SLPA, The New Paraprofessional

“Do not fear change, for it is an unchangeable law

of progress”

Speech-Language Pathology is a dynamic field.Speech-Language Pathology is a dynamic field.

1. SLP have a new role, supervisor to SLPA.1. SLP have a new role, supervisor to SLPA.

2. SLP assistants are the new paraprofessionals.2. SLP assistants are the new paraprofessionals. SLP have tirelessly balanced difficult loads; SLP have tirelessly balanced difficult loads;

1. Caseloads have soared with the changing 1. Caseloads have soared with the changing demographics.demographics.

2. Legislation has increased the load and the 2. Legislation has increased the load and the paperwork.paperwork.

3. The SLP time in consultation has increased.3. The SLP time in consultation has increased.

SLP, A Changing ProfessionSLP, A Changing Profession

History of SLPAHistory of SLPA

ASHA Guidelines first set in 1969.ASHA Guidelines first set in 1969. 24 States had provisions for assistants in 24 States had provisions for assistants in

licensing laws by 1981.licensing laws by 1981. ASHA began a plan for credentialing ASHA began a plan for credentialing

assistants by 1996.assistants by 1996. The cost of credentialing SLPA became an The cost of credentialing SLPA became an

issue resulting in ASHA dropping SLPA issue resulting in ASHA dropping SLPA credentialing in December 2003.credentialing in December 2003.

ASHA Legislative CouncilASHA Legislative Council

MARCH 2004 Legislative Council met to MARCH 2004 Legislative Council met to resolve issue.resolve issue.

Medicare Payment of Assistants Need Medicare Payment of Assistants Need ASHA backing.ASHA backing.

Consistent Training and Licensure require Consistent Training and Licensure require National Guidelines.National Guidelines.

SLP Shortages makes SLPA licensing an SLP Shortages makes SLPA licensing an Urgent need.Urgent need.

San Joaquin Delta College San Joaquin Delta College SLPA ProgramSLPA Program

ASHA article in 1996 ASHA article in 1996 brought SLPA to our brought SLPA to our attention.attention.

Clinton goal to limit Clinton goal to limit welfare to two year welfare to two year was significant.was significant.

Delta decided to write Delta decided to write an SLPA program.an SLPA program.

Program started Program started officially in 2001.officially in 2001.

Therapy and Education AssistantsTherapy and Education Assistants

Physical Therapy Physical Therapy Assistants were born Assistants were born in 1967.in 1967.

Occupational Therapy Occupational Therapy Assistants were Assistants were created during WWII.created during WWII.

Educational Educational Assistants have been Assistants have been employed since the employed since the 1960’s.1960’s.

Acceptance of SLPAAcceptance of SLPA

SLP were concerned that the SLPA would SLP were concerned that the SLPA would be another job for them. be another job for them.

SLP were worried that they would lose SLP were worried that they would lose jobs.jobs.

Those fears still exist in places, but not Those fears still exist in places, but not where SLPA are employed.where SLPA are employed.

They are not just accepted, but welcomed.They are not just accepted, but welcomed. SLPA can make a difference.SLPA can make a difference.

Coursework Coursework for SLPA for SLPA ProgramProgram

Delta College SLPA ProgramDelta College SLPA Program

We are graduating 10 Assistants this year.We are graduating 10 Assistants this year. We have 21 new students beginning the We have 21 new students beginning the

program.program. We have a small clinic on campus.We have a small clinic on campus. We are taking 14 students to CSHA next We are taking 14 students to CSHA next

week.week. Our students are creating a website and a Our students are creating a website and a

club.club.

CSHA ConferenceCSHA Conference

2003 CSHA 2003 CSHA conference attended conference attended by 9 students.by 9 students.

2004 CSHA 2004 CSHA conference will be conference will be attended by 14 attended by 14 students.students.

Students learn Students learn professionalism at professionalism at conferences.conferences.

Who Are We Looking For?Who Are We Looking For?

SLPA needs to have an interest in science.SLPA needs to have an interest in science. They must also have a positive attitude They must also have a positive attitude

toward people with disabilities.toward people with disabilities. Knowledge and compassion are key to Knowledge and compassion are key to

success in SLPA.success in SLPA. Clerical skills, crafts, creativity are also Clerical skills, crafts, creativity are also

useful attributes.useful attributes.

What Do They Do?What Do They Do?

SLPA do clerical duties.SLPA do clerical duties. SLPA enter information on the IEP.SLPA enter information on the IEP. SLPA work on materials for therapy.SLPA work on materials for therapy. SLPA create material on Boardmaker.SLPA create material on Boardmaker. SLPA test and screen. (No evaluation.)SLPA test and screen. (No evaluation.) SLPA carry out therapy with clients.SLPA carry out therapy with clients.

CLERICAL DUTIES

IEP INFORMATION

MAKE THERAPY MATERIALS

TEST AND SCREEN CLIENTS

CLIENT THERAPY

What Is The Current What Is The Current Compensation?Compensation?

SLPA are currently earning between 65% SLPA are currently earning between 65% and 75% of the SLP wages.and 75% of the SLP wages.

That translates to $20-$30 and hour.That translates to $20-$30 and hour.

Full time SLPA also have full medical Full time SLPA also have full medical benefits.benefits.

How Is The Job Market?How Is The Job Market?

Private Clinics have recently requested Private Clinics have recently requested SLPA training and supervision in their SLPA training and supervision in their facilities.facilities.

Stockton Unified School District has Stockton Unified School District has contracted with Delta college to hire our contracted with Delta college to hire our graduates.graduates.

Headstart has written in job descriptions Headstart has written in job descriptions for SLPA.for SLPA.

Local Hospitals are interested.Local Hospitals are interested.

Quotes from SupervisorsQuotes from Supervisors

““Increased students’ progress due to more Increased students’ progress due to more opportunity to practice.”opportunity to practice.”

““Completion of clerical duties gives SLP Completion of clerical duties gives SLP more time with students.”more time with students.”

““SLPA’s observations are valuable input.”SLPA’s observations are valuable input.” ““Beneficial for students who need more Beneficial for students who need more

repetition in short time period.”repetition in short time period.” ““Helps students remain on task.”Helps students remain on task.”

Current IssuesCurrent Issues

ASHA ParticipationASHA Participation State GuidelinesState Guidelines Diverse NeedsDiverse Needs Two Year versus 4 Year ProgramsTwo Year versus 4 Year Programs Medicare Payments for SLPAMedicare Payments for SLPA California Needs Spurring AcceptanceCalifornia Needs Spurring Acceptance ASHA 3-1 Plan and the SLPAASHA 3-1 Plan and the SLPA Eugene, Oregon Use of the SLPAEugene, Oregon Use of the SLPA

Future of SLPAFuture of SLPA

I think that from the evidence so far SLPA I think that from the evidence so far SLPA will be valued and accepted for their will be valued and accepted for their contribution to the Speech-Language contribution to the Speech-Language Pathology field.Pathology field.

If the future depends on competent, If the future depends on competent, enthusiastic, knowledgeable Assistants, I enthusiastic, knowledgeable Assistants, I have no concern about their future have no concern about their future acceptance. acceptance.