SLPs: When and When Not to Dismiss Students From Your Caseload (Grades PK-12)

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Are you looking for a more structured and evidence-based approach to determine when students are ready for dismissal? Do you experience hurdles when attempting to dismiss students from speech-language services? Research shows that half of students who receive school-based speech-language services continue in therapy after criterion was reached. Learn a systematic approach to determine a student's individualized dismissal criteria, how to monitor their progress toward dismissal, and how to successfully guide your team through the dismissal process.

In this NEW seminar, outstanding SLP, author, and national presenter Courtney Seidel draws from her extensive experience working with grades PreK-12 students to share the most current recommendations surrounding dismissal practices. You'll leave with increased confidence in your dismissal decision making. Current best practices for dismissal, including national and federal recommendations, will strengthen your intentional practices around dismissal.

Explore the most common hurdles SLPs face when attempting to discontinue services along with a wealth of tangible, use-tomorrow solutions. This is a seminar you won't want to miss!

For years, I encountered uncertainty, resistance, and hurdles when attempting to dismiss students from school-based speech-language services. The lack of dismissal criteria in most states leaves SLPs uncertain as to when a child is ready for dismissal. Misunderstandings regarding the purpose of school-based services versus other external services and supports can result in resistance from parents. Ending established and long-term relationships with children can pose a hurdle for some clinicians. However, the challenge most frequently reported is pressure from team members to offer students "all the help they can get" – despite readiness for dismissal.

To address these issues and others, I've developed a structured approach to dismissal. It includes a toolbox of practical, evidence-based approaches you can use immediately. Rather than dismissal being an afterthought brought up after years of treatment, this approach embeds progress toward dismissal into your treatment plan. We'll create long-term visions of communication for students, employ best practices for discontinuation, scaffold our treatment so it paints a path toward dismissal, address challenges when students have a lack of vested interest and are noncompliant, track indicators of readiness for discontinuation, and provide teams with a plan for our departure.

My goal is to ensure you have the tools and resources needed to successfully tackle each challenge. I'm excited to share what I have learned with you so that you can feel more confident in your dismissal decision making and equipped to guide your team through dismissal discussions and processes.

I hope you'll join me for a productive and thought-provoking day!

P.S. You'll receive my dismissal digital resource handbook, which includes a dismissal flowchart, portfolio to evidence readiness, rubrics, dismissal report templates, meeting scripts, graduation certificates, and much more so you can start this work tomorrow!

Extensive Dismissal Digital Resource Handbook You will receive an extensive digital resource handbook specifically designed for this seminar. Included in the handbook are:

For in-person seminars, registrants will also receive a printed copy of the resource handbook as long as their registration is received in the BER office at least 15 calendar days before the event.

Share Ideas This seminar provides a wonderful opportunity for participants to meet and share ideas with other school-based SLPs interested in strengthening their intentional practices around dismissal.

Consultation Available Courtney Seidel will be available for consultation regarding your questions and the unique needs of your own speech-language program.

ASHA - CEUs You will be required to fully attend the program, actively participate, and complete a self-assessment and program evaluation.

ASHA-Required Disclosure Statement for Courtney Seidel: Presenter for the Bureau of Education & Research and receives honorarium compensation. No relevant nonfinancial relationships exist.

Semester Credit Option Up to four graduate level professional development credits are available with an additional fee and completion of follow-up practicum activities. Details for direct enrollment with University of Massachusetts Global, a nonprofit affiliate, will be available at this program.

Meet Inservice Requirements Participants of both the Live Online Seminar and those completing the Recorded Version online can receive a certificate of participation that may be used to verify five continuing education hours. State CEUs are available for both versions of the course. For specific details, visit www.ber.org/ceus.

What you'll learn

• Practical approaches to support students reaching their highest level of independence and moving toward dismissal
• Strategic plans and structured steps to take toward dismissal that are individualized, effective, and evidence based
• A wealth of practical information, including a dismissal flowchart, portfolio, rubrics, report templates, meeting scripts, graduation certificates, and much more!
• Receive an extensive dismissal digital resource handbook filled with step-by-step guides, materials, and resources designed to make your dismissal processes systematic, evidence based, and successful