6 Tips to Ease Data-Gathering During Group Sessions in Schools

Taking data for speech-language groups isn’t easy.  Whether you’ve been an SLP for a long time or are just getting started, chances are you have—at some point—found it pretty tricky to record data for group treatment sessions (especially big groups) with a variety of goals (especially goals in different areas). You aren’t alone. I struggle, too, so here are some tips that help me get through. My hope is they help you, too. Keep goals on an index card When getting to know new students, I write each one’s main goal or goal area on a different note card. I know my schedule will go through many iterations across the school year, so this allows me to easily adjust and reorganize my system as groups change. These cards will help you see where goals (might) overlap as you develop session ideas. Remember, getting specific isn’t the name of the game here—instead, the intention is to make a memory aid. Have students track their own data Students can take more ownership over their progress when they know their goals, and when they record their own data. Of course, as the SLP you closely oversee what they count, but this can increase self-monitoring skills, independence, and motivation. Use token/penny boards or masking tape An ideal strategy for toddlers and pre-k students, a token board—typically used as a visual reinforcement strategy—makes an easy and fun method for keeping data. The board features five to 10 spots for attaching tokens with Velcro. Or make your ...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Tags: Private Practice Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Autism Spectrum Disorder Early Intervention Professional Development Source Type: blogs