Apps we are loving right now:
· Furry Friend by Plutinosoft. This is a furry little monster that repeats words. He also responds to any vocalizations or words. Great for children who are just beginning to make sounds and use words.
· All the apps by Kindergarten.com are really great for practicing skills at home. They are based in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) intervention and teach great skills like noun recognition, learning sight words and early problem solving.
· Apps from Talk Time Pediatric Speech Academy can be a bit pricey, but they offer quality apps that really focus on key areas such as answering yes/no questions and using verb phrases.
· Super Duper Inc. is a company that has been in the business of supplying speech therapists with therapy materials for almost 30 years. They know speech and they have expanded into occupational therapy. Their apps are specific, inexpensive and reliable.
· Alligator apps offer quite a few free apps working on things like identifying emotions and concepts. They are pretty limited, but can be useful for reinforcing skills that have been already learned.
· Voice Meter Lite by Dragon Fly apps. If you know a kid who struggles with volume, either too soft or too loud, this app is the best! It is free and works like a charm. Love it.
· Giggle Up apps have some great apps. You need to be a bit selective. We really like the jigsaw puzzle apps for reinforcement
· “Cookie Calls” is an app by Sesame Street. It is like having a Face Time call with Cookie Monster. Little ones love it!
· Speech Sound on Cue for iPad teaches initial word sounds with visual and verbal cues. We’ve used this with kids who are stuck trying to get certain sounds. It is also good for kids who have poor eye contact but are drawn to a screen.
· Pea Pod Labs have some nice apps for labeling nouns and verbs.
We are always learning about new apps and new materials to keep kids engaged and learning. Give us a call for more information at 651-636-4155.
Get to Know Your RC Staff:
Every few weeks we would like to share a post to let you get to know the staff at the Rosenberg Center a little bit better. This week, we want to introduce you to Amy Lesher, Speech-Language pathologist and an owner at Rosenberg Center
Would you share a little about your education and professional background?
I am a proud Gopher! I got my undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. I got my Master’s Degree from the University of Hawaii-Manoa in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.
What do you love most about the Rosenberg Center?
I think I love everything about the Rosenberg Center! I look forward to coming to work every day. I love the people who I work with and the families that come here. It makes it a great place to be.
How long have you worked at the Rosenberg Center?
I have worked at the Rosenberg Center since the beginning-about 5 ½ years at this point.
When you have a few free minutes what hobbies do you enjoy?
I enjoy gardening, reading, watching a few favorite TV shows and working out. I also like to hike and camp.
What’s one of the scariest things you’ve ever done?
I am really afraid of heights. I went on the Rip Cord at Valley Fair. I was young, peer pressure was involved and it was not a good choice for me.
Let’s move in the opposite direction and find out what makes you happy?
I am happiest when I am outside enjoying a beautiful day and nature.
This is where we really start to get to know you. What is your favorite TV show or Movie?
Right now I love the TV show Scandal. My favorite movie ever is Elf.
What were the last two books you read?
Kid books: “Who Am I” by Alain Crozon and Aurelie Lanchais and “Happiness is a Warm Puppy” which is a Peanuts book. Grown up books: “The Lost Art of Dress” by Linda Przybyszewski and “The Astronauts Wives Club: A True Story” by Lily Koppel.
If you could eat one food for the rest of your life without getting sick of it, what would it be?
I don’t think I could ever eat just one food for the rest of my life! I like to cook and try new things.
If you could hop on a plane today and fly anywhere in the world, where would you go?
There are so many places I’d like to go. Today I would pick Paris!
What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?
My Dad gave me some good advice. He said, “If it is worth doing, it is worth doing well.” I try to follow that.
Do you have a favorite quote to share with us?
My favorite quote is easy. “Smiling is my favorite!”
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I think if you are around me enough you know everything about me. I am quite the open book!