Review - Speech Therapy for Apraxia - CV 

By www.preschoolspeechie.com

       

 https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id512647583?mt=8

** Features **
• Choose from 8 different consonant groups (for a total of 19 consonant sounds) to target. 
• For each group, choose from 8 levels to practice
• Detailed instructions explain how to choose an appropriate consonant group and practice level. 
• Move through a logical progression of 8 different levels for motor planning for speech. 
• Illustrations and audio provided for each syllable. 
• Option to repeat levels, reset, or move to next level. 
• Can also be used for straight articulation drill for particular phonemes.

This app was reviewed to determine its value for the preschool child exhibiting phonological processes, apraxia or articulation concerns.  I was impressed with how well this app was organized and its ease of use.  It also held the child’s interest. You cannot beat the price at $4.99.  This app is especially beneficial for  probing stimulability of sequencing consonant-vowel sounds, using as a screening tool  and proving one of the best organized oral motor warm-up in a hierarchy of levels.   This app mainly focuses on static CV patterns (can’t be changed) and gives the student practice with up to 5 co-articulatory sequences, e.g. alveolar - toe dye two toe two, but there is no flexibility in adding or deleting CV combinations.  What you see is what you get.  Overall, it is still a valuable tool for the Speech Toolbox and highly recommended.  See rubrics below:

Rubrics	Description	Likes	Suggestions	Rating
Curriculum	Material is accurate & evidence based, addresses task, offers large selection target	CV – select group of 3 consonants organized according to place of articulation and ease of production, e.g. bilabials m,p,b Organized format for learning 8 levels of CV combinations for motor sequencing.   Can tap on a word to hear what the word is This app works for preschoolers with phonological processes, apraxia, artic.	1.I would like to see a level with an alternating vowel component, e.g. oohahh 2. I would like to see the use of more functional  CV patterns strung together	4
Flexibility	Flexibility to adjust settings & add/delete photos, add/delete tasks,  audio recordings, back button	1.Easy to move from one screen to the next.  2.Can quickly change from one group of sounds or level to another.  Easy to do a quick probe for stimulability and to establish a baseline at each level.	CV patterns are pre -chosen for each level and arranged in a specific order on the screen.  I would like to see an update which reduces the redundancy and limitation of levels.  I would like to be able to create my own pattern with the ability to select  CV patterns from a list  and move them into the designated boxes.	3
Ease of use	Can use app quickly, instructions from developer, no glitches	Love the simplicity of this app – it’s self- explanatory . This app is very easy to use and does not require instructions.  A preschooler was able to tap the pictures and swipe independently.  She knew to repeat the word when heard.	Watched the video  on how to use app & written instructions, but was not really necessary. Did not learn anything new.	5
Interest	Captures attention of user, simple graphics, interactive	This app is strictly for imitation drill, as the preschooler liked tapping & swiping  the buttons, hearing and imitating  the syllables. There are no bells & whistles.  Perfect for a warm up activity.	Would like to see a voice recording for the student.	4
Value-Outcome	Accountability- time needed to complete task, # trials, results in improved student performance- record data – progress monitoring	Offers Accountability and data for progress monitoring of CV.  Repetitive co-articulation of up to 5 varied CV patterns.  Price of $4.99 is reasonable.  You get numerous trials.	Record keeping needs to be completed on paper by user	5

 Developed by the National Association for Child Development team, including a certified speech-language pathologist, the Apraxia app provides choices of different phonemes to target and moves through a progression of levels that challenge motor planning for speech.

Working at the syllable level, it begins at the production of single syllables and progresses through increasingly difficult production sequences all the way to the production of sequences of random syllables.

About NACD
The National Association for Child Development is a unique organization with a unique approach to brain growth and development. Founded in 1979 by Bob Doman, NACD has helped parents enhance the development and function of their children for over 30 years. In its work with tens of thousands of clients, NACD has developed an approach to human development, the achievement of human potential, and the remediation of developmental, educational, and neurological problems that is based upon the gestalt of the individual. The efficacy of NACD's Targeted Developmental Intervention has been demonstrated with individuals from infant to geriatric, whose function has ranged from comatose to gifted. It is from this background and experience that the NACD team of neurodevelopmentalists and therapists, including speech/language pathologists, has created the NACD Home Speech Therapist line of speech apps.

Blue Whale Web SiteSpeech Therapy for Apraxia - NACD Home Speech Therapist