Technology is everywhere and kids these days are getting pretty tech-savvy at a very young age. There are so many apps out there and it can be difficult to figure out which ones are actually
One of the most important aspects of our practice in speech-language pathology is making sure our assessments and interventions are evidence-based and are in line with the current research. All I hear about in grad school is EBP EBP EBP!! It's THAT important. I have shelves full of textbooks and notes that have all of this information in it. However, is that really practical to flip through all that information all the time just for 1-2 paragraphs?! NO WAY! I was getting frustrated and wanted a quick and easy reference material to solve that problem. So I created this Evidence-Based Practice Binder to do just that! This binder is intended to be used as a tool to guide you in your decision making. It is intended to serve as a guide and summary and is, by no means, a replacement for the actual articles and research and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Please read the articles listed for full descriptions. At the beginning of the binder, I have a section specifically on evidence-based practice, what it is and how to implement it. At the beginning of each section, you will find introductory information about various disorders and some assessment principles for certain areas. These are followed by charts for the most common areas of our field in the school, clinic, and hospital settings. In each chart are the therapy techniques for that area, the intended population, a description of the technique, the evidence showing it to be effective or ineffective, and other helpful notes. Also included are a list of commonly used apps for each area. Some of them are evidence-based, some are not. This binder could be used as a reference for day-to-day practice, when planning and implementing IEP goals, when addressing parent/employer concerns or questions, when studying for the Praxis exam, when you need a new or different technique to try, or when you have a particularly challenging case and need a starting point. The following areas are included: What is Evidence-Based Practice (pg. 4) Key Steps to Evidence-Based Practice (pg. 5) Overview of Assessment/Management of School-Age Population (pg. 6) Service Delivery (pg. 7-10) Articulation/Phonology (pg. 11-21) Social Language (pg. 22-37) Vocabulary (pg. 38-46) Grammar (pg. 47-56) Fluency (pg. 57-63) Phonological Awareness (pg. 64-69) Swallowing (pg. 70-82) Augmentative and Alternative Communication (pg. 83-92) Thank You (pg. 93) Terms of Use (pg. 94) Each area is separated by its own cover page. I plan to keep adding to this resource over time. If there is something you would like to see added, please email me at [email protected]! I'd be happy to add it for you. Does this seem like something you would like?? You can find it in my Teachers Pay Teachers store here! I will give a copy of this binder to one lucky reader!! Enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win! a Rafflecopter giveaway
I recently updated my SLP app list and I wanted to share it with you. These apps are on iPad right now and I use consistently in my therapy room. Not much has changed from last year except I added a few apps to the list (and updated my top 6 apps at the end). I did not include the links this year but you can easily find them by searching their names in iTunes. Enjoy! As always, I am always looking for new therapy apps (or apps that can be adapted for therapy). If you have used a great app that
I love apps that help me save space and that I can use with lots of kids! Speech Flipbook by Tactus Therapy Solutions is just that. This app takes those old fashioned articulation flip books and puts all those great sounds ( and more ) into an app. There is a great tutorial that the app opens up with the first time you use it. It does a great job of walking you through the features and setting things up. The app is pretty straight forward but I suggest going through it anyway so you can be sure that
One of the things I had been dreading ever since I picked my major in undergrad was this big test known as the Praxis. Everyone had always told me not to worry about it. "Do well in your classes, and you will be fine" is what they always told me. But this is a big test, and you have to pass it. If that doesn't freak you out, I'm not sure what will. I took the test this past Saturday and wanted to share my experience on everything! Basics about the Test: -120 minutes -120 questions -All questions are multiple choice. -You can mark your answers and go back and check them. -On the computer version, you receive your score right away. -A score of 600 is passing. How I Prepped: Like most, I purchased the Advanced Review of Speech-Language Pathology. This is a great overview of most of the areas in our field. Some of the girls in my program set up Praxis review sessions over the course of the summer and fall semesters. I attended some of those sessions, which were extremely helpful. One girl would summarize a chapter, make a PowerPoint, and led a discussion about the practice questions at the end of the each chapter. This was extremely helpful, and I would highly recommend this to every single one of you who are about to take the test (or will in the next couple years). I went through a chapter per day (roughly) towards the end. I couldn't bring myself to make flash cards or write out notes for absolutely everything, so I underlined key words and phrases in the book. For the theories, I wrote color-coded