It’s all about SLP resources and shortcuts this week! I hope you’ve enjoyed the school-based series this month! We’ve talked all about the many roles and responsibilities that SLPs have. And we even dove into a few things that I wish I would’ve known before starting in the schools.
The paperwork load for SLPs is overwhelming. In this post, I gave you a 5 step process to create a system that works for you!
School SLPs also have demanding deadlines they have to constantly track. Every student has to have an IEP every single year. Check out this post for my best tips for writing kick-butt evals and IEPs!
Today, I’m super excited to share my favorite SLP resources and shortcuts that will make your school life easier. So get out your flair pen and write some of these down!
1. Templates and checklists
I mentioned creating templates and procedure checklists for IEPs and evals in last week’s post. But, friend, this can work for many other areas as well! You can create templates for any recurring task that’s required.
I like to keep Google docs of blurbs for different things I need – email responses, progress reports, Medicaid statements, ESY paperwork, etc. It seriously cuts down on SO much time when you can copy and paste a base statement. Then, you can just tweak it to work for your different students.
Keeping checklists for different procedures that you may often forget is nice too. It helps for those once-a-year tasks. Having a checklist for your entire student caseload is helpful as well. I keep a list of everyone and add tasks at the top that I need to complete.
2. Chrome extensions
If you are looking for a couple of ways to shortcut your work, here are a couple of awesome Chrome extensions! The first is Auto Text Expander. This extension allows you to create shortcuts to snippets and text that you use frequently.
For example, you can make “zm” expand to an entire zoom link that you use often. OR you could make “gsi” give you an entire paragraph of a general student information template. The possibilities are endless.
Another extension that I like is Todoist. This is like a to-do list on steroids. I like it because you can access it on any browser and check off tasks without switching websites. It makes planning and organizing your work life pretty easy.
3. Google Keep
Speaking of Google products, one of my very favorite apps is Google Keep. It’s like sticky note central. You can easily keep track of things you have to remember with colorful digital sticky notes.
I also spruced up my sticky notes with cute headers that you can grab in my free resource library. There’s a tutorial over on my Instagram highlights if you want to see how I use them.
4. Airtable
Do you use spreadsheets to track your caseload? If so, Airtable is a cool mix between a database and a spreadsheet. You can easily rearrange and manipulate the views to simplify scheduling and keep track of your students.
I don’t know if the site is confidentiality protected, so it’s probably a good idea to use initials. I did a Facebook live last year on how I use it to schedule. You can check out that replay here!
5. File drawers and labels
OK, if you aren’t careful, the paperwork pile on your desk can get crazy. For me, I need a few things to help keep things at bay – an inbox, outbox, file drawers, and labels. Knowing where to put your different papers that come through your room is so helpful. Inboxes and outboxes let you corral all the papers into a central location.
It only took about 10 years of trial and error to figure out my system – ha. At a minimum, make a drawer or box for things to review, things you’re working on, and things to file. Labels make all the difference in staying organized. Grab some free cutesy labels in my free resource library!
6. A quality planner
Never underestimate the power of a great planner. It’s great for keeping all of your caseload deadlines and responsibilities in one place. Plus, you want something that will work for YOU specifically. It needs to fit your personal needs and be easy to change and manage.
This is the planner I use. I love that it’s editable and covers everything I need to keep track of. It stays in my work bag, so I always have it to reference. If you want to see how I put my planner together you can check out this post.
7. A sturdy backpack or school bag
As a school SLP, you need that teacher bag. Make sure the bag you choose is sturdy enough to last you all year and big enough to fit toys, books, papers, a tablet, and a laptop. It also helps if the bag is cute and comfortable.
I commute to work every day and travel around often. It’s worth it to pay a little extra for that good quality bag! Here’s the one I’ve used for 2 years.
My cute backpack from Amazon (affiliate) is only $28. I love that it has padded straps and lots of pockets. You can also check out this post to see what other bags I’ve used in the past.
I hope some of these SLP resources help you on your school journey! Hit the button below to stay updated on all of my best tips, resources, and freebies for the busy school SLP! Talk soon, friend.
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