A Few Resources

For more information on speech and language disorders and SLPs go to:

• The New Hampshire Speech-Language-Hearing Association:  http://www.nhslha.org/for-consumers/consumer-resources/
• The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association : www.asha.org/public/
• Also from ASHA: The Role of the SLP in Schools (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2005). "The Role of the SLP in Schools." Available at www.asha.org/members/slp/schools. Reprinted by permission.)

Prizes

Prizes are a good motivator for children.  These are a step up from tokens and are presented only after a LOT of practice.  Prizes are usually earned after a pre-determined number of tokens are acquired.  For example, for each 5 times a speech sound is correctly produced, Chris might earn a token (see the last post for more on tokens).  After he earns 20 tokens, he may get to choose a prize.  Prizes might also be earned after a certain amount of time practicing.  Some prizes may be:

·     a new fancy pencil or eraser

·     a balloon or bubbles

·     a trip to the ice cream stand

·     a special afternoon alone with a favorite adult

·     a new book

·     a piece of gum (sugarless, of course)

All kinds of neat things can be found at the dollar store (and Target even has a dollar department).  Try to limit food prizes, especially if they're unhealthy.

CRAFTS

Prizes can also be the result of a craft activity made during practice.  An example of this might be making a winter picture (which is a great practice for s-blends (snow, sled, ski, scarf, etc) together.  Along with talking about the winter objects, Chris may have to produce the s-blend in a word 5 times correctly to earn a cotton ball to glue on the paper as snow.   Once the cotton "snow flakes" are all applied, the result (prize) is a really cool picture to hang on the refrigerator.  In this case, it would be a good idea to draw 10 - 20 stars or circles where the "snowflakes" go so that there is a definite end to the activity.  Other activities of this kind are:

·       coloring parts of a larger picture (e.g., color one leaf each time the target is produced)

·     coloring parts of a larger picture (e.g., color one leaf each time the target is produced)

·     stringing bead to make a necklace

·     stacking blocks to make a tower as high as you can

·     using bingo markers to put dots on a picture (Google “dauber art” to get templates with circles – here’s a place to start:  http://www.dltk-kids.com/type/bingo_daubers.htm )

·     placing stickers on a chart (use the dauber art templates)

Happy Practicing,

Amy