SLP Coffee Talk

Hallie Sherman
  • 4.8 (109)
  • How To
  • Updated Weekly

A speech and language podcast to motivate and inspire school-based SLPs. Get the tips, strategies, and low-prep therapy ideas you need to confidently walk into your therapy room and plan with ease. Learn and hear stories from an SLP in the trenches just like you!

  1. 3d ago

    Why I Don't Write Following Directions Goals for Older Speech Students

    Are you writing following directions goals straight from a CELF subtest score? In this solo episode, Hallie makes the case for asking "why" before you write another three-step directions goal for a middle or high schooler. She explains how to use item analysis to find what's really driving the difficulty, why compensatory strategies often serve older students better than more isolated drill, and how to build self-advocacy into the activities you're already doing. She also shares low-cost, teen-friendly ways to practice when you do need a directions goal. Bullet Points to Discuss: -Why a standardized test should give us information, not our therapy curriculum -Item analysis - looking past the scaled score to find the pattern -Asking "why" - language, working memory, attention, vocabulary, or the environment? When more of the same isn't working - the same goal from 3rd grade to 7th grade Compensatory strategies - teaching what to do when they miss it or can't remember -Metacognition - recognizing "I didn't understand" is the first step to self-advocacy -Teacher supports & accommodations - it's an access-to-instruction skill, not just a speech room skill -Easy, low-cost activities: drawing tutorial videos, a DIY file folder barrier game & Edpuzzle's rewatch button Here's what we learned: A standardized test gives you information, not a therapy curriculum, so use item analysis to find the pattern behind a low scoreThe "why" matters: language, working memory, attention, vocabulary, and environment each call for a different goalRepeating the same directions goal year after year isn't working, so it's time to change the approachFor older students, teach compensatory strategies like keywords, chunking, repeating back, and asking for one step at a timeRecognizing "I missed something" is the first step to self-advocacyFollowing directions is an access-to-instruction skill, so share accommodations with teachersDrawing videos, a file folder barrier game, and Edpuzzle's rewatch button make strategy practice low-cost and teen-friendly Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate:   📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/ 🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup 📘✨ Grab your copy of The Secondary SLP Roadmap here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/stf-book 🎤✨ The Speech Retreat is Back! Learn more and register here! https://www.speechretreat.com ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​  Freebie: https://www.slpmadness.com/shop/p/freespeechtherapydescribingprobe https://www.slpmadness.com/iep-goal-bank  Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

    Why I Don't Write Following Directions Goals for Older Speech Students

  2. Sep 28

    Principles of Motor Learning in Articulation Intervention

    Tired of reaching for the same generic drills no matter what speech sound error walks through your door? In this episode, Hallie chats with Laura Rinella, MA, CCC-SLP, creator of Laura Teaches Speech and a pediatric specialist in speech sound disorders. Laura breaks down how she builds targeted, individualized treatment plans that move the needle on intelligibility, offers her take on telling articulation and phonological disorders apart in real sessions, and explains why she sees every kid's progress as a step toward letting their voice come through. Bullet Points to Discuss:  - Why principles of motor learning belong in articulation therapy - how manipulating practice & feedback results in independence - When more isn't always better - high trials aren't enough - The performance trap -  why success during practice doesn't equal learning - The power of mistakes - update & refine the motor plan - Variation - the secret sauce/game changer/the closer Here’s what we learned:  Motor learning principles matter for every kid with a speech sound error, not just those with residual/lingering errorsMastering a sound in the therapy room isn't the same as mastering it in real life — that's the performance trapVariation in rate, intonation, and loudness is what drives carryover to real conversationSpeech motor chaining builds from syllables to self-generated sentences, leveling up as accuracy improvesBuy-in matters as much as biomechanics — kids need to believe change is possible before the movement work sticks Learn more about Laura Rinella Website https://substack.com/@laurateachesspeech                        https://www.archspeechtherapy.com/courses-resources/ Social https://www.instagram.com/laurateachesspeech/  Other links:  https://substack.com/@laurateachesspeech                https://www.archspeechtherapy.com/courses-resources/ Freebie - include this on the docs so we don’t need to copy and paste from this document (note for podmachine editor) https://substack.com/@laurateachesspeech/note/p-188451575?r=7jc6eu&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web  Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate:   📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/ 🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup 📘✨ Grab your copy of The Secondary SLP Roadmap here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/stf-book 🎤✨ The Speech Retreat is Back! Learn more and register here! https://www.speechretreat.com ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​  Freebie: https://www.slpmadness.com/shop/p/freespeechtherapydescribingprobe https://www.slpmadness.com/iep-goal-bank  Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

