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The role of a school-based Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) is both rewarding and demanding. With high caseloads, extensive documentation requirements, and the need to create engaging therapy materials, time management is a constant challenge. Fortunately, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a valuable tool to help SLPs work smarter, not harder.
In this blog post, we explore how AI can assist SLPs with lesson planning, therapy materials, report writing, goal setting, and documentation. AI expert and school-based SLP Jennie Belen shares insights into how AI can support clinicians in their daily work while maintaining ethical and professional standards. For a deeper dive into this discussion, be sure to listen to the full podcast episode on School of Speech presented by Speech Therapy PD.
Jennie Belen, MS, CCC-SLPÂ a bilingual SLP with 28 years of experience, initially discovered AI tools through a teacher who was leveraging them for educational purposes. Realizing the potential for SLPs, she began researching and developing a guide tailored to the field. Her journey highlights a key takeaway: AI is not about replacing SLPs but about optimizing their workflow to prevent burnout and enhance efficiency. Want to hear more about Jennie's experience and how she built her AI expertise? Tune into the full conversation on the School of Speech podcast!
One of the main concerns among SLPs regarding AI is ethics. It is crucial to ensure that AI tools are used responsibly.
AI can significantly streamline the planning process, allowing SLPs to generate customized lesson plans and therapy resources tailored to specific student needs.
Crafting measurable and individualized goals can be time-consuming. AI can provide a structured starting point for writing IEP goals.
While AI cannot fully replace SLPs in documentation, it can provide structured assistance in writing reports, SOAP notes, and progress updates.
Important Tip: Never copy and paste AI-generated content verbatim. Always edit for accuracy and personalization.
AI can make therapy sessions more interactive and engaging, particularly for students who struggle with motivation.
SLPs can use AI to generate targeted worksheets, social stories, and digital resources that cater to student interests.
The world of AI can be overwhelming, so Jennie Belen recommends starting small. Follow these steps to integrate AI into your workflow efficiently:
AI is revolutionizing the way school-based SLPs approach their work, offering practical solutions for lesson planning, goal writing, documentation, and therapy engagement. By leveraging AI responsibly, SLPs can reduce burnout, increase efficiency, and focus more on direct student interactions.
Ready to explore AI tools tailored for SLPs? Here’s what you can do next:
Join the Spring Into Learning Conference: Learn more from experts, including Jennie Belen, on how to integrate AI into your speech therapy practice. Don’t miss out—listen to the podcast for a sneak peek at what’s to come!