As a follow-up to my last post, I'd like to talk more about "everyday language". While speech therapists may give out concrete activities like worksheets to complete at home, the best "homework" is the kind that you do anywhere - and everywhere - you are. You should not always feel that you are doing therapy, but being aware of how you use language and engage with your child is important to fostering their language development. I recently came across a wonderful parent-directed document on how you may do this in a variety of everyday activities - thanks to Angela Notari Syverson, and Tatyana Elleseff for sharing. Supporting Early Literacy in Natural Environments
Additionally, I would like to point out that this idea of "everyday language" does not apply only to children. In my work with adults I encourage spouses and other family members not to fill in so much for the patient. For example, with a patient with aphasia, don't jump to give him the word right away; allow him time to think, or give him a cue as your therapist has demonstrated. If he needs help with the foot pedal on his wheelchair, you could say "You need help with your f..." so that he may say "foot". Allowing this time to process not only helps rebuild language skills, but also feelings of independence.
6.15.2012
6.13.2012
Everyday Language
In the name of more frequent updates, many will likely be short - but hopefully helpful! I always get great ideas from my various SLP blogs, Pinterest subscriptions, etc and many parents probably don't spend as much of their time reading these things as a speech-nerd like me. So to pass some of that on, here is a great article on working language into summer activities (even includes photo icons for those that use AAC):
ASHASphere - Making the Most of Summer Fun
ASHASphere - Making the Most of Summer Fun
6.09.2012
Pragmatics Apps
It has been FAR too long, but I have an excuse (or several, really). Since my last post, I have changed jobs, moved to a new apartment, attended a wedding in Hawaii, and spent all kinds of time studying up and creating materials for said new job. But, much of that preparation has also included downloading tons of new apps and learning all kinds of new things to share! So, as promised in my last entry, I will pick up about apps for pragmatics skills. But check back again soon, I will try to come here more often and I hope you do too!
iPad Apps
1) ABA Flashcards, Emotions - FREE
A great, straight-forward app that is styled like flashcards. I really like this one for the pictures, which are big, clear and shot in a very natural way. Includes a whole variety of emotions, from low-level (hungry, tired) to high-level (focused, curious). I also like that it is very customizable; you can turn voice/labels on and off, record your own voice naming the cards, or even add your own by taking a picture of your child making a face. This last feature is nice for practicing expressions and comparing them to others in the deck.
2) Social Express -$89.99
This one comes with a whopper of a price tag, but I want to mention it because it is worth the price if it's the right fit for your child. It is a highly interactive program that keeps kids engaged, and gives a "group context" when an actual peer social group is unavailable. What sets it apart is that (among other things) it teaches non-verbal language and "unspoken rules" of social situations, conversational skills such as topic selection and maintenance, and coping strategies for anxiety/anger. I haven't personally seen another app that targets these specific skills in this way. It's available as either and iPad app or a computer program; click the link above for more info and a free demo on their website.
3) Hannah Rose Knows - FREE
An e-book about "making angry feelings go away"; helpful for teaching coping skills. Includes coloring pages and ideas on a Parents page for how to use it with your child.
4) Social Skills Sampler and Life Skills Sampler - FREE
Two apps by the Conover Company that are appropriate for older children and adults learning social skills. These are wonderful because of their videos illustrating real-life scenarios; they remind me a bit of those videos from my driver's ed classes but get the message across! Social Skills Sampler covers topics such as being polite, joining a conversation, and handling criticism. Life Skills Sampler includes things like using an ATM, crossing a crosswalk, and even uses for bread!
5) Going Places - FREE
Similar to the apps listed above, but directed at younger children. Includes nice pictures set in social-story format to address situations like going to the mall, the hairdresser, and a restaurant.
Websites
I also want to share a couple of my favorite websites for practicing pragmatics skills...
1) Do 2 Learn Emotions Color Wheel This tool is perfect for higher-level children or adults that are learning the spectrum of emotions and practicing their emotional vocabulary. The color-wheel concept is ingenious in the way that it links colors to emotions, visually illustrates how emotions are related (if 2 emotions are across from each other they are opposites; if they are close they are similar in feeling). Especially great for those on the autism spectrum that relate strongly to visual information and colors.
