The Joseph Robert Shaw Foundation

Helping Children Recover from Brain Injury

Teaching Calendar Skills

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Joey giggled as he selected the number 14 from the two cards I’d placed in front of him, and then giggled further as I slid the 14 into the correct spot on the calendar. Apparently, something about the 14 was very, very funny. We had just begun using a preschool wall calendar with Joey, and we were all a bit surprised at just how much Joey enjoyed the calendar work. After his giggling over the number 14, I took two other numbers out of the pocket calendar – the 3 and the 5 – and asked Joey to give me the number 3. He giggled again, giving him his biggest smile, as though to say “I love these numbers. Give me some more.” [Read more…]

Golf Ball Painting!

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Joey and I have been reading the book Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh.  When teachers typically read this book in their classrooms, they often include a painting extension activity so that the students can experience mixing paint colors together like the mice in the story. Joey usually loves art projects, and I wanted him to have the same experience as other Mouse Paint readers. [Read more…]

Using the book Mouse Paint with Joey

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As I mentioned last week, Joey’s data has reflected that although he is talkative during read alouds, he is the most talkative when he is engaged when we are playing with a ball or a toy car. My goal for this week was to find a book that would let me keep working on Joey’s academic goals, while also providing us with an opportunity to play ball. I have also been waiting to read Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh with Joey for awhile and while it does not have anything to do with balls, we can bring balls into the play by working on colors and counting, which are themes addressed in the book. [Read more…]

Play Ball!

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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…]

So what is this AAC thing you keep writing about?

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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.”

[Read more…]

Saturday Serenade

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Test post for Saturday Serenades https://www.musichealsglennjan.com/saturday-serenades

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