Technology & the COVID-19 Pandemic

What a weird, scary world we are living in.

It’s crazy to think how our country and nations around the globe have been completely turned upside down in a matter of days amongst the COVID-19 pandemic. I never thought buying a roll of toilet paper would feel like winning the lottery! While I have been diligent in practicing “social distancing,” it is quite eerie to see the typically bustling streets of New York City completely empty.

You have to be creative to be a speech-language pathologist when you can’t be in the same room as your clients. However, as an optimist, I’m determined to see the silver lining in all of this. I’m viewing this as an opportunity to learn more about teletherapy, involve parents even more in therapeutic interventions, and explore all of the great resources available online. Challenge accepted!

I’ve compiled online therapeutic resources that parents, educators, and clinicians alike can all utilize as we navigate this unprecedented time together:

The Literacy Shed: I’ve been using this website for quite some time and it might be one of my favorite resources in my “therapeutic toolbox.” The Literacy Shed provides short, wordless videos accompanied by teaching ideas and strategies. The website is broken down into different categories, which makes it easy for you to find a video that is best suited to the interest of your child, client, student, etc.

Newsela: This website is your resource for news articles at varying reading levels. Each article is accompanied by reading comprehension questions and writing prompts. This website is so user friendly, as it allows you to filter your search based on topic and reading level. If you sign up for the mailing list, you will receive really informative e-mails on relevant articles to utilize with your students, kids, clients, etc.

K12 Reader: From reading and writing to vocabulary and grammar, K12 Reader includes a breadth of resources that are organized by grade level. The content is incredibly organized, so you don’t have to waste time navigating through resources that don’t relate to what you are looking for.

Epic!: I incorporate a book into nearly every therapy session. Now that I’m seeing my clients using Zoom, this online and interactive book library is wonderful to utilize during teletherapy sessions. Epic! is free for educators, includes a free 30-day trial for those interested in giving it a go, and is $8.99/month for users following the trial period. There are so many different features, including audio books, read alouds, etc. When reading a digital book, you can click on a word to see how it is pronounced as well as see its definition.

Pictello: This is another resource I learned about a few years ago and continue to utilize given how functional it is for working on narrative language formulation. Within the app, you can import pictures and create a digital book with or without text. So many wonderful options depending on the goals of each of your students. The app costs $19.99, but really is worth the investment.

AAC Language Lab: Another tried and true resource for clinicians and parents looking for AAC lesson plans and activities. AAC resources are categorized by language stages, which allows you to quickly find an activity that fits the language profile of the child you are working with. From a child who is formulating novel and flexible sentences to a child who is starting to use single words to request, AAC Language Lab is the place to look. They also provide ideas for activities that families can do to add some additional structure within their days during this very unstructured time. As a result of COVID-19, PRC is providing individuals with a 2-month free trial of AAC Language Lab.

n2y Solutions: If you are making materials using the symbols on your child’s communication system, n2y is a fabulous resource. They carry a variety of symbols, including SymbolStix, Boardmaker, and Unity. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, they are giving everyone free access to their resources! I’m very excited to utilize some of the other services they offer, including their news-2-you section for grade level texts for some of my kiddos.

BrainPop: BrainPop provides short, educational videos on a variety of topics. They also include materials related to each video, such as quizzes, vocabulary support, graphic organizers, and related reading.

EveryDay Speech: I often look to EveryDay Speech when in need of materials for kids who have pragmatic language goals. What’s even better is that EveryDay Speech is allowing clinicians to freely share resources with parents through 7/1/2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

BoomLearning: Boom cards are all the rage at the moment in the speech pathology world. I did four teletherapy continuing education courses this weekend and boom cards came up in every single webinar! These cards are interactive therapy materials that can be tailored to each kiddo, goal, etc. They include sound effects and music, animation, etc. You can create your own, utilize free boom cards, or purchase them. Every time I log in, there are more and more Boom cards to choose from!

Poki: One of the occupational therapists I work with recommended this website for online games. Talk about a full library of games! What I love most about Poki is that you really can play with/against your kids assuming the teletherapy platform you are using allows you to give your client “remote access” to your computer screen.

This is only the start of my resource review! I know that I will continue to stumble upon more in the coming weeks, so I’ll be sure to update as we go!