Dynavox Mayer - Johnson now offers NINE Language Learning Therapy Apps FOR FREE available for iPads, iPhones, and Androids. Download them now while they are still free! The apps available are: Sign Language, Flash Cards for Language, Flash Cards for Vocabulary, Word Scramble for Vocabulary, Bingo, Memory, Flash Cards for Rhyming, Flash Cards for Articulation and a Flip Book also for Articulation. As we know, many of these apps can be used for a variety of skills, especially the Flip Book. So get them while they're hot! You can go directly to your app store, or if you'd like to read more about their apps you can click here and go to their websitehttp://www.mayer-johnson.com/apps/
Don't forget to check out more great SLP APPS and Therapy Materials here on my site! After treatment of the LSVT® LOUD program on 8 PD pts, there was a 51% reduction in the number of swallowing motility disorders. LSVT® resulted in reduced transit time and reduced oral residue after liquid swallows as well as the perceived voice changes after LSVT® included a significant increase in vocal intensity during sustained vowel phonation as well as during reading.
Conclusions: "LSVT® seemingly improved neuromuscular control of the entire upper aerodigestive tract, improving oral tongue and tongue base function during the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing as well as improving vocal intensity." Thoughts - We know that LSVT® increases loudness through cueing and intensive repetition to improve automaticity. Increased practice and repetition will eventually decrease effort and increase the memory for the motor behavior, or the decreased sensory processing established in the basal ganglia. One one hand, it makes sense to train through "cueing and intensive repetition in order to improve the automaticity" lost in the basal ganglia. But on the other hand, maybe the loss in the sensorimotor processing, that causes the decrease in function should be addressed? Dromey, Johnson, & Ramig (1995) researched speech and voice changes pre, post - treatment, and at follow - up, associated with vocal intensity treatment via traditional LSVT hierarchy. They used a Rothenberg mask to provide detailed information about the speed of the opening and closing of the vocal folds, the OQ, the amplitude of vibration, and the spectral slope. A Respigraph was utilized to measure rib cage and abdomen capacities. This study could possibly be duplicated and measures for VF opening and closure could be used for swallowing implications as well. My point - there is much more work to be done in the LSVT® Dysphagia Treatment indications. |
Amy Reinstein, M.S., CCC - SLP
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