SLP+Schedules+for+Therapy

Scheduling can be a nightmare for an Elementary school SLP. With large caseload sizes and restricted class periods to pull students from, SLPs are faced with a difficulty task. Often students will be placed in groups in order to make scheduling work for students, teachers, SLPs and administrators. The following are a list of things SLPs will consider when scheduling your students for therapy:
 * Age
 * Disorder
 * Speech and language needs
 * Grade
 * Curriculum
 * Class schedule

SLPs are unable to take students out of specials (gym, music etc.) due to administrative restrictions. Therefore your students may miss class time. The SLP will consider the students grade, age and curriculum in order to allow that child the most success. For example, if a student is in the fourth grade and preparing for the MCAS during certain time periods, the SLP will do their best not to schedule the student during this class period.

It is important to remember that the SLP does have a large caseload and many scheduling restrictions and requirements that the SLP will need to accommodate. Your student's therapy schedule may not be the most convenient. This may not be negotiable. However, please offer any ideas or thoughts about how to make this schedule work best for all parties involved.

If you would like to know more about how the scheduling process works, speak with your SLP or with your school's administration. The blog "The Learning Curve" recently posted some helpful tips for SLPs in elementary schools.This may also help you to understand how the SLP and administration develop schedules for therapy. @http://slplearningcurve.blogspot.com/2011/05/scheduling-tips-for-elementary-school.html