Speech Therapy Tips

When creating a language-rich environment:

• Use specific, descriptive words rather than vague terms
• Read aloud daily – books, signs, labels, instructions
• Sing songs and recite nursery rhymes together
• Limit screen time and prioritize face-to-face interaction

Try these exercises daily for 5-10 minutes:

• Blow cotton balls across a table with a straw
• Practice "lip smacking" while eating something tasty
• Move your tongue in different directions (up, down, side to side)
• Make different vowel sounds while exaggerating mouth movements

Examples of expansion:

• Child: "Dog run." You: "Yes, the brown dog is running fast."
• Child: "Want juice." You: "You want some apple juice? Let's pour it in your cup."
• Child: "Car go." You: "The red car is going down the street."

Never criticize or directly correct their speech - simply model the correct form naturally.

Mindful speaking exercise steps:

1. Find a quiet space where you won't be interrupted
2. Select a passage to read aloud or a topic to discuss
3. Take deep breaths before beginning to relax your vocal mechanism
4. Speak at half your normal pace, exaggerating articulation slightly
5. Record yourself if possible, and listen back with a critical but compassionate ear

Game ideas for specific sounds:

• "S" Sound: Hide small objects starting with "s" (sock, spoon, star) around the room. When found, the child must say the word three times clearly.
• "R" Sound: Play "Robot Race" where the child moves a toy robot forward one space each time they correctly pronounce an "r" word.
• "L" Sound: Make a "Lucky L" fishing game with paper fish labeled with L-words. Use a magnet on a string to "catch" fish, then practice the word.

Effective visual supports include:

• Visual schedules showing the day's activities with pictures
• Choice boards that allow pointing to desired items or activities
• Visual step-by-step instructions for completing tasks
• First-Then boards showing "First we do this, then we do that"

Remember to always pair visual supports with verbal language - don't replace speech with visuals.

Try these communication-enticing strategies:

• The "Silly Situation": Deliberately do something wrong, like putting shoes on hands, to prompt correction
• The "Incomplete Task": Give materials for an activity but forget a crucial item
• The "Clear Container": Place desired items in clear containers that require help to open
• The "Choice Question": Instead of yes/no questions, offer choices - "Do you want water or juice?"

Basic diaphragmatic breathing exercise:

1. Lie on your back with one hand on your chest and one on your stomach
2. Breathe in slowly through your nose for 4 counts, feeling your stomach rise while your chest remains relatively still
3. Hold for 2 counts
4. Exhale slowly through slightly pursed lips for 6 counts
5. Repeat 10 times, then practice while sitting and eventually while speaking

Multisensory techniques for speech therapy:

• Visual: Use mirrors for articulation practice, color-coding for grammatical patterns, and videos for modeling
• Auditory: Incorporate rhyming, clapping syllables, and listening to recorded speech samples
• Tactile: Use tactile cues like touching the throat to feel vibrations, manipulating clay to form letter shapes
• Kinesthetic: Assign body movements to different sounds, have students "act out" vocabulary words

Try these storytelling techniques:

• Story Sequencing: Cut up simple stories into beginning, middle, and end cards to arrange in order
• Story Retelling: After reading a story, have the child retell it using pictures as prompts
• Story Creation: Use story cubes or random objects to create original stories
• Story Completion: Start a story and have the child finish it
• Story Dramatization: Act out stories with props to reinforce comprehension

Key functional communication skills to focus on:

• Requesting desired items or actions
• Rejecting or refusing unwanted items/activities
• Greeting and acknowledging others
• Commenting on objects and events
• Asking for help or clarification

Remember: A single functional word used appropriately is more valuable than a memorized phrase with no practical application.

Tips for establishing effective practice routines:

• Set aside 5-10 minutes at consistent times daily (e.g., after breakfast, before bed)
• Create visual reminders or schedules
• Pair practice with existing routines (e.g., practice specific sounds while brushing teeth)
• Use transition times (car rides, waiting in line) for quick speech drills
• Track progress with sticker charts or digital apps

When creating a social story:

• Use first person perspective ("I will..." not "You will...")
• Include descriptive, directive, perspective, and affirmative sentences
• Use simple language without complex metaphors
• Add visuals that support the text for better understanding
• Read the story repeatedly to reinforce the concepts

Musical activities for speech development:

