Beginning of the Year Goal Setting for SLPs

This year I’m trying something new - I’m focusing solely on my private practice as a speech pathologist!  After my daughter was born this past spring, I needed to change up how I manage my career.  I decided to bet on myself and focus on my own private clients rather than work for a company.  In making this leap I needed to figure out for myself what "5 star service” would look like for my clients.  What can make me stand out - especially as a virtual provider?

I’ve listed below 10 different strategies that could elevate your practice from average to exceptional.  Check them out - Which of these strategies resonates with you the most?  Which ones will be the most impactful for your practice? Don’t overwhelm yourself with trying them all at once!  Focus on just one or two or three to get started.

1. Innovative Therapy Techniques:

Develop Custom Digital Resources: Create personalized digital resources, such as interactive workbooks, video tutorials, or speech games tailored to each student’s goals.  I’ve found the most success making materials using Google Docs and Canva.

2. Family and Community Engagement:

Create a Resource Hub: Develop an online gathering of resources, activities, and information that families can access anytime to support their child’s progress outside of sessions.  I’ve had colleagues create incredible Padlet and Pinterest pages for families to have access to specific resources.  These types of resources are wonderful because you can use them throughout your career no matter where you end up.

3. Data-Driven Therapy:

Implement Advanced Data Tracking: Use sophisticated data-tracking tools to monitor student progress, create visual reports, and make data-driven decisions to adjust therapy plans.  I find that visual representation of a client’s progress can be one of the best methods for reporting progress and the rate of progress.  I’ve accomplished this with paid software subscriptions such as SLPToolkit, as well as free formulated Google Spreadsheets.  There really is a range of cost with this.

Regular Progress Updates: Provide frequent, detailed progress reports to parents and teachers, showing tangible evidence of student improvements.  Legally we may be required in the school setting to report progress at certain intervals, but what if we integrated regular informal check ins?

4. Collaboration and Integration:

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Proactively collaborate with teachers, occupational therapists, and other specialists to integrate speech goals into the classroom curriculum or other therapies.

Support Classroom Learning: Offer strategies and resources that teachers can use to reinforce speech goals during regular classroom activities.  Start by asking teachers what they need and listen. 

5. Professional Development and Leadership:

Lead a Peer Group: Organize or lead virtual study groups or professional learning communities for other SLPs in the district to share strategies, resources, and support.  Some of my best inspiration, motivation, and resources come from my colleague groups.

6. Exceptional Communication:

Frequent Check-ins:  Maintain consistent communication with parents and teachers through regular check-ins, emails, or newsletters about student progress and therapy activities.

7. Flexibility and Accessibility:

Offer Flexible Scheduling: Be flexible with your availability to accommodate different student schedules and needs, which can be especially helpful for students with busy or unpredictable home environments.

Create Asynchronous Options: Develop asynchronous activities or recorded sessions that students can complete on their own time if they miss a live session.  I know of a handful of SLPs who have Google Classrooms where their students can “go into the speech room” and practice.

8. Cultural Competence and Inclusivity:

Tailor Therapy to Cultural Needs: Be mindful of and responsive to the cultural and linguistic backgrounds of your students. Incorporate culturally relevant materials and approaches into your sessions.  This can most easily be done through selecting diverse and inclusive books for therapy.

Language Access: Offer materials or sessions in students’ primary languages if you have the skills, or collaborate with bilingual educators to ensure accessibility.

9. Showcase Success Stories:

Celebrate Student Achievements: Publicly (with permission) share success stories, student achievements, or testimonials in newsletters, on the school website, or during school events.  Often our students who receive special services might not be the first student considered for an achievement award.  It is so important to celebrate the efforts of our students who work so hard!

10. Advocacy and Awareness:

Lead Initiatives: Take the lead on district-wide initiatives related to speech and language services, such as launching a communication-friendly classroom campaign or developing a school-wide speech awareness week.

My recommendation would be to start with: data driven therapy, exceptional communication, and cultural competency and inclusion.  Once you have this foundation down solid, integrating other five star strategies will only enhance your practice. I think this year I might try a monthly speech newsletter for my clients!  

By developing one or a few of these areas, you can differentiate yourself as an innovative, resourceful, and highly effective virtual speech therapist who goes above and beyond for your students and school community.

What strategy could you try implementing today? Find me on Instagram and let me know :)

Ellie