Test of Articulation and Phonology {app review}

As a speech pathologist in a school setting, I used the Goldman-Fristoe all the time to test for articulation.  It was standardized, which meant our state would accept it.  Well now that I have transitioned to an outpatient clinic, it's a little bit of a different world.  Generally speaking, I still use the Goldman-Fristoe.  But what happens when the child has already been given that at the school recently, and you need something else so you don't invalidate the test results?  That's when I look to other tests.

In the clinic setting, it doesn't necessarily have to be a formal or standardized assessment.  So I usually look to some of the awesome iPad apps that test for articulation. My clients are generally fairly motivated by the iPad as well, so it's a quick and easy way to get data.

All that being said, I was so excited to hear that Smarty Ears just released another new testing app called the Test of Articulation and Phonology!  Let's check it out:

Test of Articulation and Phonology (iTap) is administered very similarly to most articulation tests.  A picture is presented, the child states the object pictured, and errors are recorded.  Instead of writing down each of the errors, you can record them on the iPad.  Simply touch the phoneme produced in error, select the type of error (deletion, distortion, backing, devoicing, substitution, and assimilation).  If it is a substitution error, you can select which phoneme was substituted for the other.

Here's the video tutorial for you to watch for more information:

One of my favorite things about this app is the comprehensive evaluation report that is generated.  It provides the accuracy of phonemes by manner and location in word (initial, medial, final).  It also includes a list of all of the words administered and the transcription of each with any comments you may have added.  Finally, it also lists the percentage of the types of errors (e.g. 50% of errors were substitution).

What I love about this app:
-It's very easy to use.
-It's portable because it's on an iPad.
-It generates a very comprehensive report!
-It is great for the private practice/outpatient clinic setting where you don't need a formal test.
-It is great for progress monitoring in the school setting.
-It has norms based in Central Texas, so if you are from that region, you can use it as standardized!
-There is a helpful manual included under "info."
-It's super easy to request support if you need help.
-It stores all of the previous assessments administered, so you can look back to see if any progress has been made.
-It gives you information on both articulation AND phonology in one test!

What I would love to see in the next update:
-A way to mark multiple errors on any word, especially on blends.  Both consonants of the blend are scored together, so there is no way to mark cluster reduction and gliding for an l-blend, for example.  The only way would be to make a comment on that word.
-This would take a lot of work, I know, but I would love to see it normed on more children across the nation, so that we could use it as a full-blown standardized test!
-I would love to see the normative data published/ accessible through the app.

Overall it's a great app. I would recommend it to school-based SLPs to use for progress monitoring or private practice SLPs for an informal test. If you're in Central Texas, it's a great option for a standardized test.  It's comprehensive report is a time-saver for busy SLPs, and it gives great information about articulation and phonology.

If you are interested in this app, you can find it on the iTunes store here:



What are your favorite tests for articulation and phonology?

Note: A code was provided for my review. No other compensation was received. All opinions expressed are mine. 

Emotions and Emotions 2 {app review}

I have a student on my caseload this year who is working on identifying emotions and picking up on social cues.  I am always looking for new ideas for him because we tend to do the same thing over and over.  I was excited to see two apps from I Can Do Apps to work on these skills!  Check them out below:

The first app is called Emotions.

The second is called Emotions 2.

Both apps are set up the same way.  As you can see, there are five different activities. On each screen you have text at the top and then three answer choices.  You can also select the speaker button to have them read out loud.

1. Identify picture with the emotion

2. Identify emotion with the picture

3. Identify picture based on scenario + emotion

4. Identify picture with label based on scenario.

5. Identify picture based on scenario

At the end of every activity, a summary is given.

Overall, these apps are simple to use and help target identifying emotions in a variety of ways.  The different levels create easy scaffolding.  I really like that they are created by a speech-language pathologist and that they use real images (instead of cartoons).  They are also aligned with Common Core standards, which is great for those in schools.

If you are interested in Emotions or Emotions 2, you can find them in the App Store for $2.99 at the time of this review!

Note: Copies of these apps were provided for my review.  No other compensation was received.  All opinions expressed are mine. 

New Lingraphica Apps {app review}

For those of you who work with adult clients, I have a few more apps for you to check out!  If you don't work with adult clients, that's ok!  Keep reading because you might find that you could use these with your students/patients.

SmallTalk Frases de Conversacion

The first one is called SmallTalk Frases de Conversacion.

Perhaps you are familiar with Lingraphica's SmallTalk apps.  They have a lot for the adult and geriatric population.  Today, I'm excited to show you an app in SPANISH.  The Small Talks apps offer short phrases or sentences that the client can simply click, and it will speak for them.  This is the same, but in Spanish!  This app is designed for adults originally, but it might be a great way to give a young student some quick phrases to say.  The best part is it's FREE.

TalkPath News

Another app I want to share with you is TalkPath News.

The awesome thing about this app is that it is available on both the Android Market and in the App Store!  It is also available online here.  It is designed to help clients with reading and understanding our daily news.  One feature I love is the one-minute news.  These are quick summaries of the news stories.  These apps are also FREE.

I don't work with adults, but I think I can use it with my older students.  One of my goals for my evaluation system is interdisciplinary instruction.  I always try and incorporate in current events and topics from other areas.  This app could make it very easy to pull in those themes.  Check out the science page below:

What do you think?  Could you use apps like this in your practice?

Note:  I was contacted by Lingraphica about these apps.  No compensation was received.  All opinions expressed are mine.  

Rhyming {app review}

Happy Thursday!

