Speech Therapy Materials
Schools

Welcome to Speech Therapy Materials Schools! Before I get to my 'must have' recommendations, I will share my professional philosophy so you can better understand my suggestions.

For therapy, I aim to be as functional as possible. I quickly teach my students needed speech-language strategies and/or compensations and then practice those strategies while systematically taking away prompts and supports.

Speech and language learning doesn't only happen in a therapy room or even in a classroom. Instead, students must communicate ALL DAY LONG, EVERY DAY.

I use these tools below while pairing them with material from the curriculum as able.

Games & More

Expanding Expression Tool Kit

Learning comprehensive vocabulary is essential for language development, reading, writing, and social skills. This visual program works wonders. It is a bit expensive, but it is WORTH it. The visuals and colors are great memory techniques for students. It can also be adapted to ANY material pulled from the curriculum. It targets vocabulary learning, writing skills, and oral language.

http://www.expandingexpression.com/

Hedbanz

This is one of the few games I have and I pair it with EET (more on that at the end). Students LOVE IT!

Uses:

Vocabulary Development
Question Skills (answering & asking)
Categorization
Defining Objects (function, location, description)
Deductive Reasoning
Memory Strategies (rehearsal, visualization)
Turn-Taking Skills

Foam Shapes

I have a bin foam shapes and I honestly use them almost every session! I use them during structured conversation for articulation practice (students get a shape for every correct sound production and try to beat their previous record). I also use them to encourage participation in language treatment (great motivator - they love to collect them)

Uses:

Articulation
Fluency
Motivation for ANY GOAL

Story Grammar Marker

This tool is a bit more expensive and will most likely need to come out of your school's budget but it is WORTH IT. This program and the one below, EET, are the ONLY TWO "programs" I recommend for general language goals.

Story Grammar Marker is extremely helpful for teaching oral language, narrative structure, story retell, reasoning skills, and reading comprehension. It is functional and can be adapted to ANY language goal at ANY level . You can also apply it easily to the curriculum!

http://mindwingconcepts.com

Basic Cards

Everybody needs a "go to deck." Visuals are needed for some students for almost any goal including vocabulary, increasing MLU, following directions, story re-tell. Super Duper has some great decks but nothing as cheap as this one!

Uses (Any Language Goal):

Definitions
Similarities/Differences
Picture description Tasks
Oral grammar
Categorization

Coloring Utensils

A must have speech therapy materials for schools is some kind of drawing utensils. You can have colored pencils, crayons, or markers.

In almost every session, I use drawing to:

Create a quick visual
Draw vocabulary concepts
5-minute reward at end of the session
Draw "who," "what," or "where"
Decorate home program materials
EET companion - underline components of story/definition with corresponding colors

RTI Start-Up Materials

Response To Intervention Start-Up Packet

It has taken me awhile to get to this point, but I finally feel that I have a handle on how to provide tiered services to general education students, see my special education students, and stay sane!

Response to Intervention Materials:

Online referral form that automatically collects data in a spreadsheet
Articulation Screening Tool
Language Screening Tool (also automatically calculates scores)
Progress Monitoring Tool
Organization Tool For Referrals & Results
Data Sheets With Graphs
Parent Notification of Services
First things first, referrals!

Dry Erase Boards

I'm thinking this should be the first one on the list. This is something that I use almost EVERY session and I am NOT exaggerating.

Uses:

Drawing vocabulary words
Creating a schedule for session
Practice sequencing
Marking off story grammar markers as students retell stories
Individualized visuals for each student for ANY goal
5-minute reward at end of a session - students can just draw

Electric Spinners

At this point in my life, I have come to terms that I literally lose everything...especially small things. Dice is number one on this list. I have accepted it.

This little gadget from Super Duper has come in so handy. I don't lose this one since it is bigger and students, even older students, are extremely motivated by the electric spinner.

I also use this for drill practice frequently. A student presses the button and when it lands on a number they have to do that many repetitions (i.e., say 3 /s/ flashcards). So simple and so motivating.

Mirror

You MUST have a mirror when working with children, especially in the elementary schools. Children have the cognitive ability to self-monitor their articulation errors and a mirror helps to teach that skill.

Uses:

Articulation
Self-Correct/Self-Monitor

Flashlight Keychain

This has been a priceless addition to my bag of tricks! I use it mostly for teaching awareness during articulation practice. Every time a child says a target sound in a word/phrase/sentence, he or she presses the keychain. It slows down students and teaches awareness of just how many times their sound occurs (not just in a target word). For example, if the target is /s/ and the phrase is "I see silly monkeys," the child would press the keychain 3 times.

Uses:

Articulation (awareness)
Motivator

Stickers

Kids LOVE stickers. I was driving myself crazy with all these complicated behavior charts, sticker charts, etc... I was creating more work for myself.

NOW, I just hand out stickers after every session, and if a child works extra hard, they can earn 2 or even 3 stickers. Extra stickers are given for any desired behavior. It works like a charm and it is SIMPLE!

USES:

Behavior Modification

Documentation

I am a HUGE fan of documentation in Google. It keeps me organized and sane. I use it for my private practice and school job. Check it out!

Here you will find some free templates that you can download instantly!

Speech Therapy Documentation

Tongue Depressors

Tongue depressors are sometimes needed for teaching placement during articulation therapy. However, I have used these for so much more. In a pinch, I will grab a handful. Children have to use their descriptive vocabulary, full sentences, whatever...to receive a depressor to build house. Very motivating!

Uses:

Articulation Placement
Motivation
Description

Alligator Game

This game is extremely fun! My husband and I may have even played this by ourselves :)

You can use this game for:

Social skills development
Articulation Practice
Motivation/Reward

Articulation Materials

Check out our free word lists and download to your Google Drive. You can bring them up for a quick practice, during a game, or simple drill practice!

Home Program/Speech Homework

We all KNOW that a home program is crucial for progress and carryover, but let's be honest...who has time for it! That extra 5 minutes of copying just seems impossible on most days. So....we decided to make it easier for you!

Speech Therapy Talk's Member!

If you want access to home program materials, parent handouts, Facebook group, and more...learn about it here!

Bridget is an ASHA certified, practicing speech language pathologist. She is passionate about providing parents with information on child speech and language development as well as provide functional, easy activities to do at home! Parents have the power to make a real difference. Follow Bridget at Facebook and Pinterest for more fun!