Spanish Late Talker Parent Handouts
My SPAINSH late talker handouts are FINALLY here and they a must for any late talker treatment program!
If you have the English version of these handouts, they are the exact same but in Spanish. They were translated by my husband who is a native speaker of Spanish, married to a speech pathologist, and raised a son who was a late talker.
What are these handouts all about?
Late talker therapy LOOKS a lot like play since most of the work happens during play. However, ask any speech language pathologist, it is much harder than it looks! It takes a lot of attention and skill to know how to:
- engage children while letting them lead the play
- naturally modify the environment
- speak in a simple yet purposeful way
- expand play
- map words on to play routines
- expand utterances
- the list goes on!
There is a lot to learn and this can be overwhelming to parents.
To help alleviate this stress, I created some parent friendly handouts that can be used as part of a home therapy program that helps them learn the techniques they need for their individual child!
Late Talker Parent Strategies Handouts
I created a "parent friendly" handout for each principle/technique that I find to be crucial for a successful program.
Uses:
- Professionals: These handouts can be printed out and given to parents as needed as part of a therapy program.
- Parents: If your child is enrolled in a therapy program, but you would like more guidance and/or reminders of best practices at home, these handouts are for you
The topics covered include:
1. How To Model Language
Children at this age, or any age, won’t learn words unless they are presented and practiced in meaningful ways.
Modeling words allows a child time to process the word! It can take some practice to learn HOW to model words. To learn more about this please either watch the video below or learn more at my Modeling Language For Late Talkers page.
I created a handout that reviews what not to do, when to model words, how to model words, and why to model words for parents.
2. Withholding an Object
Many times, parents will withhold objects in order to encourage their children to start talking. While this technique comes from a good place, it can be cruel if not used properly or at the right time.
In my parent friendly handout, I review:
- when to withhold an object (only when the child has a word/sign in their expressive vocabulary) and have used it spontaneously over multiple contexts
- when NOT to withhold an object (an equally important skill)
- why to withhold an object (to work on independence and confidence)
- how to withhold an object and support/prompt the child if they can't name the object upon first request (we want all communication to be successful so skilled prompting is key!)
3. Imitation
Imitation is a MUST in late talker therapy. Once a child is able to imitate words, progress really takes off.
- gestures and motor skills
- gestures paired with a sound
- fun, exclamatory sounds
- words
Then, you can use the handout to help guide parents where and how to focus their practice at home.
4. How To Play....Purposefully!
Since therapy happens during play, it is essential that parents know how to play with a purpose!
In my handout, I review:
- Positioning (get down on the level of the child)
- How and why you must follow your child's lead during play
- How and why to talk with a purpose
- How and why to you must listen and respond appropriately to develop language
5. 3 Strikes & You Win
This technique is something I created to help parents learn how to:
- Model words using visual cues
- Pause to allow time for the child to repeat
- Prompt appropriately with child doesn't repeat
- etc....
This handout is a must have!
6. Repeat-Expand-Repeat
Expanding on a child's utterances is an effective way to naturally teach a child the next level of language development (i.e., move a child from 1 word utterances to 2 word utterances.
In my parent handout, I review how accomplish this task naturally with an example:
- Child says a word
- Repeat word
- Expand the word
- Pause long enough for the child to repeat!
7. Language Simplified
Since the child is learning language by listening and interacting with caregivers, it is crucial that caregivers know how best to talk!
In my language simplified handout, I review:
- What language simplified is all about
- Why it is important
- How to use it on a daily basis
8. Asking Questions
Therapists and parents of late talkers don't want to ask too many questions of course, but there are times when they must. Therefore, parents must learn HOW to ask questions effectively.
There must be:
- balance - you never want too many questions
- choices (great way to prompt!)
Parents must learn:
- why it is important to ask questions the new way
- support (who to prompt a child so he/she is successful)
9. Arrange The Environment!
Speech therapists naturally arrange the environment to ensure communication success and to create opportunities for communication learning.
In my handout, caregivers will learn how to optimize
- toy storage
- snack storage
- organization
With these simple tricks, children will naturally be challenged to communicate to have their daily needs met.
10. Narrate The Day
Narrating the day is an easy way to expose children to the language that is meaningful to their lives.
The key is to "narrate the day" correctly.
Parents must learn how to narrate their day and how to map language onto their child's actions.
Membership
If you are already a member of Speech Therapy Talk, you don't need to buy this! It is up on the site. Please click the link below to access the materials.
If you would like to join the membership and access the materials instantly and the other 1,000 pages of materials, click the image below: