App Profile: Silly Sentence Articulation

Created by Erik X. Raj, M.S., CCC-SLP, Silly Sentence Articulation is an interactive app for your iPad, iPad mini, iPhone, and iPod touch that features a collection of over 500 silly sentence questions (also known as absurdities) designed for speech-language pathologists to use with individuals who exhibit difficulty producing the following speech sounds: S, Z, R, L, S/R/L Blends, SH, CH, and TH.

Features:

-Tons of content: with just a tap of a finger, children and clinicians can discover over 500 sound specific silly sentences and questions that are perfect for the speech therapy setting.

-Hear the sentence: each silly sentence has an exciting narrative audio component to it.

-Hear an answer: each silly sentence has an example audio response that children get a kick out of.

-Child-friendly interface: simple and intuitive, a wonderful experience from start to finish.

Information:

With over 2 hours worth of fun and exciting audio questions and answers, Silly Sentence Articulation will trigger a tremendous amount of fantastic conversation in your speech therapy room. It is intended to aid in the remediation of articulation impairments, as well as auditory and language difficulties because clients often need practice in more than one area of communication.

Introducing children to these silly sentences serves two purposes – both necessary in effective problem solving and decision-making. First, it helps them become more aware of the need to logically analyze information and apply common sense reasoning to communication. Second, it helps them to begin to recognize absurdity as being a key component of humor, which assists in building emotional balance and intellectual growth.

The silly sentence format within this application is a departure from traditional articulation drill work and is effective for students ages 6 and up. Because of this unique format, clients enjoy saying the silly sentences to their friends and classmates outside of the speech therapy room, further practicing their communication skills and thereby facilitating the sometimes difficult stage of carrying over newly-acquired skills. By reviewing the silly sentences with the client, paraprofessionals in the classroom and/or parents at home can reinforce the client’s skills while sharing a fun activity. Practicing communication skills in environments outside the speech therapy setting increases opportunities for generalization of communication skills.

I invite you to use the content within this application to spice up your speech therapy sessions. The silly sentences are intended to initiate exciting and lively conversations. Every silly sentence has the potential for leading almost anywhere. Even a silly sentence that appears simple can trigger a unique thought process and complex response.

Regardless of when, where or how these silly sentences are used within the speech therapy session, one thing is certain, children (as well as clinicians) will have a blast talking about them . . . and in the process they will continue to practice the correct pronunciation of their sounds at the spontaneous conversation level. Let your imagination run wild and have fun with this therapy material!