special needs reviews Archives

Learning Conversational Skills with Color My Conversation {Northern Speech Services Review}

April 13, 2017 by Emilee Evans

Being a homeschool mom with special needs children I often try to weave therapy into our homeschool. I stay aware of their sensory needs and try to work on other areas like fine and gross motor skills and speech. I am definitely not a Speech-Language Pathologist, though, so I feel like although what I’m doing helps it’s not complete. I was definitely intrigued by Color My Conversation from Northern Speech Services which was created by a Speech-Language Pathologist, Rosslyn Delmonico, MA, RSLP, CCC-SLP.

Color My Conversation specifically addresses developing social skills to have appropriate interactions with others. This includes things like: greetings, back and forth talk, asking effective questions, listening well, transitions in topics, reading social cues and more. It is ideal to use this program over a 14-16 week period though it notes it’s adaptable. It’s very interactive/multi-sensory.
Color My Conversation came neatly packaged and includes everything you need to start and complete the program. This includes:

12 Stepping Floor Graphics
50 Game Tokens
100 Picture/Emotion Cards
50 Dry Erasable Wall Display Cards
2 Dry Erase Pens
CMC Ball
Classroom Poster
Game Board
Cloth Ribbon
Instructional Manual & Music CD’s

Although I had seen the kit online prior to receiving it, I was still quite surprised by how so much stuff was neatly packaged in the box.

Although both of my boys have speech challenges, my youngest son’s challenge is primarily with dictation. My oldest son is on the Autism Spectrum and although he “graduated” speech therapy for delays and dictation, pragmatic speech has continued to be a challenge. Knowing Color My Conversation addresses this specifically I knew it would be perfect to start it with him.
Getting started was a bit of a challenge, though. Although the training videos are online the Manual (as well as printables) are on the CD. It is recommended to start with this Manual. Unfortunately, I no longer have a computer that has a disk drive, so I had to view this at a friend’s house. Once I had it open as a PDF, though, I was able to save it and email it to myself so I would still have it readily accessible without having to borrow a friend’s computer. I definitely do recommend starting with the Manual. It is very thorough!
Within the Manual it contains the various levels of Color My Conversation (Beginner through Expert) as well an Assessment Rubric and either a Student Questionnaire or Caregiver Interview. These documents are important for providing insights on how to best support your child, and they can be found in the Supplementary Section of the Manual. It’s definitely the best place to start. After reading the Manual, completing the Rubric and watching the Training Video Tutorials we were ready to begin!
The levels of Color My Conversation are:

Beginner Level – Ages 5-12. These first three lessons are presented with a kinesthetic element and takes about 5 weeks to complete.
Intermediate Level – Ages 5-12. Here children will learn more conversational features and be introduced to table work in addition to “walking the path.” It takes about 6-8 weeks to complete.
Advanced Level – Ages 8-12. The multi-activity Color My Conversation game is introduced where children will either actively play or observe and comment on those who are playing it. It takes about 3-5 weeks to complete.
Expert Level – Variable Ages. It’s intended for all ages because its purpose is to identify the conversation skills each child is capable of using and transferring those skills from practice into natural settings.

Here is a great general overview from Northern Speech Services:

We began with the Beginner level, of course. We do 2 sessions per week for about 30-40 minutes each as well as regular practice throughout the week. What this looks like for each child can be completely different depending on the child’s needs. Color My Conversation is very flexible and is meant to be used in the way that is best for each child. At first, I found it was a lot about getting to know the program and know what works best for B. This could even vary by day!
The Individual Lesson Training Videos are so helpful. With these videos I found this program to be easy to follow. I think they have helped B as well because nobody can explain it better than the creator! I think, in general, B is more open to instruction from others so this has been a valuable tool in this way as well! Then each level ends with a Wrap-Up.

Northern Speech Services Review

Overall, B has been doing well with this program. When I first introduced it he was hesitant. He has just a splash of the pre-teen attitude. Ha! I knew this would be so good for him, though, as his conversations are usually about the same topics and one-sided. He does not recognize social cues specifically that say “I’m bored” or “I’m not interested.” He often doesn’t try to engage the other person in conversation. Color My Conversation has been teaching him these skills in a way that he truly enjoys. He feels motivated to learn!
Although we just wrapped up the Beginner level, I already see a difference. He has really enjoyed doing the program, which makes a world of difference! We can’t wait to move on to the next level next week!

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Forbrain – Sound for Life Ltd Review

June 15, 2016 by Emilee Evans

Homeschooling special needs children often means there is more to our homeschool. I am often including different types of therapy in our homeschool day. Our youngest son, in particular, has significant speech challenges. We are often working on dictation. Recently we have been using Forbrain from Forbrain – Sound For Life Ltd to work on pronunciation.

