Social Thinking and Pragmatics

Today was my first day at my new internship at a pediatric private practice.  I am looking forward to all of the learning that is to come this summer as I go from 2 clients to 13 :)  One of the sessions I sat in on today had some great tools that I wanted to share with all of you.  The client was working on social thinking and pragmatics (diagnosed with Asperger's) and the SLP I am working with used a wonderful book that I was unfamiliar with.  It's by Michelle Garcia Winner and is called You are a Social Detective! 

This book was great because it teaches kids pragmatics in language that they can understand.  The book talks about what is "expected" of them and what is "unexpected" and you can spend time asking the kiddo what types of actions, language or situations are expected or unexpected.  This type of language can be helpful for carryover in the home so that parent's can help to address these concepts later at home.  This is definitely going on my wish list!  Another neat tool that the SLP I am working with used was called Custom Boards found on the iTunes store.

She used this to make personalized social stories for her client.  I am also putting this app on my wish list for later, because it could be useful for a multitude of speech goals!  What do you all use to target social thinking and pragmatics? Have you found Michelle Winner's books or materials to be helpful?

Relieved and Thankful

I have been on a blogging hiatus the last week or so because I have been studying, studying and more studying for finals.  As of today I have officially finished my first year of graduate school and boy does it feel GREAT! My head is not so clear right now because all I can think about are the residual terms that are left swirling around my brain right now, like dysphonia, hypokinetic dysarthria, obturator and velopharyngeal port!  However, I am reminded of how thankful I am to be working towards a profession that I feel so compassionate about and that makes a difference in people's lives.  I found this quote a few weeks back and it really resonated (no I am not talking about hyper or hyponasality ;)) with me.  It is simply stated, but is wisdom to us all. 

All you speechies out there are probably cringing at the grammar there, but it just wouldn't be the same without that "good" :)

On another note I am excited to start a new chapter in my graduate career....Internships!  I start a summer internship in a week working in a pediatric private practice!  So look forward to some new posts and updates soon!  

Technology in Therapy: Apps and the iPad

Well dead week is upon us here at school and we are all gearing up to take finals next week.  Why do they call it dead week anyway?? I'm pretty sure it's one of the most alive weeks we have!  Oh well...along with studying I have been frequenting a wonderful site called The iMums where they have been featuring wonderful app giveaways to celebrate Better Speech and Hearing Month.  One of the greatest giveaways yet is the Speech-EZ Apraxia Picture Sound Cards giveaway.  I saw this booth at ASHA and it looked like a super useful program to have. Click here to enter in the giveaway.  I even won an app called Pocket Artic!  Now I just need an iPad :)

The iMums are four moms from around the globe who specialize in reviewing and searching out the best apps for kids, families and professionals. Having gone to ASHA this last fall I realized quickly how useful technology and the iPad can be in the therapy room, so I have been trying to stay up to date on the latest and greatest apps for speech and communication.  Even if you don't have an iPad yet (like me!), you can still save many apps to your iTunes and then sync them up later when you do take the big plunge :)


I'm sure many of you know what free apps are available to you, but I thought I would gather them all in one place.
Super Duper has 3 free apps.
1. Age Calculator
2. Let's Name Things (This app I use on my android!)
3. Using "I and Me"


Clean Up: Category Sorting
Let's Build a Bedroom
Thomas and Friends: Engine Activities
PBS: Kids Video
Little Writer: Tracing Words and Shapes
Sounding Board
i Learn With Poko: Seasons and Weather
Miss Spider's Tea Party


Many of the above apps are only free for a limited time so get 'em soon!  What apps are most frequently used in your therapy room?  

May Is Better Speech and Hearing Month!

All you speechies out there know that May is Better Speech and Hearing Month (BSHM).  To celebrate and honor this month my graduate program is hosting a free Speech and Hearing Fair!  If you live in Butte County and you know somebody that could benefit from a speech, language or hearing assessment let them know about this FREE event!  Click here for more details.

Another great way to celebrate BSHM is to take advantage of Super Duper's app sale!  All of their wonderful fun deck card apps are on sale for $1.99 during the month of May! 


How are you celebrating Better Speech and Hearing Month???