| Oct 18th, 2012 Newsletter |
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Carry Over |
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 One of the most challenging aspects in all of speech and language therapy is the concept of carry over. Carry over occurs when the new speech behavior desired is practiced until it becomes automatic.
The word carry over may be unfamiliar to many. It is a term most speech and hearing professionals know and understand because they were trained with its terminology. Unfortunately for many lay people the term carry-over is often confusing and misunderstood.
The word carry over is learning something at an automatic level. Most of us remember learning how to count to 100, the times tables, riding a bike, and learning how to use a computer or smart phone. For me, one of the major challenges was learning how to type, and wondering how I would ever be able to sit down to a keyboard and type with the speed of 40-60 words a minute. But I went to typing class and did it almost every day, over and over and had a set strategy of sequential exercises or typing experiences that followed a logical sequence. Carry over in speech therapy is like learning how to type, drive a stick shift, or learning how to do something so that it occurs, automatically, with little conscious thought. The interesting thing about carry over is that it requires practice and repetition. It's somewhat difficult in the beginning and you have to think consciously about what you are going to do next. With practice the act becomes easier and soon you don't even have to think about how to do it.
 One of the critical points about carry over of any new speech behavior is that it requires repetition. If you are doing something one way it is often difficult to change something that is automatic. We must practice the new behavior that is desired many times until it is learned; then carry-over occurs. Many people who undergo speech therapy believe all they have to do is show up, and somehow they will get better or develop the new speaking behavior. In some rare cases it happens. The truth is, the new speaking behavior must be repeated until it is learned or until it replaces the old behavior.
For the purpose of this article, I would like to review the concept of learning how to type or keyboard. Most courses meet almost every day for an hour, and with that daily practice the skill of using a keyboard slowly develops. Weekly typing or keyboarding tests show a progressive improvement in the speed of typing and a gradual reduction in the number of errors. Speech therapy is similar. It's fortunate many people who learn how to type or keyboard have access to a machine at home, where they can also practice.
 The point I wish to make with the concept of carry over is we are all familiar with the concept of learning anything new. We must desire it to happen, and do the work that is necessary. Being successful in speech therapy is like learning anything new. It must be presented in a simple and logical manner with a gradual progression to more complex tasks. In my new book, The Teaching of Talking we present single words to the person who has difficulty talking, and then progress to word pairs, phrases and sentences with those individuals who can imitate sounds, syllables and multi syllables. We then progress to increased speed, sentence length, or word complexity. For those with cognitive, memory, or motor issues caused by stroke or aphasia, the process of learning may take additional time and practice.
As written in previous articles, learning for those with brain injury is possible and may take more simplicity or repetition. Always remember that repetition is the mother of all skill, and if you keep the tasks simple enough, the person who is undergoing the speech or language stimulation will stay challenged and hopeful due to the confidence that occurs when there is success at every step of therapy. An exceptional therapist should be able to present a sequence of speech tasks to address a specific problem. You as a caregiver or family member should understand what the goals of therapy are and why they were chosen by the therapist. Finally there should be success in the sequence of speech therapy, like learning how to do anything, with the desired speech behavior occurring on a consistent and regular basis. When that occurs speech and language stimulation is a wonderful experience because the therapist has made sure that the tasks presented were easily mastered, meaningful and appropriate. But remember it is vital that the person with the communication difficulty is able to accomplish the desired task at every step of the way and practices or uses it often. That leads to learning or carry over.
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Breakdown
 Breakdown
is a common term many of us are familiar with. It is often associated
with an automobile that breaks down. It stops; refuses to go any
further, and is unable to make any further, forward headway or
momentum. It is often caused by human factors such as improper
maintenance or lack thereof. Sometimes it is caused by putting too much of a load on a system, that causes it to malfunction or stop. lf there is too much of an electrical load on a circuit, it will trip,
and everything stops until the system has been reset.
Breakdown
is a common problem that people have, especially when they are overly
taxed or have an additional load that is new. It may also occur when
one is unfamiliar with specific tasks that may cause errors in thought
or judgment. The good news is, that errors are necessary for us to
learn, and we should expect them, and then learn from them. Just
remember that errors are necessary in learning and not to take it
personally. Errors are not a reflection of you as a person; they are
caused by being unfamiliar with new challenges that present themselves.