    Principles of Motor Learning in Articulation Intervention

  3. Sep 21

    Documenting Strengths-Based Therapy in a Goal-Driven System

    Struggling to know what "good" data collection actually looks like, especially with older students on your caseload? In this episode, Hallie sits down with Kayla Obenour, an SLP with over a decade of experience across schools, outpatient, home health, and private practice, to chat all about what real, useful data collection can look like. Kayla shares why she's always aimed to "practice what she preaches" as a clinician, how she helps new clinicians cut through the overwhelm of tracking everything at once, and why qualitative data deserves just as much credit as a percentage on a page. Bullet Points to Discuss:  Why data collection creates such heavy cognitive load for new clinicians Probe data versus continuous data, and what makes data reliable and valid Rethinking the 80% accuracy standard and other ways to measure meaningful progress The role parents, teachers, and work samples play in painting a fuller picture Breaking annual goals into smaller, more achievable objectives Why starting from a student's strengths builds buy-in and confidence Here’s what we learned:  Ten solid probe data points can be just as valid as tracking data throughout an entire session. Qualitative data, like the type and amount of support a student needed, is still meaningful data. Percent accuracy alone doesn't reveal whether a skill functions for a student outside of therapy. Parents and teachers often notice things in other settings that never show up in session data. Starting with a student's smallest achievable step builds momentum faster than jumping straight to the end goal. Learn more about Kayla Obenour:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Rooted-in-Connection-Therapy/61577409999013/  Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate:   📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/ 🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup 📘✨ Grab your copy of The Secondary SLP Roadmap here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/stf-book 🎤✨ The Speech Retreat is Back! Learn more and register here! https://www.speechretreat.com ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​  Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

    Documenting Strengths-Based Therapy in a Goal-Driven System

  4. Sep 14

    Using One Activity With As Many Groups As Possible

    In this solo episode, Hallie breaks down how to stop drowning in back-to-back groups with completely different goals. She covers why you don't need a separate activity for every student, how one resource — a video, book, article, or even a game — can hit multiple goals at once, and why mixed-goal groups can actually work in your favor instead of against you. If planning has been eating into time you don't have and you're tired of scrambling between sessions, this episode is for you. Bullet Points to Discuss:  Why "one activity per student" is a planning trap, not a requirement The case for letting mixed-goal groups work side by side Keeping students in the loop on their own goals and why it mattersTurning any YouTube video into a multi-goal lesson with Edpuzzle Wordless picture books: the ultimate no-prep, any-goal resource Squeezing more mileage out of articles, storybooks, and games than "intended" Making one resource stretch across grade levels without extra work Here’s what we learned:  You don't need a new activity for every student — one resource can carry the whole group. Mixed-goal groups pick up extra language just from hearing each other get prompted. Edpuzzle lets you drop goal-specific questions right into any video. Nobody's handing out a trophy for asking the exact question printed on the card. The same resource can flex across grade levels — just adjust the difficulty, not the material. Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate:   📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/ 🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup 📘✨ Grab your copy of The Secondary SLP Roadmap here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/stf-book 🎤✨ The Speech Retreat is Back! Learn more and register here! https://www.speechretreat.com ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​  Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

  5. Sep 7

    Do Not Fear The Vocalic R

    Feeling stuck when it comes to that pesky vocalic R? In this episode, Hallie sits down with Karen Krogg of The Pedi Speechie, a school-based SLP with a serious R obsession, to talk through everything from tongue shape to carryover. Karen breaks down her hand gesture analogies, favorite tools, and how she keeps kids motivated through the long haul of R therapy. Bullet Points to Discuss:  Determining when R work is warranted for older students in schoolsRetroflex R vs. bunched R, and how to tell the differenceHand gesture analogies and tools like the typodont and SketchfabMaking practice fun without turning it into straight drillingCarryover strategies that actually get used at homeAdvice for SLPs and CFs new to treating vocalic R  Here’s what we learned:  Progress often comes down to problem-solving, not repetition — no single method works for every studentThe quicker a student masters R in isolation, the more predictable the rest of therapy tends to goA baseline screener at the start of the year makes progress easier to trackPatience is part of the clinical skill set — R therapy can take well over a yearNew SLPs don’t need to have it all figured out — CEU courses and online resources help fill the gaps Learn more about Karen Krogg:  Website: https://thepedispeechie.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepedispeechie/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepedispeechie_slp  Teachers Pay Teachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/the-pedi-speechie YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thepedispeechie4227  Speech Therapy Tools Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate:   📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/ 🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup 📘✨ Grab your copy of The Secondary SLP Roadmap here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/stf-book 🎤✨ The Speech Retreat is Back! Learn more and register here! https://www.speechretreat.com ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​  Freebie: https://thepedispeechie.com/speech-therapy-tools  Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

