Keeping your online therapy sessions engaging can be a struggle. It can require creative strategies to address literacy through a camera. But fear not! There’s a treasure trove of FREE online literacy resources waiting to be discovered at your local library. Websites like Internet Archive also provide these resources. These free online literacy resources offer a vast array of materials to target various speech and language goals. This keeps your students motivated and learning actively.

Online Libraries – The Best Free Tool for Reading

Now, we all know that books are one of the greatest tools to grow our students’ language, right? We can reach pretty much any goal  with a well-planned literacy unit: articulation, fluency, auditory skills, comprehension, memory, critical thinking, inferencing, prediction, and story craft. Also, story grammar, figurative language, vocabulary, prefixes and suffixes, and even pragmatics. Try getting all that in one breath!

Have you ever considered the library as one of the best-kept secrets in the world of online teletherapy for accessing free online literacy resources? Believe it or not, your local library – especially if it’s a large metropolitan one – is a treasure trove of FREE online resources just waiting to be tapped into! The online resources available have exploded in the past couple of years. So, if you haven’t checked yours out lately, do so.

Picture this: your middle school students engrossed in graphic novel versions of classics like The Odyssey, Anne of Green Gables, or Sherlock Holmes. Or, your emerging language learners delighting in interactive stories.

Boost Engagement & Stretch Your Budget:

• Cost-Effective Magic: Budgets are tight! Online libraries provide a massive selection of resources at no cost. This allows you to create dynamic learning experiences without breaking the bank.  Often, libraries offer reciprocal memberships. This greatly expands your selection of free online literacy resources!
• Content for All Ages & Styles: From interactive stories for beginners to captivating graphic novels for middle schoolers. Online resources cater to diverse age groups and learning styles.

Highlighting Powerful Reading Sites for Teletherapy:

• Local Library Gems: Your local library’s online branch is a hidden gem! Explore their website to unearth a universe of resources waiting to be used in your sessions. Explore the website or talk to one of the librarians eager to get these resources into your hands.
  • There’s more than just print books waiting for you – there’s audiobooks, graphic novels, and easy-read versions of the classics.  These free online literacy resources are incredibly diverse.
• Interactive Storytelling with TumbleBooks: For younger learners, platforms like TumbleBooks offer a delightful world of interactive stories. These bring learning to life. This platform is often a free offering from your local library system. 
• YouTube Read-Alouds: Many engaging YouTube channels offer high-quality read-alouds of children’s books. Find stories that target your students’ specific interests and age groups to add variety to your sessions. For video playlists, check out my YouTube channel – Mrs. Speech!
• Dive into the Internet Archive: This vast digital library holds a wealth of books and learning materials. Explore their collection of ebooks, audiobooks, and even teacher resources like curriculum materials and literature notebooks from top publishers.
  • Need a ready-made literacy lesson?  IA has the Teacher’s Editions of many Literacy Textbooks!  Plus, my middle school students can’t get enough of the classic short stories. These include ones by Saki, Poe, Thurber, Twain, O’Henry, and more. There’s a reason they’ve stood the test of time!
• Try ESL sites like Voice of  America:  VOA has a multitude of famous American short stories that have been simplified.  And bonus, they have an audio version and supplemental materials as well!

Empower Your Students with a Free Bonus!

View my curated list of 85+ FREE resources from the Internet Archive, featuring a variety of short stories and adapted novel collections! This list gives you a head start on incorporating these valuable materials into your teletherapy sessions. FYI – Check out my Lesson Guides to some classic short stories on TPT: Ultimate Short Story Comprehensive Lesson Guides Bundle.

Visit my other posts on using short stories in therapy:

• Why, and How, I Started Using Short Stories in Therapy
• Unlock Student Engagement: The Magic of Short Stories in Middle School Speech Therapy
• Activity Magic: Short Stories for Multi-Goal Mastery in Speech Therapy

Update 12/24

I recently found the free internet browser Brave and have been using it the past couple of weeks.  It was simple to move my Google bookmarks into Brave, and I am using it solely for use with the kids. This streamlines my therapy sessions too.  I haven’t had a single YouTube ad. Also, I haven’t noticed other ads popping up on websites.  I will say that, while it does block the ad on a website, there is often still the space where the ad would be.  Often, a reader extension like ReadBee will remove those spaces and focus on the text.

Stay tuned for more insider tips and resources to level up your teletherapy game!

Happy Teletherapy,

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The post Level Up Literacy Teletherapy: Unleash FREE Online Resources to Captivate Students! appeared first on Mrs. Speech Online.

Ways to Use Pinterest Pictures

Now, we all know the drill with Pinterest – it’s the go-to hub for all things DIY, recipes, and yes, even therapy ideas! But let me tell you how I’ve been using it to spice up my therapy sessions.

Picture this: I’ve got boards filled to the brim with stimuli. They cover everything from articulation practice to critical thinking and social skills. We could get into a 10 minute discussion on whether it is photoshopped or real on some of these. Or discuss what makes it interesting, or brainstorm what you would do if you were walking around and saw it in person.

So MANY speech and language goals can be addressed with these open-ended materials. They are so much more fun than reading a card or doing a worksheet. Your kids may not even realize they are “working.”

Seriously, my Picture Prompts boards are like a treasure trove for your therapy sessions. Once you get used to using them, and the types of questioning you can use, you will find yourself using them more and more. For now, I have them separated into just a younger board and an older board. However, I have so many pins, I am going to have to separate them further. 

You guys have to come take a peek! Just make sure you set a timer because you will seriously get sucked into the rabbit hole – LOL!

Multiple Meaning Words

One thing my kids LOVE is when I open up the Visual Puns board. It’s a great way to work on multiple meanings and figurative or non-literal language. Not to mention the sheer fun of figuring out what makes each pun tick. The engagement and comprehension seems to skyrocket when I address language goals this way. And the best part – it’s so effortless it seems like a free day for both me and my students!

