Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
Apps + Websites for the Visually Impaired
UPDATE: We've released an eBook - "The Ultimate Guide to the iPad for Speech Pathology and Special Education". It has all the tips and tricks you need to become an iPad master. Best of all, it's FREE. Grab your copy here. Hey everyone, we're back from a couple week...
Adventures in AT: Switch Accessible Websites
For a long time I didn’t have many resources for switch users in my SLP bag of tricks. I’ve recently devoted more time to finding new websites that are switch accessible (can be controlled by a switch) and want to share them! The following websites have great free...
Introducing Spritz: How Will Speed Reading Affect Assistive Technology?
There’s a lot of buzz about a new type of software designed to increase the speed of reading. Boston-based startup Spritz has developed software that completely changes the way we read. The software is a textbox that flashes words at you from speeds of 250-500...
Resources for Teaching Social Intimacy & Relationships to Students with Communication and Emotional Differences
When working with adolescents and young adults who have communication, social, and emotional differences, concerns arise around the issue of social and sexual intimacy and health. Students at the high school level are very much interested in dating, just like their...
Adaptive Games for Kids with Disabilities
I’m always on the hunt for new fun activities to do with my students. I came across an awesome tool to help facilitate games for students who are cognitively or physically impaired. The tool is a spinner made by Ablenet, a company that makes many assistive technology...
Fun Accessible Arts and Crafts
This year I started working in a group home for people who have multiple disabilities. Working with this new population who are more physically handicapped has forced me to adapt my usual activities and lessons. I want to share some of these fun ideas! These...
New Technology in the Classroom: TAPit
Staying up to date on the newest technological resources in education can be overwhelming! Blogs and Pinterest can be great sources of information to stay in the loop. I recently started using a new piece of equipment, the TAPit. TAPit (Touch Accessible Platform for...
How to Turn Awkward Moments into Teachable Moments
Working with the population of young adults who have disabilities there are bound to be times when awkward moments pop up. Over the past two years, I’ve had to learn how to handle these moments. Early on I learned that lessons rarely go the way you planned and its...
A Magical SLP Moment: Why I Love Communication Notebooks
This week I had one of those magical speech therapist moments, when you see your student succeeding in using something that you’ve taught them and you remember how awesome your job is. That moment is my inspiration for this blog post. It all happened because of a tool...
No-Prep Activities
Teaching High School Students to Filter Their Thoughts – Social-Emotional Learning
Introduction Filtering thoughts is a crucial social skill that helps maintain healthy relationships and promote positive social interactions. This blog post will discuss the importance of teaching high school students to think before they speak and provide an engaging...
Teaching Students Coping Strategies: A No-Prep Activity for Educators
Introduction As educators, we play a crucial role in guiding students to develop healthy coping strategies for dealing with stress and challenging situations. By incorporating principles of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), we can help students build resilience and...
Teaching PreK Students Body Awareness and Relaxation Techniques
Introduction As educators, it's essential to help our students develop a sense of self-awareness and learn techniques to manage their emotions. One way to achieve this is by teaching them about body awareness and relaxation. By guiding students through a "Wiggling...
Understanding Body Language: A Guide for Kindergarten Educators
Introduction Social-emotional learning (SEL) is a vital aspect of a child's development, and understanding body language is an essential skill in this domain. By learning to read body language, kindergarten students can better understand the emotions of their peers...
Helping Students Overcome Nervousness When Meeting New People
Introduction Meeting new people can be a daunting experience for anyone, especially for elementary students who are still developing their social skills. It is normal for children to feel nervous or scared in such situations. However, as educators, we can help them...
The Significance of Oral Hygiene in Social Interactions: A Guide for Special Education Educators
Introduction Oral hygiene plays a crucial role in our daily lives, affecting the way we interact with others. For students in special education, it is essential to understand the importance of maintaining clean teeth and fresh breath. By teaching students about proper...
Teaching Cyber Skills for Effective Texting in Special Education
Texting is a significant part of our daily communication, but it can be confusing, especially for students in Special Education. When we talk to someone in person, we can see their facial expressions and hear their tone of voice. Unfortunately, we don't have these...
Brain Breaks for Elementary Students: Energizing and Relaxing Activities
Introduction In today's fast-paced learning environment, it's essential for educators to ensure that their students maintain focus and attention. One effective way to achieve this is through incorporating brain breaks into the daily routine. Brain breaks are short,...
Teaching Students to Read Social Situations: An Essential Skill for Effective Communication
Introduction As educators, we know that social-emotional learning (SEL) is crucial for our students' growth and development. One key aspect of SEL is the ability to read social situations, which involves observing and interpreting the feelings and emotions of others...
Teaching Good Sportsmanship: An Essential Social Skill for Students
As educators, one of our goals is to teach students valuable social skills that they can apply in various aspects of their lives. Good sportsmanship is a crucial skill that helps foster positive relationships and ensures that everyone has fun while playing games. In...
Two Sides: A Game to Teach Flexibility and Emotional Management
Introduction In the ever-changing world we live in, it is essential for students to learn how to adapt and manage their emotions in different situations. The Two Sides game is a fun and engaging activity designed to teach students the concepts of being flexible and...
Developing Appropriate Conversation Skills for Students in Special Education
Communication is a vital part of our daily lives, and appropriate conversation skills are essential for students in special education. This blog post will explore an easy-to-implement, no-prep activity that educators can use to help students practice using an...
Tips for Teaching Hair Hygiene to Kindergarten Students
Introduction Teaching kindergarten students about the importance of hair hygiene is a crucial aspect of their personal care education. Proper hair hygiene is not only essential for maintaining a clean and healthy appearance but also for building positive social...
Effective Communication Skills for Special Education Students
Effective communication is a vital skill for students to develop, especially those in special education programs. In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of teaching communication skills, provide a no-prep activity for educators, offer discussion questions,...
When I Feel Disappointed: A Social-Emotional Learning Activity for Kindergarteners
Introduction Disappointment is a natural emotion that everyone experiences, including young children. As educators, it is crucial to teach kindergarten students how to cope with disappointment and refocus their minds in a constructive manner. In this blog post, we...