As a student speech language pathologist clinician what should i put in my therapy box?

As a student speech-language pathologist clinician, your therapy box should be well-equipped with various materials and tools to support effective therapy sessions with your clients. Here are some essential items you should consider including in your therapy box:

1. Articulation and Phonology:

- Articulation cards with images and words targeting specific sounds

- Mirrors for self-monitoring of tongue and lip movements

- Tongue depressors and straws for oral motor exercises

- Magnetic wands or pointers to guide tongue placement

2. Language:

- Picture books for vocabulary building and story-telling

- Flashcards with images, words, and sentences

- Board games and card games that focus on language skills

- Wordless picture books for inferencing and storytelling

- Categorization activities (sorting objects by shape, color, etc.)

3. Voice and Fluency:

- Pitch pipes and tone bars for voice intonation exercises

- Stopwatches or timers for fluency-shaping techniques (e.g., pausing or prolongation)

- Hand puppets for practicing fluency strategies in a fun way

4. Auditory Processing:

- Sound discrimination tasks (e.g., matching pairs of similar-sounding words)

- Auditory memory games (e.g., repeating a sequence of words)

- Sound localization activities (e.g., identifying the direction from which a sound comes)

5. Orofacial Myology:

- Bite blocks for tongue thrust correction

- Tongue strengthening exercises (e.g., tongue pushes against the roof of the mouth)

- Lip strengthening exercises (e.g., lip presses and stretches)

6. Social Skills:

- Role-playing scenarios for practicing social interactions

- Conversation starters and prompts

- Picture cards depicting social situations for discussion

7. Sensory Integration:

- Sensory bins with different textures, colors, and objects for tactile stimulation

- Fidget toys for promoting self-regulation

- Noise-canceling headphones for creating a calm environment

8. Materials for Home Practice:

- Homework sheets or booklets with activities to reinforce skills learned in therapy

- Auditory recordings (e.g., stories or sound exercises) for home practice

9. Miscellaneous:

- Whiteboard or flip chart for visual aids and demonstrations

- Markers, pencils, and erasers for writing and drawing

- Sticky notes for making quick reminders

- Hand sanitizer for maintaining hygiene

Remember to personalize your therapy box based on the specific needs of your clients and the age group you are working with. Having a well-organized and resource-rich therapy box can greatly enhance the quality of your sessions and help your clients make progress towards their therapy goals.