SECTION 111.52. Assistant in Speech-Language Pathology License--Practice and Duties of Assistants

(a) A licensed assistant in speech-language pathology (assistant) must perform assigned duties under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist who has been approved by the department to serve as the assistant's supervisor (supervisor).

(b) The assistant may execute specific components of the clinical speech, language, and/or hearing program if the supervisor:

(1) determines that the assistant has received the training and has the skill to accomplish that task; and

(2) provides sufficient supervision to ensure appropriate completion of the task assigned to the assistant.

(c) Duties that a supervisor may assign to an assistant, who has received appropriate training, include the following:

(1) conduct or participate in speech, language, and/or hearing screening;

(2) implement the treatment program or the Individual Education Program (IEP) designed by the supervisor;

(3) provide carry-over activities which are the therapeutically designed transfer of a newly acquired communication ability to other contexts and situations;

(4) collect data;

(5) administer routine tests if the test developer does not specify a graduate degreed examiner and the supervisor has determined the assistant is competent to perform the test;

(6) maintain clinical records;

(7) prepare clinical materials;

(8) participate with the supervisors' research projects, staff development, public relations programs, or similar activities as designated and supervised by the supervisor; and

(9) write lesson plans based on the therapy program developed by the supervisor. The lesson plans shall be reviewed and approved by the supervisor.

(d) The assistant shall not:

(1) work with any cases that are not assigned to the supervisor's caseload;

(2) conduct evaluations;

(3) interpret results of routine tests;

(4) interpret observations or data into diagnostic statements, clinical management strategies, or procedures;

(5) represent speech-language pathology at staffing meetings or at an Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) meeting, except as specified in this section;

(6) attend staffing meeting or ARD without the supervisor being present except as specified in this section;

(7) design or alter a treatment program or Individual Education Program (IEP);

(8) determine case selection;

(9) present written or oral reports of client information, except as provided by this section;

(10) refer a client to other professionals or other agencies;

(11) use any title which connotes the competency of a licensed speech-language pathologist;

(12) practice as an assistant without a current Supervisory Responsibility Statement on file with the department;

(13) perform invasive procedures;

(14) screen or diagnose clients for feeding and swallowing disorders;

(15) use a checklist or tabulated results of feeding or swallowing evaluations;

(16) demonstrate swallowing strategies or precautions to clients, family, or staff;

(17) provide client or family counseling;

(18) sign any formal document relating to the reimbursement for or the provision of speech-language pathology services without the supervisor's signature; or

(19) use "SLP-A" or "STA" as indicators for their credentials. Licensees shall use "Assistant SLP" or "SLP Assistant" to shorten their professional title.

(e) An assistant may represent special education and speech pathology at the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) meetings with the following stipulations:

(1) The assistant shall have written documentation of approval from the supervisor.

(2) The assistant shall have three years of experience as an assistant in the school setting.

(3) The assistant may attend, with written approval of the supervisor, a student's annual review ARD meeting if the meeting involves a student for whom the assistant provides services. If an assistant attends a meeting as provided by this rule, the supervisor is not required to attend the meeting. A supervisor must attend an ARD meeting if the purpose of the meeting is to develop a student's initial Individual Education Program (IEP) or if the meeting is to consider the student's dismissal, unless the supervisor has submitted the supervisor's recommendation in writing on or before the date of the meeting.

(4) The assistant shall present IEP goals and objectives that have been developed by the supervisor and reviewed with the parent by the supervisor.

(5) The assistant shall discontinue participation in the ARD meeting and shall contact the supervisor when questions or changes arise regarding the IEP document.

(f) In any professional context the assistant must indicate the assistant's status as a speech-language pathology assistant.

Source Note: The provisions of this §111.52 adopted to be effective May 1, 2018, 43 TexReg 2544 ; amended to be effective August 1, 2020, 45 TexReg 5172