My personal favorite therapy tool is the iPad. I've had mine now for a few years and feel it is invaluable. While an iPad is NOT a replacement for teaching meaningful communication between people....it is a great teaching tool! I use apps as visual supports (schedules, timers) and as supports when teaching a variety of concepts, including receptive and expressive language as well as articulation/phonology/speech clarity. Apps can be great tools for clinicians and parents alike when working with children.
I follow a number of blogs and websites that advertise and write reviews of educational apps...one of my favorites is www.smartappsforkids.com.
I signed up for e-mail updates from this site and on Fridays, I LOVE to peruse their "Free App Friday" selections. Today's list is great (in my opinion :)). Check it out HERE.
I actually downloaded one of the apps on this list earlier this week after a friend told me it was free: Toca Doctor. I've used the app in a few lessons already this week...great for targeting direction following, WH questions (both asking and answering), sequencing, retelling, listening skills and also simply used as a reinforcer/reward for hard work at the end of a lesson.
If you are unfamiliar with the Toca Boca apps...do yourself and your students (or children!) a favor and check them out. They're cute, fun, engaging and educational!
Have fun!
