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App Review and Giveaway: Between the Lines Level 2

I enjoyed reviewing  Between the Lines Advanced so much that today I am bringing you an intermediate version of this awesome social-pragmatic language app called: Between the Lines Level 2, which also focuses on targeting: Interpretation of vocal tone, Recognition of facial expressions, Interpretation of body language as well as Recognition of idiomatic expressions and slang, just on a less advanced level and in a less challenging format.  The app uses photos and mini videos of people in a variety of real-life dynamic social situations to teach social skills. Continue reading App Review and Giveaway: Between the Lines Level 2

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Between the Lines Advanced App Review and Giveaway

Today I am reviewing an awesome social-pragmatic language app by Hamaguchi Apps called: Between the Lines Advanced, which focuses on targeting the following skills:

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Real Vocabulary App Review and Giveaway

Today I am a reviewing a new vocabulary app created by the Virtual Speech Center called Real Vocabulary Pro.  Developed to target the core curriculum vocabulary of K-5th grade students, it has tons tons of pictures and pre-recorded audio to target various vocabulary concepts as well as allows users to add their own words, pictures and audio recordings for a more individualized and targeted therapy sessions. Continue reading Real Vocabulary App Review and Giveaway

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After the Graduation: Review and Giveaway of Social Thinking® At Work

As an SLP who works with children with social pragmatic language disorders, I can’t but think of what happens after these clients leave school? How will they continue to improve their social cognitive abilities in order to effectively meet social challenges in their workplace? Michelle Garcia Winner and Pamela Crooke effectively address this issue in their recent book “Social Thinking® At Work: Why Should I Care”.   In it, they offer practical advice to adults with social thinking® challenges regarding how to navigate the intricacies of social interaction in the workplace. Continue reading After the Graduation: Review and Giveaway of Social Thinking® At Work

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Let’s Be Social App Review and Giveaway

Today I am reviewing Let’s Be Social is a new app from Everyday Speech, which targets basic social pragmatic language skills through 25 interactive lessons on the topics of recognizing emotions, solving problems, friendships, as well as making predictions. Continue reading Let’s Be Social App Review and Giveaway

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Winter Non-Fiction Leveled Reading Passages and Questions Product Swap and Giveaway

Today I am doing a product swap and giveaway with Sharon Schackmann, the author of the Speech with Sharon blog, who’s created a product entitled: Winter Non-Fiction Leveled Reading Passages and Questions with a focus on teaching non-fiction text to older students: elementary through -high school ages.

This mega sized 44 page packet includes 7 passages on a variety of winter related topics including: Continue reading Winter Non-Fiction Leveled Reading Passages and Questions Product Swap and Giveaway

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Wintertime Wellness Product Swap and Giveaway

winter wellness collageToday I am doing a product swap and giveaway with Rose Kesting of Speech Snacks. Rose runs a fun and unique blog. In her posts she combines her interest in nutrition and healthy cooking with her professional knowledge as a speech-language pathologist.  I’ve collaborated with Rose in the past on a variety of projects and have always been impressed with the quality of her speech and language products, which are typically aimed at language remediation of older children (upper-elementary, middle school and high school ages). Continue reading Wintertime Wellness Product Swap and Giveaway

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The risk of social-emotional deficits in language-impaired young children

In recent years there has been an increase in infants, toddlers and preschoolers diagnosed with significant social-emotional and/or behavioral problems.  An estimated 10% to 15% of birth-5 year-old population experience serious social-emotional problems which significantly impact their functioning and development in the areas of language, behavior, cognition and school-readiness (Brauner & Stephens, 2006). Continue reading The risk of social-emotional deficits in language-impaired young children

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Articulation Carnival-App Review and Giveaway

Today I am reviewing a brand new app by the Virtual Speech Center -Articulation Carnival (requires iOS 7 or later; compatible with iPad).  Virtual Speech Center did a great job creating a fun app, where the kids get to go to a “carnival’ and practice their articulation at the word, phrase, and sentence levels.

Much like all their other apps, this one is super easy to use and very intuitive to navigate. With a variety of options to boot. Applicable to children of all ages beginning with 2+ years, it’s phoneme targets include 20 pictures per phoneme and per word position as well as phrases and sentences.  All phonemes are editable which is a very convenient options for therapists who need to customize their client’s phoneme lists based on the child’s present level of ability and needs. Continue reading Articulation Carnival-App Review and Giveaway

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Feed Maxi: App Review and Giveaway

Today I am reviewing a fun new app by Speak Easy Apps: Feed Maxi. Developed by a speech language pathologist, Pamela Mandell,  the app’s purpose is to introduce the child to food labeling and identification.

The goal is to feed Maxi the monkey a balanced diet of 80 food items which include: fruits, vegetables, proteins, dairy, grains and snacks. But Maxi doesn’t just request his food, he also comments, makes choices, rejects, as well as asks for more using sign language (ASL animations).

Intended Audience:

  • Toddlers
  • Preschoolers
  • Children with Special Needs (ASD, Down Syndrome, etc)
  • Young children with limited English proficiency

Targeted Skills:

  • Functional communication (expressing basic wants and needs)
  • Pragmatic communication via targeted use of language
  • Attention (to detail) and Concentration
  • Picture identification
  • Following directions
  • Receptive and expressive vocabulary knowledge and use
  • Categorization skills 
  • Cause/effect skills
  • Print Recognition
  • Visual Scanning and Fine Motor control

App Features:

  • Data collection for group therapy (up to 5 children as per federal regulations)
  • E-mail option to send results to self/parents, etc.,
  • On/off option for voice prompts, text, sound effects & statistics
  • Option to specify food item and food category selection
  • Option to specify level of play (choose between easy, moderate or difficult)
  • Parental control option (to avoid accidental level changes)

App Highlights:

  • Real photos of food items
  • High interaction level (tapping on various pictures will produce sounds and/or animations)
  • App highlights correct responses when the child picks a food item incorrectly
  • Fun rewards after correct responses (e.g., balloon popping)

Feed Maxi is a fun and functional app which via a seemingly simple yet engaging set-up (monkey feeding) fosters a number of important skills in emergent communicators. You can find this app in the iTunes store for 4.99, or thanks to Pamela’s generosity you can win your own copy by entering my Rafflecopter giveaway below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway