The Informed SLP, 5251 W 116th Place, Suite 200, Leawood, KS (2026)

04/29/2026

Most research doesn’t account for the real-world complexity of our caseloads. It often feels like an endless loop: finding a study, reading the protocol, and then realizing your client doesn’t fit the "ideal" inclusion criteria.

Katherine Sanchez and Natalie Douglas are tackling this implementation gap head-on at TISLP Talks Live.

Friday, May 8 | 2:00–5:30 PM CST | Live on Zoom

Registration is free, and we’re offering 0.3 ASHA CEUs to live attendees. Plus, we'll be having live prize drawings throughout the afternoon and speaker breakout rooms at the end!

Register here to join the conversation: https://theinformedslp.ac-page.com/tislp-talks-live

[Visual description: Image text reads, "It's one thing to know you should be using the latest evidence... But it's another thing entirely to find it, trust it, and then somehow apply it to the patient sitting in front of you. We're tackling this disconnect head-on at TISLP Talks Live. Finding the research is half the battle. Katherine Sanchez is joining us to take the 'ugh' out of the search. She's breaking down how to spot a reliable source, how to use AI without it hallucinating your clinical plan, and how to keep our own biases from clouding the clinical picture. The other half of the battle is applying it. Natalie Douglas is diving into the reality of practice. She'll help us evaluate how evidence, individual needs, and organizational factors all shape our clinical decisions, giving us a framework to make research work in real life. Don't miss out on the 'aha' moments. Save your spot via the link in caption."]

04/27/2026

If you've been on the fence about joining TISLP Talks Live, let's clear up the logistics so you can register with confidence.

We’re hosting three back-to-back sessions on research, pay, and practice, followed by breakout rooms to chat with the speakers. It’s all happening live on May 8 from 2:00–5:30 PM CST.

Attendance is free, and you can earn .3 ASHA CEUs by being there live and submitting a quick feedback form at the end. We’re even doing live giveaways during the breaks!

We’ve designed this to be the most straightforward (and interactive) PD on your calendar this year. Head to this link to grab your spot: https://theinformedslp.ac-page.com/tislp-talks-live

[Visual description: Image text reads, "Thinking about joining us for TISLP Talks Live? Let's break down the schedule for this virtual mini-conference, the CE credits, and the live-only perks so you know exactly what to expect. The afternoon agenda: May 8 | 2:00-5:30 PM CST. 2:00-2:15 PM Kickoff and intro. 2:15-3:15 PM TISLP Talks Practice with Natalie Douglas. 3:15-4:15 PM TISLP Talks Pay with Meredith Harold. 4:15-5:15 PM TISLP Talks Research with Katherine Sanchez. 5:15-5:30 PM Speaker breakout rooms. The logistics: Registration is FREE. Attendance is FREE. Earning CE credit is FREE (up to .3 ASHA CEUS). ASHA registry reporting is FREE for TISLP members (or $15 for non-members). The giveaways: Prize raffles will take place during our session breaks. Just another reason to join us! The fine print: To be eligible for CE credit, there are a few things to keep in mind: You'll need to attend one or more live sessions via Zoom. You'll need to complete a feedback form within 72 hours (by the end of the day Monday, May 12). To be part of the prize drawings, you'll also need to be present live. May 8th is just around the corner. We'd love to see you there! Save your spot via the link in caption."]

04/23/2026

Understanding your value starts with understanding your contract structure—but in our field, that's easier said than done. And yet, somehow, it's one of those topics that we tend to speak about the least.

Not anymore!

Meredith Harold will be leading a raw, honest conversation about SLP pay structures at TISLP Talks Live.

Friday, May 8 | 2:00–5:30 PM CST | Live on Zoom

Registration is free, and we’re offering .3 ASHA CEUs to live attendees (that part's free too). Plus, we'll be having live prize drawings throughout the afternoon and speaker breakout rooms at the end!

Register at this link to join the conversation: https://theinformedslp.ac-page.com/tislp-talks-live

[Visual description: Image text reads, "Do you know what you should be making? If you aren't sure, you aren't alone. The math is genuinely confusing. How do you compare a 1099 hourly rate to a W2 salary with benefits? Or a 'per-visit' fee to a true hourly rate? When every offer uses a different metric, figuring out what you'll be paid is really difficult. And we've been conditioned to stay quiet. We're taught to focus on the 'heart' of the work, but that often means we leave the 'business' of the work behind. The less we talk about the numbers, the harder it is for any of us to know if we're being compensated fairly. So, let's talk numbers. Meredith Harold is stepping in at TISLP Talks Live to help untangle the mess. She'll be breaking down the financial side of our profession, including SLP contract types, pay structure, and how these can impact employment practices and evidence-based care. Join the conversation our field has been avoiding. Head to the link in caption to reserve your spot."]

