5 Things Every School SLP Should Do Before the First Speech Session
Hey, speech friend! 👋🏼
Can we talk about that first-week-back feeling for a second?
Your inbox is filling up. Teachers are asking questions. Your caseload spreadsheet is open in approximately 17 tabs. And somehow you're supposed to create a perfect therapy schedule before you even know when half the students have lunch.
Sound familiar?
Back-to-school season can feel like a LOT for school-based SLPs.
And while I love a fresh planner and a newly organized speech room as much as the next SLP, I've learned that trying to do everything before your first session is the fastest way to feel overwhelmed.
Instead, I like to focus on a few things that make the biggest difference once therapy actually starts.
Here are five things I recommend doing before your first speech session of the school year.
1. Get to Know Your Caseload Before You Plan Therapy
I know. You want to start printing activities.
But before you pull out the laminator, spend a little time getting familiar with your caseload.
Look at your students' goals, service minutes, grade levels, and primary areas of need.
Are you seeing a lot of articulation students? Do you have several mixed language groups? Are there students using AAC? Do you have students working on similar narrative or social communication goals?
You do not need to memorize every IEP. The goal is simply to get a big-picture view of who you're serving.
This makes grouping, scheduling, and eventually planning therapy SO much easier.
2. Choose Your Go-To Therapy Tools
Please hear me when I say this:
You do not need a completely different activity for every student.
One of the best things you can do before therapy begins is choose a small collection of versatile materials that work across multiple groups.
My go-to tools tend to include things like:
- Speech and language visuals
- Drill cards
- Open-ended games
- Picture scenes
- Books
- Sentence strips
- Simple data sheets
Think about the resources you reached for again and again last year.
Those are the things you want easy access to.
If a resource can target five different goals with a few small adjustments, it earns a front-row seat in my speech room!
>> CHECK OUT ALL MY SPEECH RESOURCES HERE IF YOU'RE ON THE HUNT FOR SOMETHING NEW THIS SCHOOL YEAR <<
3. Create a Simple First-Session Plan
Your first session does not need to be a full-blown therapy masterpiece.
In fact, I usually want my first few sessions to feel simple and flexible.
This is your chance to reconnect with returning students, meet new students, review speech room expectations, and get a feel for current skill levels.
Try a simple structure like:
- Quick introduction or check-in
- Review speech room routines
- Complete a low-pressure communication activity
- Introduce or review goals
- End with a preferred game or activity
You can use an "All About Me" activity, a conversation game, a simple book, or even a favorite open-ended game.
The goal is connection AND information.
Pay attention to how students communicate, follow directions, interact with peers, and respond to support.
You're collecting valuable information without making the session feel like an assessment.
4. Set Up a Data System You Will Actually Use
Confession: the prettiest data system is not always the best data system.
I've tried complicated forms, detailed binders, and systems that required me to transfer information three different times.
You know what happened?
I stopped using them.
Your data system should work during real therapy. That means during mixed groups, behavior moments, schedule changes, and those sessions when someone spills your entire container of mini objects.
Keep it simple.
Whether you use paper, digital data, sticky notes, or a combination, decide where your information will live before therapy starts.
Future you will be VERY thankful when progress report season arrives.
5. Give Yourself Time to Adjust
This one might be the most important.
Your schedule may change. Your groups may change. A therapy activity may completely flop. You may realize two students should absolutely not be in the same group.
That's okay! The beginning of the school year is about gathering information and finding your rhythm.
You do not need to have the entire year figured out by the first Monday of therapy.
Create simple systems. Use materials you trust. Get to know your students.
Then adjust as you go.
Start Simple This School Year
Back-to-school season has a way of making SLPs feel like we need to do ALL THE THINGS immediately.
But good therapy does not start with a perfectly decorated speech room or 12 weeks of lesson plans.
It starts with knowing your students and having practical tools that help you support their goals.
Choose a few priorities.
Set up simple systems.
And give yourself permission to figure out the rest as you go.
You've got this, speech friend!
