Starting your Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) as a school-based speech-language pathologist (SLP) can feel overwhelming. From mastering assessments to managing therapy sessions, there’s a lot to juggle. In a recent episode of School of Speech, host Carolyn Dolby sat down with experienced SLP and CF supervisor Julie Barber-Bristol to share five essential tips for excelling during your CFY. Whether you're a new CF or a seasoned supervisor looking for ways to support your mentee, these insights will set you up for success.
🔊 Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Di0IMYDZEtddLxgbO2MyD?si=279d23d137234606
A well-conducted assessment sets the foundation for effective therapy. Julie emphasizes the importance of:
✔️ Setting up a distraction-free environment
✔️ Familiarizing yourself with assessment tools before use
✔️ Understanding school-based eligibility criteria (which differs from private practice)
✔️ Writing clear, measurable goals based on assessment data
New CFs should also collaborate with their supervisors to choose appropriate tests and interpret findings effectively.
Tracking progress is key to student success. Julie recommends structuring data collection in three ways:
📌 Teaching data: Notes on concepts introduced and initial responses
📌 Practice data: Student performance with cues and support
📌 Cold data: Performance without cues, measuring true skill acquisition
Efficient data collection allows SLPs to balance therapy time and documentation while demonstrating student progress effectively.
Therapy is most effective when it’s meaningful and engaging. Julie highlights the power of using thematic literacy-based therapy, where a well-chosen book can support multiple speech and language goals across a caseload. Other key strategies include:
📖 Selecting books that allow for differentiated instruction
🎭 Embedding multiple goals within one activity
🗣️ Encouraging student participation to boost engagement
For more details on literacy-based therapy, check out Julie’s previous episode on this topic!
The best SLPs never stop learning! Julie and Carolyn stress the importance of continuous professional development through:
💡 Ongoing CEUs and workshops
🤝 Collaborating with colleagues
📚 Staying updated on best practices in the field
Supervisors also benefit from learning alongside their CFs, especially when exploring new assessment tools and therapy techniques.
Organization is a game-changer in a school setting. Julie shares her top strategies for managing caseloads and paperwork efficiently:
📝 Keep a dedicated notebook for meeting notes and observations
📅 Use a monthly and weekly calendar to track IEP meetings, due dates, and therapy sessions
✅ Create checklists for assessments and reports to streamline documentation
These systems help CFs focus on providing effective therapy without feeling overwhelmed by administrative tasks.
🔊 Want more details? Listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Di0IMYDZEtddLxgbO2MyD?si=279d23d137234606
For CFs: Be open, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to seek guidance.
For Supervisors: Create a supportive environment where CFs feel comfortable asking questions and growing as clinicians.
By implementing these strategies, CFs can gain confidence and develop strong clinical skills while providing impactful therapy for their students.
📌 Looking for more professional development? Explore CEU courses and resources at SpeechTherapyPD.com
