Speech Therapy Materials
Schools

These are my must-have speech therapy materials "schools edition!" Before I get to my 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 teach my students the needed speech-language strategies and then practice those strategies while systematically removing prompts and supports.

Speech-language learning happens not only 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 expensive, but it is WORTH it. The visuals and colors are great memory techniques for students. You can also adapt it 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 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 also 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 to the curriculum!

http://mindwingconcepts.com

Basic Cards

Everybody needs a "go to deck."  I need Visuals for some students for almost any goal including vocabulary, increasing MLU, following directions, story re-tell. Super Duper has 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 these materials for:

  • Create a quick visual
  • Draw vocabulary concepts
  • 5-minute reward at end of the session
  • Draw "who," "what," or "where" questions
  • 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 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
  • Referral Form

Dry Erase Boards

I'm thinking this should be the first one on the list. This is something 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

Articulation: Materials & Guide

If you are a parent or a professional and are in need of articulation materials, our articulation therapy materials might be just what the speech pathologist ordered.

Click above for more information on this awesome 400 page eBook!

This book includes:

  • Introduction on how to use the book
  • Research behind the book
  • Articulation Screening Tools
  • Data tracking sheets
  • Templates in Google Drive for easy data tracking and graphing
  • Homework sheets/parent handouts on articulation therapy
  • General flashcard games
  • 36 flashcards for each sound: B, D, F, G, J, K, L, M, N, P, R, S, T, V, Z, SH, TH, CH
  • 8-10 functional games for each sound
  • Language based worksheets to spice things up!
  • Picture description tasks
  • Short story stimuli

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.

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

Mirror

You MUST have a mirror. 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 key chain. 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 key chain 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 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 free templates you can download instantly!

Tongue Depressors

I sometimes need tongue depressors 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 a 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 these 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 a home program is crucial for progress generalization but let's be honest... who has time for it! That extra 5 minutes of copying just seems impossible on most days. So, we made 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!


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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!

Author of  child language development eBook series

Baby Talk

Toddler Talk

Toddler Talking 2.0

Preschool Talk 2.0