Which activity is appropriate for an Assistant under supervision?

The activity of setting up therapy equipment is appropriate for an Assistant under supervision because it involves tasks that support the implementation of therapy without requiring advanced clinical judgment or decision-making skills. This task falls within the scope of practice for a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) and allows them to assist licensed professionals effectively.

In the context of SLPA responsibilities, this activity helps streamline the therapy process, ensuring that therapy sessions proceed efficiently while allowing the supervising licensed speech-language pathologist to focus on patient assessment and the provision of treatment. By setting up equipment, the assistant ensures that the therapist has all necessary resources available to conduct effective therapy, which enhances the overall treatment experience for patients.

Other activities, such as creating treatment plans, providing direct patient therapy, or making diagnoses, require a higher level of professional training and are typically within the domain of licensed professionals only. These responsibilities necessitate extensive knowledge, critical thinking, and clinical skills that are outside the permissible scope of practice for an assistant.