I know that the classic “30 minutes twice per week pulled into the speech room” model can feel comfortable—it’s familiar, and we know it works to some extent. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself if this model is truly serving your students and their educational goals in the best way possible? As school based SLPs in the trenches, we need to be flexible, willing to step outside our comfort zones, and shake up how we deliver therapy to better meet the needs of our students. Enter these 8 time saving and efficient speech therapy approaches
I don’t know about you, but my caseload number is rising just as fast as the needs. It’s time to think outside the box and explore some creative therapy approaches that not only maximize your impact but also save you time. Today, I’m excited to share some of my favorite strategies that can help you get out of the traditional therapy rut and bring fresh energy to your sessions!
Below are eight therapy strategies that can transform your day-to-day sessions and help you meet your students’ needs with minimal stress!
1. Speedy Speech: Quick, Targeted Therapy
What it is: Speedy Speech is all about getting high-impact therapy in a short amount of time – think 5-10 minutes per session. By zeroing in on one specific skill, you can deliver focused practice that’s both efficient and effective.
Who it’s ideal for: This approach is perfect for students with mild speech sound disorders or those who need regular practice but can’t afford longer sessions in their packed schedule.
Example in action: Let’s say a student is working on the /r/ sound. During a 5-minute Speedy Speech session, you might pull them aside while their classmates transition to lunch, using flashcards or a quick game to pack in as many /r/ trials as possible.
Why it works: The focused nature of Speedy Speech leads to intense practice with lots of repetitions, which is key for sound production. It also minimizes interruptions to the student’s schedule.
How it saves time: By working with multiple students in quick succession, you can accomplish more in a short timeframe, giving each student frequent practice without monopolizing your day.
Resource to help: Check out my Articulation Kits for easy-to-use, quick-drill materials.
2. Push-In Therapy: Seamless Integration in the Classroom
What it is: Push-in therapy allows you to provide support within the classroom setting. This approach supports skill generalization as students practice in their natural learning environment.
Who it’s ideal for: Ideal for students who benefit from real-world practice or those who may find pull-out sessions socially challenging.
Example in action: Join a kindergarten literacy block and work with a small group on asking questions and responding during storytime. You can use visual aids to help students understand turn-taking and answer ‘wh’ questions about the story.
Why it works: Therapy within the natural setting enhances generalization. Plus, it reduces the stigma of being “pulled out,” allowing better collaboration with teachers.
How it saves time: Instead of individual pull-out sessions, you’re addressing multiple students’ goals within one classroom session, reducing the need to juggle schedules.
Resource to help: Sign up for my Push-In Email Series to get classroom-ready activities sent straight to your inbox!
3. Cooking or Craft Group: Hands-On Learning with Communication Goals
What it is: Using a cooking or craft group is a functional, hands-on way to target speech and language goals in a sensory-rich, interactive setting.
Who it’s ideal for: This works wonders in self-contained classrooms, particularly for students needing sensory-based learning or social communication support.
Example in action: Imagine making fruit salad with your group. Students use core words like “more,” “cut,” and “mix” to communicate, all while learning to take turns and comment on the activity.
Why it works: Cooking is naturally engaging and motivates students to communicate. It’s a great way to work on multiple goals, from following directions to social skills.
How it saves time: Cooking groups require minimal prep and target multiple goals in one session, reducing the need for separate therapy times.
Resource to help: Grab my Visual Recipes to make cooking sessions seamless and engaging.
4. Music & Movement Group: Fun, Interactive Therapy for Busy Bodies
What it is: By combining music and movement, this approach keeps students engaged while targeting speech and language skills in a playful way.
Who it’s ideal for: Young students, those with high energy, or kids who respond well to rhythm and movement.
Example in action: Lead a song like “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” helping students follow directions and name body parts while moving to the beat.
Why it works: Music and movement engage the brain, enhancing attention and memory. It’s a holistic approach that supports language, motor skills, and sensory processing.
How it saves time: This group method allows you to reach multiple students at once, minimizing the need for individual sessions.
5. Whole Class Lessons: Reinforcing Skills in a Group Setting
What it is: Whole-class lessons allow you to embed speech and language goals into general education content. This is a fantastic way to boost social skills and reinforce language in a natural group environment.
Who it’s ideal for: Great for students needing group interaction practice or classrooms that benefit from inclusive language lessons.
Example in action: Teach a lesson on story grammar to a 1st-grade class, helping students identify characters, settings, and problems while using a picture book.
Why it works: Students get to engage with language in an academic context, helping them internalize skills like storytelling in a fun way.
How it saves time: Targeting similar goals for multiple students in a single session frees up more of your schedule for individualized work.
Resource to help: My Push-In Email Series is a great tool for getting classroom-ready activities! It is 100% done for you and it is FREE, no catch!
6. Circle Time: Consistent Communication Practice with AAC
What it is: Circle time is a routine-based approach that allows students to practice communication skills consistently within a structured setting.
Who it’s ideal for: Students using AAC devices or those who benefit from repeated practice in a familiar routine.
Example in action: During calendar time, you might guide students with AAC devices to greet the group, express feelings, or discuss the day’s weather.
Why it works: Circle time is predictable, creating a safe space for AAC users to practice. The routine helps them feel comfortable and builds their independence.
How it saves time: Embedding therapy into circle time provides daily practice without extra pull-out sessions, keeping things efficient.
Resource to help: Check out my Circle Time Routine Guide for ideas on integrating therapy into morning meetings.
7. Embedded Routines: Real-Life Practice for Real-Life Skills
What it is: This approach involves working on speech goals within everyday activities – during bus rides, snack time, restroom breaks, and more.
Who it’s ideal for: Perfect for students who need regular practice but have limited time for scheduled sessions.
Example in action: Encourage students to use their AAC device to say “stop” and “go” while walking to the bus or to request “juice” or “snack” during snack time.
Why it works: Practicing communication within familiar routines feels natural for students, helping them generalize skills across environments.
How it saves time: By embedding goals into routines, you work on therapy during the natural flow of the day without needing additional prep or separate sessions.
8. Consultation: Empowering Teachers and Staff to Support Goals
What it is: Consultation focuses on working with teachers, support staff, and families to support a student’s communication goals throughout the day.
Who it’s ideal for: Best for students requiring constant support and reinforcement, especially those with AAC devices.
Example in action: Meet with a classroom teacher to discuss integrating AAC use into free play, offering choices to encourage the student to use their device.
Why it works: Consistent support from all adults helps students meet their goals more effectively, creating a collaborative approach to communication.
How it saves time: Instead of direct therapy sessions, consultation empowers other adults to work on goals with students throughout the day.
These approaches make therapy more efficient, enjoyable, and impactful – for both you and your students. To help you along the way, I offer a variety of tools, from Articulation Kits to Circle Time Guides. Grab my resources to simplify your sessions and create meaningful, engaging experiences for your students!
Each of these methods has transformed my approach to school-based speech therapy, letting me accomplish more with my students without the overwhelm. Try them out, mix and match, and see how they work in your setting!