notes in a notebook to review the important elements of each. I purchased a practice test from ETS. This is by far one of the best decisions I made. Not only did it get me in the mindset of test taking, it prepared me for the types of questions on the test and how to manage my time appropriately. Either take the ones on the flashdrive with the book, or purchase the ETS one. I actually took the practice test before I had studied much. I passed it, so that gave me a sense of peace about the test. I knew I wanted some more wiggle room, but it gave me a starting point for studying and some reassurance. I received a bunch of notes of encouragement from some of my closest friends! These really helped encourage me throughout my studying! The Night Before: I thought I would be freaking out the night before the test. Instead, I was at peace. I knew a lot of prayers had been said on my behalf, and boy could I feel them! I finished the chapter I was studying earlier that day, paged through the last couple of chapters, and decided that if I didn't know it then, I wasn't going to know it. I put the book down, watched some TV, and went to bed. I had also received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my dad as a way of saying, "Good luck." I called to thank him, and he reassured me that I would do fine and that it was a minimal competency exam (meaning 600 is as good as 800). Day of the Test: I woke up after about 7 hours of sleep. Considering this is what I generally had been getting and was planning on way less, I was extremely happy. I ate a small breakfast and attempted to study. I was starting to freak out. My test was at 12:30pm, so I had to wait all morning. Those hours were BRUTAL. If you go to take the test, I highly recommend taking one in the morning. I didn't have a choice of times when I went to sign up... Anyway, the testing center was about 20 minutes from my apartment, so I decided to leave an hour or so early and stop and get some lunch somewhere. Luckily, one of my friends had taken a test at that center back in August, so she told me what was around. I knew my stomach didn't want much, since it was full of butterflies. I also knew I needed something, or I wouldn't make it through the test. I settled on an Uptown Salad from Potbelly because it has chicken and fruit on it. I figured some protein and natural sugar would be a good tide-me-over until I could eat later. I arrived at the test center about 35 minutes early (you're supposed to be there 30 minutes early). One of my friends from my program walked out of the testing room and was smiling. She had passed!! It was so good to see a familiar face that morning and to have the assurance that our preparation was enough for us to pass! It was a quick boost of confidence. I went in to the testing room, took the test, and came out barely able to speak. I had passed!! I was fighting back tears as I walked out. The woman asked if I wanted my score written down, and I said, "No. I know it. All that really matters is that I passed." She congratulated me and sent me on my way. As soon as I got in the car, the tears started coming down. I had just passed one of the most important tests of my life. Everything I had been working for the last 2, 6, or 19 years had been worth it. Once I got myself together, I called my family and friends to let them know the good news! I spent the rest of the day celebrating with friends! On Sunday, I finally felt tired. My whole month of holidays, studying, etc. had come to an end. All of the stress was gone. In case you were wondering, my score was about 70 points higher on the real test than the practice. Again, I hadn't studied for the practice. That shows you how much studying can help!! Helpful Hints: -The usual: Arrive early. Dress comfortably. This doesn't necessarily mean yoga pants, but that's what I did! Whatever you're comfortable in--everyone is different! Eat something before the test. Go to the bathroom before the test. The clock keeps counting down when you get up and leave the room. -Study the book and your notes from both undergrad and grad school. -Take a practice test. Some of the questions were the exact same or very similar. -BREATHE. -Answer everything, but mark the ones you're not sure about. You can go back and review them. -Trust your instincts. If you're anything like me, your gut is usually right. Areas to Study: -Normal speech and language development -Articulation and phonological disorders -Different types of aphasia -Theories of stuttering and stuttering treatment -Types of standardized testing -Different legislation and what each one mandates -Motor speech disorders -Hearing screenings/testing -Bilingualism and how being multicultural influences decisions regarding speech and language Well that was my experience. I have to say I'm glad it's over, but also that my two universities prepared me fairly well for the test. Good luck to all of you taking it soon (or in the future)!!! As my friends kept telling me, you're going to rock it.
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In my previous post, I showed some examples of and linked to some of my favorite apps to use in the SNF and LTC for your speech therapy sessions.Today I would like to show you another way I have used the iPad when working with patients.If you are working in the SNF setting, you know how ... Read More about More Than Just Apps: Creative and Skilled Therapy Using the iPad
If you work with students who have phonological process errors, the SCIP app (Sound Constrast in Phonology) is a game changer for speech pathologists!
