Advertise on podcast: The SLP Now Podcast

Show Notes: slpnow.com/256 Ever finish writing a goal and then realize you have no clear way to measure it at progress report time? You're not alone, and this episode has a fix. I'm walking you through the Digital Probe Binder (nearly 2,300 pages of goal-aligned probes) and showing you exactly how I pair it with goal cards to collect solid data for every student in a group in under five minutes. This combo keeps sessions moving, tells you exactly where each student is at, and makes progress reporting way less stressful. Resources mentioned: - Digital Probe Binder — available inside SLP Now - Data Collection Course — access it free at slpnow.com/pod (complete the course and the binder is automatically sent to you)

Show Notes: slpnow.com/255 Evals coming up and you're still digging through folders looking for the right screener? This episode is for you. In this episode, I'm walking you through the SLP Now Assessment Binder, a 70-page digital resource that lives right on your iPad. No printing. No hunting. Just everything you need, right at your fingertips. I'll show you how this binder covers articulation, phonology, and grade-level assessments across multiple skill areas. And when you pair it with SLP Now's built-in assessment tools, you can collect data, generate goal recommendations, and auto-populate your present levels statement all in one place. In this episode: What the Assessment Binder includes and how to access itHow to use the binder alongside the SLP Now assessment toolHow the platform auto-generates present levels summariesHow to create goals directly from assessment dataHow to get your full binder inside the membership Resources mentioned: Free Trial: slpnow.com/pod

Show Notes: slpnow.com/254 The vast majority of school-based SLPs don’t have perfectly matched groups, and that doesn’t mean therapy has to be less effective. With the right structure and planning strategy, mixed groups can actually become a powerful way to target multiple goals, support peer learning, and simplify your workload. In this episode, we walk through a practical framework for running structured, efficient therapy sessions, even when your groups include different grade levels and goals. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to segment your caseload so you can plan therapy more efficientlyWhy language-rich thematic units help you target multiple goals at onceA simple way to let students build on each other’s responses in mixed groupsHow the "Check in → Assess → Teach → Practice → Wrap up" structure reduces cognitive loadThree small strategies you can implement immediately to make sessions easier If you'd like help setting this up for your own caseload, you can explore the tools and units inside a free trial at slpnow.com/pod.

Show Notes: slpnow.com/253 If you had five extra hours this week (completely protected from meetings, paperwork, and emails), how would you use them? Many school-based SLPs say they’d spend that time collaborating with teachers, analyzing student progress, planning more intentional therapy, or simply taking a real lunch break. In this episode, we explore why those meaningful parts of the job often get squeezed out + what you can do to start reclaiming that time. In this episode, we discuss: Why the gap many SLPs feel isn’t a competence problemHow reducing rework can save hours of therapy planning each weekSimple ways to batch decisions and reduce decision fatigueWhy tracking your “invisible work” can help advocate for a more manageable workload If therapy planning, paperwork, and prep are taking over your evenings and weekends, you can start your free trial at slpnow.com/pod to explore tools designed to help you streamline the process and get that time back.

Show Notes: slpnow.com/252 School-based SLPs don’t struggle with planning because they’re disorganized; they struggle because their workload is overflowing. And when something has to give, therapy planning is often the first thing sacrificed. But thoughtful, structured planning is what actually makes therapy more efficient and effective. In this episode, you’ll learn: A simple 5-step session structure to reduce cognitive loadHow to use goal-aligned materials to plan in minutes (not hours)Why thematic units dramatically cut decision fatigueA 30-second habit that makes future planning easierHow structure improves student progress and behavior If you’re ready to make therapy planning sustainable, start your free trial at slpnow.com/pod and put these systems into action.

Show Notes: slpnow.com/251 A caseload of 63 students doesn’t tell the full story of your job. School-based SLPs juggle therapy, evaluations, IEP meetings, Medicaid billing, AAC programming, travel time, and more — yet capacity is often measured by one number. In this episode, we unpack the difference between caseload and workload, why “the math isn’t mathing,” and how to shift the conversation with clarity and confidence. In this episode, you’ll learn: The difference between caseload and workload (and why it matters)Four principles to manage impossible workloadsHow to protect your contract hours without guiltSimple ways to document and make your workload visibleHow to approach administrators with clear, objective data If paperwork and planning are part of your overwhelm, check out our free trial at slpnow.com/pod.

Show Notes: slpnow.com/250 Paperwork doesn’t have to be the reason this job feels unsustainable. In this final episode of our paperwork series, we zoom out and look at why burnout is often a systems problem (not a passion problem), and what actually helps school-based SLPs get paperwork done more efficiently. You’ll hear practical ways to reduce cognitive load, create repeatable workflows, and make steady progress without adding more stress to your plate. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Identify your biggest paperwork stressors and prioritize what matters mostUse a “buffet” approach to implement systems without overwhelmPlan IEPs and evaluations in a way that supports working aheadCreate reliable workflows that make paperwork feel manageable and sustainable If you’re ready to make paperwork feel lighter, pick one strategy from this episode and try it this week.

