Sessions at ASHA Schools Learning Exchange: Empowered Service Delivery for SLPs

Sharing knowledge. Growing confidence.

The day is structured around two real-world session topics: Eligibility and Dismissal Decisions and Service Delivery. You will tackle one in the morning and one after lunch. Each session topic will include:

• An engaging, expert-led presentation packed with real-world insights and practical applications
• A facilitated, small-group breakout activity where you'll work through an authentic case scenario using structured frameworks for analysis and decision-making
• Time for reflection and sharing as you reconvene together with the full group to share out and reflect upon the ah-ha moments from the small group discussion

Morning Session: Eligibility and Dismissal Decisions

Special Education 101: Evaluation and Eligibility
Lissa Power-deFur, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL

During this session, learn how to make complex eligibility and dismissal decisions more manageable by applying a practical framework for decision-making. Explore strategies for overcoming several common challenges: selecting appropriate assessment batteries, supporting multilingual and medically complex students, collaborating as part of the special education team, what to do when your perspective differs with your administrators', determining when a student has received the maximum benefit of services, clearly explaining recommendations for reduction or dismissal, addressing involvement from lawyers or advocates, and ensuring sufficient supporting documentation.

After completing this session, you will be able to:

• compare and contrast evaluation and assessment under IDEA
• identify common challenges and barriers during the eligibility and dismissal processes and how to overcome them
• explain eligibility and dismissal recommendations to team members and parents/caregivers using IDEA requirements and assessment information
• identify ethical issues related to eligibility and dismissal decisions and how to address them
• use a decision-making framework to address challenging eligibility situations

Afternoon Session: Service Delivery

Rethinking Service Delivery: Practical Strategies for Implementing a Flexible, Student-Centered Service Delivery Model
Christina Bradburn, PhD, CCC-SLP

During this session, explore the distinction between caseload and workload models and learn how a workload approach better reflects direct therapy, indirect services, collaboration, documentation, and compliance tasks. Examine real-world scenarios and discuss how to use flexible service delivery models, including classroom-based and consultative approaches, to improve student outcomes and inclusive practices. The session will equip you with practical strategies for advocating for change, using data, and implementing sustainable service delivery models so you can balance professional responsibilities with student needs.

After completing this session, you will be able to:

• differentiate between caseload and workload models, including how each impacts service delivery, compliance, and student outcomes
• analyze your current responsibilities to identify workload components beyond direct intervention time
• develop a plan to transition toward a varied service delivery model that includes direct, indirect, and collaborative services