Free resources #1

 I really need to spend more time reading through my emails more thoroughly, as I sometimes only skim read newsletters etc. and miss out on some of the fantastic resources and research they contain.  Here is a link to some terrific free  listening training resoures .
And via a member of our  Speech Team at work, here is a link to an app guide for ASD and speech/literacy tools.
I needed to replace my   Ling Sounds cards recently as  mine were looking a little shabby -  click on the link for the pdf. You do need to print, cut and laminate the cards to make them double sided and sturdy. You can play around with the size too as they print out at A5 I think (half and A4 page), but you can set to print 2-4 on a page. And remember to set for "colour" printing.

 More resource links coming  soon!

Auslan apps

I have the RIDBC auslan app on my phone, it is handy when I am at kinder an nore sure of a sign, I can double check on my phone. ( and it is a big bonus that the app is available on both android and apple devices!)
 I don't use the internet on my phone, so I love that I can download the app and use it whenever  I needstraight from the phone, without being on the net and chewing through data!  It is a good basic list of signs, and searchable by word, or with categories such as "colour" or "animals", although there could be a few more "kid friendly" words on there (note for app developers - maybe look at something like the Oxford words list - which is based on words most used by children when writing, or look at some of the words most used in kinders - in terms of stories/songs/nursery rhymes/toys and play activities etc.
There is a brand new app - only on itunes so far unfortunately - from Conexu called "open access face to face" - which is a free app, for learning auslan, and can be used across 2 ipads - the hearing/non signing person can type in a word or phrase, which is then translated into auslan, which can in turn be sent to another phone/ipad and shown in auslan. The app is used at the VCD Tradeblock cafe for hearing customers to order coffee etc from the deaf staff/trainees. I have just read about the app in an email this morning, and have not had a chance to try it out, my phone is android and my ipad is too old! - I will put it onto a work ipad later and try it out, although according to the reviews it takes some hours to download. Has anyone else  tried this app yet?

 

 

 

The Audiology Fruit and the String Bean

Absolutely brilliant short video with  Drs. Jane Madell and Carol Flexer, notable pediatric audiology thought leaders, discussing “the speech fruit and the string bean” to describe the visual picture of access to speech sounds on an audiogram.

I started this blog quite a while ago, and then life got busy...but have decided to start it up again as a resource. I keep bookmarking some terrific websites and resources, but then wonder  about the best way to access them, and how best to share these great resources with colleagues, families etc. So I thought "why not list them here" - online, so they can be easily accessed by anyone, anywhere.  Now there are a few blogs about speech, language, listening etc. to start things off again.

Parent blog about child with hearing loss

Here is a link to a great blog   written by a mum in America, her daughter has a moderate hearing loss, and she writes about going to the audiologist, managing hearing aids etc. She has some great tips on decorating hearing aids - check out the pictures on top of her page!, as well as how to understand an audiogram and explain it to other people eg. teachers.

Welcome to the Wednesday Playgroup!

Hello to my lovely families and anyone else who has dropped by! The Wednesday playgroup has been such a success, I thought I would try a new way to keep in touch and share some ideas to try at home. I will try and list  the vocab, songs, craft activities and books we have read at playgroup on the blog for families to use at home, as well as links to other great resources and places to go for language and craft ideas, and of course  information about hearing loss, hearing aid management etc. Hope you enjoy the ride!