On Tuesday, I showed you an app called WH questions.  Today, I have another app for you to check out called Rhyming Words.  It is also by Teach Speech Apps.  Phonological Awareness is a skill that classroom teachers address, but I like to work on it as well.  I'm always looking new ways to target this skill, and this app does just that!  Let's check it out.

There are four activities in this app:

1. Do these two rhyme?

The student is presented with a question and two pictures. They will click on "yes" or "no" based on if the words pictured rhyme. 

2. Word families drag and drop

The student will be given three words and three pictures.  They drag the word to the picture of the word.

3. Find the picture that rhymes with the word

The student is given a word and two pictures.  He/she must select which picture rhymes with that word.


4. Identify the rhyming pair from 6 pictures

The student is presented with six pictures.  They must select the two that rhyme.

Overall, I like this app.  It's simple and easy to use.  I like that there are four activities for the students to complete.  I love that it is Common Core aligned.  I really like that this app uses real photographs, as it helps my students make real world connections.  This is a great tool for one-on-one therapy or center time!  This app is fairly inexpensive, making it a good option for SLPs on a budget (like me!).

In a future update, I would love to see an option for multi-player use.  As it is right now, only one player can use it at a time for accurate data collection.

If you are interested in this app, you can find it in the App Store for $2.99 at the time of this review.

Note: A copy of the app was provided for my review.  No other compensation was received.  All opinions expressed are mine.

  

WH Questions {app review}

As I prepare for the new school year, I look for new activities and apps for my students.  Today, I have an app for you to check out.  It's called WH Questions by Teach Speech Apps.

In this app, there are four activities for the students to complete:

1. Identify the picture that answers the WH question

In this activity, the student is given a question and three pictures.  Select the picture that answers the question.  If it is correct, there will be a green box around it.  If it is incorrect, there will be a red box around it. 

2. Drag and drop the pictures to answer 3 questions

 In this activity, the student will drag the three pictures to the question that they answer.

3. Answer the questions for the scene

 The student is given a picture and two questions to answer about the scene.  If you click on the questions, a model answer is given.

4. Answer the WH question

Students are given a question and three possible answers.  Select the correct answer from the list.

Overall, I like this app.  It's simple and easy to use.  I like that there are four activities for the students to complete and practice their knowledge.  I love that it is Common Core aligned and works on vocabulary.  This is a great tool for one-on-one therapy or center time!  This app is fairly inexpensive, making it a good option for SLPs on a budget (like me!).

In a future update, I would love to see an option for multi-player use.  As it is right now, only one player can use it at a time for accurate data collection.

If you are interested in this app, you can find it in the App Store for $2.99 at the time of this review.

Teach Speech Apps is generously giving away TWO copies of this app for Home Sweet Speech Room readers.  Enter the rafflecopter below for your chance to win!


a Rafflecopter giveaway
Note: A copy of the app was provided for my review.  No other compensation was received.  All opinions expressed are mine.

Articulation Vacation {app review}

I love the beach and vacation and everything to do with that.  I was thrilled to find out this was a theme for one of Virtual Speech Center's apps!  

First, enter your students' information in.  Once you add their names, you can select the phonemes.

Once you select the phonemes, you will also select the level that the students are working at.  Your choices are word, sentence, or paragraph.

The students will work their way through five different games:

• fishing- fish and catch objects with the target sounds
• beach treasure hunt- look for hidden objects in the sand
• picture-taking- take pictures of objects with target sounds
• parachute game- land parachutes of objects with target sounds
• postcards- read or listen to paragraphs with words with target sounds

You can record data as they work their way through the activity.  You can also add extra information in the notes section.

You can change the settings as needed.

At the end, you can view reports of the students' work and progress.

Overall, my students really enjoy this app.  The vacation theme and games are fun and motivating for them. I really appreciate the multi-player option, as well as the ability to select multiple target phonemes for each student.  The data collection and reports helps this busy school SLP.

If you like this app, you can find it in the app store for $22.99 at the time of this review.


P.S. Check out my review of this app on Yapp Guru!

Note: A copy of this app was provide for my review.  No other compensation was received.  All opinions expressed are mine. 

Prep Positions {app review}

Do you love the circus or circus-themed items?  Then this app is for you!  Smarty Ears recently released a new app called Prep Positions, and it has a fun and motivating circus theme.  It targets prepositions!

First up, set up your player profiles.  Once you do that, you will see a screen where you can select the level for that student. 

Click on "modify" on the screen above, and you will be taken to this screen below.  There are 15 different levels, and this screen allows you to see the prepositions targeted on each level. 

Once you select the appropriate level, the activity will start.  The students will be presented a picture, a sentence with a blank, and three options to fill in the blank.  Simply drag the correct answer to the blank. 

Once they select the correct answer, this screen below will appear.  The student is then prompted to read the sentence they created out loud. 

As the students complete the activity, they will  earn balls to be used in the game.  The app will tell them how many balls they earned and how many they have total. 

These balls can be used to play a cannon ball game.

 Once the student is done with the preposition activity and the game, you can view the results.

You can view the reports by level, by session, or by preposition.

Overall, this is a great app to target prepositions.  It allows for multiple players to use the app at the same time.  You can customize it for each of those students as well. In fact, there are 15 different levels of play! This app allows for a lot of practice.  It is easy to use but is also fun and motivating for the students! Finally, this app aligns with the Common Core.  

You can read more about the app on the Smarty Ears website.  If you are interested in purchasing this app, you can find it in the app store for $19.99 at the time of this review.

Note:  A copy of the app was provided for my review.  No other compensation was received.  All opinions expressed are mine.