Speech therapy activities build crucial language skills in playful ways. Finding the speech therapy services your child needs can create a strong foundation they will use in everyday life.
Fun stories, games, and songs are just a few examples of engaging speech therapy activities for children with intellectual disabilities. By framing learning in a way that is both entertaining and educational, your child can develop the skills they need to explore and describe the exciting world around them.
Partnering with an organization that offers speech therapy services in Little Rock is a great way to create a customized learning plan for your family’s unique communication goals. This plan may include the following language-boosting activities that your child can enjoy through in-home or community-based care.
Literacy Activities
Speech therapy activities that focus on pre-literacy skills can help your child develop the ability to speak and read. One example of an activity designed to promote literacy is reading simple books aloud. The books used for speech therapy feature stories, songs, and imitation of sounds that help children with intellectual abilities further their communication abilities. Your child may also practice making letter sounds or matching pictures to words, which develops valuable imitation and articulation skills.
Social Story Activities
Rehearsing everyday situations through social stories can help your child thrive in common social situations. A social story involves a fictional plot, such as going to the doctor, grocery shopping, or playing on the playground. Your child will work with a speech therapist to explore each step of the social story, using words and phrases that go with the activity. This game of make-believe can help your child understand valuable conversation tools such as turn-taking language. Including social stories in your family’s speech therapy services is particularly helpful if your child has a language deficit that is related to autism.
Assistive Device Activities
Children with intellectual disabilities can improve their language skills with the help of assistive devices. A speech therapist can show your family how to use an iPad or another device to help your child vocalize their needs. Onscreen pictures of your child’s favorite toys, self-care items, and foods can trigger an audible pronunciation of the word when touched. This prevents the frustration that nonverbal children sometimes experience when trying to communicate at home or school. When the need is conveyed and then fulfilled, your child can make a powerful connection between the spoken word and the desired item.
If you are interested in speech therapy services in Little Rock, contact Integrity Inc. at 501-406-0442. For over 20 years, Integrity, Inc. has been providing support services for families just like yours.
