Just about 5 years ago, a few of us talked about caseload frustrations and came up with a list of quick workload reduction tips for SLPs. We made a little SlideShare with our tips and set it loose on the internet in the hopes that it would help our fellow clinicians. It quickly became one of our most popular posts, and sadly, most of the content has remained relevant over the years. What hasn't remained relevant is SlideShare (!), and there are some aspects of that content that just aren't a good look in 2020. Time for an update, and so an update we present! Here's the new and improved Save Yourself: 8 Workload Reduction Tips for SLPs to Use Right Now, now in video format!
[video width="1080" height="1080" mp4="https://thf.vztech.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Workload_295917021_1080x1080_F30.mp4"][/video]key differences in this update:
- We reduced the number of tips from 10 to 8. Some of the previous ideas weren't necessarily bad, but they weren't exactly fantastic, either. SLPs don't need to be told to "maximize every minute" any more than they need to be reminded to breathe. If anything, this goes against our own core value of Practice Work-Life Balance, for Pete's sake! We also took out the idea to "do data differently." This is one area where our profession has evolved quite a bit in the last 5 years, and it seemed sort of silly to include it as a way to balance your workload.
- Since 2015, we've learned a lot about the negative impact of using ableist and gendered words and phrases. We've always tried to be conscious of our word choices, and certainly, no ill intentions were present back then. But it is the impact, not the intention, that matters, so we've removed the word "insanity" and removed the "teach a man to fish" reference.
- We re-framed a couple of tips to consider the evolution of RTI and the movement to practice at the top of our licenses.
- Dogs. Nothing profound about this choice. We just like 'em, and they make us smile.
We're aware that the reality of SLP life in the schools today means that none of these workload reduction tips (or these or these) will radically change your life. The real reduction will only come from systemic changes within our profession, districts, and state and federal governing bodies. Our hope is that the video might hold a small nugget that will make things a little better and will help you take better care of your students and yourself. And if nothing else, we hope the pups make you smile, too :-)
