Service Delivery Determinants for School-based Speech Language Pathologists in Texas

The study explores the experiences of school-based speech language pathologists (SLPs) in Texas, focusing on service delivery determinations. Despite SLP’s intentions to individualize therapy experiences to meet student needs, school-based service delivery is quite homogenous. Using a phenomenological approach, this study conducted nine semi-structured interviews with SLPs currently practicing in Texas public schools. The aim of this study was to identify contextual or environmental factors that shape and present barriers to service delivery determinations for school-based SLPs. Findings from this study suggest that beyond the individual child, workplace factors and SLP factors play a critical role in service delivery determinations. A discussion of these findings are explored by the authors, all of whom have school-based clinical experience.