Calm Down Strategies Activity Description: Once a child understands basic emotional vocabulary and is able to identify when he is mad or upset, it’s helpful to teach him some strategies that he can use or ask for to calm back down. Every child is different in the types of activities that calm them. But …
Mood Thermometer Activity Description: This is a great tool for working on emotional regulation and emotional vocabulary. Start by using this at a time when the child is calm and happy. Look in a mirror and make smiling faces to indicate that you’re happy. Show the child how the face on the thermometer is …
Identifying Emotions from Cartoons Activity Description: Have you ever noticed that it is often easier for our clients to identify emotions in cartoons before they’re able to identify them in photos of real people? There’s a reason for this! When we draw cartoon characters with various emotions, we tend to over-exaggerate the features that …
Break Card Activity Description: When children are using inappropriate behaviors to try to avoid or escape something, it is our job to help teach them proper ways to communicate those needs without hurting others or becoming disruptive. One easy way to do this is with the use of a break card. Use something simple …
Addressing Challenging Behaviors Activity Description: If you’re working with a client who has challenging behaviors, it can be helpful to do a behavioral analysis so you can identify the cause of the behavior and teach the child to use language to get that need met. For this, you’ll want to use a behavioral …
Replacing Unwanted Stimming Activity Description: Self-stimulatory behaviors, also known as stimming, are behaviors that occur when a child has unmet sensory needs. For example, when I have to sit still at my desk for too long, I’ll start bouncing my foot, shifting in my seat, and I may get up to go get a …
Reinforcer Probe for Joint Attention Activity Description: For some children who are non-verbal or who have severe autism, we need to start with establishing joint attention. The best way to start that process is to do a reinforcer probe. You need to know what the child will work for so you can …
Write Better Goals for Non-Verbal Children Activity Description: Sometimes we’re feeling burned out about therapy because we don’t have good, solid goals in place that we can make progress on. If you’re working on a “communicate wants and needs” goal, you may want to consider revising your goals slightly. Here are the four …
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Choose an AAC Type Activity Description: Getting started with AAC? Need some ideas to get you started? There are so many different types of AAC. For this therapy activity, take a look at the different types of AAC and decide which ones would be good to try with the child you’re working with. Here …
Book-Reading AAC Activity Description: We all know how important it is to do literacy work with our clients. However, sometimes we lack the resources to really be able to engage our non-verbal children or children with severe autism into book-reading activities. This basic AAC board can be a great way to try to …
We all got into this field because we wanted to help. But high caseloads, tons of paperwork, and not enough planning time leads to burn-out and stress.
The SLP Solution’s mission is to support you with tools, resources, and expert advice so that you can be there for the children who depend on you!
*** The SLP Solution is for informational and educational purposes only and does not provide medical or psychological advice. We provide general resources but cannot tell you exactly what should be done for a specific client. Every client is different and your clinical judgement should be used when making decisions about specific individuals.
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