The SLP Now Podcast

Show Notes: slpnow.com/259 A caseload number can look tidy on paper, but it never tells the whole story. In this episode, I break down why caseload does not equal workload, what the 2024 ASHA survey tells us, and why so many school based SLPs feel stretched thin even when the numbers look manageable. I also walk through a simple way to make invisible work visible, so you can use data and clear lan...

Show Notes: slpnow.com/258 What if it actually felt doable to leave work at work? In this episode, I’m sharing five things I’ve seen school based SLPs do to leave on time more consistently. It is not about caring less. It is about building systems that make the job more manageable. I talk about planning ahead, giving every part of the job a home, documenting as you go, and protecting your energy....

Show Notes: slpnow.com/257 Mixed groups are a reality for most school-based SLPs, and managing them well takes the right tools. In this episode, Marisha walks through how the SLP Now Visuals Binder makes it work, covering how to use it digitally in a pinch, how to test what works for your students, and why eventually printing and laminating your go-to visuals changes everything about session flow....

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. T...

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, p...

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 s...

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...

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 struc...

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 wit...

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 mak...

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 c...

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 workfl...

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...

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 goal...

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 eas...

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’...

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...

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 ex...

Show Notes: slpnow.com/241 Want to access the free materials mentioned in the podcast? Go to slpnow.com/pod ! Did you know that just a handful of prefixes and suffixes account for most derivational words students encounter? In this episode, we break down simple, effective strategies for teaching morphology in speech therapy — so you can help students become confident “word detectives” without addi...

Show Notes: slpnow.com/240 Did you know that nearly half of English words have more than one meaning? In this episode, we break down simple, evidence-backed strategies to help students infer meaning, build vocabulary, and strengthen comprehension—all without adding more prep to your plate. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to introduce the concept of multiple meaning words with concrete, student-...

What if teaching describing could feel simpler and more effective? In this episode, we break down evidence-based strategies and share practical tools you can start using right away. From visual supports to vocabulary journals, you’ll learn how to build stronger describing skills with confidence. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Teach key attribute categories using clear, structured supports U...

Show Notes: slpnow.com/238 In this episode, I’m sharing five simple, research-backed strategies you can use to target basic concepts in a way that really sticks. You’ll learn how to keep instruction focused, embed concepts in meaningful contexts, and use gestures and visuals to boost understanding. I’ll also walk you through how to put it all together with one of my favorite books, Zoe Gets Ready...

Access the Sentence Pack (for free!) here: slpnow.com/pod Show Notes: slpnow.com/237 In this episode, we’re diving into five evidence-based strategies to boost your students’ Mean Length of Utterance (MLU) — in a way that’s fun, functional, and easy to track! 🎯 You’ll learn how to: ✅ Use language samples to identify targets and monitor progress ✅ Embed MLU practice into play, books, songs, and...

Show Notes: slpnow.com/236 Even our youngest students use complex syntax, but what happens when they don’t? In this episode, Marisha breaks down why syntax matters (even for kindergartners!) and shares practical strategies to assess and target structures like passive voice, relative clauses, and adverbial clauses. You’ll learn evidence-based techniques such as focused stimulation, sentence combini...

Help your students master compound sentences! In this episode, Marisha shares five evidence-backed strategies—from visuals and sentence combining to movement and classroom collaboration—that make teaching conjunctions clear, fun, and effective.