email templates to help speed up the time it takes to compose a message. Scheduled send lets clinicians set the time they want the email to arrive in someone's inbox ahead of time. Looking for an ideal paper-to-digital solution to share resources?  Print out and use scannable QR codes to provide a quick way to access an online visual or video to support the strategy that is targeted.

Technology is a Time Saver

Technology can help us manage our time more efficiently and support our students and clients in various ways. When used correctly, it becomes an invaluable tool in our professional toolbox. So, while we all may feel overwhelmed at times, let's remember that there are tools to help lighten the load, even if it's for a few minutes here or there!

References:

1. Do You Feel Like You Never Have Enough Time for Yourself?. https://www.massagemag.com/never-enough-time-remedies-90569/

2. HealthCare, AMN. “What's Driving the Demand for Speech-Language Pathologists?” Healthcare Staffing Company, 14 Oct. 2017, https://www.amnhealthcare.com/amn-insights/news/speech-language-pathologists

3. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2020). 2020 Schools Survey report: SLP caseload and workload characteristics. ww.asha.org/Research/memberdata/Schools-Survey/

4. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2018). What Is a Manageable Caseload Size? https://leader.pubs.asha.org/doi/full/10.1044/leader.AAG.23082018.30

5. Katz, L. A., Maag, A., Fallon, K. A., Blenkarn, K., & Smith, M. K. (2010). What makes a caseload (un) manageable? School-based speech-language pathologists speak.

6. Fombona, J., Pascual-Sevillano, M.-A., and González-Videgaray, M. (2017). M-learning and AR: a review of the scientific literature on the WoS Repository TT–M-learning y realidad aumentada: revisión de literatura científica en el repositorio WoS. Comunicar 25, 63–71. doi: 10.3916/C52-2017-06.

7. Prath, S., (2017). Make the Speech Referral Process Work for You. https://leader.pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/leader.SCM.22102017.38

8. 4 Ways to Make Time for What's Most Important. https://www.acstechnologies.com/church-growth/4-ways-make-time-whats-important/