Essential Tools and Resources Every SLPA Needs

Posted on February 6th, 2025

Becoming a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) is a rewarding journey, but it can also feel overwhelming, especially when you're starting out. There are so many new tasks to juggle, from managing a caseload to navigating therapy schedules, that it's easy to feel unprepared. That’s why having the right tools and resources is crucial to staying organized, efficient, and confident. Here’s a list of essential tools and resources every SLPA should have.

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1. A Comprehensive Caseload Spreadsheet

A spreadsheet containing all of your caseload information is one of the most helpful tools to stay organized. Your spreadsheet should include:

• Student Name

• Grade

• Teacher/Room Number

• Frequency/Duration of Services

• Goals

• Annual & Triennial IEP Dates

• Case Manager

• Quick Links to Frequently Visited Pages

• To-Do List

• Document Tracker

• Observation/Screening Tracker

• Makeup Session Tracker

• Speech Schedule

  
  

This will allow you to keep all of your information in one place, easily access your speech schedule, and stay on top of deadlines and responsibilities.

2. Speech Therapy Visuals

Visuals are an essential resource for SLPA work, whether you're teaching new concepts or reminding students to use specific strategies. Keeping them posted on the wall and having copies on hand near your therapy table can help your students reference them throughout the session. Speech therapy visuals help students remember key strategies and encourage independence in meeting their speech and language goals.

3. A Storage System for Therapy Materials

Keeping your therapy materials organized is critical for efficiency, especially when you're juggling multiple students with different goals. I recommend using a storage cart, drawer system, or even a binder to organize materials based on speech goals. For example:

• Articulation (/k,g/, /s,z/, /s,l,r/ blends, etc.)

• Language Goals (Wh-questions, sequencing, pragmatics, etc.)

  
  

Having a dedicated system to organize therapy materials by goal makes prepping for sessions faster and smoother, especially when you have back-to-back sessions with little prep time in between.

4. Google Drive Folder for Digital Materials

Create a Google Drive folder to store all your digital therapy materials, organized by therapy goals. This could include digital files you create, as well as purchased resources from Teachers Pay Teachers, Etsy, or other sources. Having these files organized digitally makes transitioning between schools much easier, and it ensures you have quick access to everything you need without cluttering your physical space.

5. Master Binder with Important Documents

A master binder with all of the essential documents for your school site is a game changer. This should include:

• District/School Calendar

• School Map

• Staff Directory (with teacher names, room numbers, and extensions)

• Bell Schedule

• Master School Schedule (if available)

• Speech Schedule

• Resource or Learning Center Schedule

• PE Schedule

• Computer Schedule

• Music Schedule

• Schedule of Events happening that week or month

  
  

Having these documents readily available for reference will help you stay on top of scheduling and ensure you're prepared for unexpected changes.

6. Calendar/Planner for Important Dates

Use a big calendar, or Outlook/Google Calendar, to keep track of important dates like:

• Trainings

• Staff Meetings

• IEP Meetings

• Progress Report Dates

• State Testing Dates

  
  

This will help you plan and prioritize tasks effectively. You'll be able to quickly identify when you need to block off time for specific events or plan ahead for busy periods.

7. Communication with Your SLP and Self-Advocacy

It’s essential to communicate with your SLP to ensure you have sufficient prep time in your schedule. I recommend advocating for at least one hour of prep time in the morning to check emails, prepare for sessions, and update your billing system. Throughout the day, use gaps between sessions to update therapy logs and bill for sessions so that you don't have to do it all after school hours. Communication is key—if you don't finish your logs or billing during the day, don’t stress! Just communicate with your SLP and let them know you’ll catch up as soon as you can.

Work-life balance is important, so be sure to set boundaries and manage your time effectively. And remember, no matter how busy it gets, self-advocacy and transparency will help ensure you're supported in your role.

Helpful Materials for New SLPAs

As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases through the links provided in this post. This comes at no additional cost to you, and it helps support the creation of more helpful content.

Here are a few materials that I recommend to help you stay organized and make your job easier as a new SLPA:

• Multi-level Articulation Cards BUNDLE (TpT): A comprehensive set of articulation cards and data sheets to help with a variety of articulation goals.

• Barefoot Books BUNDLE (TpT): Interactive books and song companions that support speech therapy for children with autism, perfect for engaging students in a fun and meaningful way.

• Teaching Visuals BUNDLE (TpT): A collection of visual aids for speech therapy, covering everything from articulation to vocabulary and language goals.

• Speech Therapy Blank Notebook (Amazon): A blank notebook that is ideal for keeping track of therapy notes, session logs, and student progress in one convenient location.

• Speech-themed Supply Bag (Amazon): A sturdy office supply bag perfect for organizing and carrying your office supplies, from pens to sticky notes and anything in between.

• Folding Utility Cart (Amazon): A foldable utility cart that is great for carrying therapy materials across different sites or for bringing materials into classrooms for push-in sessions or whole-class instruction. It’s a must-have for making transportation easier.

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About the Author

Hi! I’m Kim, and I’ve been a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) for nearly a decade. I have a B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology and have worked in elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools, providing services to students in general education classes and special day classes, ranging from mild to moderate and moderate to severe. I created this blog to share my experiences as an SLPA and to help other SLPAs navigate their school-based speech therapy journey.