Dressing up mouse set
Children will have fun dressing these mice in clothes for all
The toys and clothes were well made and detailed. They were rather small and dressing/undressing the mice would have been difficult for small children. However they were an attractive resource which could be used in various language games. For example, a child could describe what the mouse was wearing or give instructions as to what the mouse is wearing. A set of picture cards which depict the mouse in different outfits would be useful. Expressive language could be encouraged by asking 'What is the mouse doing/going to do today?'
Reviewed by: Sandra Youlden- Speech and Language Therapist - I.T.S
Product code: SD08193
Review date: July 2008
Visual Timetable Software
This programme quickly creates clear and attractive visual prompts to help children learn
what is to
happen throughout their school day. It is especially applicable to the school day
as it has a ready made store of pictures related to the National Curriculum. It can be tailored to a child's specific needs by importing photos too. It is also possible to include icons indicating which implements a child will need and to show whether it is an individual or group lesson.
The programme is very user friendly but would further benefit from some easily accessible on board help files.
Reviewed by: Mark Allcock - Speech and Language Therapist - I.T.S
Product code: SD08186
Review date: August 2008
Talk Time cards
These recordable cards offer a really good solution to a range of communication needs for our children and teenagers. We have tested them in a variety of ways;
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Recording messages and using them as a memory aid, to practice carrying messages across the school.
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Recording 'to do' lists to help with morning routines and to aid independent skills
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As choice making cards, recording choices of music, choices of snacks and drinks
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To be used by teachers to provide a table of children with a list of instructions to get on with independently
Each card can either have a symbols/photo placed in the clear pouch, the larger cards are dry/white so a small picture or key word can be written directly onto the card, we have even velcroed objects to the card for students with visual impairments.
In order to make these cards even better, we have suggested to Special Direct that the recording mechanism is slightly more tricky for the child to use, allowing the adult to have greater control of what messages stay recorded.
The cards can be purchased in three sizes and can also fit into a daily routine holder, so that they can be used as an auditory and visual timetable.
Reviewed by: Sarah Needham - Speech and Language Therapist - I.T.S
Product code: TT-CARD3
Review date: August 2008
The Speech Therapy set
This set is ideal for helping children with making sounds.
This bag of equipment is a very useful resource. It is great to have such a varied range of tools brought together. The booklet was informative although photos of the items would have been useful. A set of cards with a photo of the item and a list of activities on the back might be helpful. Hygeine is an issue with this kind of equipment. I added a tub of disinfectant wipes to the bag. Even so, I don't know how I would feel about using the bag with many different clients.
Overall an excellant resource to have at your finger tips.
Reviewed by: Sandra Youlden- Speech and Language Therapist - I.T.S
Review date: July 2008
Category Sorting Box
As children identify and sort the miniature objects.
This is a simple but attractive resource-children are intrigued by the miniatures. As well as simple sorting activities there were several language activities. For example, describing a hidden object; explaining why objects belong together;making simple semantic links.
Reviewed by: Sandra Youlden- Speech and Language Therapist - I.T.S
Review date: July 2008
Small Change - Bg Difference.
Hyperactive - Inattentive - Disorganised
These 3 booklets provide measured and up to date views of the causes and range of responses to the hyperactivity, inattention and disorganised thinking affecting some children. They are clearly written and logically arranged to provide help for both parents and school staff. Whilst there is some unavoidable cross referencing between the books they do complement each other very well. These are light, quick reference books providing very useful tips on intervention strategies, dietary implications and medication. For those interested in delving further into the subject there are helpful sections on further reading and organisations which provide further resources.
Reviewed by: Mark Allcock - Speech and Language Therapist - I.T.S
Product code: SD08058
Review date: July 2008
Star Light Up Pens
We used these light up pens with our low functioning autistic students. They were interesting for some students and others did not pay sufficient visual attention to notice the light.
The pens are a bit wobbly to write with if you don’t keep constant pressure. You have to apply a reasonable amount of pressure to get the light to go on. It would encourage students who need to apply more pressure, asthey are rewarded when the pen lights up.
Reviewed by Alli Morton, Special needs Teacher, The Shires.
Product Code : 854 -LSTPEN
Review Date: 24.07.08
Pre-writing Motor Skills Board
I used this product with low functioning autistic students in a Special Needs School. I was hoping it would help our students to make a pattern and encourage left to right orientation. The problem was that our students use thick pencils to assist grip and only thinner pencils will fit in the hole provided, so an adaptation would be useful. However for other students they were very successsful.
In addition, a good deal of pressure is required to make a mark on the paper and push the pencil along the track, therefore again encouraging to thos students who dont apply enough pressure.
This device would be great for Mainstream students.
Reviewed by Alli Morton, Special Needs Teacher, The Shires
Product Code: 854-SD08319
Review Date 24.07.08
Spine balls
We used these balls with our low functioning autistic students. They were a great success. The students enjoyed the firm but soft touch and the spiky texture. However, one of our students with PICA tore into the outer layer to expose the hard bouncy ball, so this student would need something a little more robust, along the smae design.
Reviewed by Alli Morton, Special Needs Teacher, The Shires.
Product Code: 854-SD08235
Review Date: 24.07.08
50 Activities and Games for Kids with ADHD
This book contains some excellent tips for engaging children with attentional difficulties.
The language used is child friendly
and includes lots of fun activities. It touches on many aspects of life which are important to children and deals with feelings/teasing etc very sensitively allowing the child to feel comfortable in expressing themselves. It is aimed, in the main, at older literate children although some of the ideas can be adapted. Some of the vocabulary and suggestions are specific to America and can be confusing eg 'play soccer but use a football instead'. Overall a very useful source of ideas.
Reviewed by: Mark Allcock - Speech and Language Therapist - I.T.S
Product code: SD07079
Review date: June 2008
Lip Sinc Cards
I have used the Lipsync cards with young pupils with problems producing specific sounds. The cards are well made, the pictures clear and the moving image is a novelty. The list of words on the back is also a useful feature. I felt that this was a useful visual aid.
Reviewed by: Sandra Youlden- Speech and Language Therapist - I.T.S
Review date: June 2008
Story cards narrative
I have used these cards with children in mainstream school as well as with children on the Autistic Spectrum.
I found that were really useful as not only did they allow me to monitor the child's recall of the adult read story, they also allowed me to gage their use of vocabulary, their own imagination and their extension of a story. As a Speech Therapists, you could use these narrative cards to encourage the child to tell their own story and then carry out a LARSP analysis on it.
The cards come with an associated animal for each story, this appeared to help the child engage more readily in their own story, recalling the actions of the animal more easily.
I would definitely recommend this resource for Speech and Language Therapists and possibly teachers too.
Product code: SD07325
Reviewed by: Sarah Needham - Speech and Language Therapist - I.T.S
Review date: June 2008
Hear Myself Sound Phone
This phone is more accessible than the tokback systems I have used previously.
The child can hold it without becoming too distracted. They get instant feedback about their sound production and it did appear to provide the child with more insight into their speech sound errors.
I would recommend teaching staff to incorporate these phones in schools, during literacy hour, to provide the child with greater auditory feedback.
An essential tool in the speech and language therapists cupboard!
Product code: FHMSP
Reviewed by: Sarah Needham - Speech and Language Therapist - I.T.S
Review date: June 2008
happen throughout their school day. It is especially applicable to the school day 