Tech Tips

Here’s the kicker – using Pinterest in therapy takes a bit of tweaking. But once you get the hang of it, it is smooth sailing, I promise. First, make sure your view options are set for Default, not Compact. You can choose this by using the little slider button in the top left of your board, as you can see in this screenshot.

I like to zoom in until only one or two images are visible. This makes those images pop and limits what my kiddos are focusing on. Ctrl and + on Windows, Cmd and + on Mac – you get the drift. Most browsers also have their own zoom controls.

Why Pinterest for Your Speech Sessions?

Now, why go through all this trouble instead of just hitting that good ol’ Save button? Well, for starters, it saves me from diving into the murky waters of copyright laws. Ain’t nobody got time for that! Plus, who wants to spend hours copy, pasting, and formatting when Pinterest does the heavy lifting for you?

And as we all know, adding to our boards is as easy as pie. I’m constantly stumbling upon gems while tumbling down the internet rabbit hole. With a click here and a pin there, my collection keeps growing faster than I can say “therapy time.” So much easier than trying to add to a document or slideshow or however else you try to organize saved images.

So, there you have it – Pinterest in speech-language therapy. Who knew? But hey, when it works like magic, who am I to argue?

Happy pinning, my fellow e-speechies!

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Now, I know what you’re thinking: “We’ve all used YouTube with kids before.” But bear with me, because there’s more to it than just plopping them in front of the screen while we sip our coffee (although, let’s be honest, sometimes that’s exactly what we need).

Here’s some of the things I’ve found out there in the big wide ‘Tube.

So…while nothing I share here is exactly news-breaking, I hope I have some ideas and links that give you a bit of a boost to your everyday!

Youtube for motivation

First off, there’s the motivator videos, the ones we can offer as rewards or to have kids request. We all know the kids love the great fun stuff out there, and it can be tricky finding what catches each kid’s attention – and it can change rapidly (because nothing is easy!). Depending on what each student likes or needs, it can range from the catchy, energetic songs…

…to repetitive, predictable, calming sensory videos (seriously, I sit back and watch these and am surprised when I look back at the clock at how much time has passed)…

YouTube for concept teaching

Then we have the fun concept teaching videos. These teach concepts in an enjoyable, engaging way that kids don’t realize they are learning. The repetition of each concept is what makes it beautiful, and more often than not, the children will be imitating by the end of the song.  We have core vocabulary songs…

More and All Done Sign Song

…body part songs…

FUN parts of your body song

…Farm animal songs…

Old MacDonald | Real Animals | Jack Hartmann (Love this one, because so many of our kids haven’t actually seen a real pig, let alone heard one)

…Action word songs…

If You’re Happy and You Know It

Story Videos

But what I like best are the story videos, that offer a treasure-trove of language-rich content.  Some of them are musical, like Pete the Cat and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom…

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes

…And others are simply retold with animation. I love the learning English videos, like the ones from English SingSing…

The Three Little Pigs

I find that switching between all of these, and using a mix of planning and using my super SLP thinking skills (because we all know how these best laid plans often go, especially with kids involved), I can hit so many emerging language goals like attending, labelling, requesting and commenting. 

Pro tips for YouTube in therapy

Interactive Viewing

You can pause the video and talk about it, or wait for a request. Or you can watch the whole thing at one time, then use the precise seeking (or link at different times in the video) to go back to different moments to talk about.

Slow it down

Another great thing about many of the English learning videos is that they are told at a slightly slower rate of speech.  But if they aren’t, experiment with using the speed setting.  I find that going to 75% doesn’t usually affect the quality of the speech, but allows the listener more time to process. 

Split your screen 

Divide your screen into two, as to display two different videos side by side, as seen in the first screenshot at the top of this post. This gives. kids a visual choice so they can see what you are offering and point. You can find screen split options by hovering over the square next to the close window ‘x’, as seen in the partial screenshot to the side.  

Theatre Mode

And if you’re worried about distractions, try Theater Mode view to help keep things focused.  It presents the video screen the entire width of the window, so it squeezes out the ads on the side.  

So if I’m able to to have a few moments to reset things before a session, I have the screen split to show two videos side by side in Theater Mode so the child can make a choice.  

If you select full screen, it will fill the entire screen, regardless of whether it is split or not.  So I use that after the child has chosen.  Then I hit escape when we are ready for another choice, to return back to the split screen.

Reduce Inappropriate Ads

Create a separate “school” YouTube account to help reduce the number of inappropriate ads and video suggestions.  

Advertising Hacks

Now, there are some tricks for eliminating ads from YouTube videos, like adding a dash to the url or using a website or browser extension.  Unfortunately, I’ve found that they either don’t work with the Kids videos or they are so unwieldy to use with the short attention spans that it isn’t worth it.  Not to mention YouTube is actively working to block the adblockers.  But you can definitely try them if you’d like!

Update 12/24

I recently found the free internet browser Brave and have been using it the past couple of weeks. It was simple to move my Google bookmarks into Brave, and I am using it solely for use with the kids, so it streamlines my therapy sessions too. I haven’t had a single YouTube ad, and I haven’t noticed other ads popping up on websites.

I will say that, while it does block the ad on a website, there is often still the space where the ad would be. Often, a reader extension like ReadBee will remove those spaces and focus on the text.

Turn Autoplay Off

You don’t want your videos moving on without you.  Go to the settings icon to turn autoplay off.

Organization Tips for Therapy Videos

Now, I know what you’re thinking: how do I keep track of all these fantastic videos? 

Playlists

Yes, YouTube has playlists, and those are great, if you can use them.  Unfortunately, most of these videos are considered YouTube Kids videos, which means you can’t save them to a playlist.

Quick-Access Links – Essential Hack for YouTube in Therapy

Well, fear not! While you can’t save kid videos to your YouTube playlists, you can easily share them, copy the link, and paste it into a handy document for future reference. Don’t forget to set the start time for an even more streamlined list.

I have a document for my Emerging Language Classes that I keep on Outline Mode, and each of the above videos are under their own headings, so they are easy to find while I’m in a session.  It’s a simple trick that keeps everything organized and ready to roll whenever you need it.   

Want to see my list?  Subscribe below for my Early Learning Links and other exclusive freebies.  

Oh, and here’s a bonus hack: before you share and copy the link, set the video to start at exactly the right second to skip any unnecessary chatter at the beginning. Efficiency at its finest!

Want more Youtube resources for therapy?

Visit my Mrs. Speech Youtube Channel for playlists, or check out my next article: YouTube in Therapy for Older Students.

So, there you have it—YouTube isn’t just a time-sucking vortex; it’s a valuable tool for nurturing language development in our young ones. So go ahead, dive into the ‘Tube, and let the learning—and the fun—begin!

Until next time, my e-speechies,

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The post Unlocking Language Learning with YouTube: A Speech Therapist’s Guide appeared first on Mrs. Speech Online.

Motivators

Just like our younger clients, older students love a good reward at the end of a challenging session. The beauty? They’re experts at navigating YouTube, so they can easily cue up their favorite vids. But wait, there’s more! I love introducing them to some lesser-known gems that pack a powerful punch:

Flexible thinking and how the mind learns new things:

Backwards bicycle: this was mind-blowing to watch!

How mistakes are okay and help you learn:

OK Go Rube Goldberg Machine (I talk about how you can see the evidence of how many previous tries – 85 to be exact – they had to get it right, but how awesome it was when they got it right.  BTW, the song itself has a great message of how bad things are only temporary.) It’s also useful to see the TEDTalk on how it was engineered. (Caution, the TEDTalk has one minor cuss word and the band is having a drink of champagne at the end.)  If you don’t know what a Rube Goldberg machine is, it is a YouTube rabbit hole.  I warned you.

The Power of a Stutter

A TedTalk on how accepting your insecurities and even embracing them allows us to become better communicators.  How it frees us from worrying about hiding them to think about how we can speak to and help others. (BTW, she has a very noticeable stutter so this is an excellent video for your fluency students.)

Teaching Support

How to make sounds

I’m probably not alone when I say that I turn to these when I have a kid I just can’t get to make the sound, especially now that I am wholly teletherapy.  My camera just isn’t as professional as what I can find on YouTube.  The two best sources for sound instruction I’ve found are Sharon Turner, who has a animated video model of the tongue inside the mouth for each sound, and Peachie Speechie, who has great teaching videos for each sound.  But there are many, many options to choose from.

Read-Alouds

I’m using short stories in most of my older groups.  When we first read a story, I want it to be a dramatic, cohesive reading, so I actually don’t want the students to read it.  I want them to listen and be drawn into the story.   But you know, a day of that and my voice gets tired.  Cue YouTube read-alouds!  You can find an audiobook of most popular short stories on YouTube pretty easily.  And bonus – most you can turn on Closed Captioning so students can read-along if you don’t have a text that matches well.  And the students actually love being read to.  If I have a student who needs to read for a goal, then I can stop and have them read a paragraph or so, then return to the read aloud. I have playlists of some of my favorites at http://www.youtube.com/@Mrs.Speech-wk4mr.

Background Knowledge

To go along with the read-alouds, a well-made video to give background knowledge is worth so much more than me droning on about what life in a lighthouse is like.  You know what they say, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”  Well, a video must be worth a million, right?!  And they are so much more willing to watch a video than listen to me (and let’s be honest, it gives my voice a break).

Movies

And if at all possible, I like to find at least a clip of a movie or animation to go with the story.  It provides so many opportunities for language-rich discussion, with opinions (Which did you like better, and why?) comparing and contrasting, and inferencing (Why do you think the director made this change?).

Social Skills

There are SOOOO many social skills videos out there.  Some of them are tailored toward our autistic population, some are more for introverted young adults, and some are for the ESL population.  Don’t just stick to the videos that tell how-to do something.  Sometimes the awkward videos offer great teaching moments too.  This one is one of my favorites.  While I do touch on what he does wrong, I mainly use it to talk about other people’s responses, and how they are generally kind about it and make an effort to not make him feel bad even though everyone feels awkward.  People are typically kind, so you might as well go out there and try.

Pro Tips 

Now, I mentioned in Read-Alouds to turn on the Closed Captioning if you don’t have a text that matches the reading.  It might be useful to do so with the other videos as well, to make the speech/text connection and fill in any missing gaps in the auditory information.  

I also suggest you turn the speed to 75%.  This is usually not noticeable to the kids, but it allows them more time to process what is being said so they get a better understanding of the information.  

I have more tips in my previous post: Unlocking Language Learning with YouTube: A Speech Therapist’s Guide.

Update 12/24

I recently found the free internet browser Brave and have been using it the past couple of weeks.  It was simple to move my Google bookmarks into Brave, and I am using it solely for use with the kids, so it streamlines my therapy sessions too.  I haven’t had a single youtube ad, and I haven’t noticed other ads popping up on websites.  I will say that, while it does block the ad on a website, there is often still the space where the ad would be.  Often, a reader extension like ReadBee will remove those spaces and focus on the text.

So, there you have it, folks! These are just a few ways to leverage the power of YouTube in therapy sessions with older students. But hey, the possibilities are endless! Got some killer ideas of your own? Drop ’em in the comments below!

Until next time, my e-speechies – keep on clickin’!

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The post YouTube in Therapy: Engaging Older Students with Smart Strategies appeared first on Mrs. Speech Online.

Why Short Stories?