Forbrain is an award-winning device designed to improve speech, attention, auditory processing, and more. The headphone like device blocks out environmental noise, which helps you hear yourself more clearly. It uses a technique that is often used by many speech-language pathologists and speech therapists, but it can be used at home.
I find the technology to be really interesting. It uses bone conduction to enhance voice vibrations to the brain. This actually enhances long vowels and other sounds that are important to building language. This sound is delivered through bone conduction, not the ears or air conduction. I am really fascinated by this type of information. I like to know how things work!

Forbrain Review

We have been using the Forbrain with all of our children, but I have been focusing on using it predominantly with our youngest due to his significant speech delay. It is recommended to use it for 15 minutes per day. Chaz is 6 years old, and he has challenges with key sounds like “l,” “th,” “ch.” It is recommended to use in this way for a session of 6-10 weeks. We haven’t been reviewing it for that long yet, but I have already noticed some improvement.
The biggest improvement I’ve noticed so far is how carefully he is speaking when he is wearing the Forbrain. Although he is not clearly pronouncing the sounds he has challenges with, I can tell he is more aware of the fact that that those sounds are missing. He is slowly working on speaking them correctly, and I’m confident with continued use as recommended he will, indeed, be able to speak all sounds clearly.
The Forbrain includes a charging cord, instruction and information manual, and nice case. The manual not only includes the information on the time recommended for sessions but also proper use as well. It stresses the importance of proper posture while using Forbrain. It’s a challenge to get a 6 year old to sit properly, but we did our best.

Forbrain can be used in multiple ways. For our older kids we actually use it while they are working on their poetry memorization. Not only does it help with their dictation, but it’s noted to help with memorization as well. They can also use it while reading out loud.
For a young child like Chaz who can’t yet read it was noted that they could read along with a parent. It recommended to basically have him read over me, but I found it was best for me to read first and then have him repeat what I read. This way he could really hear himself and focus on what he was saying. We have been using the same book repeatedly so he could keep practicing the same words and sounds, and also see how he progressing.
Overall, I think Forbrain is wonderful. It’s definitely something that is making a big difference in our home and homeschool. It is a huge blessing and has filled a void in an area that was challenging for our son.

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Learning Breakthrough – A Life in Balance {Book Review}

June 5, 2014 by Emilee Evans

I had a chance to review A Life in Balance from the Learning Breakthrough Program. A Life in Balance: Discovery of a Learning Breakthrough is the story of Frank Belgau and his development of the Learning Breakthrough to help people learn and retain information as told to Eric Balgau.
In it, Frank Belgau tells the story of his life from a child through to his discovery of the learning breakthroughs that developed into his Learning Breakthrough program. It seems like it might be long, but it is actually a simple read.

As a mom of three special needs children with learning challenges, I was definitely intrigued by A Life in Balance. Right off the bat I was reminded how far we’ve come in education as he explains back in the 60’s it was assumed children with learning delays couldn’t be taught, and they’d just have to go on as hard labor workers. In fact, many times they were considered “problem children.”
What a relief it is no longer like that, and that there are those with a heart like Frank Belgau. He really took the time to acknowledge that it wasn’t impossible to teach them successfully and see the beauty in their intelligence that can be revealed. It just takes that breakthrough.
I appreciated that he story didn’t just go straight to the Learning Breakthrough but rather really told his story. I can truly appreciate his journey from his own experiences as a struggling reader to helping others overcome obstacles. I really found it engaging. I wanted to keep reading.
I was touched by the stories of overcoming – particularly the story of a little boy with cerebral palsy that was only in his class to give the special education teacher a break. He dropped and broke a project he made, but instead of getting upset, it sparked an idea, and he made something even more beautiful that went on to win prizes. It also helped others recognize that despite his special needs, he is capable. I also love that it helped spark Frank Belgau in his journey as well. It was so neat to read how so,many people came into his life at the perfect time. There were successes and challenges, but he pushed on.
Of course, in addition to enjoying learning how Learning Breakthrough came to be, I was definitely intrigued about the program itself. It shares the tools for the Learning Breakthrough program including the tool around which it involves – the balance board. It also shares some experiments and activities.
Even having three special needs children who have been in occupational therapy and doing therapy Learning Breakthrough was something I found so fascinating and unique. As a homeschooling mom, I am always looking for therapies that will help our children succeed in their education as well as their personal life.
I love how Learning Breakthrough addresses the key – the mind. I really learned a lot. I would definitely recommend A Life in Balance. I think it would be beneficial for anyone, but particularly for those with special needs. It can be purchased for $16.49 (at the time of this posting).

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