We did it! ASHA 2022

We did it! ASHA 2022

I am still literally and figuratively unpacking the exhilarating blur that was the 2022 ASHA convention! Hands down - as per my last blog post - ...

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Principles of Motor Learning: Massed vs. Distributed Practice

Principles of Motor Learning: Massed vs. Distributed Practice

This post is part of a series on Principles of Motor Learning, and will highlight the Practice Conditions: Massed vs. Distributed Practice.

Principles of Motor Learning (PMLs) refers to patterns of learning that have emerged from research into human movement. The bulk of this research has evolved from disciplines outside of Speech-Language Pathology (e.g. exercise and sport), and the research within our field though growing, is still in its very early stages. Nevertheless, PMLs are increasingly being investigated as they apply to speech therapy in the hopes that a solid understanding of PMLs can help Speech-Language Pathologists optimize their work with patients/clients struggling with motor speech challenges, such as Childhood Apraxia of Speech. Dr. Edwin Maas has been at the forefront of synthesizing the applications of PML research to Speech-Language Pathology. He has an excellent video on the Apraxia Kids On-Demand Webinars library, and his team's tutorial on Principles of Motor Learning in the Treatment of Motor Speech Disorders is published in Volume 17 of the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. This blog post series will summarize some of the key PMLs has outlined in those sources.

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Top Ten Books To Help Kids Learn To Say The "F" Sound

Top Ten Books To Help Kids Learn To Say The "F" Sound

Books are an incredible tool for speech practice. They inherently add a literacy component, create context and help make sessions novel and motivating week to week. Here are my TOP TEN favorite books for working on the lips-to-teeth movement (aka labiodental control) for F (/f/).

 

When introducing a new movement, my mantra is fewer targets and more repetitions. This means initially I am looking for books with opportunities for a LOT of repetition of a few target words. I am also very mindful of the vowel context - particularly with children who have childhood apraxia of speech. I consider what I call a "speech compass" as I'm selecting targets.

 

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Party Time Brainstorming

Party Time Brainstorming

When I started creating the game, I knew it was going to be on a party theme,  would feature the Party Animals! characters. I also knew it would no...

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What makes a game?

What makes a game?

Behind the scenes of even the simplest of games, there are a lot of moving parts!  From the creative to the logistical there are a multitude of ele...

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Principles of Motor Learning:  Knowledge of Results vs. Knowledge of Performance

Principles of Motor Learning: Knowledge of Results vs. Knowledge of Performance

Principles of Motor Learning (PMLs) refers to patterns of learning that have emerged from research into human movement. The bulk of this research has evolved from disciplines outside of Speech-Language Pathology (e.g. exercise and sport), and the research within our field, though growing, is still in its very early stages. Nevertheless, PMLs are increasingly being investigated as they apply to speech therapy in the hopes that a solid understanding of PMLs can help Speech-Language Pathologists optimize their work with patients/clients struggling with motor speech challenges, such as Childhood Apraxia of Speech. Dr. Edwin Maas has been at the forefront of synthesizing the applications of PML research to Speech-Language Pathology. He has an excellent video on the Apraxia Kids On-Demand Webinars library, and his team's tutorial on Principles of Motor Learning in the Treatment of Motor Speech Disorders is published in Volume 17 of the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. This blog post series will summarize some of the key PMLs has outlined in those sources.

Read more