Here’s the deal: short stories provide a natural context for practicing:

• Context Clues: Piecing together meaning from surrounding information.
• Inferences: Reading “between the lines” to understand deeper meaning.
• Vocabulary Development: Encountering new words in a fun and engaging way.
• Comprehension & Retelling: Following the story arc and summarizing key events

I’ve explained how I use short stories in my therapy room here!

The Power of a Good Story:

One of my students recently graduated from speech therapy, and guess what he told me? He was sad because he loved our story time! (Don’t worry, I sent him home with my trusty story list!) That’s the power of these engaging tales.

Ready to Dive In?

I’m excited to share some of the short stories that have been a hit with my students, along with a few new ones we’ll be exploring soon.  Here’s what I look for when selecting stories:

• Engaging Plot: A reasonable amount of action to keep things interesting.
• Relatable Characters: Kids connect better with stories they can understand.
• Twist Endings: Surprise endings leave a lasting impression (the kids love these!).
• Manageable Length: Ideally under 5,000 words (around 40 minutes of reading time).
• Student Choice: Involving them in the selection process boosts engagement.

Tried and True Stories

With links to Lesson Guides:

• The Wife’s Story by Ursula le Guin
  • A “backwards werewolf” horror story with a twist ending that the kids find fascinating.
• Three Skeleton Key by George Toudouze
  • A horror story of three men stuck in a lighthouse surrounded by man-eating rats.  Has a bit of a twist at the end.
• The Night the Ghost Got In by James Thurber
  • A humorous ghost tale that had the kids asking for another.
• The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe
  • A psychological murder story with a twist ending.  I used an adapted version.
• The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs
  • A dark story about being careful what you wish for.  The kids loved the twist ending.
• The Storyteller by Saki (H.H. Munro)
  • A humorous look at what makes a good story when a bachelor entertains three children on a train.

Stories For the Future

Other stories I’ve found that I think my middle-schoolers will enjoy:

• The Veldt by Ray Bradbury
  • A story about a virtual reality nursery that gets out of hand, with a twist ending.
• The Lady or the Tiger by Frank Stockton
  • A woman must decide between her lover’s potential death or his marriage to another woman…there is no end, which I love/hate, so students will have to debate what happens.
• Hey You Down There by Harold Rolseth
  • The story of a couple who discover strange creatures living at the bottom of their well.  A nice twist ending students are sure to enjoy.

Remember: This list is a jumping-off point! Don’t be afraid to experiment and find stories your students adore.  If you want my full list, it is FREE on TPT!

Want a FREE bookmark to help students generalize speech sounds?  Sign up below for this and more exclusive freebies!

Let’s Chat!

What are your favorite short stories for speech therapy? Share your experiences and recommendations in the comments below!

Happy Reading!

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The post Unlock Student Engagement: The Magic of Short Stories in Middle School Speech Therapy appeared first on Mrs. Speech Online.

Understanding Slow Processing Speed

First things first, what exactly is slow processing speed? Essentially, it’s like having a little lag time in processing information. Whether it’s following instructions, completing tasks, or participating in discussions, students with slow processing speed may need a bit more time to absorb and respond to what’s happening around them.

Signs of Slow Processing Speed

Keep an eye out for signs like taking longer to complete assignments, needing extra time to process verbal instructions, or struggling to keep up with fast-paced classroom activities. Students with slow processing speed may frequently answer classroom discussion questions with “I don’t know.” Or they may look like they are ignoring the question. Recognizing these signs early on can help us tailor our support strategies to meet each student’s unique needs.

Coping Strategies for Speech Pathologists and Teachers

Visual Aids for the Win

Incorporate visual aids like charts, diagrams, and color-coded organizers to supplement verbal information. These tools provide a visual roadmap that can help students with slow processing speed better understand and remember information.

This grid of diverse visual representations highlights the various tools, like charts and diagrams, that can be used to support students with slow processing speed in the classroom.

Break It Down, Step by Step

When introducing new tasks or assignments, break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. This helps prevent overwhelm and gives students a clear roadmap to follow, one step at a time.

Repeat, Repeat, Repeat

Repetition is key! Repeat important information multiple times using different modalities (verbal, visual, tactile) to reinforce learning and boost comprehension.

Time Isn’t Always of the Essence

Offer extended time for completing assignments and assessments to accommodate the slower processing speed of some students. Remember, it’s not about how fast they finish—it’s about understanding and mastery.

Ace Active Listening

Teach active listening strategies like summarizing information, asking clarifying questions, and taking notes during discussions. These techniques help students stay engaged and enhance their comprehension skills.

Speak Slowly and in Shorter Chunks

Like listening to a foreign language, students with processing difficulties need time to process a piece of information before they are given the next piece. Practice slowing your speech down and pausing frequently when introducing material. Everyone in the class will benefit.

Allow Think Time

• Give students a heads-up about discussion topics in advance, allowing them extra time to process and formulate their thoughts. 
• Give students ample think time after asking a question to allow those with slower processing speed to gather their thoughts and formulate their responses. 

• Incorporate a few seconds of think time before a question is answered for every student. 
• Teach students they can signal that they are still thinking with an index finger held up or another signal to ask for more time. 
• Give students more productive alternatives for saying “I don’t know.”  Treasure Clues for Learning is a resource I’ve made to assist. 

Encourage Turn-Taking

Establish clear rules for turn-taking during small group discussions to ensure that all students have an opportunity to contribute at their own pace.

Provide Scaffolded Support

Offer scaffolded support during discussions by breaking down questions into smaller parts, showing them where to find the answer, or providing sentence starters to help students structure their responses. Cuing and prompting can help these students make connections faster.

Offer scaffolded support during discussions by breaking down questions into smaller parts, showing them where to find the answer, or providing sentence starters to help students structure their responses. Cuing and prompting can help these students make connections faster.

Conclusion

As speech pathologists and teachers, we play a crucial role in creating inclusive and supportive classroom environments where every student can thrive. By implementing these coping strategies with empathy, patience, and flexibility, we can empower students with slow processing speed to reach their full potential and succeed academically and beyond. And truthfully, these strategies will help every student in your class. 

