A Peek Into My High School SLP Caseload: Breaking It Down

Well, I might’ve gotten a little too ambitious this year. Initially my director offered to hire a virtual SLP to help out with some of the students at one of my sites. Being the overachiever I am, I decided to take on all three of my school sites without the help of a virtual SLP. What could go wrong, right? Fast forward to now—my caseload jumped from 55 to 64! Currently taking bets on how long until my first menty b (aka mental breakdown)... Comment your guess down below 😛.

But honestly, even though it's a wild ride, I’m loving every minute. The more students, the more stories, and that’s what keeps me going! Plus, once I get to know my students, it all starts to fall into place. The thing about working in high schools is that no two days are ever the same—there’s always something unexpected waiting around the corner, whether it’s a breakthrough or a new challenge to navigate.

Here’s a peek into what this year’s caseload looks like, and I’ll share some of the stories that make my work so rewarding.

Speech-Language Needs Breakdown:

Let’s start with the basics: the speech-language needs. This year, the bulk of my students are working on expressive/receptive language skills (37.5%). What this means in real life is a lot of conversations about finding the right words (often mid-sentence) and understanding the complex language demands of high school classes. I love those lightbulb moments—like when a student finally masters using context clues during reading comprehension or gains the confidence to ask clarifying questions in class. Those little victories are huge!

Articulation is another big focus this year (23.4%). I’m sure fellow SLPs can relate to the bittersweet grind of articulation work. You know that feeling when you’ve worked on that pesky /r/ sound with a student for what feels like ages, and then one day—boom—they finally get it? Those are the moments that keep me going.

Classroom Types:

Now let’s talk about where I’m spending my time. This year, my caseload is almost equally split between SDC (34.4%) and SDCI (34.4%). What does this look like in practice? Well, for my SDCI students, it’s often about finding creative ways to build independence with communication, particularly using AAC devices. And, AAC is not a one-size-fits-all. It's about finding and customizing the device to best suit the students' needs. For example, I have a student who prefers to be non-speaking but is overwhelmed by a high-tech AAC device. He thrives using a low-tech alphabet board -- when I brought in a bunch of low-tech AAC board for him to choose from, his face lit up when he saw the alphabet board!

On the flip side, my SDC students keep me busy with everything from social-pragmatic skills to expressive language work. I lead a social and vocational skills class to help these students navigate the confusing nature of high school social dynamics and prepare them for communicating in the workplace. I really enjoy these co-taught classes because I can see the rapport and relationship I've established with these students over the years. I had a student tell one of my new students, "Don't worry, she's not that bad. She's pretty cool, I guess," and let me tell you that is high praise from a Sophomore boy.

Primary Diagnoses:

And then, of course, there’s the diverse range of diagnoses on my caseload. This year, the biggest chunk of students have intellectual disabilities (31.3%), followed by autism (21.9%). These numbers are more than just stats—they represent students with stories, challenges, and incredible moments of growth.

Looking Forward:

So, what’s in store for this year? I can already tell it’s going to be filled with both challenges and celebrations. Whether it’s coaching a student on how to use their AAC device to order food at a restaurant, or helping another finally grasp abstract language concepts in their literature class, it’s these moments that remind me why I’m here. No two students are the same, and that’s what makes this work so fulfilling.

If you’re a fellow high school SLP, I’d love to know how your caseload is shaping up. What surprises and successes have come your way this year? Let’s share stories and strategies in the comments!