• Use finger plays and action songs that reinforce vocabulary
• Practice clapping or tapping syllables in words to improve phonological awareness
• Create personalized songs that target specific sounds or words
• Use melodic intonation therapy (MIT) for those with severe expressive difficulties
• Employ rhythmic speaking (like rap or chanting) to improve fluency and timing

Effective journaling practices:

• Start with structured prompts if free writing is challenging
• Use a combination of written words, drawings, and photos
• Read entries aloud after writing them to practice verbal expression
• Record audio of yourself reading entries, then listen and assess
• Document communication successes, no matter how small

Scaffolding strategies for speech therapy:

• Use visual cues that fade over time (e.g., picture cues, hand signals)
• Provide sentence starters that gradually decrease in support
• Model correct pronunciation, then use partial modeling, then just prompting
• Use backward chaining - help with the beginning of a task, letting the learner complete the end
• Document the level of support needed to identify when to increase or decrease assistance

Getting started with gesture support:

• Begin with a small core set of functional signs (e.g., more, all done, help, want)
• Always pair signs with spoken words - never sign silently
• Emphasize natural gestures like pointing, showing, waving alongside formal signs
• Use gesture during songs and fingerplays to reinforce vocabulary
• Consider using gesture dictionaries or apps to learn new signs as needed

Essential voice care practices:

• Stay well hydrated - drink 6-8 glasses of water daily
• Limit caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods that can cause reflux
• Use amplification when speaking to groups rather than raising your voice
• Practice vocal warm-ups before extended speaking engagements
• Rest your voice after periods of heavy use, and avoid whispering when hoarse

Environmental modifications to consider:

• Reduce background noise during important conversations or therapy sessions
• Ensure adequate lighting so facial expressions and mouth movements are visible
• Create designated quiet zones for focused communication practice
• Position conversation partners at eye level and within an optimal distance
• Add sound-absorbing materials like rugs, curtains, and acoustic panels in echo-prone spaces

Getting started with gesture support:

• Begin with a small core set of functional signs (e.g., more, all done, help, want)
• Always pair signs with spoken words - never sign silently
• Emphasize natural gestures like pointing, showing, waving alongside formal signs
• Use gesture during songs and fingerplays to reinforce vocabulary
• Consider using gesture dictionaries or apps to learn new signs as needed

Creating effective video self-models:

• Keep videos short (1-3 minutes) and focused on a specific skill
• Edit out errors, hesitations, and prompts to create a polished model
• Add captions, narration, or music to increase engagement
• View the video consistently (daily if possible) for several weeks
• Celebrate the connection between viewing the videos and progress in real life

Executive function strategies for better communication:

• Use visual schedules and checklists to support sequential thinking and memory
• Teach self-monitoring techniques like "stop, think, then speak"
• Practice verbal rehearsal of information to strengthen working memory
• Break complex communication tasks into smaller, manageable steps
• Provide clear transition warnings to prepare for changes in conversation topic

Effective selective listening practice:

• Start with listening for key words in quiet environments, then gradually add background noise
• Play layered audio games where the listener must identify specific sounds among distractions
• Practice following verbal directions with increasing background noise
• Work on dichotic listening exercises (different information in each ear)
• Use real-world environments like cafes for advanced practice with natural ambient noise

Key elements of communication partner training:

• Teach strategies for reducing communication pressure and anxiety
• Demonstrate appropriate wait time rather than interrupting or finishing sentences
• Practice active listening techniques like maintaining eye contact and confirming understanding
• Provide tools for supporting communication in different environments
• Develop personalized strategies based on the specific communication disorder

Semantic categorization activities:

• Create visual word webs that show relationships between related concepts
• Play sorting games where items must be grouped by category (animals, food, vehicles)
• Practice generating multiple examples within a specific category
• Work on identifying the "odd one out" from category-based word groups
• Build personal dictionaries organized by categories relevant to the individual's interests

Fun phonological awareness activities:

• Play rhyming games and read books with rhyming patterns
• Practice clapping or tapping out syllables in words
• Use sound segmentation activities ("What sounds do you hear in 'cat'?")
• Try sound blending challenges ("Put these sounds together: /d/-/o/-/g/")
• Play with sound manipulation ("Say 'smile' without the /s/")

Getting started with digital speech tools:

• Look for apps with speech recognition that can provide immediate feedback
• Use video recording to document progress and allow for self-evaluation
• Try gamified articulation apps that make practice more engaging
• Explore text-to-speech tools to support reading and comprehension
• Consider telepractice options for connecting with speech professionals remotely