Keep up the fantastic work, and remember—we’re all in this together!

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We all know practice is key in speech therapy & skill development. But what if we could supercharge your sessions and enhance results even before students utter a sound? Enter mental rehearsal (visualization)!

What is Mental Rehearsal?

Mental rehearsal is exactly what it sounds like – practicing a skill in your head. Imagine yourself saying a tricky sound, reading fluently, or delivering a captivating presentation. It’s like daydreaming, but with a purpose!

The Science Behind the Superpower:

Mental rehearsal isn’t just wishful thinking; it’s backed by neuroscience! When you vividly imagine performing a skill, you activate similar brain pathways as when you perform it physically. This strengthens those pathways, making the actual skill execution smoother and more efficient.

Benefits of Mental Rehearsal:

• Boosts Confidence: Feeling successful in your mind translates to real-world confidence. You approach challenges with a “been there, done that” attitude.¹ 
• Improves Skills: Strengthens brain pathways involved in the practiced skill, leading to faster progress and better outcomes.² 
• Reduces Anxiety: Calm pre-speech jitters by rehearsing success. Visualizing yourself handling challenging situations calmly reduces anxiety and promotes a more relaxed state of mind.³

• Reduces Incorrect Practice: Minimize bad habits by focusing on the correct way. Mental rehearsal allows you to hone the perfect technique, reducing the risk of accidentally practicing and reinforcing mistakes.
• Convenient: Practice anytime, anywhere – waiting for the bus, before bed, etc. Mental rehearsal offers ultimate flexibility, allowing you to fit in practice sessions even with busy schedules.

Mental Rehearsal in Therapy & Education: Applications for Diverse Needs

Mental rehearsal can be a powerful tool for a wide range of situations in both therapy and education settings:

• Generalization: Bridge the gap between the controlled environment of therapy and the real world (e.g., rehearsing using new skills on the playground or in the classroom). Students can mentally rehearse using their newly acquired skills in different settings, promoting carry-over and generalization.
• Limited Therapy Time: Make the most of short therapy sessions. While in-person practice is crucial, mental rehearsal allows students to keep practicing and improving their skills between sessions, maximizing progress within the limited timeframe.
• Fear and Avoidance: Overcome fears by mentally rehearsing success. For students struggling with social anxiety or stuttering, visualizing themselves confidently engaging in challenging social situations can equip them with the tools to face their fears in real life.⁴
• Physical Limitations: Allow everyone to participate and improve regardless of limitations. Students with physical limitations that hinder certain types of practice can still benefit from mental rehearsal.
• Waiting Time: Engage students in mental rehearsal during group activities or while waiting for their turn. Minimize idle time by having students rehearse target skills in their minds, promoting active learning and maximizing every minute.

How to Use Mental Rehearsal: Techniques for Different Skills

Here are some specific ways to use mental rehearsal in therapy and education, tailored to different communication skills:

• Speech Sounds: Imagine your mouth making the correct shape and feeling the airflow for a tricky sound. This is particularly helpful for sounds that are hard to see or feel, giving you a clearer mental image of the correct production.⁵
• Fluency: Picture yourself speaking smoothly and confidently in a challenging situation, like ordering food at a restaurant. This can help reduce anxiety in situations that usually trigger stuttering or disfluencies.
• Reading: Visualize the words on the page and hear yourself reading them fluently with expression. This is especially helpful for kids who get nervous reading aloud in class. Imagine yourself captivating the audience with your clear and engaging reading.
• Language Skills: Rehearse using target vocabulary words or sentence structures in different contexts. Imagine yourself participating in a conversation and seamlessly using the newly learned language skills.
• Social Skills: Play out a social interaction in your head, like introducing yourself to someone new or joining a group conversation. This is perfect for practicing skills that are difficult to replicate in a therapy session. Visualize yourself navigating social situations with ease and confidence.

Tips for Effective Mental Rehearsal:

Relax and Get Comfy: Find a quiet, comfortable space to minimize distractions and maximize focus.

Vivid Visualization: Engage all your senses for a clear mental image. Imagine not only the visual aspects of the task, but also the sounds, smells, and even the emotions you want to experience while performing the skill.

• Focus on Success: Imagine yourself doing it perfectly, with confidence and ease. Fill your visualization with positive emotions and a sense of accomplishment.
• Regular Practice: The more you rehearse, the better the results! Just like building a muscle, mental rehearsal strengthens neural pathways with consistent practice. Aim for short, regular sessions throughout the day.

Explaining Mental Rehearsal to Students: Making it Fun and Engaging

Here are some tips to explain mental rehearsal to students in a way that is both engaging and relevant to their age group:

• Relatable Examples: Talk about athletes or actors and their mental preparation routines. Discuss how athletes visualize themselves performing their winning moves or actors rehearse their lines in their heads before a big performance.
• Interactive Activities: Play games where students take turns visualizing simple tasks. For example, have them close their eyes and imagine themselves making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, step-by-step. Discuss the different sensory details they might experience during this visualization.
• Positive Reinforcement: Focus on the benefits of mental rehearsal, like feeling more confident and prepared. Help students understand how mental rehearsal can be their “secret weapon” for success.
• Age-Appropriate Complexity: Tailor the explanation to the student’s age and cognitive skills. For younger children, keep it simple and focus on basic visualizations. As students mature, you can introduce more complex scenarios and strategies.
• Make it Fun! Use props, silly voices, or movement to keep students engaged. You could create a “mental rehearsal superhero” character who helps students visualize success.
• Start Small & Build Up: Begin with short, simple tasks and increase complexity as students gain confidence. This helps them experience success early on and motivates them to continue practicing.

Want a ready-made resource to help you teach your students about mental rehearsal?

Check out Mental Rehearsal – Your Hidden Superpower!