2) Smyface A fun website that reminds me of those "Today I'm feeling..." magnets (which are also a fantastic way to learn about emotion!) You use a slide-bar to change the cartoon face from negative to positive and everything in between - there are no vocabulary words associated with the picture, which makes it a nice activity to practice generating your own vocabulary. The face is hilarious to watch as he morphs from one expression to another, making it a fun group activity as well. Below the slide-bar is a box that allows you to enter why you are feeling that way, and you can even share via facebook or email! I have asked my patients to email me one of these emotions as homework, and I have also used it as a story-telling activity, like so:
(happy face) I woke up in a happy mood and walked to school
(shocked) but then I saw my best friend walking with someone new!
(angry) I was jealous of his new friend
(crying) and I felt so lonely I could cry.
(hopeful) Then my friend turned and waved to me
(grimacing) and even though I was nervous, I introduced myself to the new boy.
(laughing) He was really nice and invited me to play soccer after school. We had a lot of fun!
iPad Apps
1) ABA Flashcards, Emotions - FREE
A great, straight-forward app that is styled like flashcards. I really like this one for the pictures, which are big, clear and shot in a very natural way. Includes a whole variety of emotions, from low-level (hungry, tired) to high-level (focused, curious). I also like that it is very customizable; you can turn voice/labels on and off, record your own voice naming the cards, or even add your own by taking a picture of your child making a face. This last feature is nice for practicing expressions and comparing them to others in the deck.
2) Social Express -$89.99
This one comes with a whopper of a price tag, but I want to mention it because it is worth the price if it's the right fit for your child. It is a highly interactive program that keeps kids engaged, and gives a "group context" when an actual peer social group is unavailable. What sets it apart is that (among other things) it teaches non-verbal language and "unspoken rules" of social situations, conversational skills such as topic selection and maintenance, and coping strategies for anxiety/anger. I haven't personally seen another app that targets these specific skills in this way. It's available as either and iPad app or a computer program; click the link above for more info and a free demo on their website.
3) Hannah Rose Knows - FREE
An e-book about "making angry feelings go away"; helpful for teaching coping skills. Includes coloring pages and ideas on a Parents page for how to use it with your child.
4) Social Skills Sampler and Life Skills Sampler - FREE
Two apps by the Conover Company that are appropriate for older children and adults learning social skills. These are wonderful because of their videos illustrating real-life scenarios; they remind me a bit of those videos from my driver's ed classes but get the message across! Social Skills Sampler covers topics such as being polite, joining a conversation, and handling criticism. Life Skills Sampler includes things like using an ATM, crossing a crosswalk, and even uses for bread!
5) Going Places - FREE
Similar to the apps listed above, but directed at younger children. Includes nice pictures set in social-story format to address situations like going to the mall, the hairdresser, and a restaurant.
Websites
I also want to share a couple of my favorite websites for practicing pragmatics skills...
1) Do 2 Learn Emotions Color Wheel This tool is perfect for higher-level children or adults that are learning the spectrum of emotions and practicing their emotional vocabulary. The color-wheel concept is ingenious in the way that it links colors to emotions, visually illustrates how emotions are related (if 2 emotions are across from each other they are opposites; if they are close they are similar in feeling). Especially great for those on the autism spectrum that relate strongly to visual information and colors.
2) Smyface A fun website that reminds me of those "Today I'm feeling..." magnets (which are also a fantastic way to learn about emotion!) You use a slide-bar to change the cartoon face from negative to positive and everything in between - there are no vocabulary words associated with the picture, which makes it a nice activity to practice generating your own vocabulary. The face is hilarious to watch as he morphs from one expression to another, making it a fun group activity as well. Below the slide-bar is a box that allows you to enter why you are feeling that way, and you can even share via facebook or email! I have asked my patients to email me one of these emotions as homework, and I have also used it as a story-telling activity, like so:
(happy face) I woke up in a happy mood and walked to school
(shocked) but then I saw my best friend walking with someone new!
(angry) I was jealous of his new friend
(crying) and I felt so lonely I could cry.
(hopeful) Then my friend turned and waved to me
(grimacing) and even though I was nervous, I introduced myself to the new boy.
(laughing) He was really nice and invited me to play soccer after school. We had a lot of fun!
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