School-Based SLP Resources for Physical and Virtual Reopening
As you prepare for the school year during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic—with various levels of physical and virtual reopening options across the country—we know you’re facing unique challenges as speech-language pathologists. We’re here to help you navigate personal safety, return to in-person services and/or telepractice, share important information with parents, and join ASHA in advocating for yourself and your work.
Get more COVID-19 information and back-to-school resources from ASHA, and contact us at schools@asha.org or through the ASHA Action Center (800-498-2071) with school-based clinical or professional questions.
Returning to In-Person Services
Find guidance on mask use, physical distancing, infection control, and more. (ASHA’s advocacy position calls for school districts to prioritize safety in making decisions to physically reopen schools.)
- Hearing Screening Guidelines for SLPs During COVID-19
- ASHA’s advocacy position on reopening schools
- What to consider for resuming in-person services in schools
- Questions to ask school administrators to address safety concerns
- What to consider when using masks for in-person service delivery
- Updated mask recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to include adaptations for people with hearing loss and other communication disorders, following urging from ASHA
- Cleaning, Disinfection, and Hand Hygiene in Schools (CDC)
- Resources for infection control
Providing Telepractice
Get support to make the switch to virtual services a little bit smoother.
- Telepractice Checklist for School-Based Professionals [PDF]
- Telepractice Documentation Data Checklist for School-Based SLPs [PDF]
- Facilitator Checklist for Telepractice Services in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology [PDF]
- Workload calculator for insights on how you spend your time
- What to consider for assessment via telepractice
- What to consider for group treatment via telepractice
- Swallowing and Feeding Services in Schools via Telepractice During COVID-19
- Webinars on school-based telepractice
- Serving students in other states and countries through telepractice
- More general telepractice resources for COVID-19
Sharing Resources With Families, Caregivers, and Other Professionals
Help parents and families navigate their child’s communication needs during the ongoing pandemic.
- Shareable COVID-19 resources for parents and families across topics
- Tips for communicating effectively while wearing masks and physical distancing
- Tips for helping students with speech and language disorders in virtual and in-person classroom settings
- Infographic [JPG] and video with tips for parents on maximizing success of virtual treatment sessions
- Tips for parents of bilingual children and English language learners receiving speech-language therapy services (download the shareable infographic [JPG])
- Ten ways parents can help children with language disorders maintain social connection during COVID-19 (download the shareable infographic [JPG])
- Ways parents can help preschoolers build speech and language skills with everyday activities (download the shareable infographic [JPG])
Use these resources to show parents and professionals how you can help.
Balancing Well-Being and Workload
Remember to take care of yourself. Check out mental health resources for speech-language pathologists and Strengthening Resilience [PDF].