“Mental Rehearsal – Your Hidden Superpower!” is a downloadable resource designed for students in 5th grade and up. It includes:

• Engaging explanation of mental rehearsal and its benefits for communication skills.
• Fun & interactive activities to practice mental rehearsal for various tasks, like articulation, fluency, reading comprehension, and social skills.
• List of links to other resources
• Comprehension & critical thinking questions to promote deeper understanding of mental rehearsal and its applications.

Empower your students and unlock their potential! Download “Mental Rehearsal – Your Hidden Superpower” today! Check out my 2-part YouTube series:

• Your Hidden Speech Superpower! (Mental Rehearsal Part 1/2)
• Shhh… It’s a Hidden Superpower! (Mental Rehearsal Part 2/2)

Ready to Give it a Try?

Mental rehearsal is a powerful tool for both SLPs and educators. It’s a simple yet effective strategy that can be easily integrated into your existing therapy or classroom routines. Give it a shot and see how much it helps you and your students achieve your communication goals!

Best imaginings!

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Resources

1. Shearer, D. A., Holmes, P. S., & Thomson, J. A. (2007). The effect of self-modeling on self-efficacy and dribbling performance. Journal of Sports Sciences, 25(14), 1587–1594. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410701257406 ↩︎
2. Saimpont, A., Malouin, F., & Jackson, P. L. (2013). Brain activity during motor imagery: The impact of motor expertise. Journal of Motor Behavior, 45(6), 563–573. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222895.2013.842797 ↩︎
3. Makarova, E., Makarova, A., Kulagin, V., & Koroleva, E. (2024). The Effectiveness of Mental Rehearsal to Reduce Performance Anxiety: A Systematic Review. Psychological Reports, 133(1), 183–208. https://doi.org/10.1177/00332941231174987 ↩︎
4. Makarova, E., Makarova, A., Kulagin, V., & Koroleva, E. (2024). The Effectiveness of Mental Rehearsal to Reduce Performance Anxiety: A Systematic Review. Psychological Reports, 133(1), 183–208. https://doi.org/10.1177/00332941231174987 ↩︎
5. Maring, J. R. (1990). The effect of imagined practice on articulation in hearing-impaired children. Journal of Speech and Hearing Research, 33(4), 856–861. https://doi.org/10.1044/jshr.3304.856 ↩︎

The post Rethinking Practice: The Power of Mental Rehearsal in Speech Therapy appeared first on Mrs. Speech Online.

Supercharge Therapy Planning:

• Personalized Materials: Struggling to find the perfect stimuli for a particular client? AI can generate engaging stories, activities, and exercises tailored to their specific needs and target sounds.
• Brainstorming Buddy: Facing a complex case? Use AI to brainstorm creative therapy approaches and explore different treatment options. Here, your expertise is crucial in selecting the most appropriate options based on your client’s individual needs and learning style.

Boost Client Engagement:

• Interactive Activities: AI can create interactive games and exercises that make therapy sessions more fun and motivating for clients, especially younger children. However, use your expert insight to ensure the difficulty level and format of the activity are appropriate for your client’s abilities.
• Real-Time Feedback: Imagine having an AI assistant that provides real-time feedback on a client’s pronunciation, intonation, or fluency! This can offer valuable insights and promote self-monitoring skills. Remember to analyze the AI’s feedback alongside your own observations to provide the most comprehensive guidance to your client.

Revolutionize Documentation:

• Automated Note Taking: Free yourself from tedious paperwork! AI tools can transcribe therapy sessions and generate draft session notes based on the audio recording. You can then review and edit them for accuracy, incorporating your clinical observations and insights.
• Speech and Language Sampling: Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) tools can transcribe the recordings with high accuracy, saving SLPs valuable time. Additionally, AI can analyze the transcribed speech samples for various aspects. It can identify features like articulation errors, fluency patterns, and vocabulary usage. This should complement your human expertise, which remains crucial in interpreting the data.

Ethical Considerations:

• Focus on Collaboration: Remember, AI is a tool to enhance your practice, not replace your specialized skills. Use AI-generated materials as a starting point, then personalize them to fit your client’s specific needs.
• Data Privacy: Ensure any AI tools you use comply with data privacy regulations and handle client information securely. I’d recommend leaving out names or any identifying information.

Prompting Your AI Assistant Strategically:

To get the most out of AI tools, it’s important to provide clear and concise prompts that incorporate your expertise:

• Client Profile: Briefly describe your client’s age, communication goals, specific challenges they are facing, and their learning style. This information helps the AI tailor its output to your client’s needs.
• Target Area: Specify the area you’d like AI to assist with, such as creating articulation exercises (mentioning the specific sounds you’re targeting), developing social communication activities (specifying the desired social skill), or crafting reading comprehension worksheets (indicating the reading level and comprehension skill you want to focus on).
• Desired Style: Indicate any preferences you have for the AI’s output. Do you want the activity to be interactive, story-based, or game-like? Consider your client’s interests and learning style when making this choice.

Remember: You are the expert. 

Use your professional knowledge to evaluate and adapt any AI-generated materials to ensure they are appropriate for your client’s specific needs and goals.  The AI is a tool to empower you, not replace you.

Ready to Get Started?

Explore the world of AI resources available for SLPs! Many AI writing and speech recognition tools are readily available. Start by identifying specific areas in your practice where AI could be most beneficial.

By embracing AI as a collaborative partner, While keeping your professional knowledge at the forefront, you can streamline your workflow, personalize your therapy approach, and ultimately empower your clients to achieve their communication goals.

Envision this:

Sarah, a young client, struggles with sharing toys during playtime. You, the SLP, identify the need to create a social story to help Sarah understand the concept of sharing and taking turns.

