The SLP Now Podcast

Show Notes: slpnow.com/251
A caseload of 63 students doesn’t tell the full story of your job. School-based SLPs juggle therapy, evaluations, IEP meetings, Medicaid billing, AAC programming, travel time, and more — yet capacity is often measured by one number. In this episode, we unpack the difference between caseload and workload, why “the math isn’t mathing,” and how to shift the conversation with clarity and confidence.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The difference between caseload and workload (and why it matters)
Four principles to manage impossible workloads
How to protect your contract hours without guilt
Simple ways to document and make your workload visible
How to approach administrators with clear, objective data

If paperwork and planning are part of your overwhelm, check out our free trial at slpnow.com/pod.

Show Notes: slpnow.com/250
Paperwork doesn’t have to be the reason this job feels unsustainable. In this final episode of our paperwork series, we zoom out and look at why burnout is often a systems problem (not a passion problem), and what actually helps school-based SLPs get paperwork done more efficiently. You’ll hear practical ways to reduce cognitive load, create repeatable workflows, and make steady progress without adding more stress to your plate.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
Identify your biggest paperwork stressors and prioritize what matters most
Use a “buffet” approach to implement systems without overwhelm
Plan IEPs and evaluations in a way that supports working ahead
Create reliable workflows that make paperwork feel manageable and sustainable

If you’re ready to make paperwork feel lighter, pick one strategy from this episode and try it this week.

Show Notes: slpnow.com/249
Writing IEPs and evaluations doesn’t have to feel like starting from scratch every single time. In this episode, we break down simple, systems-based strategies that help school-based SLPs write reports faster—without cutting corners or second-guessing their clinical decisions. You’ll learn how small shifts, like templates and text expanders, can reduce overwhelm, boost confidence, and make paperwork feel far more manageable.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
Eliminate “blank page syndrome” when writing reports
Use templates to streamline IEPs and evaluations
Avoid common copy-and-paste mistakes
Save hours during progress note season

👉 Tune in to start building a calmer, more efficient paperwork system you can actually sustain.

A simple paperwork system can save you hours and protect your focus during the school week. In this episode, I’m sharing an easy way to organize pending IEPs and evaluations so your desk stays clear, you always know what to work on next, and nothing slips through the cracks. You’ll hear my go-to folder + checklist setup, plus flexible options for SLPs who prefer printable systems or digital workflows.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
A “one-folder-per-student” system to keep paperwork contained
How to prioritize paperwork by due date automatically
Why checklists reduce errors and last-minute scrambling
Printable vs. digital ways to stay consistent and organized
How SLP Now can streamline forms, progress monitoring, and reminders

Ready to make paperwork easier? Start your free trial of SLP Now at slpnow.com/pod.

Paperwork doesn’t just take time. It takes up mental space. In this episode, we’re kicking off a 4-part series to help you reduce paperwork overwhelm by building a simple planning system that supports your deadlines (and your sanity). You’ll learn how to map out what’s coming, spot your busiest months, and create realistic weekly goals so you’re not carrying every IEP and eval in your head at once.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
Do a quick paperwork inventory to identify your biggest stress points
Audit upcoming IEPs/evals by month to plan ahead with confidence
Set weekly paperwork goals that reduce decision fatigue and mental load
Protect focus time using simple schedule boundaries

Try the SLP Now free trial at slpnow.com/pod to access the Paperwork Course + workbook and start building your system.