JCPSLP Vol 14 No 2 2012

unintelligible children to get attention, participate in group times, say their name, give a simple message about the day or participate in activities (e.g., to say “more” or perhaps a repetitive line in a book [“But where is the green sheep?”]). Both of these devices can also be used as a switch for toys, environmental controls, and other activities (e.g., a computer with a switch-adapted mouse). Step-by-Step and BIGmack are available from Technical Solutions http://www. tecsol.com.au; Big Step-by-Step or Little Step-by-Step $199.00, with levels $239.00, BIGmack or LittleMack $159.00.

children with feeding and weight/growth difficulties. It was developed by Dr Kay Toomey and colleagues (including paediatricians, speech pathologists, registered dietitians, and occupational therapists) in Denver, Colorado. The SOS Approach integrates motor, oral, behavioural/ learning, medical, sensory, and nutritional factors and approaches in order to comprehensively evaluate and manage children with feeding/growth problems. It focuses on exploring and learning about the different properties of foods (i.e., texture, smell, taste, and consistency) in a safe and fun way. The SOS Approach is a developmental approach to feeding, which works through a hierarchy, beginning from tolerating to eventually tasting and eating foods. This approach was only recently introduced in some Yooralla ECS services, but has already shown a high level of success and effectiveness in working with our client population. On completion of the workshop participants were able to purchase CDs containing the forms and handouts that are used in Dr Toomey’s clinic. These are a fantastic resource. For further information on the SOS Approach and Dr Kay Toomey see the Sensory Therapies and Research (STAR) Center website www.starcenter.us/services-sos.htm or visit www.feedingworkshops.com/ for details of workshops in Australia & New Zealand. Queensland Children’s Medical Research Institute (QCMRI) will be hosting workshops around Australia in 2012. 8 “One Day at a Time” “One Day at a Time” is a resource developed by Scope, an organisation for people with a disability. It is a free resource that consists of a booklet, checklists, and activity sheets in four areas: 1) Moving around skills, 2) Using hand skills, 3) Communication skills, and (4) Play skills. These can all be downloaded from the Scope website: http://www.scopevic.org.au/index.php/site/resources/ onedayatatime The skills in the checklists are organised developmentally and the activity sheets provide ideas for developing the skills in everyday routines. 9 The BIGmack or Step-by-Step The BIGmack and the Step-by-Step are basic single switch/button voice output devices. They are a great place to start when introducing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and can be easily programmed by staff and parents. The BIGmack is a single message device, while the Step-by-Step can be programmed to say a sequence of messages. They can be used for non-verbal or

10 iPad The iPad has taken the world by storm and it is no different in ECS. The iPad has become a regularly used tool for many clinicians. There are a range of applications that can be downloaded to support language development and other educational needs, as well as voice output apps to support communication (e.g., proloquo2go), apps for visual schedules (e.g., first-then) and apps for social skills (e.g., Model Me Kids). The effectiveness of the ipad as a communication tool is still being evaluated; however, it has been found to be a fantastic motivator, distracter, and learning tool for many children. There are many websites now with lists and reviews of apps. See below: • www.a4cwsn.com Apps For Children with Special Needs: a fantastic website where you can view a 5–10 minute demonstration of an application • http://www.squidalicious.com/ website developed by a parent of a child with autism, with lots of information about ipad/apps, including her “Autism Apps Spreadsheet” • www.bestkidsapps.com lists of apps for kids listed in age groups • www.spectronicsinoz.com/article/iphoneipad-apps- for-aac Jane Farrall’s list of current apps; includes descriptions, access, rating, and prices for each app • http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/blog/apple/ Spectronics blog

Correspondence to: Carla Gray Clinical Advisor – Speech Pathologist Yooralla Children’s Services phone: +61 (0)3 9808 6833 email: carla.gray@yooralla.com.au

102

JCPSLP Volume 14, Number 2 2012

Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology