Calling all school speech language pathologists! Do you have the SLP tools you need for the next school year? While none of us knows exactly what’s in store, we can predict that virtual therapy will play a big role. Check out our favorite apps and tools

Times are uncertain, especially for schools. Although no one can foresee what
 SLP therapy will look like over the next school year for students and the
 school-based speech-language pathologists who serve them, we can assume
 technology will play a role. If you&rsquo;re a school-based SLP, prepare
 yourself now by exploring and practicing with tools, apps and games that can
 provide excellent support during therapy sessions once school begins.



 We&rsquo;re partial to these resources, many of which are universal tools that
 will prove themselves useful both in person and via teletherapy.



 <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/speechstickers/id436101181"
 >Speech Stickers</a
 >
 &ndash; This app is designed to target the very early stages of apraxia
 therapy. While it is simple in design, it is highly effective for targeting
 apraxia and keeping the child engaged. The child can practice sounds in
 isolation and in consonant-vowel and vowel-consonant combos. We give it two
 thumbs up and feel it&rsquo;s well-worth the $14.99 one-time cost.



 <a
 href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/articulation-test-center-pro/id700440156"
 >Articulation Test Center Pro</a
 >
 &ndash; Created by speech language pathologists, Articulation Test Center Pro
 provides all the tools required to assess English-speaking children and adults
 of all ages. This app is made by the company that makes Articulation Station.
 It is a screener and/or a full articulation assessment all in one. Although it
 is not standardized, it will generate a report and treatment recommendations.
 There are four screening options based on the age of the child you are
 testing. It is user-friendly: with a simple tap, you can mark sound deletions,
 substitutions, and phonological processes. It allows an option to collect a
 speech sample for analysis. The app has a one-time cost of $59.99, and
 unlimited testing is available.



 <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/speech-tutor-pro/id1323272450"
 >Speech Tutor Pro</a
 >&ndash; The material within Speech Tutor Pro combines content from five of
 the best-selling apps in the industry including SLP Friendly Screener,
 Articulation Decks, and Articulation Videos to exemplify correct placement.
 The material has been fine-tuned and combined so the resources can be accessed
 easily without the need for multiple apps for students with a variety of
 needs. The app also provides a speech therapy portal that allows access to new
 material on a weekly basis. Materials can be shared, saved, and/or printed to
 send for homework. Speech Tutor Pro is offered for a one-time fee of $39.99.



 <a
 href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app-bundle/videotouch-bundle-250-videos-animals-vehicles-musical/id1234079543"
 >Video Touch</a
 >
 &ndash; Hands-down, this is a highly favored app used by pediatric-based
 speech therapists. Intervention possibilities are endless including
 requesting, describing, turn taking, following directions, etc. The app can be
 purchased separately or in a bundle (includes animals, wild birds, insects,
 vehicles, music, and underwater creatures). The child can simply tap on an
 animal and watch a 10-20 second video clip. For example, there is an adorable
 cat playing with toilet paper, a double decker bus racing through the streets
 of London, and every little boy&rsquo;s favorite: a garbage truck picking up
 trash. Each animal typically rotates through four separate videos. This app
 never fails to entertain and engage children. Perfect and simple. The entire
 bundle is $13.99, and if you want to sample just one category, it&rsquo;s an
 affordable $3.99. You&rsquo;ll be hooked, and so will the children
 you&rsquo;re working with!



 <a href="https://www.grammaropolis.com/apps.php">Grammaropolis</a>&ndash;
 Hailed as the Schoolhouse Rock of the 21st century, this app demonstrates a
 very thorough and comprehensive way of defining the eight parts of speech,
 including songs, stories, videos, and games. It uses animated characters who
 act out their personalities based on their word/role, from a &ldquo;shady
 pronoun always trying to take the noun&rsquo;s place to the motherly
 conjunction who simply wants to get along,&rdquo; this app achieves the
 seemingly impossible and makes learning grammar and syntax fun. Access to the
 entire app comes at a one-time cost of $5.99.



 <a href="https://www.andnextcomesl.com/p/speech-barrier-games.html"
 >Barrier Games</a
 >&ndash; Barrier games simply involve placing a &ldquo;barrier&rdquo; between
 you and the child. In person, it can be physical, virtually it&rsquo;s the
 distance. The goal is to try and duplicate the other player&#39;s scene
 utilizing verbal instructions. This strategy is very effective for developing
 listening skills, oral language, social language, understanding and using
 concepts. A great example of an in-person barrier game is Battleship.
 Virtually, since you&rsquo;re in two different places, it means there is a
 natural &ldquo;barrier&rdquo; that works well in this scenario.



 For a barrier game to be effective you need two identical sets of materials,
 such as Legos, blocks, or miniatures (people, animals, vehicles, etc.);
 worksheets with cutouts; and picture sets, stickers or colored pencils. The
 speech therapist takes turns as talker and listener. First, the talker
 explains precisely what they are going to do with their item(s). The listener
 must then perform the same action on their side. When verbal instructions are
 finished, the listener and the talker can compare the final product and have a
 dialogue about what was correct and/or incorrect. Barrier games can easily
 transition between virtual and in person, making it a good go-to option during
 these unpredictable times.

SLP Therapy Tools and Games for the School Speech-Language Pathologist