Speech and Language Strategies
What is Speech Language Pathology (SLP) and how can it benefit students with Down syndrome?
A Speech Language Pathologist is trained to assess and provide treatment interventions for individuals who experience speech and language difficulties. Students with Down syndrome experience more challenges with speech and language development. They need the support of a Speech Language Pathologist to help them develop their expressive language skills to their optimal abilities. Learners with Down syndrome will have an IEP and will receive some intervention from the Speech Language Pathologist at the school. Often the services at the school level are not enough so these students need to be able to practice their speech on their own time. The use of speech therapy apps provides much needed additional practice and the consistency in instruction on proper speech techniques.
A Speech Language Pathologist is trained to assess and provide treatment interventions for individuals who experience speech and language difficulties. Students with Down syndrome experience more challenges with speech and language development. They need the support of a Speech Language Pathologist to help them develop their expressive language skills to their optimal abilities. Learners with Down syndrome will have an IEP and will receive some intervention from the Speech Language Pathologist at the school. Often the services at the school level are not enough so these students need to be able to practice their speech on their own time. The use of speech therapy apps provides much needed additional practice and the consistency in instruction on proper speech techniques.
What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)?
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is a strategy that can be used to assist individuals who have difficulties using speech. AAC represents a multimodal approach that utilizes tools such as gestures, sign, picture symbols and technologies to allow an individual to communicate in different settings. One area that AAC has experienced rapid growth due to technological advances is the use of assistive mobile technologies such as the iPad, iPhone or iPod. Applications, or "apps" that assist with speech and language can easily be loaded onto a classroom iPad and students who are nonverbal or who have unintelligible speech are able to effectively communicate.
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is a strategy that can be used to assist individuals who have difficulties using speech. AAC represents a multimodal approach that utilizes tools such as gestures, sign, picture symbols and technologies to allow an individual to communicate in different settings. One area that AAC has experienced rapid growth due to technological advances is the use of assistive mobile technologies such as the iPad, iPhone or iPod. Applications, or "apps" that assist with speech and language can easily be loaded onto a classroom iPad and students who are nonverbal or who have unintelligible speech are able to effectively communicate.
How would I use Speech and Language apps in the classroom?
All of the apps below have been reviewed and recommended by Speech Language Pathologists. These apps are very easy to use. Schools have to purchase the apps in iTunes or the App Store and download them onto an iPad, iPhone or iPod. Once the apps are on the device (e.g. iPad), the teacher or Educational Assistants will have to show the student how to select the app on the iPad and the app program will "run" on its' own. The funding for many Speech Language Pathologists has been reduced in public schools. Students may receive services once a week or every two weeks and even then the speech therapy lessons are often in a group setting. Speech apps are beneficial because they enable the learner opportunities to practice their speech and language skills on a daily basis. The apps vary from voice output programs for students who have very limited communication abilities to more interactive programs where students can enter phrases and create a text to speech experience. The apps may seem expensive at first but not if you compare it to the cost of frequent speech therapy lessons.
Here are some speech apps that would be beneficial for the classroom setting:
1. Proloquo2go (iTunes $249.99) - The teacher can modify content on this app to meet individual learning needs. This app is designed to accommodate multiple users so it is appropriate for a variety of exceptionalities. There is also a text to speech function. You will see a picture of the app below along with a short video demonstration on how to use it.
All of the apps below have been reviewed and recommended by Speech Language Pathologists. These apps are very easy to use. Schools have to purchase the apps in iTunes or the App Store and download them onto an iPad, iPhone or iPod. Once the apps are on the device (e.g. iPad), the teacher or Educational Assistants will have to show the student how to select the app on the iPad and the app program will "run" on its' own. The funding for many Speech Language Pathologists has been reduced in public schools. Students may receive services once a week or every two weeks and even then the speech therapy lessons are often in a group setting. Speech apps are beneficial because they enable the learner opportunities to practice their speech and language skills on a daily basis. The apps vary from voice output programs for students who have very limited communication abilities to more interactive programs where students can enter phrases and create a text to speech experience. The apps may seem expensive at first but not if you compare it to the cost of frequent speech therapy lessons.
Here are some speech apps that would be beneficial for the classroom setting:
1. Proloquo2go (iTunes $249.99) - The teacher can modify content on this app to meet individual learning needs. This app is designed to accommodate multiple users so it is appropriate for a variety of exceptionalities. There is also a text to speech function. You will see a picture of the app below along with a short video demonstration on how to use it.
2. Predictable (iTunes $159.99) - An app for students with higher level text to speech capabilities. Users are able to save word phrases to various categories. It is also switch accessible for users who are unable to reach the screen.
3. Assistive Express (iTunes $28.99) - Formerly called Assistive Chat, this app is appropriate for users who can recognize and type basic words. It is easy to learn, has bright images and also has a text to speech function.
Created by Shawna Steunenberg
References
Alton, S. (1998). Differentiating not discriminating: Delivering the curriculum for children with Down's syndrome in mainstream schools. Support for Learning, 13 (4), 167-173.
Buckley, S., & Bird, G. (2002). Meeting the needs of children with Down syndrome: Keys to successful inclusion. Readership: Primary, Secondary, Special, 28. Retrieved from http://www.nfer.ac.uk/nfer/pre_pdf_files/02_28_01.pdf
Kumin, L. (2001). Classroom language skills for children with Down syndrome: A guide for parents and teachers. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House.
LabRehab. (2010, August 24). Assistive chat next prediction (landscape) iPad.mp4 [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnhUOb2BgGg
Seidman, E. (2011, July 12). The proloquo2Go speech app - Lovethatmax.com [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2LnUxFAaMQ
Shoyer, D. (2013, July 5). Speechbox for speech therapy apraxia autism [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBXx3JH3npk
TherapyBox. (2012, June 13). Predictable. [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoPw2PZiesE
Alton, S. (1998). Differentiating not discriminating: Delivering the curriculum for children with Down's syndrome in mainstream schools. Support for Learning, 13 (4), 167-173.
Buckley, S., & Bird, G. (2002). Meeting the needs of children with Down syndrome: Keys to successful inclusion. Readership: Primary, Secondary, Special, 28. Retrieved from http://www.nfer.ac.uk/nfer/pre_pdf_files/02_28_01.pdf
Kumin, L. (2001). Classroom language skills for children with Down syndrome: A guide for parents and teachers. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House.
LabRehab. (2010, August 24). Assistive chat next prediction (landscape) iPad.mp4 [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnhUOb2BgGg
Seidman, E. (2011, July 12). The proloquo2Go speech app - Lovethatmax.com [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2LnUxFAaMQ
Shoyer, D. (2013, July 5). Speechbox for speech therapy apraxia autism [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBXx3JH3npk
TherapyBox. (2012, June 13). Predictable. [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoPw2PZiesE