Heads Up...I'm back!

After a long hiatus, I'm back. Hoping to connect with some parents to help them chose and use apps and activities for speech therapy!

So, this is one of my new FAVORITE games. Of all time. Ever! 

Ellen DeGeneres is a DeGenuis! A simple "Heads-bands" type game, keeps kids and adults entertained while working on various speech goals.

Players can pick various categories (I use "just for kids", cause there's a smattering of everything: people/places/things). Place the iPhone/iPad on your head and the other players describe the item! If you are able to guess correctly turn the iDevice down, if you are having trouble you may pass it by turning the iDevice up/over your head.

LANGUAGE:

Expressive: adjectives, describing, antonyms, synonyms, using word finding strategies

Receptive: (understanding all the above!), word finding strategies, follow directions

*Follow directions/understanding figurative language: I always use the phrase "It's over your head" (you don't get it) to explain the correct/pass rules. 

PRAGMATICS:

turn taking, controlling voice volume & remaining in your seat (things can get crazy!)

Just keep playing. Just keep playing.

APP-Y HOUR: TalkBoard

TalkBoard: $16.99

TalkBoard allows you to access your iPad's photos and utilize them in a custom board! Make a 1X1 board, or a 10X10 board! Add pictures, text, timer (for scan feature), branching (have app move from one board to another with the tap of a finger!) and of course sound!

This app has helped me many times when a client has forgotten a communication device, or did not have one accessible. In less than 5 minutes I was able to create a personal board for the client!

APP-Y HOUR: Questionit

Questionit (LITE/$24.99)

Users answer: who, what doing, where, when questions.  There are different areas to answer these questions: sorting, sentences (basic/advanced) and paragraphs.    Within the areas there are 3 levels.  Level (1) is easy and color coded for easier sorting, Level (2) is medium as only the borders are color coded and Level (3) is the hardest with no color hint.

I have used this with various students (preschool, school aged, adolescent and even adults!) The school aged students don't even know they're learning "WH" questions and categorization skills! We are able to learn and have fun.

Can you believe they pay me to have fun?!

APP-Y HOUR: Speech Trainer3D

Speech Trainer 3D ($7.99)

Valerie the SLP is a blonde bombshell that takes your through the basics of speech therapy.

There are 2 views: lateral (where you can see the inside mechanism of the speech cavity working) and anterior (where you can see the front of the person only)

I have used this with kids and adults.  For adults it helps them visualize what they should be doing with certain articulators (this was of course pre-PROMPT training).  For kids I use it for that wacky IEP goal "will identify articulators used in speech".  It's fun to learn how everything works together, and they think they're watching TV on the iPad! (Awesome).

It's not a bad app for you up and coming SLP's.  You can see the anatomy of the oral cavity and have a nice visual for certain sounds!

It's an app just like us speech language pathologist; a multi-tasker.

APP-Y HOUR: Luminosity

Luminosity (FREE)

*It's an online program that costs money. (You do not need to purchase the program to use the app) The program will track progress and provide you with necessary areas to work on: memory, cognition, attention, flexibility, speed, problem solving.  Worth looking into for some aphasia/TBI clients.


EXAMPLE OF FLEXIBILITY: Word Bubble: Word Bubbles Rising takes our popular verbal fluency game to the next level, further increasing vocabulary while reducing embarrassing “tip-of-the-tongue” moments.



This app/program can be used for exercising use of information processing, thinking faster, faster reaction time and speeding up overall cognitive processes.

Consider using this with clients who may want to return to work after having a stroke or other brain injury.  Some adults are just big kids who love to play games still!

APP-Y HOUR: TherAPPY

TherAPPy (by tactus solutions) $24.99 each/4-in-1 $59.99
LITE version available (only includes one object/trial)

There are 4 different apps: naming, categories, writing, reading.  I only have the naming and reading (there was no deal for all 4 at the time I purchased mine).  The LITE version allows you to download it and get a better look for yourself with out the commitment.

I use mine with adults and school aged children.  There is a wonderful customizing feature to this app.  You are able to insert your own pictures and choose your own buttons to help describe the object.  My adults loved it just as much as my kids.

This is a simple activity, that is made more engaging because it's on the iPad.  It tracks data and percentages and is easily adapted to fit a variety of clients. I love that I can use it with adults and school aged children (as young as 6!).