Show Notes: slpnow.com/249 Writing IEPs and evaluations doesn’t have to feel like starting from scratch every single time. In this episode, we break down simple, systems-based strategies that help school-based SLPs write reports faster—without cutting corners or second-guessing their clinical decisions. You’ll learn how small shifts, like templates and text expanders, can reduce overwhelm, boost confidence, and make paperwork feel far more manageable. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Eliminate “blank page syndrome” when writing reportsUse templates to streamline IEPs and evaluationsAvoid common copy-and-paste mistakesSave hours during progress note season 👉 Tune in to start building a calmer, more efficient paperwork system you can actually sustain.

A simple paperwork system can save you hours and protect your focus during the school week. In this episode, I’m sharing an easy way to organize pending IEPs and evaluations so your desk stays clear, you always know what to work on next, and nothing slips through the cracks. You’ll hear my go-to folder + checklist setup, plus flexible options for SLPs who prefer printable systems or digital workflows. In this episode, you’ll learn: A “one-folder-per-student” system to keep paperwork containedHow to prioritize paperwork by due date automaticallyWhy checklists reduce errors and last-minute scramblingPrintable vs. digital ways to stay consistent and organizedHow SLP Now can streamline forms, progress monitoring, and reminders Ready to make paperwork easier? Start your free trial of SLP Now at slpnow.com/pod.

Paperwork doesn’t just take time. It takes up mental space. In this episode, we’re kicking off a 4-part series to help you reduce paperwork overwhelm by building a simple planning system that supports your deadlines (and your sanity). You’ll learn how to map out what’s coming, spot your busiest months, and create realistic weekly goals so you’re not carrying every IEP and eval in your head at once. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Do a quick paperwork inventory to identify your biggest stress pointsAudit upcoming IEPs/evals by month to plan ahead with confidenceSet weekly paperwork goals that reduce decision fatigue and mental loadProtect focus time using simple schedule boundaries Try the SLP Now free trial at slpnow.com/pod to access the Paperwork Course + workbook and start building your system.

Show Notes: slpnow.com/245 Narrative graphic organizers are a simple tool that can unlock stronger storytelling, richer language samples, and better generalization across therapy sessions. In this episode, I’m sharing four practical ways to use a narrative graphic organizer with students across grade levels—whether you’re targeting personal narratives, story retells, or literacy-based therapy goals. These strategies are easy to implement, highly flexible, and designed to reduce overwhelm while supporting clear narrative structure. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Use graphic organizers to scaffold personal narrativesBuild pre-story knowledge before reading a book or articleSupport accurate and meaningful story retellsCreate parallel stories to promote generalization If you want to see these strategies in action and grab free graphic organizers, check out my on-demand SLP Summit course for a deeper dive.

Narrative graphic organizers are a simple tool that can unlock stronger storytelling, richer language samples, and better generalization across therapy sessions. In this episode, I’m sharing four practical ways to use a narrative graphic organizer with students across grade levels—whether you’re targeting personal narratives, story retells, or literacy-based therapy goals. These strategies are easy to implement, highly flexible, and designed to reduce overwhelm while supporting clear narrative structure. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Use graphic organizers to scaffold personal narrativesBuild pre-story knowledge before reading a book or articleSupport accurate and meaningful story retellsCreate parallel stories to promote generalization If you want to see these strategies in action and grab free graphic organizers, check out my on-demand SLP Summit course for a deeper dive.

Sequencing goals are common in IEPs, but do they actually lead to meaningful outcomes? In this episode, I share why I no longer write traditional sequencing goals and what I do instead to support generalization, comprehension, and real-world language use. We’ll look at how isolated sequencing tasks fall short and how embedding sequencing within narrative-based therapy can better support students’ communication skills. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why decontextualized sequencing tasks often don’t generalizeHow narrative-based frameworks support sequencing, memory, and comprehensionExamples of functional, measurable alternatives to traditional sequencing goalsPractical ways to scaffold sequencing within real stories and experiences Listen in to rethink how you target sequencing and walk away with ideas you can apply in therapy right away.

Every January, thousands of SLPs come together for the SLP Summit, and this year’s lineup is packed with fresh insights and practical strategies you can use right away. In this episode, I’m sharing what to expect, how to access two on-demand courses immediately, and why the live sessions (January 12–14) are truly worth tuning into. Whether you're craving evidence-based ideas or simply want to feel inspired again, this Summit has something for you. Sign up at slpsummit.com!

Show Notes: slpnow.com/242 Want to access the free materials mentioned in the podcast? Go to slpnow.com/pod! In this episode, we break down six evidence-based strategies you can use to teach summarizing with clarity and confidence. From explicit instruction to picture-supported scaffolds, you’ll get practical tools you can use in your very next session. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✏️ How to explicitly define summaries, main ideas, and key details ✏️ Ways to use visuals and graphic organizers to boost comprehensio ✏️ Why modeling metalinguistic thinking accelerates learning ✏️ How sentence frames and text structures support generalization