Sunday, June 14, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Case Study # 3: Emily
Name: Emily
Disability: Speech Impairment
Grade: [Hypothetically at the elementary school level]
Background: Emily is currently a college student with cerebral palsy. Although she has a great support system comprised of friends, family and the administration, which guides her to a successful future, we can still look back to her earlier years and find out how we could have helped Emily then.
Annual Goal: Emily will improve her speech skills.
Assistive Technology Area 1: Daily Living Skills
Behavioral Objective 1: Emily will enunciate the proper pronunciation of words, phrases and sentences accurately when conversing with others, 9 out of 10 times daily.
Rationale for devices chosen: Articulation practice is crucial for individuals with cerebral palsy. At a young age, Emily will benefit from the devices below in terms of speech pronunciation and articulation.
Device #1: Vocalization Interactive Software
Name: Talk Time With Tucker
Website: http://www.laureatelearning.com
Cost: $125.00
Other Information:
- Encourages children with speech impairments to vocalize
- Talk on the microphone
- Voice recognition program
- Responsive
Device #2: Speech Impairment Software Program
Name: Tiger’s Tale
Website: http://www.laureatelearning.com
Cost: $125.00
Other Information:
- Encourages language production
- Promotes oral communication
- Develops narrative and discourse abilities
Device #3: Voice Tools
Name: Visual Voice Tools
Company: Edmark
Website: http://www.edmark.com
- Seven ‘tools’ that help clients develop fine control of their voices
- Each tool accepts feedback and provides visual picture
- Students practice control of pitch, loudness, voicing and breath
Device #4: Fran Avni Music
Name: I’m All Ears: Singing Into Reading with Fran Avni
Company: Fran Avni
Website: http://www.learningfundamentals.com
- Songs help rhyme recognition, completion, and pronunciation
- Used to build pre-reading skills
- Parent’s Choice Award Winner
Assistive Technology Area 2: Occupational/ Pre-Vocational
Behavioral Objective 1: Emily will practice oral motor skills by speaking confidently, regularly, and engaging in conversational skills daily with 90% accuracy.
Rationale for devices chosen: Emily will need to be confident and consistent in her interaction with others. Play and hands-on activities during her early years will make a great impact in her life. Not only will she improve her oral motor skills, but her social skills as well.
Device #1: Board Game
Name: Smart Mouth Word Game
Cost: $17.49
Website: http://www.educationaltoysmart.com
Other Information:
- Play with one or more partners
- Fast-paced and hilarious game
- Requires player to shout a word of five or more letters to win a round
Device #2: Puppet Show Props
Name: Tabletop Puppet Theater for Puppet Shows
Cost: $42.99
Website: http://www.educationaltoysmart.com
Other Information:
- Sturdy stage Prop will fit on Emily’s lap
- Great for practicing appropriate behavior and socialization
- (Puppets must be tailored to fit Emily’s needs. Emily can move her arms, but not her fingers and wrists.)
Device #3: Card Holder
Name: Handy Card Holder
Company: International Playthings
Website: http://www.cerebralpalsytoysandplayaids.com
Other Information:
- Plastic circular device that allows cards to fan out
- Contains a slit to hold playing cards
- Perfect for Emily when playing cards with friends
Device #4: Social Skills and Language Game
Name: Language Games 4-in-1 Kit
Cost: $99.95
Website: http://www.educationaltoysmart.com
Other Information:
- 8-Award Winning Game
- Age appropriate (Grades 2-4)
- Practices speaking skills
- Improves reading skills
Assistive Technology Area 3: Mobility
Behavioral Objective 1: Emily will initiate verbal conversations with others in public settings, daily, with an accuracy of 4 out of 5 opportunities.
Rationale for devices chosen: To build self-esteem and confidence while aiding her mobility, Emily should initiate interaction with others while using different devices to get from one place to another.
Device #1: Go Kart
Name: Hand-Operated Go Kart
Website: http://www.mobility4kids.com
Cost: Contact store for pricing
Other Information:
- Hand-controlled using joystick
- Operates on grass, gravel, dirt
- Speed ranges between 5-7mph
Device #2: Racing Style Play Car
Name: The Boss
Website: http://www.mobility4kids.com
Cost: Contact store for pricing
Other Information:
- Battery operated
- Hand-controlled
- Speed ranges between 2-6mph
Device #3: Sit-to-Stand Model
Name: STS Base
Website: http://www.mobility4kids.com
Cost: Contact store for pricing
Other Information:
- Standing or seating option
- Standing frame adjustment
- Appropriate size for children
Device #4: Beach Go Kart
Website: http://www.mobility4kids.com
Cost: Contact store for pricing
Other Information:
- Hand-controlled using joystick
- Operates on sand
- Speed ranges between 5-7 mph
- Large flotation tires
Assistive Technology Area 4: Education
Behavioral Objective 1: Emily will recognize, read, spell and 100 new vocabulary nouns, verbs, and adjectives correctly with an accuracy of 9 out of 10 opportunities weekly.
Rationale for devices chosen: Emily must expand her vocabulary in order to communicate freely with others. Her speech skills will increase with practice if her vocabulary is to grow as well.
Device #1: Handheld Educational Learning Aid
Name: SmartTalk Electronic Learning Aid
Website: http://www.educationaltoysmart.com
Other Information:
- Looks like a toy
- Uses association and repetition
- Builds vocabulary
- Uses photographs
- Asks questions in context
- Asks questions about the target word
- Teaches grammar patterns
Device #2: Electronic Spelling Toy
Name: Bee Smart Spelling Activity Toy
Website: http://www.educationaltoysmart.com
Other Information:
- Letters can be easily pressed using a pointer stick
- Phonics, Spelling, Letter Quiz and Spelling Quiz mode
- Builds vocabulary and increases spelling skills
- Portable
Device #3: Multi-Sensory Book with Audio Tape
Name: Mrs. Honey Story Sack Activity Book
Website: http://www.educationaltoysmart.com
Other Information:
- Develops listening, reading and writing skills
- Fosters love for reading
- Comes with soft toy, audio tape, non-fiction book
- Language game based on the book included
Device #4: Educational Video
Name: Action Words! A Vocabulary Builder Video
Company: BumbleBee Kids
Website: http://www.amazon.com
Other Information:
- Builds verb vocabulary
- 35 minutes
- Action Words Video Part 2 & 3 Available
