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 organized 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.

"A unique multidisciplinary curriculum, this well researched resource is a valuable collection of practical, fun, and everyday/everywhere techniques. Speech in Action is an ever so welcome addition for educators, therapists, and families working with people who have special needs. I provide all my teachers with a classroom copy."- Richard Couch, Ph.D., Principal, Tobinworld II, San Francisco Bay Area, California

"While working with students who have special education needs you have to find effective techniques to develop functional life skills. Speech in Action is a great resource. I use it daily to promote learning using the multimodality lessons to teach children with a variety of abilities and age levels."- Thomas Todd, Special Education Teacher

"Speech in Action really works! In utilizing this resource I've observed that students are encouraged to participate in an active manner. They are motivated to problem solve, cooperate and collaborate by the sheer joy of playful learning. I recommend this resource to the vast family of those who care for students throughout the world."- Mark M. Osredkar, Ph.D. CCC-Slp

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