TRAINING MODULE
SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY
ASSISTANTS (SLPA)
Roles and Responsibilities
Resources
West Virginia Department of Education
Office of Special Programs
SLPA Training Module
• Newly hired SLPAs are required to preview this module
and document on supervision plan.
• Designed to provide information for speech assistants
working in the schools under the supervision of a
speech-language pathologist (SLP).
• Content focuses on:
– Procedural aspects of becoming a speech assistant
– Process of working with the supervising SLP.
• Does NOT focus on specific content skills.
– Skill training must be addressed through other professional
development activities.
• Resources are provided as links within the module.
– Documents, websites, and forms
West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE)
Definition: Speech Assistants
• Speech Language Pathology Assistants (SLPA) individuals who may provide services to students with
communication disorders under the guidance and
direction of a certified SLP.
• SLPAs may assist the supervising SLP with record keeping,
generalization of learned skills to multiple settings,
implementation of assistive technology devices/services,
services for diverse and underserved populations, and
other responsibilities.
(WVDE, 2004)
WVDE Guidelines
• WVDE published Guidelines for the Use of Speech
Assistants in West Virginia Public Schools
• Provides direction to school districts
• Outlines roles/responsibilities of SLPA and
supervising SLP
• Information from the document is included in the
module.
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
resources were incorporated into guidelines.
• To access the document, click on the following link:
http://wvde.state.wv.us/osp/guidelinesforspeechasst.pdf
ASHA DEFINITION AND REFERENCES
Support Personnel
• Definition: Support personnel: people who, following
academic and/or on-the-job training, perform tasks as
prescribed, directed, and supervised by certified speechlanguage pathologists. There are different levels of
support personnel based on training and scope of
responsibilities.
• ASHA References
– Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Scope of Practice (2013)
• http://www.asha.org/uploadedFiles/SP2013-00337.pdf
– SLPA Frequently Asked Questions
• http://www.asha.org/associates/SLPA-FAQs/
Criteria: Speech Assistant
 Hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in speech
pathology or communication disorders from an accredited
institution;
 Be employed by a local West Virginia board of education;
 Receive
the
recommendation
of
the
district
superintendent verifying that the applicant is the most
qualified candidate for the position and that no fully
certified speech-language pathologist has applied for the
available position; and
 Complete Form 38 & Form 38A and submit them to the
Office of Personnel Preparation , WVDE
WVDE Application Forms
•
FORM 38 “Temporary Authorization for Speech Assistant”
& Form 38A, “Supplement to Form 38” are contained in
one document must be completed and submitted to the
WVDE, Office of Personnel Preparation
•
http://wvde.state.wv.us/certification/forms/documents/Form38.pdf
•
Contact WVDE Office of Professional Preparation for
questions : http://wvde.state.wv.us/certification/
•
•
Scottie Ford, smford@access.k12.wv.us
Sherri Hudnall shudnall@access.k12.wv.us
Supervision Requirements
Speech Assistant
• “It is the responsibility of the supervising SLP and the
special education director to collaboratively design
and implement a supervision system that maintains
the highest possible standard of quality.”
(WVDE Guidelines p. 8)
• Supervision Plan MUST be completed and submitted
annually for approval to:
Kathy Knighton (kknighto@access.k12.wv.us)
Office of Special Programs
West Virginia Department of Education
•
WVDE, 2005
WVDE, 2005
The Supervision Plan
• The supervising SLP and special education director
collaboratively design and implement a supervision
system.
• The amount and type of supervision required should be
based on the skills and experience of the speech
assistant.
• The supervisory responsibilities should be mutually
agreed on by the supervising SLP and special education
director.
(WVDE Guidelines p.11)
Personnel Requirements
for Supervising SLP
• WVDE Guidelines specify:
• Supervising SLP must hold a master’s degree
• Supervising SLP must be certified through WVDE
• Supervising SLP must have practiced speech
language pathology for at least two (2) years following
certification.
WVDE, 2005
Responsibilities of SLP
Supervisor
• The amount of supervision depends on the
complexity of the case and on the
experience and expertise of the speech
assistant.
• Specific responsibilities of the supervising
SLP are listed in the Guidelines document.
Responsibilities of
Supervising SLP
1. Inform families
2. Represent team
3. Determine caseload
4. Communicate with
families
5. Diagnosis &
evaluation
6. IEP review
7. Delegate tasks to
assistant
8. Develop/ Review IEP
9. Interactions w/ other
professionals
10. Review & sign progress
notes
11. Coordinate assistant
training
12. Provide & document
supervision
13. Ensure practice is within
scope of responsibility
14. Performance appraisal of
assistant
.
Speech Assistant
Roles and Responsibilities
According to WVDE Guidelines:
“ Tasks executed by speech assistants must be
within their scope of responsibilities and
include only those tasks they have the
expertise and training to perform.”
WVDE, 2005
Speech Assistant
Roles and Responsibilities
• Conduct speech-language screenings (without
interpretation) following specified screening
selected by the supervising SLP.
protocols
• Assist the supervising SLP during assessment of students,
as directed.
• Provide direct therapy to identified students.
• Follow goals and objectives identified on the IEP and plans
developed by the supervising SLP.
.
WVDE, 2005
Speech Assistant
Roles and Responsibilities
• Document student progress toward meeting established
goals and objectives as stated in the IEP and report this
information to the supervising SLP.
• Assist in the implementation of assistive technology
devices and services as deemed appropriate by the SLP.
• Assist with informal documentation (notes, tallying, etc.).
• Perform checks and maintenance of equipment.
