Using ICT to Support Speech and Language development

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Using ICT to Support Speech and Language
development

• Claire Kane

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From sound beginnings

• Children begin to communicate with spoken
  language from an early age. For those who do not
  acquire it in the conventinal way it can be a
  long and difficult struggle.
• For some children ICT can offer the motivation
  and means to begin to overcome some of the
  barriers that having difficulty with
  communicating can bring.

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From sound beginnings

• Some suggestions for encouraging verbal
  communication
• Big Macks
• Tape recorders
• Ameba software
• Sound beginnings
• Speak Up V2!

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Big Macks

• Record the child's communication
• Record environmental sounds
• Record repetitive phrases in stories
• Record music
• Surprise them!!
• Add stickers or tactile surfaces for interest

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Tape recorders/Listening centres/dictaphones

• Record a message for them to practice.
• Record things that interest them.
• Record achievement for them to take home
• Record what they did the day before as a reminder.

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Ameba, Plasma

• Ameba is the most calming of the software and
  will also react to pointing devices and switches
  as well as voice or sounds.
• Plazma provides sounds and images which users can
  interact with. It has a more straightforward
  reaction than Ameba

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Sound Beginnings

• Is an exciting interactive CD which encourages
  vocalistion through exploration and skill
  building exercises. It tracks progress for
  individual users.

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Talking Stories and Social Stories

• Talking stories should reflect the childs
  experience.
• They should contain meaningful, differentiated
  text.
• They can be used to teach pupils how what is
  going to happen or how to behave in particular
  situations.

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Talking Stories and Social Stories

• Powerpoint is available on many computers and
  is easy to use. Pictures, text, sound, speech
  and video can be inserted easily.
• Clicker 4 is more easily used by pupils with
  access difficulties. It lends itself easily to
  follow up activities.

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Making communication grids and picture support
materials

• Low tech communication aids
• Picture timetables
• PECS
• Literacy support
• Support for organisational skills
• Number fans with a difference!

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Low tech Communication Aids

• Allow pupils to show what they know
• Are not restricted to pupils who are non verbal.
• Aid visual learners.

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Picture Timetables

• For moving around school.
• For predicting what will happen.
• To motivate them to finish!
• To sequence an activity.
• To understand what they have to do.

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PECS

• Picture Exchange Communication System.
• Mainly used with ASD pupils.

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Literacy Support

• Matching symbols to pictures.
• Matching objects to pictures.
• Picture prompt board.
• Alternative recording methods.
• Access to literacy.

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Support for Organsiational Skills

• Organising their desk.
• Organising materials.
• Organising their day.
• Personal skills.
• Social skills.