Sometimes, school SLPs must provide therapy for multiple students with various speech needs in mixed group settings. That can be tough, but here’s how to make it work!

<h2>How School SLPs Can Make Mixed Group Speech Therapy Work!</h2><p>“Waitaminute, what?! On top of everything else, you mean I’m supposed to plan activities, maintain student participation and engagement, measure progress, take data, AND target individual goals – for multiple students with varying needs ALL AT THE SAME TIME?!”</p><p>Well, yes. But you can do it! After all, you’re a speech and language superstar.</p><p>Here’s how to make it work!</p><h2>What is a Speech Therapy Mixed Group?</h2><p>First, the basics. So, what is a speech therapy mixed group, anyway? A speech therapy mixed group is a group of students with different needs and varying SLP goals. In a mixed group, students’ goals may involve any number of speech-language issues, including:</p><ul><li>Articulation</li><li>Auditory discrimination</li><li>Expressive language</li><li>Fluency</li><li>Grammar</li><li>Hearing</li><li>Phonology</li><li>Receptive language</li><li>Social</li><li>Syntax</li><li>Voice</li><li>Written language</li></ul><h2>Why Have Speech Therapy Mixed Groups?</h2><p>Speech therapy mixed groups sound daunting, but they are actually excellent opportunities for several reasons:</p><ol><li>Time during school is limited, and mixed groups provide an opportunity to get more speech therapy time in with our kids.</li><li>Because speech-language goals are interrelated, addressing certain areas (like expressive language) will help strengthen other areas (like receptive language).</li><li>Group activities allow students to interact in real-world situations with their peers, which mirrors their everyday social interactions in the classroom and beyond.</li><li>Group activities are fun! Any time we can interject fun into therapy to help kids feel engaged, upbeat and confident, it’s a win!</li></ol><h2>Planning for Speech Therapy Mixed Groups</h2><p>You can imagine the results if you don’t plan well for these groups: wasted time and possibly even chaos! To prepare, follow these tips compiled from Lockhart and Wu via <a href="https://www.slptoolkit.com/blog/mixedgroups/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">slptoolkit.com</a>:</p><ol><li>Have everyone in the group participate in the same activity.</li><li>If one activity isn’t possible, use stations.</li><li>Try activities like coloring sheets, wordless picture books, crafts, turn taking games, etc.</li><li>Pre-teach, teach and re-teach expectations.</li><li>Create visuals outlining expected behaviors – keep hands to yourself, take turns talking, etc.</li><li>Use a points system with praise or prizes.</li><li>Be flexible and improvise when needed.</li></ol><h2>Resources for SLP Mixed Group Activities</h2><p>You can always create mixed group plans from scratch, but why reinvent the wheel? Check out these sites with ideas for SLP mixed group activities:</p><p><a href="http://speechpeeps.com/2016/08/resources-mixed-groups.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Speech Peeps Resources for Mixed Groups</a> – Here you’ll find over 20 activities with multiple SLP goals like:</p><ul><li>Articulation Context Cue Cards Using Vocabulary</li><li>Nonfiction Texts Targeting Articulation and Language</li><li>Print and Go Trioramas for Articulation, Language and Social Skills</li></ul><p><a href="https://speechtimefun.com/mixed-groups-made-easy/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Speech Time Fun</a> – This page has links to activities and products to use with mixed groups, including:</p><ul><li>Wordless picture books</li><li>Apps like Chatterpix, The Bag Game, and Smarty Ears</li><li>Products like Differentiated Question Scenes and Articulation Comics</li></ul><p><a href="https://www.thespeechbubbleslp.com/2013/05/syllables-splash-app-review-2.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Speech Bubble</a> – Here is a resource with activities that work for larger groups of 10 or more with suggestions like:</p><ul><li>Visiting the library</li><li>Using crafts that involve describing and sequencing</li><li>Being an Eggspert</li></ul><p>With a bit of planning, you’ll be well on your way to facilitating effective SLP mixed-group activities! Then, you’ll be able to help another SLP who’s stumped about handling this new challenge.</p><p>You’ve got this!</p><p>Find out where students need your specialized skills as a <a href="https://www.crosscountryeducation.com/home" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">school SLP</a> now!</p>

Speech Therapy Mixed Groups: Ideas for School SLPs