The SLP Now Podcast

Show Notes: slpnow.com/273Therapy planning can take over nights and weekends when every session starts from scratch. In this episode, Marisha explains how large caseloads, session by session planning, and missing systems can lead to inconsistent sessions, decision fatigue, and reactive therapy.She shares a better approach: plan by units that cover a full month. For most SLPs, three to four units can cover an entire caseload, while a streamlined data system and the right teaching tools make it easier to individualize instruction and bring your clinical magic into the mix. Sign up for a free trial of SLP Now at slpnow.com/pod!

Show Notes: slpnow.com/272 How do I make literacy-based therapy work with expository text for older students? In this episode, I walk through the simple swaps I make to keep the framework relevant for upper elementary and secondary students.I share how I adapt the five steps of Dr. Ukrainetz's framework, and how I use structure-matched graphic organizers to help students organize what they read. We also talk about repurposing the text through newscasts, debates, and other age-appropriate activities, plus how clinical judgment helps us choose the best fit for each group.Sign up for a free trial of SLP Now at slpnow.com/pod!

Show Notes: slpnow.com/271In this episode, I break down how I use one book or article to target every goal in a mixed group. Every activity in a literacy-based therapy framework is language-rich, so I do not need a different activity for every student. One activity can work for everyone.I walk through a real example of using WH question cards to target articulation, past tense verbs, and categories in the same session. I also share how I choose texts for different age bands so therapy planning feels simpler and more sustainable.Sign up for a free trial of SLP Now at slpnow.com/pod!

Show Notes: slpnow.com/270What does literacy-based therapy actually look like in a real session? In this episode, I walk through Dr. Ukrainetz's five-step framework and share how I use it across about a month of therapy. We cover Pre-Story Knowledge Activation, Shared Reading, Post-Story Comprehension, Focused Skill Activities, and the Parallel Story. I also share a real example from my work with sixth graders and explain why background knowledge can make or break comprehension. If you want a simple, practical way to plan mixed groups, this framework can help you work smarter, not harder.Sign up for a free trial of SLP Now at slpnow.com/pod!

Show Notes: slpnow.com/269In this episode, I break down what literacy-based therapy actually is. I share how I use one text, like a picture book, article, or reading passage, to anchor a full unit of therapy. That gives students meaningful, language-rich practice instead of isolated drills.I also talk about why this approach works. We look at Dr. Ukrainetz's framework, repeated exposure, background knowledge, and one study showing stronger gains in comprehension and story retell with contextualized intervention. I also share how this helped me plan for a triple-digit caseload while still individualizing sessions.Resources mentioned:Dr. Ukrainetz's literacy-based therapy frameworkGillam, Gillam, and Reese (2012)Sign up for a free trial of SLP Now at slpnow.com/pod