The Secondary SLP Roadmap
Motivating Students to Crush their Speech and Language Goals
1. Edition November 2025
224 Pages, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Essential guide for Grade 4-12 SLPs to reduce prep work and help students crush their goals
The Secondary SLP Roadmap: Motivating Students to Crush their Speech and Language Goals is a unique resource for speech-language pathologists working with secondary students, who are often harder to motivate and more aware that learning is difficult for them. Based on author Hallie Sherman's 16 years of SLP experience and her extensive professional development training career, this book is filled with stories and practical ideas, tips, and tricks that you can use right away to help students learn more effectively while bringing prep work down to one hour each week.
Broken down into three phases to allow for modular learning, this book shows readers how to:
* Target a variety of goals without spreading resources too thin
* Work with mixed groups in a way that all students get the attention and assistance they need
* Teach skills differently than how they are already being addressed in the classroom
* Build rapport and a safe environment in which students feel comfortable taking risks
The Secondary SLP Roadmap provides readers with an essential framework to go from being uncertain and overwhelmed to having their speech students crushing their goals and making massive progress.
About the Author xi
Preface xiii
Introduction xvii
Section 1
Getting Quick Wins 1
Chapter 1
Start Small, Win Big 3
Chapter 2
The Role of the SLP with Secondary Students 9
Chapter 3
Determining Where to Start with Older Speech Students 23
Chapter 4
Teaching Strategies and Techniques 43
Chapter 5
Connection over Data Collection 63
Section 2
Creative Competence 73
Chapter 6
The Importance of Incorporating Student Interests and Goals 75
Chapter 7
Building Rapport 87
Chapter 8
Routines and Expectations 99
Section 3
The 60-Minute Plan Strategy 109
Chapter 9
A Plan for Work-Life Balance 111
Chapter 10
Feeling Relevant Without Using the Curriculum 123
Chapter 11
Adapting Resources and Using Fewer Materials 135
Chapter 12
Mixed Groups Made Easy 147
Chapter 13
Building Articulation and Social Skills 159
Chapter 14
What About Life Skills? 169
Conclusion 191
Index 195
"Hallie has a gift for turning complex concepts into clear, actionable strategies. This book is a must-have for new grads and SLPs working with older students. It is packed with practical tools, fresh ideas, and easy-to-implement solutions you can use right away. It's one of those resources you'll keep coming back to!"
--Farwa Husain, M.S., CCC-SLP, First Phrases & One-on-One Speech Therapy
"SLPs working with older students finally have a go-to guide that was actually written with this population in mind. Hallie's roadmap is full of time-saving strategies, helpful frameworks, and real-life wisdom--whether you're a new grad or have been in the field for years, it's a resource you'll come back to again and again."
--Dr. Angelyn Franks, Burnout Coach & SLP
"Hallie's passion for the field of speech-language pathology has always been evident, and her commitment to supporting both students and fellow professionals continues to inspire. In The Secondary SLP Roadmap, she brings a much-needed resource to the often-overlooked realm of secondary education, offering clear strategies, practical tools, and a supportive voice that speaks directly to the challenges SLPs face when working with older students.
Her experience, insight, and innovative approaches make this book not only an essential guide for new clinicians, but also a refreshing reference for seasoned professionals looking to make a greater impact at the middle and high school levels.
Hallie's work reflects the same dedication and thoughtfulness she demonstrated as a student, and The Secondary SLP Roadmap is a testament to her continued growth and leadership in our field. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to any SLP looking to navigate the complexities of secondary education with clarity and confidence."
--Matthew Kostel, Special Education and Consultation Administrator
"Not too sure about schools? Hallie Sherman's The Secondary SLP Roadmap is the ideal place to begin. With clarity and compassion, she eases your mind, addresses your concerns, and provides real-world solutions that will guide you through your best school year yet. This book is the perfect complement to graduate coursework, an absolute must-have for clinical fellows, and a supportive sidekick for experienced clinicians alike. Say YES to this roadmap and get ready for an amazing adventure--perfect for elementary SLPs, too!"
--Elsha Young, MS, CCC-SLP
"Inspiring and practical, this book is a must-have for school-based speech-language pathologists. With clarity and compassion, it offers invaluable tools for navigating conversations with administrators, teachers and parents alike. Rich with clinical writing guidance and intervention strategies tailored for older students, it's an engaging resource that bridges real-world challenges with effective, actionable solutions."
--Dr. Melissa P. Garcia, CCC-SLP