Back to Normal or New Reality? Impact of COVID-19 on School Based SLPs with Lesley Sylvan

03/31/25 • 61 min

Guest: Lesley Sylvan, EdD, CCC-SLP

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Back-to-Normal-or-New-Reality-Impact-of-COVID19-on-School-Ba

Join host Carolyn Dolby and guest Dr. Lesley Sylvan in this insightful School of Speech episode presented by Speech Therapy PD. The episode, 'Back to Normal or New Reality, the Lasting Impacts of COVID-19 on School-Based SLPs,' explores how the pandemic has affected school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Reflecting on where they were five years ago when the pandemic started, Carolyn and Lesley discuss changes in service delivery, virtual therapy, educational policies, and the social-emotional and academic impacts on students. Despite challenges, they also delve into how SLPs have adapted and provided effective speech therapy. This episode is packed with valuable information and reflections for SLPs and educators alike.

Episode Timeline:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:23 Episode Overview and Guest Introduction

00:58 Reflecting on the Pandemic's Onset

01:45 Guest Disclosures and Background

04:11 Lesley Sylvan's Journey

08:14 Impact of the Pandemic on SLPs

14:41 Research Findings and Reflections

25:03 Changes in Service Delivery and Future Directions

32:17 Reflecting on Transforming Practices

32:46 The Impact of Virtual Meetings

34:07 Effectiveness of Online IEP Meetings

35:47 Professional Development in a Virtual World

36:52 Balancing Virtual and In-Person Interactions

43:19 The Rise of Virtual SLPs

48:17 Challenges of Hybrid Models

52:31 Sharing Resources and Building Community

59:32 Conclusion and Future Directions

About the Guest:

Dr. Lesley Sylvan is an associate professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Montclair State University. She is also program director of the master's degree in speech-language pathology. Dr. Sylvan is a certified speech-language pathologist (SLP) with extensive clinical experience working with school-aged children in public and private clinical settings. She completed a Master's degree in educational policy and management and a Doctorate in human development and education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Broadly, Dr. Sylvan's scholarly interests center on the intersection between the field of education and the field of speech-language pathology.

Guest: Lesley Sylvan, EdD, CCC-SLP

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Back-to-Normal-or-New-Reality-Impact-of-COVID19-on-School-Ba

Episode Timeline:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:23 Episode Overview and Guest Introduction

00:58 Reflecting on the Pandemic's Onset

01:45 Guest Disclosures and Background

04:11 Lesley Sylvan's Journey

08:14 Impact of the Pandemic on SLPs

14:41 Research Findings and Reflections

25:03 Changes in Service Delivery and Future Directions

32:17 Reflecting on Transforming Practices

32:46 The Impact of Virtual Meetings

34:07 Effectiveness of Online IEP Meetings

35:47 Professional Development in a Virtual World

36:52 Balancing Virtual and In-Person Interactions

43:19 The Rise of Virtual SLPs

48:17 Challenges of Hybrid Models

52:31 Sharing Resources and Building Community

59:32 Conclusion and Future Directions

About the Guest:

Previous Episode

Finding the Balance: Group Size and School-Based Language Outcomes with Carrie Hutchins

Guest: Carrie Hutchins, MS, CCC-SLP

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Finding-the-Balance-Group-Size-and-SchoolBased-Language-Outc

In this episode, we delve into the crucial topic of group size in school-based speech and language therapy with special guest Carrie Hutchins, a practicing speech-language therapist and PhD candidate from the University of Texas. The discussion covers the impact of group sizes on therapy outcomes, the benefits of small groups, the role of peer effects, and the challenges of scheduling and cancellations. Learn about the latest research findings, including Carrie's study on group size and its correlation with student progress, and discover practical strategies for optimizing therapy sessions. This episode is essential for SLPs looking to balance caseloads and improve school language therapy outcomes.

Episode Timeline:

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

01:39 Guest Speaker: Carrie Hutchins

02:52 Carrie's Journey into Speech Therapy

05:26 Research on Group Sizes in Speech Therapy

08:09 Impact of Group Sizes on Therapy Outcomes

10:21 Challenges and Considerations in Group Therapy

17:27 Recommendations for Effective Therapy

30:08 Introduction to Inclusive Services Study

30:49 Key Studies and Findings

31:07 Lab Website and Resources

34:11 Challenges with Service Delivery Models

37:28 Flexibility in Service Documentation

41:33 Caseload Caps and Legislative Support

46:49 Impact of Cancellations on Group Sizes

50:10 Quality Over Quantity in Therapy Sessions

53:05 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

About the Guest:

Carrie Hutchins earned her BS and MS degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Western Kentucky University. She has nearly 15 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist and is passionate about school-based language intervention, professional issues, and educational policy. Carrie is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research interests include understanding the influential role of the environment (e.g., home, social, and educational) and implementing language and literacy interventions for children with language disorders in public schools.

Next Episode

Successful Stuttering Therapy in the Schools with Joe & Holly Klein

Guests: Joe Klein, PhD., CCC-SLP & Holly Klein, MS, CCC-SLP

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Successful-Stuttering-Therapy-in-the-Schools

In this episode of School of Speech, host Carolyn Dolby welcomes special guests Joe and Holly Klein. Together, they discuss successful strategies for stuttering therapy in school settings. Joe, an associate professor at Eastern Washington University, and Holly, a seasoned school-based speech pathologist, share their personal journeys and professional insights into effective stuttering interventions. The episode covers goal-setting, the importance of focusing on speech patterns and associated feelings, and practical steps for clinicians working with children who stutter. The conversation provides valuable tips for speech therapists and includes student-centered approaches and strategies to foster a supportive environment for children with stuttering.

Episode Timeline:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:25 Meet the Special Guests: Joe and Holly Klein

03:26 Joe Klein's Journey with Stuttering

11:10 Holly Klein's Perspective on Stuttering Therapy

15:26 Challenges and Strategies in School-Based Stuttering Therapy

23:52 Evaluating and Setting Goals for Stuttering Therapy

31:37 The WHO ICF Model in Stuttering Therapy

34:08 Improving Stuttering Through Environment and Support

35:59 The Importance of Awareness in Speech Therapy

36:38 Setting and Understanding Therapy Goals

38:12 Voluntary Stuttering and Fluency Techniques

44:57 Desensitization and Peer Education

47:13 Creating Student-Centered Goals

48:27 Culminating Projects and Peer Education

59:32 Dismissal and Final Thoughts

About the Guests:

Joe Klein, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is an Associate Professor in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Eastern Washington University in Spokane, WA. Joe has published articles and presented nationally and internationally about stuttering and people who stutter. Joe is co-director of the Successful Stuttering Management Program, an intensive residential therapy program for teenagers and adults who stutter.

Holly Klein, M.S., CCC-SLP, has been a school speech-language pathologist for 25 years. She serves as a middle school SLP for the Spokane Public School system in Spokane, WA.