How One SLP Manages Caseload and Eligibility

We are fortunate to consider the experiences of one school SLP dealing with the eligibility process and its impact on caseload size.  “The load for case management mushroomed as the autism eligibility encompassed more children. Communication disability is often the next eligibility to come into play with children who are not making progress. Often children [...]

18. SLP Eligibility Management: Evaluation

To prevent over-identification, and disproportional representations, special education personnel must be sensitive to the processes which put children in special education, and be able to diagnose them instantaneously as the rush to place and comply happens around them.  Three questions must be asked: 1. Who makes the referrals? 2. Who evaluates? 3. Who urges placement? [...]

17. SLP Eligibility Management: On Guard!

8. SLP CASELOAD CUTS Here’s an older post that packs a punch!  Your admission of the problem of over-identification gives you confidence to be watchful at every turn. You known it’s happening right under your nose, and now it’s time to bring it out for the fight. “Let’s talk about practical techniques for reducing the SLP [...]

16. SLP Eligibility Management: Categories

In 1975 school speech-language pathology changed forever.  U. S. courts and  the U. S. Congress imposed on government education strict rules for the ways in which handicapped school children were to be placed and retained in special education. States had not been able to fix the problems of misplacement of minority children, and their systems [...]

15. SLP Eligibility Management: Prevention

Monitoring Misidentification for SLPs In “helping professions” prevention is too often counter-productive.  If we prevented all health problems many would be unemployed.  In American schools, IDEA SAYS WE SHOULD PREVENT NON-DISABLED CHILDREN FROM BEING PLACED IN SPECIAL EDUCATION.  ASHA’s concept of prevention is generic. A school SLP has a specific job to do. SLPs want to [...]

14. SLP Eligibility Management: System Leaks

In a prior post, called SLP Caseload Eligibility, we had some important things to say about thoughtful pre-planing and investigation of what we call “leaks” in the system. This is highly original work indicative of our Famous Blog. First, one should try to work with other SLPs in the district to see how non-disabled children [...]

13. SLP Eligibility Management: Adverse Effects

 If we use narrow SLP clinical criteria, we can overlook potential side effects of special education placement.  In a prior post, we went over this point. One of our themes at SSP is that school speech-language pathologists along with other specialists do not consider among their special education placement criteria the potential of negative impact [...]

12. SLP Eligibility Management: Data

Managing SLP Exits                                                                                        Aggregate data are a must for caseload management.   On the [...]

11. SLP Eligibility Management: Outlook

In an early post, SLP Caseload Management, key points were brought out.  Without aggregate data, there will be a large gap in your understanding of your caseload. Eligibility determination is process demanding good background, situational interpretation, and correct judgment. Dismissal is even more important to gaining intellectual control over caseload management.  You will see how [...]

10. SLP Eligibility Management: Plan

One powerful decision in planning your attack on caseload size and to reduce over-identification is simple:  Commit to a reduction of 10% in one school year. All the other considerations are secondary.  A percentage reduction goal will inspire creativity and eliminate excuses.  The message is:  GET IT DONE! With a concrete plan of action, good [...]