JCPSLP Vol 14 No 2 2012

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102 JCPSLP Volume 14, Number 2 2012 Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology
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.
; 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 or visit
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:
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
Correspondence to:
Carla Gray
Clinical Advisor – Speech Pathologist
Yooralla Children’s Services
phone: +61 (0)3 9808 6833
email:
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:
• Apps For Children with Special
Needs: a fantastic website where you can view a 5–10
minute demonstration of an application
• website developed by
a parent of a child with autism, with lots of information
about ipad/apps, including her “Autism Apps
Spreadsheet”
• lists of apps for kids listed in
age groups
•
for-aac Jane Farrall’s list of current apps; includes
descriptions, access, rating, and prices for each app
•
Spectronics blog