In the world of school-based speech therapy, managing speech therapy groups is often an area SLPs don’t feel prepared for. Handling multiple students at once can be challenging, but with the right strategies and mindset, it can also be highly effective and rewarding for everyone. Rest assured— managing speech therapy groups can be done with confidence and success!
Common Challenges with Speech Therapy Groups
Managing speech therapy groups comes with its unique set of challenges:
- Different goals
- Clashing personalities
- Various attention spans & interests
To address these challenges, you will need well-thought-out strategies, patience, and a positive mindset.
Managing Speech Therapy Groups with Success
It’s important to choose strategies and activities that work with you to make sessions more effective, engaging, and organized.
These 5 practical tips will help you create a space where students can truly THRIVE.
1. Choose Activities Wisely
First, you have to choose the right types of activities. When working with several students at once, you can’t rely on the same materials you use in individual sessions— especially when they likely have different speech and language goals.
Select hands-on activities that keep little hands busy! Craft activities that involve coloring, cutting, and gluing are great options to keep students occupied as they wait for their turn while also reinforcing important fine motor skills.
Articulation Chain Craft for Word & Sentence Level
This NO-PREP resource allows students to create a variety of fun paper chain creations while practicing initial, medial, and final position articulation skills.
All of your students can work on this craft at the same time because it targets so many different sounds and positions.
3D Articulation Craft Bundle
This print-and-go articulation craft keeps your elementary students easily engaged while they work on their own speech sounds and positions.
It includes the following:
- 7 different themes
- 18 phonemes
- 12 pictured words for each phoneme
- Background page for your speech session
- Background page for home practice
Articulation Pattern Strips Bundle
This bundled articulation resource targets 12 phonemes in all positions, minimal pairs, and multisyllabic words. Even your youngest students will love practicing their articulation skills as they color, cut, and paste using these pattern strips!
These activities are designed to be easy for you to differentiate and challenge your students as needed. Patterns targeted include AB, ABC, AAB, and ABB.
When students are engaged in fun activities, they are less likely to distract their peers, ask extra questions, or try to wander around your room.
2. Be Prepared
Preparation is another essential part of leading effective group therapy sessions! Walking into a session with several students in tow without a plan is a recipe for disaster.
Have your materials prepared and easily accessible before the day begins. Review instructions for activities at the start of the day, gather necessary materials and resources, and grab a go-to backup activity— just in case!
By preparing in advance, you help limit opportunities for distractions and can anticipate a session that flows more smoothly.
*Low-prep or NO-prep speech activities make this step much more of a breeze!
3. Utilize Student Helpers
Next, utilize student helpers! Have students take turns being your therapy assistant.
This role can include:
- Distributing materials
- Helping to clean up
- Reading directions
The expectation and anticipation of being a “student helper” keeps students engaged while also building their confidence and sense of responsibility!
4. Incorporate Individualized Targets
You also need to ensure you are incorporating each student’s individual goals into your session planning.
Due to the likely chance that you’ll have students with different goals in your speech groups, you need to be intentional in how you choose to target everyone’s needs. This can feel overwhelming if you’re trying to create everything from scratch, but don’t fret…
One-player games and simple crafts (like the articulation ones mentioned above) allow you to meet individualized targets while everyone works on the same activity. You can further differentiate these activities as needed by providing more specific instructions or additional support like pre-cut materials.
This Seasonal One Player Game Bundle includes a variety of print-and-go articulation worksheets that focus on phonemes in the initial and final positions.
These 11 seasonal activities will help you provide much-needed individualized therapy during a mixed speech therapy group.
Use Competitive Games with Caution
While your students will likely beg, and I mean BEG, to play games to demonstrate their individual speech skills, you should proceed with caution.
Take time to develop rapport with your students and better understand the different personalities within each of your groups. After you have a grip on the dynamics of your groups, you may decide to add competitive games occasionally into therapy.
Some groups may not be able to handle the inevitable losses that come with competitive games. Trust your clinical instincts and avoid these games for students who aren’t yet able to demonstrate appropriate sportsmanship.
One-player games are the best way to avoid issues with competitive students— plus they keep motivation and engagement high!
5. Shift Your Mindset
Finally, refocus your mindset and remember the positives of speech therapy groups!
Social Interaction
Group therapy sessions allow opportunities for students to practice their speech and language skills in a non-judgmental, social environment. This is so important for later generalization of skills!
Peer Modeling
Mixed speech therapy groups are also wonderful chances for students to learn from their peers. The diversity of goals often present in group settings allows children to observe others who have strengths in the areas of their weaknesses.
This can be so motivating for students!
Build Community
Group activities also encourage students to support and develop positive relationships with one another. As they work together, their sense of community grows and ultimately leads to greater communication skills.
Managing speech therapy groups effectively requires thoughtful planning, the right activities, and a flexible approach. As you remember the benefits of group settings and implement these practical strategies, you can create a fun and successful therapy environment that everyone enjoys (yourself included)!
Remember, you’re exactly who your students need to thrive this year!
You may also be interested in reading:
4 Tried-and-True Strategies for Effective Carryover in Articulation Therapy
Data Collection Tips for Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologists
An Introduction to Stuttering Assessments and Therapy for SLPs
