Resources

Speech Therapy Impacts During COVID-19

You may be asking yourself, “Will my child be able to make up lost time from their school speech therapy?” It’s a scary and confusing time for everyone but you may also have the added worry of speech and special education progress. Here are some important memos that may answer some of your questions.

“Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Disease Outbreak” https://www.isbe.net/Documents/qa-covid-19-03-12-2020.pdf

“COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for State Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Agencies”

https://www.medicaid.gov/state-resource-center/downloads/covd-19-faqs-20200312.pdf

 

Medicare Telemedicine Health Care Provider Fact Sheet 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has broadened access to Medicare telehealth services so that beneficiaries can receive a wider range of services from their doctors without having to travel to a healthcare facility. These policy changes build on the regulatory flexibilities granted under the President’s emergency declaration.

https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicare-telemedicine-health-care-provider-fact-sheet?fbclid=IwAR2DeW9XWGypVmsohcjSc2gdKSJwDsefxYXmuc16tjzaM4Bb_AMxX9rbbwc

 

IDEA: Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak (March 2020)

This Questions and Answers document outlines states’ responsibilities to infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities and their families, and to the staff serving these children.

https://sites.ed.gov/idea/idea-files/q-and-a-providing-services-to-children-with-disabilities-during-the-coronavirus-disease-2019-outbreak/#citem_7096-289b

 

Wrightslaw: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Q&A

Information from the U.S. Department of Education that will answer some of your questions and help get your child’s special education back on track when schools do re-open.

https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/fape.svcs.covid-19.htm

 

Webinar on Ensuring Web Accessibility for Students with Disabilities

The Office for Civil Rights (U.S. Department of Education) released today a webinar on ensuring web accessibility for students with disabilities for schools utilizing online learning during COVID-19

http://ow.ly/MrMv50yOZxr

 

Cari Ebert, MS, CCC-SLP

A guide on what to do when speech therapy is temporarily unavailable, from an SLP’s perspective

https://www.cariebertseminars.com/uploads/2/8/9/0/28903483/when_speech_therapy_is_temporarily_unavailable.pdf

 

Teletherapy Guidelines

Both SLPs and parents of children with apraxia should be aware of guidelines set around teletherapy and its implications at this time. Please follow the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) for more information. Here are a few resources from their website.

https://www.asha.org/About/Coronavirus-Updates/

https://www.asha.org/Practice/reimbursement/Payment-and-Coverage-Considerations-for-Telepractice-Services-During-Coronavirus/

ASHA Revisits Guidance on Medicare Telepractice

https://blog.asha.org/2020/03/24/asha-revisits-guidance-on-medicare-telepractice/?fbclid=IwAR1swUn0JOMDCG8ip_KQA1yGwaI5RMtijenzF4rmMFfDOzapDu8ZM1Qm7zE

 

 

At-Home Speech Therapy Resources

Story Place

Offers a digital pre-school library

https://www.storyplace.org/

 

Fun Brain

Learning games by grade level

https://www.funbrain.com/

 

LearnEnglish Kids

Free online games, songs, stories, and more to help children learn. Currently has helpful information about COVID-19 and also has a section for parents.

http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/

 

Mommy Speech Therapy

Free speech therapy worksheet downloads

http://mommyspeechtherapy.com/?page_id=55&fbclid=IwAR2tKg3wvBjhTOebb8zg4y9B7mMhESeHFGgfCNoV99BUFGnDR_y5AVCBTvo

Online Literacy Resources

Online read-alouds, story times, sing-alongs, and illustrating tutorials to do from home

https://growingbookbybook.com/online-literacy-resources/

 

Fluency and Fitness

Free registration for 21 days during school closures

https://fluencyandfitness.com/register/school-closures/?fbclid=IwAR1FlWx8T9YxnJsWvZZ2ozXR57IwQ0HgDzt7lC4EUEteQoNcgGAUgvULC8o

 

My Coronavirus Story

A social story for children

https://www.flipsnack.com/KeshetChicago/coronavirus-social-story/full-view.html?fbclid=IwAR2qPdQVekbVZ9w3gAlJ2bdp3fhh7RxKIC1uT_8WxrBzXediqG6W9pMovvk

 

Speech and Language Kids by The SLP Solution

Ideas, resources, games, and free downloads from a certified SLP

https://www.speechandlanguagekids.com/free-speech-language-resources/

 

DIY Speech Therapy Activities by Kid’s Creek

Kid’s Creek offers speech, occupational, and physical therapy for children based out of Georgia but also has a helpful blog resource.

https://www.kidscreektherapy.com/seven-fun-diy-speech-therapy-activities-parents/

 

Playing with Words 365 Blog

An informative blog for parents by a parent (and an SLP!). Offers free downloads and tips for continuing speech therapy at home.

http://www.playingwithwords365.com/

 

Making Articulation Fun by Virtual Speech Center

Virtual Speech Center hosts a lot of informative resources, free downloads, and a helpful blog including this post about ways to improve articulation through fun games at home.

https://www.virtualspeechcenter.com/blog/139/15-ways-of-making-articulation-homework-fun-at-home

Organizations that provide iPads

Apraxia Kids
Speech Tablets for Apraxia
Each year, Apraxia Kids awards speech tablets to children and families in need throughout the USA and Canada.  Children with apraxia can use these speech tablets for speech practice and/or as a speech-generating device.

Danny’s Wish
http://www.letschatautism.com/ipads-for-autism-application/
Grant Description: Danny’s Wish is committed to providing life enhancing resources and experiences for children and families dealing with autism and autism spectrum disorders. Our goal for this campaign is to raise $50,000 to supply approximately 100 iPads to those children affected and in need the most. We will be considering every request.

Disabled World- Towards Tomorrow
http://www.disabled-world.com/assistivedevices/apps/ipad-grants.php
Description:  Grants for iPads assist the educational process.

Gia Nicole Angel Foundation
www.giafoundation.com
Description:  Funds are awarded on a case by case basis with preference given to lower income and single parent families.  The mission of the Gia Nicole Angel Foundation is to enhance the daily functioning of a child with special needs and his or her family by awarding assistance through the purchase of a specific item or items.

General Resources

American Speech and Hearing Organization
www.asha.org

Expressable-online speech therapy from your own home
www.expressable.io

Speech Development Chart
www.asha.org/public/speech/development/chart/

Speech Disorder Research Guide for Students K-12

Kaleidoscope ABA Therapy Services
KaleidoscopeABA NJ Opening 2019

Introduction to Language, 3 – 5 years old
www.theroadmap.ualberta.ca/understandings/parents/37-60

Promoting Communication in your Non-Verbal Child
www.families.com/blog/promoting-communication-in-your-non-verbal-child

Find a Speech Language Pathologist
www.asha.org/findpro/

Cerebral Palsy Group
https://cerebralpalsygroup.com/cerebral-palsy/

Guide to IEPs  https://education.chancelight.com/does-my-student-need-an-individual-education-plan-iep/

Oral Health and Overall Health

What Every Parent Should Know About Language Acquisition Milestones and Speech Disorders