Here’s where AI becomes your partner:

Prompting the AI: 

The SLP prompts the AI with the following information:

• Target Social Skill: Sharing toys
• Character: A young girl named Sarah
• Desired Tone: Positive and encouraging

AI Generates Story:

Sarah loves playing with her toys! She has a cuddly teddy bear, a bright red car, and a set of colorful blocks. One sunny afternoon, Sarah is playing in the park when she sees another child, Ben, sitting alone. Ben looks a little shy.

Sarah walks over to Ben with a big smile. "Hi Ben! What are you playing with?" she asks.

Ben mumbles something about having a toy truck but not wanting to play alone.

Sarah has an idea! "Would you like to play with my blocks?" she asks.

Ben's eyes widen. "Really? Can I?"

"Sure!" says Sarah. "We can build a big tower together! Do you want to put the red block on top?"

Ben smiles and carefully places the red block on top of the growing tower. They take turns adding blocks, giggling as the tower gets taller and taller.

Suddenly, another child, Emily, walks over and looks at their tower. "Wow! That's amazing!" she exclaims.

"Would you like to help us build even higher?" Sarah asks Emily.

Emily joins in the fun, carefully adding more blocks to the tower. They all work together, taking turns and laughing as they build a magnificent tower of blocks.

SLP’s Integration:

After reviewing the story to insure it is appropriate to the child, the SLP reads the story with Sarah, pointing out the pictures (ideally featuring a character resembling Sarah and toys she recognizes) and discussing the emotions of the characters. They talk about how Sarah shared her toys with Ben and Emily, and how everyone had more fun playing together.

Personalizing the Story: 

The SLP notices Sarah particularly loves animals and edits the story to mention her favorite stuffed animal, Mr. Snuggles, instead of a teddy bear. They can further personalize the story by adding details about the park (mentioning any specific equipment Sarah enjoys) or the type of tower they build (e.g., an animal tower if Sarah is interested in animals). Please be aware: personalization like this could constitute Personal Health Information under HIPAA. Do not share PHI in ANY AI platform without checking that it is HIPAA compliant! See more in AI & SLPs Series, Part 1: Clinical Data Privacy.

The SLP can also create follow-up activities based on the story, such as role-playing sharing scenarios or drawing pictures about taking turns using their favorite toys.

Benefits of AI in Social Story Creation:

• Overcomes Writer’s Block: AI can provide a starting point or inspiration for the SLP.
• Saves Time: AI can generate a basic story outline, allowing the SLP to focus on customization.
• Engaging Language: AI can create stories with a child-friendly tone and vocabulary.

This is just one example of how AI can be used as a tool to enhance the work of SLPs. Remember, the SLP’s professional knowledge and experience remain crucial in tailoring the story to the specific needs of each client.

Keep on clickin’!

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The post Unleash the Power of AI in Your Speech Therapy Practice appeared first on Mrs. Speech Online.

Let’s face it, aspiring communicators (a.k.a. our adorable clients) on their speech therapy journeys can sometimes feel like they’re translating Martian. Mastering those tricky sounds, like the elusive “/r/” that makes “robot” sound more like “wobot,” can be frustrating. But fear not, fellow SLPs and educators! We’re here to be their speech therapists in shining armor (or maybe speech therapists in comfy clothes with endless supplies of stickers, because let’s be real).

Building a Speech Therapy Dream Team: We’re All in This Together

Feeling alone can make anyone want to clam up (pun intended). Here’s how we can help our little language warriors see they’re surrounded by a cheer squad:

Championing Role Models

Create a “Communication Champions” wall of fame! Think actors who rock a stutter like Emily Blunt, or athletes who triumphed over the “/r/” sound like Michael Jordan. These champions prove that even superstars sometimes need a little extra practice!

• The Stuttering Foundation’s list of famous people who stutter 
• Top Inspired’s list of celebrities with apraxia of speech
• Speech Therapy PD’s list of celebrities with speech disorders

Building Buddies

Pair up kiddos at similar stages for peer support. Role-playing silly scenarios and practicing communication tricks together fosters camaraderie and makes therapy feel less like work and more like, well, playing pretend (but way cooler).  If not possible, think about creating “speech pen pals” or having a monthly lunch meet up.

Story Time with a Twist

Ditch the boring bedtime stories and grab books with relatable characters who face speech challenges. Discussing how they tackled their communication battles and celebrating their victories together makes learning fun (and secretly educational!).  There is a wonderful list of these books on Speak. Play. Love.

The Magic (and Occasional Silliness) of YouTube:

The internet is a treasure trove of resources. Find YouTube videos that resonate with your child’s struggles. Seeing others conquer similar challenges is like watching a superhero origin story, but instead of capes, they gain the power of clear communication! See my articles: YouTube in Therapy: Engaging Older Students and Unlocking Language Learning with YouTube

Celebrating Every Milestone, Big or Small (Even the Ones That Sound Like a Cat)

Acknowledging progress, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is key. 

Here are some tips for highlighting their achievements:

Visual Triumph Charts

Create engaging charts where children can track their progress with stickers or markers. Think “graduating” levels or silly monster drawings that grow with each success! Even young children understand the joy of seeing progress visualized (and the power of stickers, obviously). Here’s my free pocket graph chart, simple enough for young minds to understand.

Positive Reinforcement

Celebrate even minor improvements with specific praise and encouragement. Tailor your praise to the specific effort the child is making. For example, “I see how hard you’re working, even when it’s tough. That’s super-duper brave!”  For the trickiest goals, use matrices or rubrics, to show even a small amount of progress. See my article: Mastering the Art of Measurement: A Guide to Creating Rubrics in Speech Therapy (with Bonus Example!)

Connecting Therapy to Everyday Goals

Help them connect their therapy work to real-world goals, like confidently ordering their favorite food at a restaurant without accidentally asking for a side of socks (because let’s be honest, that’s a conversation nobody wants to have). This connection boosts motivation and makes them feel like therapy is all about unlocking superpowers, not just mastering sounds.

