105 ILCS 5/14-6.03
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 105 - SCHOOLS|105 ILCS 5/ - School Code.|Article 14 - Children With Disabilities

Sec. 14-6.03.     Speech-language pathology assistants.(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, on or after January 1,  2002, no person shall perform the duties of a speech-language  pathology assistant without first applying for and receiving a license for that  purpose from the Department of Professional Regulation.  A person employed as a speech-language pathology  assistant in any class, service, or program authorized by this Article may  perform only those duties authorized by this Section under the supervision of a  speech-language pathologist as provided in this Section.  This Section does not apply to speech-language pathology paraprofessionals  approved by the State Board of Education.(b) A speech-language pathology assistant may not be assigned his or her own  student caseload.  The student caseload limit of a speech-language  pathologist who supervises any speech-language pathology assistants shall be  determined by the severity of the needs of the students served by the  speech-language pathologist.  A full-time speech-language pathologist's  caseload limit may not exceed 80 students (60 students on or after September  1, 2003)  at any time.  The caseload limit of a part-time speech-language pathologist  shall be determined by multiplying the caseload limit of a full-time  speech-language pathologist by a percentage that equals the number of hours  worked by the part-time speech-language pathologist divided by the number of  hours worked by a full-time speech-language pathologist in that school  district.  Employment of a speech-language pathology assistant may not increase  or  decrease the caseload of the supervising speech-language pathologist.(c) A school district that intends to utilize the services of a  speech-language pathology assistant must provide written notification to the  parent or  guardian of each student who will be served by a speech-language pathology  assistant.(d) The scope of responsibility of a speech-language pathology assistant  shall be limited to supplementing the role of the speech-language  pathologist in implementing the treatment program established by a  speech-language pathologist.  The functions and duties of a speech-language  pathology  assistant shall be limited to the following:(1) Conducting speech-language screening, without     interpretation, and using screening protocols selected by the supervising speech-language pathologist.(2) Providing direct treatment assistance to students     under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist.(3) Following and implementing documented treatment     plans or protocols developed by a supervising speech-language pathologist.(4) Documenting student progress toward meeting     established objectives, and reporting the information to a supervising speech-language pathologist.(5) Assisting a speech-language pathologist during     assessments, including, but not limited to, assisting with formal documentation, preparing materials, and performing clerical duties for a supervising speech-language pathologist.(6) Acting as an interpreter for non-English speaking     students and their family members when competent to do so.(7) Scheduling activities and preparing charts,     records, graphs, and data.(8) Performing checks and maintenance of equipment,     including, but not limited to, augmentative communication devices.(9) Assisting with speech-language pathology research     projects, in-service training, and family or community education.(e) A speech-language pathology assistant may not:(1) perform standardized or nonstandardized     diagnostic tests or formal or informal evaluations or interpret test results;(2) screen or diagnose students for feeding or     swallowing disorders;(3) participate in parent conferences, case     conferences, or any interdisciplinary team without the presence of the supervising speech-language pathologist;(4) provide student or family counseling;(5) write, develop, or modify a student's     individualized treatment plan;(6) assist with students without following the     individualized treatment plan prepared by the supervising speech-language pathologist;(7) sign any formal documents, such as treatment     plans, reimbursement forms, or reports;(8) select students for services;(9) discharge a student from services;(10) disclose clinical or confidential information,     either orally or in writing, to anyone other than the supervising speech-language pathologist;(11) make referrals for additional services;(12) counsel or consult with the student, family, or     others regarding the student's status or service;(13) represent himself or herself to be a     speech-language pathologist or a speech therapist;(14) use a checklist or tabulate results of feeding     or swallowing evaluations; or(15) demonstrate swallowing strategies or precautions     to students, family, or staff.(f) A speech-language pathology assistant shall practice only under the  supervision of a speech-language pathologist who has at least 2 years  experience in addition to the supervised professional experience required under  subsection (f) of Section 8 of the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and  Audiology Practice Act.  A speech-language pathologist who supervises a  speech-language pathology assistant must have completed at least 10 clock  hours of training in the supervision of speech-language pathology assistants.  The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules describing the  supervision training requirements.  The rules may allow a speech-language  pathologist to apply to the State Board of Education for an exemption from this  training requirement based upon prior supervisory experience.(g) A speech-language pathology assistant must be under the direct  supervision  of a speech-language pathologist at least 30% of the  speech-language pathology assistant's actual student contact time per student  for the first 90 days of initial employment as a speech-language pathology  assistant.  Thereafter, the speech-language pathology assistant must be under  the direct supervision of a speech-language pathologist at least 20% of the  speech-language pathology assistant's actual student contact time per student.  Supervision of a speech-language pathology assistant beyond the minimum  requirements of this subsection may be imposed at the discretion of the  supervising speech-language pathologist.  A supervising speech-language  pathologist must be available to communicate with a speech-language pathology  assistant whenever the assistant is in contact with a student.(h) A speech-language pathologist that supervises a speech-language  pathology assistant must document direct supervision activities.  At a  minimum, supervision documentation must provide (i) information regarding the  quality of the speech-language pathology assistant's performance of  assigned duties and (ii) verification that clinical activity is limited to  duties specified in this Section.(i) A full-time speech-language pathologist may supervise no more than 2  speech-language pathology assistants.  A speech-language pathologist  that does not work full-time may supervise no more than one speech-language  pathology assistant.    (Source: P.A. 92-510, eff. 6-1-02.)