    Do Not Fear The Vocalic R

  6. Aug 31

    How to Collect Data Without Stopping Therapy

    Feeling like data collection is eating up all your therapy time? In this episode, Hallie sits down with Michele Rothstein of SLP Madness, a 26-year elementary school-based SLP, to talk all about how to make data collection clean, efficient, and legally defensible. Michele shares her 3:1 treatment-to-probe ratio, how she handles Medicaid billing without sacrificing real therapy time, and why she believes data is her favorite four-letter word. Bullet Points to Discuss:  The difference between therapy charting and true data collection Why testing your students every session isn't the same as teaching them Using a 3:1 ratio: three weeks of treatment, one week of progress monitoring How to report Medicaid billing data on non-probe weeks Building and organizing probes so they're ready for IEP season Handling inherited IEP goals you don't agree with or understand  Here’s what we learned:  Data collection and therapy charting are not the same thing Consistent stimuli each time you probe is what makes data legally defensible An IEP is a blueprint, not a complete list of everything you're targeting Honesty about inherited goals builds trust with families and teams Starting small with one student or goal is the key to sticking with a new system Learn more about Michele Rothstein:  Website: https://www.slpmadness.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slp.madness/  LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-rothstein-slpmadness  Teachers Pay Teachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/slp-madness  How to Collect Data Without Stopping Therapy Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate:   📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/ 🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup 📘✨ Grab your copy of The Secondary SLP Roadmap here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/stf-book 🎤✨ The Speech Retreat is Back! Learn more and register here! https://www.speechretreat.com ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​  Freebie: https://www.slpmadness.com/shop/p/freespeechtherapydescribingprobe https://www.slpmadness.com/iep-goal-bank  Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

    How to Collect Data Without Stopping Therapy

  7. Aug 24

    What Is Stutter-Affirming Care?

    Struggling with how to support a student who stutters without falling into the “fix it” trap? In this episode, Hallie sits down with Wendy Dietz, an SLP and clinic owner in Colorado who specializes in stuttering therapy, to chat all about what an acceptance-based approach really looks like. Wendy shares how a moving college essay first sparked her interest in stuttering, how the CARE model she learned at UT Austin completely shifted her perspective, and how she helps parents let go of all-or-nothing thinking about their child’s speech. Bullet Points to Discuss:  Why fluency-focused early intervention isn’t backed by research and can cause harmHelping parents move past “fixed” vs. “held back” thinking about their child’s stutteringA student’s journey from a fluency-focused approach to self-advocacy and confidenceWhy observable severity often doesn’t match a student’s internal experience of stutteringWhat stuttering assessment looks like beyond disfluency countsResources for SLPs building skills and confidence in this niche  Here’s what we learned:  The goal is confident communication, not reducing or curing stutteringA third path exists for parents beyond “fixed” or “struggling forever”A student’s own attitude toward stuttering matters as much as how it soundsEarly education protects students from internalizing negative experiences laterConfidence in this niche comes from community involvement, not just coursework Resources Mentioned: Stop Guessing with Stuttering Therapy – Victoria Dertouzoc: https://speechtimefun.com/334-stop-guessing-with-stuttering-therapy/  A Human Approach to Stuttering and Neurodiversity – Ana Hernandez Episode: https://speechtimefun.com/336-a-human-approach-to-stuttering-and-neurodiversity/  Learn more about Wendy Dietz:  Website: https://www.lifetimespeech.com/about  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifetimestuttering/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-dietz-m-s-ccc-slp-5236561a9  Email: info@lifetimespeech.com  Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate:   📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/ 🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup 📘✨ Grab your copy of The Secondary SLP Roadmap here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/stf-book 🎤✨ The Speech Retreat is Back! Learn more and register here! https://www.speechretreat.com Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

    What Is Stutter-Affirming Care?

  8. Aug 17

    Why Word Webs Work: An Easy Vocabulary Strategy for Older Students

    In this solo episode, Hallie unpacks one of her go-to therapy strategies for grades 4-12: word webs. She covers why this simple visual tool does so much heavy lifting in mixed therapy groups, how it hits multiple goals at once, and why it beats another boring vocabulary worksheet every time. If you've been looking for a way to teach vocabulary that actually sticks (and doesn't require a Pinterest-worthy setup), this episode is for you. Bullet Points to Discuss:  What word webs are and how they help students connect meaning to a word instead of just memorizing a definition Why word webs support deeper processing and long-term carryover for vocabulary retention Which students benefit most from this visual, low-prep approach Ways to adapt word webs to feel age-appropriate for older, "too cool for therapy" students Using word webs to build emotional vocabulary beyond happy, sad, and mad How to introduce and scaffold the skill so it doesn't overwhelm students early on Here’s what we learned:  Word webs give repeated, meaningful exposure to a word, which is what makes vocabulary stick. No fancy prep needed. A whiteboard or sticky notes will do. One word web can hit different goals for different students in the same group. Start small and build complexity gradually to avoid overwhelming students. Making it relevant to their world (sports, social media, career goals) is what keeps older students engaged. Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate:   📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/ 🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup 📘✨ Grab your copy of The Secondary SLP Roadmap here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/stf-book 🎓✨ Grab your free spot at CF Bootcamp 2026 here! https://www.speechtimefun.com/cfbootcamp2026 🎤✨ The Speech Retreat is Back! Learn more and register here! https://www.speechretreat.com ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​  Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

    Why Word Webs Work: An Easy Vocabulary Strategy for Older Students
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4.8
out of 5
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About

A speech and language podcast to motivate and inspire school-based SLPs. Get the tips, strategies, and low-prep therapy ideas you need to confidently walk into your therapy room and plan with ease. Learn and hear stories from an SLP in the trenches just like you!

Information

  • Creator
    Hallie Sherman
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    356
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 SLP Coffee Talk
  • Show Website
    SLP Coffee Talk

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