Graphic Novels in Therapy

At my SLP job, I work in an elementary and an intermediate (5th/6th) school, in the clinic, and do early intervention in the home with two-year-olds. As a new SLP, I don’t have tons of materials. I am always on the look out for things that are easy to implement and motivate the students.

Enter graphic novels.

Graphic novels are great for both language and speech kids in 5th and 6th grade.

Speech kids:

  • Lots of words.

  • Lots of variety within those words.

  • Mimics everyday conversation giving you an idea of how they may sound with their friends.

Language kids:

  • Multiple opportunities to check for comprehension.

  • Teach strategies for understanding information in context (not just understanding the words people say).

  • Practice literacy skills.

Some of my favorites:

Drama
By Telgemeier, Raina
Buy on Amazon
Ghosts
By Telgemeier, Raina
Buy on Amazon
Smile
By Raina Telgemeier
Buy on Amazon
Sisters
By Telgemeier, Raina
Buy on Amazon
Guts
By Telgemeier, Raina, Telgemeier, Raina, Telgemeier, Raina
Buy on Amazon

Plus, you can often find graphic novels on sale at your local bookstore to give as a graduation gift. The Instagram post below is from the company I work for. I had 3 speech students graduate in one week!

14 Likes, 1 Comments - Sidekick Therapy Partners (@sidekicktherapypartners) on Instagram: "Three young ladies are graduating from therapy at one of our schools - they're getting a graphic..."

Working Memory Research Study

Working Memory Research Study

Researchers at the University of Tennessee are initiating a new research project and would like your help. We are recruiting people with language impairment (LI) and people without language impairment between 18 and 22 years old to complete a study investigating working memory capabilities.

Presentation from SXSW 2016: 3D Printed Food: Spam or Paté? You Decide.

Presentation from SXSW 2016: 3D Printed Food: Spam or Paté? You Decide.

The presentation and my notes from my portion of the presentation at South by Southwest (SXSW). My perspective was mostly focused on the utilitarian purpose fo 3D printed food -- particularly for those with Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia). 

The US transportation system is not designed for the fringe.

The US transportation system is not designed for the fringe.

The US transportation system falls short for the elderly. Understanding why can make it better.

National Endowment for the Arts presents Challenging Notions: Accessibility + the Arts

National Endowment for the Arts presents Challenging Notions: Accessibility + the Arts

The NEA focuses an entire issue on the arts and accessibility to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. *Swoon*