04/22/2026

Is the Caregiver Skills Training program from the World Health Organization worth the read for early intervention SLPs? Yes! Some parts of its 500 pages (!) are especially helpful to SLPs, and we've found them!

Our research review “Free caregiver coaching resources for EI providers" discusses Monteil-Nava et al.'s study on how the CST program can provide SLPs with free (and researched) grab-and-go material to support our EBP.

Find it at https://www.theinformedslp.com/review/Free-caregiver-coaching-resources-for-EI-provider

The research: https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613251406399

[Visual description: Image text reads, "Don’t let this goldmine EI resource stay buried in the research. Let us guide you to the best bits for parent coaches! Check out our research review to find... Evidence on its positive impact on parent coaching (especially in under-resourced environments), Specific advantages that can make our jobs easier, Can’t-miss components early intervention SLPs will love (so many visuals!). Free, research-backed resources don’t come around every day. Learn how to make the most of this one at the link in our caption."]

04/21/2026

We’re bringing together three experts who have spent years digging into the "how" and "why" of what we do, so we can all figure out the "what’s next" together.

Meet the voices leading the conversations at TISLP Talks Live, our first-ever live virtual mini-conference.

Join us on May 8 (2-5:30 PM CST) as we work on moving our profession forward, together.

Register for free here: https://theinformedslp.ac-page.com/tislp-talks-live

[Visual description: Image text reads, "Meet our speakers for TISLP Talks Live. They'll be leading the way through the important conversations our field needs right now. Katherine Sanchez PhD, CPSP. TISLP Talks Research: Don't Believe Everything You Read (or Think). Katherine keeps us sharp as an editor at TISLP, ensuring our content hits the mark for working clinicians. She brings a boots-on-the-ground perspective to her reviews as an SLP and co-owner of Protea Therapy. Natalie Douglas PhD, CCC-SLP. TISLP Talks Practice: Implementing Real Change in the Real World. Natalie is an Evidence and Practice Strategist at TISLP, where she translates research into practical tools for SLPs. She keeps one foot in the clinic as a PRN SLP in skilled nursing and the other in academia as an Associate Professor at UL Lafayette. Meredith Harold PhD. TISLP Talks Pay: Untangling SLP Compensation and Its Consequences. Meredith is the founder of TISLP and Informed Jobs, fueled by the idea that SLPs deserve easy access to science and career transparency. She pulls from her 'been there' experience as a former school-based SLP and University professor to bring this to life. Join our first-ever live virtual conference! Registration is free at the link in caption."]

04/20/2026

SLPs working with kids using AAC know that confident communication depends on educated and comfortable communication partners. And while none of us have the limitless hours to train them all one-on-one, there may be an app for that!

Our new research review “How to train your communication partners (Live app-tion)” introduces the new free INSTRUCT app and includes:

-basic steps of creating individualized videos and materials for AAC training anyone can use, and

-evidence from Sowers et al. showing its effectiveness in teaching parents, paraprofessionals (and even peers) how to effectively communicate with AAC users.

Find it at https://www.theinformedslp.com/review/how-to-train-your-communication-partners-live-app-tion and learn how to make it easier for us to reach our kids’ whole army of communication partners.

The research: https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_LSHSS-25-00069

[Visual description: Cartoon image of a facilitator standing at the front of a conference table presenting to a group. The presenter gestures toward a projected screen displaying a list and bar graph. Around the table, several adults sit in office chairs, some attentive, one dozing, and others listening or taking notes. A speech bubble from one participant reads, “This could have been an app.” Image text reads, “Could you use a clone for AAC training? Try the new INSTRUCT app!”]

04/17/2026

We know that a well-rounded speech sound disorder (SSD) evaluation goes beyond just assessing speech sound accuracy and intelligibility. Determining how a child’s speech affects their daily life and social relationships is important too, even for our littlest speakers.

Check out our review “The social consequences of speech sound disorders start early” to learn about Henry and team’s study of how preschoolers identified SSDs in their peers, and what it meant for the peer relationships.

Find it at https://www.theinformedslp.com/review/The-social-consequences-of-speech-sound-disorders-start-early and get our pre-K kiddos with SSDs a great head start.

