Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP. Over 33 years experience in AAC. OMazing Kids AAC and app consulting. Creator of several AAC Feature Matching resources (https://omazingkidsllc.com/omazing-kids-aac-resource-links/). Includes info about unique features to support Gestalt Language Processors
The book is also full of great opportunities to target speech & language goals. I used it today in a session to target inclusion of the final bilabial sound in the repeated line “jump”. This is such a fun book to read 🙂
As I was organizing my stash of therapy toys I noticed that the last 3 toys I bought all have similar sensory properties. Most of the kids on my caseload have Autism and it is always an adventure to find things to spark their interest enough for them to engage and communicate. With over 25 years experience as a SLP under my belt I’ve gotten pretty good at spotting toys with features that many of my patients with Autism will LOVE 😉
The Wonder Wheel has been great for targeting go/stop, fast/slow, on/off (the suction cup is a little difficult for most kids to remove from the table with out help). It has also been a fave with one of my patients who has a visual impairment. It has a very pleasant sound similar to a rainstick.
The wooden one has been named “ball mountain” by one of my patients. It has been magical to watch his play evolve over several session from self exploration -> tolerating an adult to sit near him -> showing enjoyment with an adult sitting near him -> him imitating inviting an adult to play with him -> him spontaneously inviting an adult to play with him and sustaining several minutes of joint attention during play. The bell has a very pleasant sensory-friendly tone.
The ball drop tower set was quite a bargain when I found one that came with a set of two priced similarly to a single. Great for targeting short/tall, go/stop, on/off, together/apart, more, roll, through, around, down, hole and colors. The balls have tiny balls inside them with a faint rainstick-like sound. This one had so many language opportunities that I made symbols for it for PECS and Aided Language Stimulation. I keep symbols in the container with that toy so they are always available. When a particular patients shows interest in that toy then I add those symbols to their PECS book, AAC app or AAC device.
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Johnny is different. He is never exactly on time, he can’t seem to stick to a routine and he often speaks in cryptic idioms. Johnny is neurotypical, but that’s OK. A picture book with a difference, Why Johnny Doesn’t Flap turns the tables on common depictions of neurological difference by drolly revealing how people who are not on the autistic spectrum are perceived by those who are. The autistic narrator’s bafflement at his neurotypical friend’s quirks shows that ‘normal’ is simply a matter of perspective.
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What I love about this book: This book is a witty change in perspective and is a great addition to my special needs acceptance & awareness library! It can be used to help kids who are neurologically diverse to understand and appreciate each other. I love that this kids picture book is written from the perspective of a child with Autism and that the character is accepting of his neurotypical friend despite their differences. The “A Note for Parents” page has helpful tips for parents as they read the book with their child.
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A peek at a couple of pages inside the book:
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• Age Range: 4 – 8 years
• Grade Level: Preschool – 3
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers; 1 edition (October 21, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1849057214
• ISBN-13: 978-1849057219
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.3 x 8.4 inches
. About the authors:
Clay Morton is Associate Professor of English and Director of the Honors Program at Middle Georgia State University. Gail Morton (MLIS) is a Public Services Librarian at Mercer University. Clay and Gail research issues of neurodiversity, particularly in relation to higher education. They are parents to a child with autism and are both advocates for the neurodiversity movement.
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Check out this video review for the book by Autistic Genius. I had wondered what older individuals with Autism would think of the book.
#AutismAcceptance #Neurodiversity
. I only post reviews for books that I have in my personal library. If you are an author of a book or resource geared towards helping kids understand special needs and would like me to review your work OR if you have questions about any of the resources I have listed on my blog, the best way to reach me is via Facebook Messaging on my OMazing Kids Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/messages/174264525957894. (My e-mail is listed below but I am getting tons of spam mail due to using that account for social media and blogging…. to the point that I may not receive the e-mail or it being buried among the spam.)
. Disclaimer: I received a free sample of this product to facilitate my review. Opinions expressed are my own.
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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Home E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with over 25 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.
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{please ignore any ads that may appear below. This is a free blog. I have no control over ads nor do I profit from them}
{Avaz FreeSpeech App Giveaway} I have 3 iOS app codes to giveaway for the exciting new Avaz FreeSpeech app. All my #SLPeeps will definitely want to check out this very unique new app! It’s not an AAC app….. but will help kids understand the process of using language to build sentences. Be watching for a full review later on my blog. (Avaz FreeSpeech: Build Grammatically Correct Language by Avaz, Inc., http://m.onelink.me/76931e9f, iOS Universal app that requires iOS 9.0 or later, currently on sale for $9.99 – a special intro 50% off price)
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with over 25 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.
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{please ignore any ads that may appear below. This is a free blog. I have no control over ads nor do I profit from them}
Speech-Language Pathologists are invited to take part in a research study survey to identify the factors that they feel are important when using iPad apps for language intervention with children.
Who is being asked to participate?
Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) in six predominantly English speaking countries (South Africa, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and United States of America).
SLPs who use iPad apps in their intervention with children with language impairment.
I just completed the survey and it took about 15 minutes.
“There’s a wealth of information out there, but you need to know where to look. This ebook brings together sample posts from over 70 SLP bloggers and provides indexes to find specialized information from AAC, adult or EI resources, fluency, ESL to hearing impairment. Resources for pediatric language and speech sound disorders abound!”
OMazing Kids AAC Consulting 