Speech in Action: Interactive Activities Combining Speech Language Pathology and Adaptive Physical Education

by America X. Gonzalez, Lois Jean Brady, Jim Elliott

Children, particularly those on the autism spectrum, are able to acquire communication skills much more easily when their learning incorporates movement. Even very simple actions such as tapping and hand clapping can have a noticeable impact on their speech and language development. Speech in Action is an innovative approach to learning that combines simple techniques from speech and language pathology with physical exercises that have been carefully designed to meet the individual child's particular needs and abilities. This practical workbook describes the approach, and how it works, and contains 90 fully-photocopiable lesson plans packed with fun and creative ideas for getting both mouth and body moving. Suitable for use either at school or at home, the activities can be dipped into in any order, and are organised by level of ability, with something for everyone. The final chapter contains the success stories of children the authors have used the activities with, demonstrating how the approach can be used in practice. This will be a useful resource for teachers, occupational therapists, and other professionals who work with children with delayed communication skills, as well as parents and carers who would like to support their child's speech and language development at home

Genres: Nonfiction

158 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Ruth Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid, practical resource for using movement activities in the classroom, something youth librarians have been doing in storytimes and other library programs.

Around the time this book was published an Israeli study was published about the correlation between hand clapping and spelling (and feeling happy).

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd already noticed that my son's language was clearer and more spontaneous when jumping on the trampoline, and hoped to find some good ideas for activities. Most of this book is pitched at a more advanced level than I was looking for, but would be worth coming back to.

[Dacia Yang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait to use these activities in therapy! I love active and engaging activities that also target specific therapy goals, and this book is perfect.