Children and adolescents may need speech and language therapy for many reasons. Reasons include; cleft palate, problems with the tongue, hearing problems, or "oral-motor" problems. Educators have access to much software that may help those with speech delays or impairments. All of the technology is interactive, and gives the child or adolescent a chance to develop language as well as motor skills, if needed.
One software that is recommended by the "American-Speech Language Association," is Slater. Slater software is interactive and can be used for children with mild, moderate, or severe speech and language development. Programs include: Reading with pictures, flash cards, communication boards, writing with pictures, science reading lessons, reading comprehension programs, "talk along kits," journal entery, listening software, and items for those with autism.
The software is designed for a wide range of students, and it made to be fun as well as educational. A huge plus on the site is that there is free stuff each month. The material consists of monthly studies, tutorials, hand outs, resources, and life skills. The best thing about using the free stuff is, it can be easily downloaded, saved, or simply printed for use.
The site also offers web specials for a limited time. As of right now (Feb. 2012), the special is $1.99 for 2 weeks. Which gives educators a chance to test the program, see if it can be used for the classroom, and determine whether or not to move on using Slater software. Of course, for access to a larger variety of software, a purchase is required.
The good thing about the price is, it's one time only. No annual pricing. The bad thing is, it can be a few hundred dollars. However, some products can be well under $100.00. The prices really depend on the type of computer and the type of software. Books can be uploaded and saved, for under $10. Making it easy for a teacher to build an interactive library for students, and schedules can be made for each student to read and learn a life skill of time and scheduling.
Overall, the product can be used for K-8th grade. It seems like a great resource for the classroom, and a way to help students develop a number of skills from reading, reading comprehension, to learning how to use technology in the classroom. The negative is really the price for much of the software, but the plus on that is, no annual fees (one time buy), the free items for classrooms, the monthly specials, and the fact that a large majority of the software (especially after purchasing some other software to use) is under $100. Although, major software, especially for autism, is well above that. Even so, it seems like a wonderful product for the classroom.
Sources:
American Speech-Language and Hearing Association, www.asha.org, 1997-2012. Viewed February 12, 2012.
Slater Software, www.slatersoftware.com, 2010. Viewed February 12, 2012.
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