Helping Children Recover from Brain Injury
Lately, I’ve noticed that Joey’s speech increases significantly when we are playing ball. He will often request to play ball at random times during our lesson. Of course, I come to our sessions with plans, and rarely do those plans involve just playing ball. But, because the data shows that Joey is more talkative when we play ball, I keep letting us play in between our books and other activities. [Read more…]
Last fall Joey started using an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) eye gaze device. But what does augmentative and alternative communication even mean?
The AAC page on Wikipedia states, “Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is an umbrella term that encompasses the communication methods used to supplement or replace speech or writing for those with impairments in the production or comprehension of spoken or written language. AAC is used by those with a wide range of speech and language impairments, including congenital impairments such as cerebral palsy, intellectual impairment and autism, and acquired conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. AAC can be a permanent addition to a person’s communication or a temporary aid.”
“Buttons come and buttons…” I paused
“GO!” Joey blurted out with a huge smile. He has just started finishing off the last word in Pete the Cat’s reassuring mantra, and he beams with pride each time he does. With that last GO, I closed the book and smiled.
This time Joey did not join me.
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Joey’s hand hovered over mine, with a slow and thoughtful purpose. The intense stare on his face told me that he was telepathically telling his hand to stay where it was, and then open his fingers to release the foam letter he was so forcefully clutching. His focus was similar to what one observes on the faces of college math majors pouring over a new problem. He was going to release this letter. Nothing would distract him.
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A popular book in preschool and kindergarten classrooms is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault. It is a silly story about the lower case letters all climbing up a coconut tree. Of course, when all 26 letters get to the top of the tree there is not enough room and they all fall out (Boom!) and the uppercase letters come to help them up. It is a cute, rhythmic way to get familiar with the letters of the alphabet, and seemed like a book that Joey would enjoy.
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