WVDE, 2005
Speech Assistant
Roles and Responsibilities
• Participate with the SLP in research projects, staff
development and public relations programs, as deemed
appropriate by the SLP.
• Assist with other clerical duties as assigned by your
supervising SLP.
• Schedule activities, prepare charts, records, graphs, or
otherwise display data.
Speech Assistant
Tasks Outside Scope of
Responsibilities
A Speech Assistant….
•
May NOT perform standardized or nonstandardized diagnostic tests, formal or informal
evaluations, or interpret test results.
•
May NOT participate in parent conferences or any
team meeting not designated by your supervising
SLP.
.
.
Speech Assistant
Tasks Outside Scope of
Responsibilities
A Speech Assistant…
.
•
May NOT Assist with student’s therapy without
following the IEP prepared by the supervising
SLP or without access to supervision.
•
May NOT sign any formal documents without
approval of the supervising SLP.
Speech Assistant
Tasks Outside Scope of
Responsibilities
A Speech Assistant…..
•
May NOT write, develop, or modify a student’s IEP.
•
May NOT make referrals for additional services.
•
May NOT disclose confidential information either
orally or in writing to anyone not specifically
designated by the supervising SLP.
.
Speech Assistant
Tasks Outside Scope of
Responsibilities
A Speech Assistant …
•
May NOT select students for services or dismiss a
student from services.
•
May NOT communicate with the student, family, or
others regarding any aspect of a student’s status or
service without the specific consent of the
supervising SLP.
•
May NOT represent yourself as a speech-language
pathologist.
.
SLPA Supervisor
Roles and Responsibilities
• Clearly define & communicate the job activities
and tasks that are within the specified scope of
responsibilities for a speech-language pathology
assistant.
• Counsel and coach SLPAs on improved
performance as needed.
• Provide job-related instruction including planning
and organizing the work to be delegated to the
SLPA.
SLPA Supervisor
Roles and Responsibilities
• Evaluate the performance of the SLPA
•Provide ongoing feedback
• Discuss standards to define acceptable clinical performance
• Provide constructive feedback regarding clinical
performance
• Routinely document observations and feedback regarding
clinical performance
.
Communicating with Your
Supervising SLP
• Clarify a schedule for meeting with your supervisor.
– time
– place
– frequency
• Clarify how you will address your supervisor.
– by title? by name?
– will this differ after school hours?
– will this differ when children are not present?
Communicating with the
Supervising SLP
• Ask questions rather than make assumptions
• Discuss and clarify expectations
- Be explicit with regards to expectations of your
performance.
- Be explicit with regards to specific tasks.
• Ask for clarification regarding any process or procedural
matters of which you are unsure.
Communicating with Your
Supervising SLP
• Determine the organization for meetings with
your supervisor
–
–
–
–
prepare a list of questions
take notes & review after the meetings
stay on track
initiate questions about issues of concern if
your supervisor does not bring them up
SLPA FORMS
These forms are to be used by the LEA and SLPA to document the
services provided. There is no requirement to submit to the WVDE.
• Session Documentation Form
Use to document goals, materials, activities,
evaluation and comments about sessions
with students
• SLPA Self-Evaluation Form
Use to evaluate your clinical performance during
direct therapy sessions with students
• Supervising SLP Evaluation Form
Use this to evaluate your supervisor and his/her
clinical interactions with you
Supervising SLP FORMS
These forms are to be used by the LEA and supervising SLP
to document the services provided. There is no
requirement to submit to the WVDE.
• WVDE Direct Observation Form
• Use to record direct observation suggestions and
follow-up
• Supervision Log Direct / Indirect
• Use to record direct and indirect supervision
• WVDE Summary Observation Log
• Document number of sessions provided and
percentage of sessions supervised
WVDE, 2005
Professional Development
Professional development activities may include:
• Successful completion of a semester course (3
credits) in an area related to the field of
communication disorders
• Successful completion semester course (3
credits) that is required for the completion of a
masters degree in communication disorders
Professional Development
Professional development activities may include:
3. Attendance at state or national conferences in
communication disorders
4. Professional Development activities designated by
the WVDE, Office of Special Education
Talk with your Supervising SLP about appropriate
professional development activities
Renewing Your Authorization as
a Speech Assistant
• The authorization is valid for one (1) school year
and expires on June 30th of each year.
• To renew the authorization, you must complete
professional development activities and receive
the recommendation of the district superintendent
verifying that no fully certified speech-language
pathologist has applied for the available position.
Verification Report
Speech Assistant Authorization
• A Verification Report documenting the speech
therapy services delivered and supervision of
the speech assistant must be completed by
SLPA, supervising SLP and Special Education
director.
• The report must be submitted to the Office of
Special Programs to June 1
WVDE, 2005
SLPA CHECK-LIST
COMPLETE APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY
AUTHORIZATION – FORM 38
SUBMIT TO WVDE OFFICE OF PERSONNEL
PREPARATION
COMPLETE SUPERVISION PLAN
COMPLETE TRAINING MODULES
SUBMIT SUPERVISION PLAN TO OFFICE OF
SPECIAL PROGRMS
COMPLETE VERIFICATION REPORT PRIOR TO JUNE
SUBMIT TO WVDE/OSE
WVDE, 2005
Questions
• Contact Information
• Office of Special Programs
– Kathy Knighton
(kknighto@access.k12.wv.us)
– Kathy Hudnall
(khhudnal@access.k12.wv.us
• Office of Personnel Preparation
– Scotty Ford (smford@access.k12.wv.us)
– Sherry Hudnall (shudnall@access.k12.wv.us)
WVDE, 2005
THANK-YOU!!!!!
3/12/2016