Superpower Spotlight! 

Speech therapy isn’t about making everyone the same. We celebrate how each child uses their unique strengths to conquer communication challenges. Teach them about Multiple Intelligences (check out this article explaining on Psychology Today) – some whizzes with words, others shine with numbers, and some are body or nature superstars! Help your child discover their own superpowers and celebrate their differences. Have them create a poster of their talents and start a bulletin board!✨

“I Can Do Hard Things”: Fostering a Growth Mindset

Building a positive mindset is key. Here are some strategies to empower children with a “can-do” attitude:

The Power of Positive Affirmations

Model positive self-talk like “I can do hard things” or “I’m getting better every day.” Encourage them to repeat these affirmations themselves. Hearing and believing in their own potential is empowering (and way cooler than a boring old pep talk).

Equipping Them for Challenges

Provide coping mechanisms for dealing with frustration. Techniques like deep breathing exercises or a calming mantra (maybe something funny like “Sock monster go away!”) can help them navigate difficult moments. Pointing out your own mistakes or frustrations and how you deal with them models coping mechanisms and realize that no one is perfect!

I recommend these fun YouTube videos to demonstrate:

• The Backwards Brain Bicycle – Smarter Every Day – YouTube video highlights how the brain creates “ruts” and has to relearn new habits, great for children learning new speech sounds.
• OK Go – This Too Shall Pass – Rube Goldberg Machine – I have students watch this video for the multiple broken TVs and pianos to highlight that our first attempts may have a lot of mistakes but if we keep working we will get it.

Visualization Techniques

Encourage children to visualize themselves successfully mastering sounds or speaking fluently. Visualization strengthens their belief in their ability to achieve their goals (think of it like training for the communication Olympics!).

For more information on this, see my previous blog post “Rethinking Practice: The Power of Mental Rehearsal.”  Or check out this blog post by Maggie Dent on using mental rehearsal in the classroom.

Keep It Ongoing

Remember, reassurance is an ongoing journey. By incorporating these strategies throughout your therapy sessions, you can empower children with speech and language difficulties to embrace the journey, celebrate their progress, and ultimately achieve their communication goals.

Share your experiences! What creative strategies have you used to empower children with speech and language difficulties? Leave a comment below and share your ideas with our supportive community.

Keep on keeping on!

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The post Speech Therapy Wins! Building Progress Power in Kids appeared first on Mrs. Speech Online.

You’re not alone! While many therapists rely on a simple “yes” or “no,” this approach can lack objectivity and detailed feedback. Rubrics offer a powerful solution, providing a clear framework for defining goals, establishing evaluation criteria, and tracking student development.

This guide equips you, the SLP, with the knowledge and steps to create effective rubrics specifically tailored to complex communication goals.

But first, let’s explore the “why” behind rubrics:

Why Rubrics Shine for Complex Communication Goals

• Objectivity: Complex goals like summarizing or problem-solving can be subjective. Rubrics establish consistent criteria for different mastery levels, minimizing guesswork.
• Detailed Feedback: Go beyond a single score! Rubrics provide a framework for detailed feedback, pinpointing specific areas of strength and areas for targeted intervention.
• Motivation: Seeing progress on a rubric can be highly motivating for students working on challenging communication skills. It allows them to visualize their journey towards mastery.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Rubrics provide crucial data to track progress across various aspects of a complex goal. This data empowers you to make informed decisions about treatment strategies.

Building Your Rubric: A Step-by-Step Guide

Identify the Target Skill: 

Begin by defining the specific complex communication skill. This could be:

• Semantic Mapping: Identifying and organizing related vocabulary around a central topic.
• Summarizing: Restating the main points of a story or passage in a concise way.
• Problem-Solving: Identifying a problem, brainstorming solutions, and evaluating the best course of action.

Break Down the Skill: 

Once you have your target skill, identify the different sub-skills involved. For example, semantic mapping might involve identifying main ideas, brainstorming related vocabulary, and organizing them visually.

Define Performance Levels: 

Establish clear descriptions of what successful performance looks like at different stages. These levels might be labeled as “Needs Improvement,” “Approaching Mastery,” and “Mastery.”

Criteria and Descriptions: 

For each performance level, define specific criteria that will be used to evaluate the student’s performance. Be clear, concise, and observable. For example, under “Semantic Mapping – Mastery” level, a criterion might be: “Identifies at least 5 relevant vocabulary terms related to the main topic and organizes them in a clear and logical structure using a graphic organizer or chart.”

Optional Scoring System: 

You can choose to assign points to each performance level or criterion, allowing for a numerical representation of progress. However, focusing on descriptive feedback can be equally valuable, especially for complex skills.  Both are useful for demonstrating present levels and progress.

Want to take your rubrics to the next level?

Check out my downloadable Hard to Find Speech-Language Matrix/Rubric Growing Bundle, packed with pre-made rubrics for various complex communication goals, editable templates, and expert tips to get you started quickly!

Rubric Essentials: Tips for Success

• Tailored to the Individual: Adapt rubrics to each student’s specific needs and goals within the complex communication skill.
• Age-Appropriate Language: Use language that is understandable for the student’s age and developmental level.
• Visually Appealing: Consider using charts, tables, or color-coding to make the rubric visually engaging and easier for students to understand.
• Collaborative Effort: Involve parents or educators in rubric development to foster communication and understanding of the targeted skill.

Remember: Rubrics are a dynamic tool. They can be revised and adjusted as therapy progresses and goals evolve.

By incorporating rubrics into your speech therapy practice, you gain a powerful tool to effectively gauge progress and guide your students on their journey to mastering complex communication skills.  Let me know in the comments below what communication goals you use rubrics/matrices for!!

Happy Rubric Creating!!

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The post Mastering the Art of Measurement: A Guide to Creating Rubrics in Speech Therapy (with Bonus Example!) appeared first on Mrs. Speech Online.