There will always be a learning curve in new experiences; and that
means to expect errors along the way. The trick is to expect and
welcome them and not to let them stop you. If you have to stop for a
while, do so, but as soon as possible, regroup, decide what it is that
you want, and continue progressing in that direction. Remember, that
errors and occasional breakdowns are good; they help us develop new
distinctions, and abilities. | |
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Continuing Education
 It's fortunate for all concerned that speech language pathologists are required to take continuing education hours so that they can keep current with new information that is available. As we continue to learn new ways of doing therapy, our clinical experiences widen and we have more techniques and skills available to draw from when working with people who have speaking difficulties.
One of the key points that I believe is so critical for speech language pathologists and other speech professionals is the need to train the family, care givers and communication partners. The people at home are so important in the overall approach and success of speech and language stimulation. The communication partner can help the person with the speaking difficulty in so many ways, especially in cueing him/her when the situation presents itself. The loved one often is able to give quality information to the speech language pathologist that can help contribute to how the person with the speaking difficulty communicates. For some who will be unable to speak due to apraxia or motor speech difficulties there are many other options open for communication which could include the use of alternative communication technology, sign language, gestures, writing, drawing, etc. It is vital that the person with the speaking difficulty learns to communicate in whatever way possible. Quality of life is often a reflection of whether a person is able to enjoy daily life. Imagine what life would be like if you could not express yourself to others.... :(  The Teaching of Talking educates caregivers, communication partners and speech language pathologists. It was written especially to train spouses, and parents of those with speaking difficulties. That is why it is essential reading for the speech language pathologist and the caregiver. It is finally a body of work that helps the loved one, parent, or spouse learn how to help their loved one speak again.
Continuing education is not only essential for speech language pathologists, but for anyone who may have the challenge of helping a loved one learn to speak and communicate. Everyone benefits from continuing education and learning new ideas and concepts that are critical to self improvement.
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Please share with friends and institutions
The Teaching of Talking was written in order to start a movement. A way of changing the way therapy has been traditionally done for so long. Many of you know that parents and caregivers are often left out of the loop when it comes down to really knowing what to do to help their loved ones talk. Our movement invites them in and enrolls them in the conversation of really knowing what to do to stimulate speech and language with clarity. To put it simply we believe those who receive the most stimulation from the home environment will be the ones who will make the greatest improvement. It's only natural the more stimulation in one's natural environment, by someone they love, the more forthcoming the improvement!
We ask that you forward our newsletter to any of your friends, acquaintances or professionals you may know so that they may learn of our work to help parents of children who are having difficulty speaking and caregivers of those with stroke, aphasia or head injury. We thank you for that.
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Special Offer
 The Teaching of Talking, our new book which is designed for speech pathologists and care-givers, parents, and family members is available through our website. During the next 60 days we have an introductory offer. We are offering Teaching of Talking for $18. plus tax and shipping. (original $25. value) I will also autograph each copy. The methods contained within The Teaching of Talking will help you learn a conversational approach to stimulate speech and language that begins with single words and works up to phrases, and sentences. The Teaching of Talking is for those who are stimulable; ie: they can repeat a vowel, syllable, or word. Our text has a screening test which will help you identify the key components that are necessary for success with the stimulation of speech and language. It was originally intended to be used with a speech and language pathologist as a guide to follow for the caregiver interested in helping the person with the speaking difficulty improve talking However, there are thousands of people, worldwide, who do not have access to professional speech therapy. For those who do not have access to a trained speech language pathologist, this book will help them understand the principles involved in the teaching of talking, especially with those who have aphasia, speech and language loss, or those who have not developed the ability to talk. Get the best price of $18.00 for your autographed copy of Teaching of Talking on our website.
I will be available through individual telephone, video consultations, and teleconferences to help anyone learn The Teaching of Talking Method. We are also planning live seminars in Houston, Texas. Should you have any questions or comments please do not hesitate to contact me by email or scheduling of a free initial consultation from our website at www.teachingoftalking.com
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Newsletter Addition
Should any of our readers wish to pose a question regarding speech and language stimulation with The Teaching of Talking Method, we would be most happy to address your questions and publish them in the newsletter each month. | |
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New Facebook Page
We now have a teaching of talking facebook page.
Please click the facebook icon below and like us on the teachingoftalking facebook page.
Thank you
Please note: All photographs by Mark A. Ittleman | | |
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