Are you a speech pathologist looking for tools to work online? As a leader in online therapy since 2015, Therapy Connect speech therapists rely on flexible, accessible, and fun resources to keep our clients of all ages engaged and progressing in online sessions.
Our wonderful team of speech pathologists have created a list of the Top 10 Resources we use in online therapy.
1. Zoom videoconferencing program
We use Zoom for all of our online therapy sessions. Zoom is easy for clients to use to join their online therapy sessions. All they need to od is to click on a link we send by email. Using the therapist’s Personal Meeting Room also means that clients use the same link for every session. The use of the waiting room feature negates the need for tricky passcodes.
The screen-sharing function is also great. You can share the desktop, a whiteboard and iPad and iPhone apps. You can share your computer’s audio, which is important when you are sharing a program that has sound. You can give remote control of your screen to your client, which allows for collaborative and interactive activities.
Sessions can be recorded (with permission, of course), which is helpful in assessment and parent coaching.
2. Boom Cards
Boom Learning is a platform and set of tools for creating and assigning Boom Cards, which are digital learning resources such as flashcards, quizzes, interactive lessons and more. Boom Learning excels in remote learning. Kirstyn from Therapy Connect has put together a helpful introductory video on Boom Cards to share with our team. We are happy to share it with you too!
With the wide variety of Boom Cards that you can purchase and/or create, you can provide personalised learning customised for your client’s specific needs.
3. Google Jamboard
While Jamboard was originally developed to enable team collaboration in the business world, it can also be a really useful tool for therapy.
Jamboard is a digital whiteboard that lets you collaborate with other users in real-time. You can use it to
- Write and draw using a mouse or trackpad
- Search Google and insert images
- Stick on and move around coloured notes
- Drag and resize text and images
It is a helpful tool for visual schedules, direct therapy and parent coaching. Couple it with the Snipping tool on your PC or Mac, and its uses are endless. You can also use PDF Jamboards to email to clients.
4. Small whiteboard and marker
A whiteboard and marker can be handy tools! They can be used to write (or draw) the session’s activities and then cross them off as completed. They can be used for barrier games, to demonstrate what you would like a helper to draw on a page and, in the worst-case scenario, to give written instructions about turning on the computer audio!
5. YouTube
There are no limits to how YouTube can be used in therapy – other than your imagination! YouTube videos can be used for picture description, story retelling, sequencing, building vocabulary, learning about social communication, practising speech sounds, demonstration like signing, phonetic placement or stimulability, movement breaks, songs and engagement. Couple it with Edpuzzle, and you can create interactive video lessons.
6. Books
Shared book reading can be completed together online using your webcam, document camera or secondary camera. Therapists can demonstrate how to use books for language modelling and comprehension and then give feedback to the helper to develop their skills.
There is also a range of online libraries, including Epic! is an e-library with over 20,000 books for children 12 and under. The library includes a large selection of fiction and non-fiction titles.
ReadingIQ is a comprehensive digital library for children 12 and under. It includes thousands of books in a wide range of subjects, topics, and genres – all levels for easy access to books that will engage, delight, and educate every type of reader.
Storyline Online streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Each book includes a supplemental curriculum to strengthen comprehension and verbal and written skills.
7. ABCya
ABCya has a range of online games for children 10 years and under that will keep kids engaged and having fun. ‘Make-a-Games’ are great for barrier games to target descriptive and specific language use. ‘Hunt’ games are helpful in targeting spatial concepts.
8. ioGames and Poki
These platforms have games similar to classics – Guess Who, Uno and Connect 4, which can be made interactive by sharing your screen and control or a unique game code. Some games can be customised, allowing you to target specific vocabulary like Pictionary-style Skribbl.
Pro-tip – you can use the advanced tab when screen sharing in Zoom to share only a portion of your screen and block out any ads.
9. Toy Theatre
The Teacher Tools on Toy Theatre are fantastic for encouraging multiple productions of targets in speech sound therapy. Favourites include Marble Jar, Bear Counters and Abacus. There are other helpful tools, including a customisable timer.
10. Digital subscriptions
There is a range of digital subscriptions available for speech pathologists. Many of them have free trials or free content. A favourite in our team is Pink Cat Games due to its customisable content and games, allowing you to meet your client’s exact needs.
At Therapy Connect, we believe in true flexibility and accessibility for our clients and practitioners. As a leading online therapy provider since 2015, we’re constantly adding, developing and investing in better resources so:
- Our team is supported in delivering a high-quality service that’s engaging and enjoyable for our clients
- Our clients have access to easy and engaging tools that help them to reach their goals
If you’re a speech pathologist looking to expand with online therapy and want:
- Flexible work from the comfort of your home as an autonomous, trusted, and experienced practitioner.
- Work with clients Australia-wide
- Evidence-based therapy is backed by research conducted with the University of Sydney and the University of Queensland.
- To connect and collaborate with other high-performing practitioners from around Australia.
Then contact Therapy Connect today! We have full-time, part-time and subcontracting positions available.
For more information, please visit www.therapyconnect.com.au and fill in an enquiry form, or contact our friendly customer support team on 1300 757 806.
