SLPA Scope of Practice 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An SLPA is working in a school setting and a teacher asks for the SLPA's opinion on whether a student needs speech therapy services. What should the SLPA do?
- Provide a clinical recommendation based on classroom observations
- Explain that eligibility determinations are made by the supervising SLP and refer the teacher accordingly (Correct answer)
- Schedule the student for therapy immediately
- Contact the student's parents to discuss eligibility
Correct answer: Explain that eligibility determinations are made by the supervising SLP and refer the teacher accordingly
Determining eligibility for services is a clinical decision that falls exclusively within the SLP's scope of practice.
Question 2: Which document typically outlines the specific tasks an SLPA is authorized to perform in a given work setting?
- The client's therapy log
- A scope of practice agreement or job description co-signed with the supervising SLP (Correct answer)
- The national ASHA Code of Ethics only
- The SLPA's academic transcript
Correct answer: A scope of practice agreement or job description co-signed with the supervising SLP
A formal scope of practice agreement or job description, reviewed with the supervisor, specifies the SLPA's authorized tasks.
Question 3: Which of the following is NOT an appropriate task for an SLPA during a group therapy session?
- Facilitating pre-planned language activities
- Taking data on client responses
- Providing feedback using techniques specified by the SLP
- Deciding which clients should be grouped together for therapy (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Deciding which clients should be grouped together for therapy
Grouping clients for therapy involves clinical judgment about treatment planning, which is the SLP's responsibility.
Question 4: Can an SLPA provide telepractice services to clients?
- Yes, without any restrictions
- Yes, if permitted by state law and under the supervision of the SLP (Correct answer)
- No, because telepractice is only for licensed SLPs
- No, because ASHA prohibits all SLPA telepractice
Correct answer: Yes, if permitted by state law and under the supervision of the SLP
SLPAs may deliver services via telepractice when state regulations permit and the supervising SLP provides appropriate oversight.
Question 5: An SLPA is treating a client whose progress seems to plateau. Who is responsible for revising the treatment plan?
- The SLPA, since they have direct contact with the client
- The supervising SLP, who analyzes data and revises the plan (Correct answer)
- The client's insurance provider
- The facility administrator
Correct answer: The supervising SLP, who analyzes data and revises the plan
Treatment plan revision requires clinical analysis and decision-making, which is solely the supervising SLP's responsibility.
Question 6: What does 'indirect supervision' of an SLPA mean?
- The SLP observes the session from an adjacent room
- The SLP is not physically present but is available by phone, video, or other means (Correct answer)
- The SLPA works with no supervision at all
- Another SLPA supervises the session
Correct answer: The SLP is not physically present but is available by phone, video, or other means
Indirect supervision means the SLP is not physically present but remains accessible via electronic communication during the session.
Question 7: Which best describes the SLPA's responsibility regarding client confidentiality?
- Confidentiality rules apply only to SLPs, not SLPAs
- SLPAs must follow the same HIPAA and confidentiality standards as SLPs (Correct answer)
- SLPAs may share client information with other school staff freely
- Confidentiality is optional for SLPAs in educational settings
Correct answer: SLPAs must follow the same HIPAA and confidentiality standards as SLPs
SLPAs are bound by the same HIPAA regulations and ethical confidentiality standards as their supervising SLPs.
SLPA Scope of Practice 3
An SLPA is working in a school setting and a teacher asks for the SLPA's opinion on whether a student needs speech therapy services.
What should the SLPA do?