How Do I Prepare For My First Day as an SLPA?

Posted on February 2nd, 2025

Starting your first day as a Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) can feel overwhelming, especially when your program may not have fully prepared you for the realities of the role. If you're feeling a little unready, don't worry—you're not alone! Here’s a guide to help you feel confident and prepared for the first day and beyond.

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1. Reach Out to Your SLP Ahead of Time

Before your first day, try to reach out to your supervising Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). Discuss where to meet and ask if there’s anything specific you need to bring on your first day. It’s also a great time to ask about the daily expectations and get a sense of what the first few days will look like.

2. Bring Key Supplies

Make sure you’re ready to take on the day with the right tools. Here’s what I found helpful:

• Laptop and Notebook: You’ll need a place to take notes and access digital files.

• List of Questions: Write down anything you're unsure about so you can ask your SLP and other team members.

• Important Documents: Collect key documents such as:

  • Speech caseload spreadsheet or document

  • Bell schedule

  • Staff directory with room numbers and extensions

  • Master schedule, P.E., computer, and music schedules

  • School map

  • Resource or Learning Center schedule

  • District/school calendar

  • Keep these documents organized in a binder or folder with prongs. A master binder makes it easier to stay organized throughout the year.

    
    

3. Orientation: What to Expect

Your orientation may vary based on the site and therapist, but here’s what would have been helpful for me:

• Meet the Team: It’s crucial to meet everyone early on—principal, vice principal, psychologist, occupational therapist, resource teachers, paras, office staff, and general education teachers. Knowing who you’ll be working with and building relationships early can make your school life much easier and less awkward.

• Therapy Schedule and Caseload Details: It’s essential to understand how many students you'll be seeing, how to create a speech schedule, and how to group students for therapy. It can also be helpful to learn how to navigate databases like SEIS or ARES to look up student information.

• Scope of Practice: Be clear on your role as an SLPA. This will help guide your actions and ensure you're staying within your professional boundaries.

  
  

4. Learning On the Job

Don't feel pressured to know everything on your first day. You’re still learning, and many SLPA programs focus on preparing you for graduate school, not the hands-on work in the field. Most of your learning will come from the job itself. Here’s the key: Be open to learning, ask questions, and don’t worry about feeling incompetent—everyone was new at some point. If you're honest and upfront about being new to the role, you’ll find that your team is more than willing to support you. Take lots of notes and keep an open mind, as this is the beginning of a fulfilling and rewarding career.

5. Enjoy the Journey

The first few days may be challenging, but the work you’re doing is meaningful, and the job itself is fun and rewarding. Building relationships with your team, asking questions, and staying open-minded will set you up for success. It’s all part of the learning process, and with each day, you’ll feel more confident and comfortable in your role as an SLPA.

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.

Having the right materials can make all the difference in your daily productivity as an SLPA. Here are a few resources that were particularly helpful for me as a new SLPA:

• Speech Therapy Teaching Visuals (Bundle): This bundle offers a comprehensive collection of visuals for articulation, language, and vocabulary, helping you create engaging and organized therapy sessions. It’s an excellent resource to get started: Speech Therapy Teaching Visuals (Bundle).

• Daily Schedule Organizer: This time-blocking method tool helps you organize your day efficiently, ensuring that you can stay on top of your tasks and keep your therapy sessions running smoothly. It's a must-have for boosting productivity: Daily Schedule Organizer.

• Weekly To-Do List: Staying organized with a weekly to-do list ensures you don't miss any important tasks or deadlines. This resource will help you manage your caseload and responsibilities: Weekly To-Do List Calendar.

  
  

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About the Author:

Hi, I'm Kim! I have a B.S. in Speech Language Pathology and have been a licensed SLPA for almost a decade. Over the years, I’ve worked in elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools, providing services to students in general education classes as well as mild to moderate and moderate to severe special day classes. I created this blog to share my experiences as an SLPA and help others on their school-based speech journey.