Smarty Ears Technologies: Technology Solutions for Speech Therapy, Special Education Support and Services
Apps are great for quick, on-the-fly therapy activities and save time and money on printing - but free speech therapy apps are even better!
speech therapy, language therapy, speech and language, resources for speech-language pathologists, therapy materials, app reviews, product reviews
🔤💪 Articulation is a challenge for every child learning to speak. 👶 If your child is having difficulty with the R sound articulation, read here! ❤️
Use busy picture scenes in speech therapy! Download a free language scene and use a free Pinterest board with over 100 scenes.
Download a free list of the best adult speech therapy apps for help with aphasia, dysarthria, apraxia, cognition, and dysphagia.
Apps are great for quick, on-the-fly therapy activities and save time and money on printing - but free speech therapy apps are even better!
Help your students learn how to answer wh questions with these 108 wh questions worksheets task cards. Be sure to print the wh questions poster...
My top 5 “Go-To” speech therapy apps for articulation and language goals!
Speech apps for kids with autism or hyperlexia to work on expressive language and conversation skills
Using wordless shorts in language therapy gives you so many options and your clients will LOVE it! Links to the best wordless videos!
Begin using these free speech therapy apps to improve your speech therapy data collection and speech therapy activities. Tx Tools, Articulation Station, and Word Vault are all available as speech therapy free apps. Everyone is talking about these 3 speech therapy apps and how to use them to improve
A miracle occurred last spring. The voters in my area approved a bond which, among other things, updated the school district's technology. The Speech Pathologists (clever and quick-to-act folks that we are) quickly jumped on this and made a proposal for iPads. Which we received last month!!! Unfortunately, even the best laid plans have their
Planning for Teletherapy can be so challenging and time consuming! Here is a list of all of my favorite tele-therapy websites to help make planning easier!
speech therapy, language therapy, speech and language, resources for speech-language pathologists, therapy materials, app reviews, product reviews
Boom Cards are a great tool to use in speech therapy whether it's face-to-face or teletherapy. Digital, self-grading task cards!
Have you ever thought about using wordless videos in your speech therapy lessons? It increases engagement! Start with these videos...
Free SOCIAL SKILLS RESOURCE LISTS Discover ideas to plan and execute social skills therapy! INCLUDES:6 pages of information and resources: types of social skills developmental stages websites apps games Click for your FREE copy! Loading… ABOUT ALLISONFORS.COM A place for SLPs, educators, and parents to learn about language development and access resources.By joining our newsletter, […]
Looking for an easy, digital system for your data collection notes? Learn all about how you can use Google Forms for your data collection!
Keep teletherapy fresh with these FREE speech therapy websites, resources, games, and materials.
speech, therapy, language, articulation, literacy, printable, special, education, preschool, elementary, SNF, cognitive
A social story and simple visual support for teaching emotions and feelings. Social story describes different feelings that are shown in the visual support.
I figured it was time to post again, since it has been more than a full year since my last post. Ugh. I am a big blogging slacker. But although I am a blogging slacker, I have been extremely bu…
Games and apps to help kids with hyperlexia improve comprehension, speech, and social skills
BOOM CARDSMy students love how engaging Boom Cards can be! Using the Zoom platform, I can share my screen, pull up a Boom Card resource and hand over
Must have apps for the SLP in middle school Let’s face it, you often feel as if all speech therapy apps were created for the elementary school children. As an SLP service older student you feel left out of the technology revolution that came sweeping our profession. Over the years, Smarty Ears hear from hundreds of speech-language-pathologists just like you. We have created some of the best speech therapy apps to overcome the speech sound disorders that not only have the feel as if they were meant to be used by older students, but they actually were created specifically for areas where middle schoolers are struggling with.We compiled a list of our favorite apps for speech impaired to be used by your middle schoolers. Check them out: 1. PrepPositions Prep Positions by [...]
There are tons of social skills apps! I narrowed it down to more comprehensive and in-depth apps that target a variety of social skills.
Today I wanted to share some of my favorite resources for teletherapy. These are perfect for keeping young children engaged! When we made the switch to teletherapy back in March, I had to completel…
Top websites for SLPs
Looking for free grammar games to make teaching fun? This list of games for teaching parts of speech, punctuation, and writing will provide fun all year!
