I am often asked to recommend apps for targeting therapy programs at home. I am aware that many kids are highly motivated by technology, and I am very grateful that parents want their children to work on strengthening their skills. I am reticent to make recommendations, however, because most apps have a cost associated with them. So, while I would prefer to not list apps that target specific skill areas, I would like to make the following recommendations:

· Check your child’s IEP and search for apps that target those specific skills. There are great educational apps that address all parameters of language and articulation.

· Many apps have a ‘Lite’ version which is free. Give that version a try before making the purchase so that you are sure it is addressing your child’s needs. Also, you want to make sure that your child is interested in the app and the activities it uses to address those skills!

· Apps are therapy tools and not therapy programs.

· If your child works on articulation in their therapy program, please keep in mind that the artic apps typically amount to picture cards and a recorder. They tend to be very expensive, and ultimately, your child will need another person to help them monitor and evaluate their own production. These apps may show the correct oral posture, but they don’t teach it, nor do they monitor it. You may be better off finding a recorder app and then having your child practice their sound by reviewing assignments from their speech book, labeling pictures in a magazine or catalog, reading aloud, or, optimally, having conversation. Then, you and your child can listen together to the recording and discuss his/her production.

· If you come across an app that you love, or are unsure of, please feel free to contact me! I would love to hear about it!

Below are some examples of GREAT opportunities to address skills such as speaking, social/pragmatic language, conversational skills, problem solving, verbal reasoning, auditory memory, vocabulary development and strengthening and language processing. I really prefer these options because they are most natural! THEREFORE, they are readily accessible and discrete, and they lend themselves to the most natural strengthening of the skills you are addressing!

§ Board games

o Use board games you have at home in a different way

o Invent your own games

o Pair games with learning-based tasks that are not very motivating for your child

§ Reading aloud

o Shared reading

o Newspapers and other periodicals

o Recipes

§ Family meetings

o Catch up on the day

o Make plans for a family outing or task

§ Routine chores

o Make a shopping list together and then go shopping

o Made a ‘to-do’ list of tasks that need to be done

o Ask your child to explain how to do a job or task for which they are responsible; let them be the teacher!

Report abuse