The research: https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_ajslp-25-00093

[Visual description: Image text reads, "The social fallout of speech sound disorders begins before kindergarten. So preschoolers with SSDs need us ASAP. Here’s why. New research shows preschoolers with SSDs are perceived more negatively by their peers. And they may even be chosen for friendships less often than their peers without SSDs. Heart-breaking, right?Take steps to help preschoolers with SSDs! Start speech services before kindergarten. Measure social impacts of SSDs in our evaluations. Educate parents and teachers to help them model kindness and monitor social-emotional development. Kids notice speech differences earlier than we may think. Learn more at theinformedslp.com.."]

04/16/2026

We're shaking up our standard PD format with our first-ever virtual mini-conference: TISLP Talks Live: Research, Practice, and Pay.

We’ve lined up three expert speakers, for three focused sessions, tackling three topics that matter—all in one afternoon. It’s completely free, and we’re offering ASHA CEUs for everyone who joins us live.

Mark the date! May 8th | 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM CST.

We’ll be sharing more about our speakers soon, but you can beat the rush and grab your spot right now. Head to this link to register: https://theinformedslp.ac-page.com/tislp-talks-live

[Visual description: Image text reads, "We're hosting something new... And we think you're going to love it! TISLP Talks Live: Research, Practice, and Pay. A free, live professional development mini-conference for SLPs happening on May 8th from 2-5:30 PM CST. 3 sessions. 3 expert speakers. 3 topics that matter. More details to come. Register at the link in caption."]

04/15/2026

Go ahead and mark your calendars (or realistically, a sticky note). We're hosting our first-ever virtual mini-conference!

TISLP Talks Live: Research, Practice, and Pay.

May 8 | 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM CST.

It’s completely free to attend, and you’ll even earn CEUs just for being there.

Registration is officially open. Head to this link to grab your spot: https://theinformedslp.ac-page.com/tislp-talks-live

[Visual description: Image text reads, "Save the Date! Attend our first-ever live virtual conference! Details in caption. TISLP TALKS LIVE RESEARCH, PRACTICE, & PAY"]

04/13/2026

Let’s hear directly from autistic people on the benefits of their repetitive behaviors and special interests, which can be vital components of coping strategies and crucial elements of a person’s overall well-being.

In our review “Spinning and SpIn-ing: Re-framing restricted/repetitive behaviors and specific interests,” we discuss new research from 4 separate teams of scientists, which suggests that it’s time to shift how we think about and approach restricted and repetitive behaviors, intense interests, and sensory needs in our autistic clients.

Find it at https://www.theinformedslp.com/review/Spinning-and-SpIn-ing-Re-framing-restrictedrepetitive-behaviors-and-specific-interests

[Visual description: Image text reads, "Respecting “restricted and repetitive behaviors” is advocacy in action. Check out these 5 strategies to help others do it, too! 1. Get curious about the environment and stressors causing our clients to call on their RRBs. 2. Go straight to the source by consulting individuals themselves about how best to support them. 3. Build skills and supports to help clients strengthen executive functioning and find strategies to reduce anxiety around uncertainty. 4. Seek our social connections to validate specific interests and promote feelings of belonging through safe social spaces. 5. Act as a "go-between" by working to unlock the functions of our client’s RRBs to help their family and friends understand, too. Check out our research review to learn more about: 7 functions of RRBs as described by autistic people themselves, Lived-experience research identifying the positive impact of RRBs, and Risks of encouraging people to suppress them unnecessarily. Let’s keep offering individualized, neurodiversity-affirming care. Learn more today at theinformedslp.com!"]

04/09/2026

Do you work somewhere that uses age equivalents + "percent delay" math for speech eligibility... and hate it because you know it's not best practice?

You're right. Gladfelter and team break down exactly why this approach is so flawed and just how problematic it can be to determine speech service eligibility using age equivalent scores.

In our free review, "Percent delay' is a bad way to determine EI eligibility", you'll find:

- How "percent delay" leads to misidentification of kids needing our services

- Three ways that using age equivalent scores violate all 3 parts of EBP

- Four practical ways to stay evidence-based even with state-mandated constraints, and

- A cut-and-paste blurb to add to our reports to educate and advocate for better eligibility and identification.

Find it at https://www.theinformedslp.com/review/Percent-delay-is-a-bad-way-to-determine-EI-eligibility and share it with friends (it's free)! Then come tell us in the comments... are you dealing with this?

The research: http://doi.org/10.1044/2025_lshss-25-00091

[Visual description: Image text reads, "Scientists: “Using ‘percent delay’ for EI eligibility determination make no sense.” SLPs of EI: “We know, right??” Those iffy calculations aren’t based in science and get it wrong for a lot of kids. Learn what we can do while still following state guidelines at TheInformedSLP.com."]

The Informed SLP

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