SLP-A Supervision: More than Sitting in the Same Room

The goal of supervision of SLPAs is to increase skill level in a way that:

• Allows for learning
• Encourages them to verbalize their needs
• Encourages them to set goals

8 Best Practices for SLPA Feedback

1. Immediate feedback

Research shows that feedback during and/or immediately following a session was more effective for growth than feedback that was delayed until the end of the day or longer.

2. Be specific, not general

Not: "You are so great with kids" or "You do such a good job."
But rather: "I like how you gave very clear expectations of your students when you said, "When you finish ten words, you can jump on the trampoline" or "I really like how you paid attention to the child's needs rather than your lesson plan and allowed yourself to take a few minutes to empathize with the student."

3. Provide positive and negative feedback

Positive feedback is important in accounting for the SLPA's needs and showing empathy and understanding of the learning process.

The Sandwich Technique is a great way to offer constructive feedback that feels good to the SLPA and reminds you to give both positive and constructive feedback.

4. Provide Verbal and written feedback

Written feedback allows you both to review past feedback. This allows you to see growth and change and provide documentation of a lack of growth or follow through should you need that information.

5. Self-reflection

Remember, the goal is for SLPAs to be able to identify their strengths and challenges and devise appropriate improvement plans.

Help your SLPA develop one to two improvement goals to work on until the next review.

An easy way to start any conversation regarding feedback that allows for self-reflection is to ask them to tell you one thing they would change in the session and one thing they would keep the same. Research shows this increases effective behaviors & decreases the number of ineffective behaviors in treatment sessions.

6. Regularly Scheduled Meetings

Regularly scheduled meetings increases follow through of the commitments made during the conferences.

Be sure to carve out specific times for meetings with your SLPA to provide feedback to SLPAs. For example, put it in your schedule. This way, you are automatically offering time for them to ask questions, and for you to offer feedback instead of having it be awkward when you suddenly ask to schedule a meeting.

Also, having a process for documenting your conversations and action plans increases follow-through.

7. Discuss the supervisory process

Specifically, discussing the process with each other will help both parties get what they need from the meeting and facilitate growth and change. This allows you to pay attention to the changing needs of the SLPA over time as they gain more experience. The supervisory process can be modified but not necessarily reduced.

Allow SLPA to be an active participant in the supervisory process by doing the following:

• Through self-reflection
• Encourage them to ask questions
• Encourage them to set goals for themselves

8. Use Formal Evaluations

Use a formal broad based assessment of skills expected from your SLPA as an overall competency development assessment. This allows you to talk about all aspects of professionalism with an SLPA. These include aspects like clinical skills, data collection, etc., but also allow a natural way to have discussions around other, potentially more difficult areas to talk about, such as:

• Interpersonal skills such as being receptive to constructive feedback and communicating sensitivity to students & families.
• Personal qualities such as punctuality, respecting confidentiality, and personal appearance.
• Technical skills such as maintaining documentation using time effectively, organizing treatment space appropriately, and selecting treatment materials ahead of time.

Give them a copy before you use it so that they know your expectations of them. Complete it regularly, at least three to four times a year.

Have the SLPA fill it out, and you fill it out so you can compare your perceptions with those of the SLPA. This can lead to productive discussions and allow for self-reflection.