Language Apps
This post is a follow up to The Right App after some lovely feedback comments – so thank you. This post is about providing some language apps that I feel meet the neuroscience principles. SentenceBuilder™ This app was developed for primary school students. This app works on developing a student’s ability to construct grammatically and semantically correct sentences. It is … Read More
The Importance of Fluency
Fluency Instruction Research-Based Best Practices Edited by Timothy Rasinski, Camille Blachowicz and Kristin Lems (2006) A few years ago this book changed the way I approached literacy intervention in such a remarkable way that I thought I would share it with you all. Many of the students I work with have been reading from a … Read More
Early Intervention in Autism
As a speech pathologist I consider early intervention crucial, it is what speech pathologists preach, the key to progress and closing the gap is to start intervention as early as possible. However a recent journal article caught my eye, Camarata, S 2014, ‘Early identification and early intervention in autism spectrum disorders: Accurate and effective?’ International Journal … Read More
The Right App
Every day hundreds of new apps reach the market. It is difficult finding apps that are suitable but also when looking at an app knowing “is this going to help my child?” When I look at purchasing an app for therapy I approach it from a neuroscience perspective, I want the answer to “is this … Read More
Switches
Switches in some ways can be a great introduction into AAC, they are easy to use, highly visible and can be quick to implement into the daily routine. They are great for children with motor difficulties as they can be used with an open hand touch. I have also found that switches are a great tool when … Read More
Choosing a Communication Device
There is a plethora of choices when it comes to AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices. It is sometimes daunting and overwhelming to choose a device that is going to suit a child as well as foster their development and independence. For those who may be unfamiliar to AAC, individuals who use AAC devices may … Read More
To my Superstars…
This is a thank you to my superstars, my little heroes and my buddies. To all the wonderful, terrific, awe-inspiring children that I work with, you are my heroes. I consider myself unbelievably lucky that I get to come to work every day and see your smiling faces, and even on those days when you … Read More
Assume Ability
Often I find that with a diagnosis there comes a lot of assumptions and preconceived ideas of what that child can achieve and what they are capable of doing. I have found that children are placed into a box based on their diagnosis and due to this initial assumption their therapy goals, communication goals and school goals … Read More
Screen Time – The Importance of Boredom
As a child my mum would always say to stop watching the television as I would end up with square eyes. Although I doubt whether my eyes would have changed shape, perhaps my mum was on to something??? More so now, the technology age, it is important to ask ourselves how much screen time is too … Read More