10 Speech and Language Activities For Telepractice That Are Not Online

With everyone working from home and therapy sessions moving online, there are more and more resources becoming available. That is great news for SLPs jumping into telepractice feet first. But what happens when you just want to get your client up and moving. After all, they now have virtual classes throughout the day. Here are 10 speech and language activities for telepractice that are not online for school-aged clients! Remember to regularly check ASHA’s up-to-date information on telepractice.

Short Conversation:

I always start the session off with a short conversation (about 5 minutes) to ask how the client’s day/week is going and give them a chance to ask me questions. No visuals or props are needed. For clients who have a difficult time staying on topic or do not want to share information, I ask for a specific number of things (tell me 2 things you did today, tell me 2 things you had for lunch).

Scavenger hunt:

Give the client things to find around the house that cover any target you are addressing! Working on speech sounds? Have the client find things around the house that contain the target sound. Working on descriptions? Have the client find things around the house that have a particular characteristic. Working on categories? Have clients find things that are within a given category (or have them find several items then tell you how they are the same/different or what category they can fall in). The sky is the limit on what you can target!

Silly directions:

Give the client verbal or written directions that get them up and moving. The sillier and more active, the better. Get the client jumping up and down, hopping on one foot, walking to the wall, pretending to drive a car, etc. Be sure to give the client a chance to give you directions too (just make sure you aren’t wearing pajama pants for this).

Read a book:

This is a great way to work on describing, sequencing, and perception taking. You may need to prompt the client to show you the pictures (perspective taking) but once the story gets going, there are lots of targets you can address just as you would during an in-person session. Every SLP knows how to use books to address any target so no need to elaborate here.

Play a board game:

Yes, you can play actual board games with your client. If you have the game, have the client tell you how to set it up, keep track of whose turn it is, remind you of what the rules are, and prompt you to move the pieces. Clients love to keep you on task with board games and they will watch you closely.

Barrier task:

Tele sessions are perfect for this! You and the client will need paper and something to draw with. If the client has a printer, you can send them a coloring sheet to print off beforehand. Whoever goes first takes 30 seconds to draw (or color). After the time is up, he/she gives the other person directions on how to recreate the drawing using only verbal directions. No peeking! There are tons of ways to address spatial, qualitative, temporal, and quantitative concepts… or make it simple if you need. Also, be sure to ‘pretend’ to get some of the directions wrong and let the client have a little extra fun with correcting you.

Going on a picnic:

I’m sure you remember this game from elementary school! It’s super easy to do in tele sessions and works on expressive vocabulary, categories, memory, and even topic maintenance. Choose a category and take turns thinking of items in that category going in alphabetical order to take on a picnic (or any other outing you want).

Ask Alexa:

Working on asking questions? If you have an Alexa device, your client will love to ask her questions. Be sure to get your computer close enough for Alexa to wake up. You may need to repeat the client’s question and relay answers. For more Alexa activities for telepractice, check out my blog HERE.

Go for a walk or tour of the house:

If your client is working on a laptop, iPad, or phone, have the client take you on a tour of the house. You can give the clients directions on where to go (ex. up the stairs or around the corner) or have him/her show you their favorite things around the house and describe them to you. If the client has pets (or lives on a farm), even better! Now is your chance to meet the client’s household pets (or farm animals ).

Something different:

Instead of starting the session with you sitting in your usual spot, have a stuffed animal (or real animal) there to greet the client. The client will get a kick out of it and you will have a few things to discuss in your warm-up conversation.

Cooking:

With caregiver guidance, of course, walk the client through cooking a simple treat. After it’s ready, perhaps you can have a virtual tea party or picnic.

Magic Trick:

This does take some planning but if the caregiver has a printer, you can send something ahead of time to be printed and hide it under the computer. During the session, you can ‘send’ a copy of what the caregiver printed to the client by sliding it underneath your computer for them to find underneath theirs.

What are your favorite activities for telepratice? Let us know in the comments below.

Interested in using green screen activities for telepractice? Check out my blog Virtual Backgrounds in Speech Therapy.