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| Introduction - Suggestions For Using This Guide To Meet Your Immediate Objectives |
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Here are a few scenarios which describe how you may begin to read this guide:
- If you want to learn more about networking with other professionals in situations similar to yours, find an online support group for a family member, or research potential treatment options for a new client with a diagnosis with which you are not all that familiar you could start by reviewing Chapter18- "Online Support, Information and Discussion Groups."
- If your goals it to seek guidance in applying for a grant to form a computer lab or have you just been given money to use for your clinic start by reviewing Chapter 2- "Treatment Settings," and read about my "top picks" for your workplace. Chapter 7- "Supportive Research" will point you in the direction of objective research data to support the claim that your clients will benefit from the software and hardware you select for purchase. Chapter 6- "Computer Setup Considerations" will help you figure out what you need to consider when setting up your lab.
- Perhaps you have a new client with severe verbal apraxia who benefits from drill and repetition while seeing up close-mouth movement. Chapter 8- "Treatment and Technology to Improve Verbal Expression" would be a great chapter to review first.
- If your budget is virtually nonexistent but you really want to be able to show your clients and students what they can do online to reach their goals faster, start out by reviewing Chapter 16- "Games and Free Online Interactive Activities."
- Perhaps you want to make your sessions more engaging or find yourself spending too much time creating therapy materials and want to explore ways to produce customized materials more efficiently. If this describes your current situation, check out Chapter 15- "Multi-Media Programs and Generating Printed Treatment Materials."
This book assumes that you are skilled at evaluating your clients and providing traditional treatment. It also assumes that you have a basic knowledge of computer use such as: word processing, email, website access and online searches and that you are open to new ideas to enhance your sessions. This guide will help you learn more about terms relating to technology, rehabilitation and education in the glossary. It will also expose you to the many available resources so that you can learn where to go for help and where to search for more detailed information.
Once you select software, adaptive hardware or suggested online sites which are potentially helpful for your setting- spend some time exploring the websites which are given for the products discussed. Many businesses offer free demo CDs, a trial period for online subscriptions, or online tutorials. Another helpful feature offered by some vendors is the ability to join a listserv, participate in chat sessions, receive free e-newsletters or access a bulletin board which will connect you to other users of the product. Promotions and discounts for many products are available by entering codes which may be found on my website at www.ittsguides.com.
I wrote this book to help improve the quality of life for people with communication and cognitive deficits. We are in this together. My goal is to help you learn more about the many resources and potential solutions which will improve your treatment. I offer a variety of professional training and coaching programs as well as intensive technology based treatment programs for clients and parents which are described on my treatment and training oriented website at www.innovativespeech.com . If you have general questions or comments please feel free to contact me via my contact form.
I hope that you find that this guide is worthwhile. Please feel free to contact me if you have suggestions about how to improve this guide or know of additional resources which ought to be included with future revisions.
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