Speech in Action: Interactive Activities Combining Speech Language Pathology and Adaptive Physical Education

Children, particularly those on the autism spectrum, are able to acquire communication skills much more easily when their learning incorporates movement. Even very simple actions such as tapping and hand clapping can have a noticeable impact on their speech and language development. Speech in Action is an innovative approach to learning that combines simple techniques from speech and language pathology with physical exercises that have been carefully designed to meet the individual child's particular needs and abilities. This practical workbook describes the approach, and how it works, and contains 90 fully-photocopiable lesson plans packed with fun and creative ideas for getting both mouth and body moving. Suitable for use either at school or at home, the activities can be dipped into in any order, and are organised by level of ability, with something for everyone. The final chapter contains the success stories of children the authors have used the activities with, demonstrating how the approach can be used in practice. This will be a useful resource for teachers, occupational therapists, and other professionals who work with children with delayed communication skills, as well as parents and carers who would like to support their child's speech and language development at home

America X. Gonzalez is a Speech Language Pathologist Assistant, Lois Brady is a Speech Language Pathologist with 20 years' experience, and Jim Elliott is an Adapted Physical Educator. For the past 5 years they have worked together at Spectrum Center San Pablo, a private school for children with autism, Asperger Syndrome and severe emotional distress in California, USA.

Lois Jean Brady is a Speech and Language Pathologist with 20 years' experience. She currently works as a Speech Pathologist and Assistive Technology Specialist at the Spectrum Center School in Oakland, California.

America X. Gonzalez is a Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant who works in several institutions in the San Francisco Bay Area.