ASHA Workload Calculator: Understanding Workload

Workload is more than caseload. Caseload refers to the students a school speech-language pathologist (SLP) or speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) serves. Workload includes the caseload and every responsibility and task necessary to support the students.

The Difference Between Caseload and Workload

	Caseload	Workload
Key Idea	The students you serve.	Everything you do to serve them.
Definition	The number of students supported through direct and/or indirect services.	All activities and responsibilities required to effectively manage the caseload.
Focus	The number of students receiving speech and language services.	The time and effort required to provide services and meet all professional duties.
Components	A number of students on an SLP’s roster with IEPs, IFSPs, 504 plans, and MTSS/RTI plans.	Time spent across direct and indirect services, planning, collaboration, paperwork, assessments, meetings, professional development, and the SLP’s caseload.

Why Workload Matters

A workload approach considers direct and indirect services, assessment, documentation, meetings, collaboration, planning, communication, professional learning, and other responsibilities. Creating sustainable workloads requires shared understanding and collaboration among school-based professionals, administrators, and other stakeholders.

High workloads can have far-reaching effects:

For SLPs and SLPAs: increased stress and burnout, reduced job satisfaction, and less time for collaboration, professional learning, supervision, and required tasks
For students: fewer opportunities for individualized, flexible services and progress toward academic and functional goals
For school systems: service-delivery and compliance challenges, missed sessions, staff turnover, and difficulty recruiting and retaining professionals