What's in your early intervention Kit? A Link Up Post!!

I am linking up with Kristen from Simply Speech and some other talented Speech-Language Pathologists to talk about our favorite items in our early intervention therapy bags.  Check out the following link to see what's in Kristen from Simply Speech (and others) bag(s):

http://kcummingsslp.blogspot.com/2014/12/whats-in-your-early-intervention.html

I currently  provide Speech and Language Services to an Early Intervention Program that services 3-5  year olds.  Before I meet a new student in their home for  an evaluation, I  make sure I have information about the cognitive and communicative status of the child and their general likes and dislikes.  My fellow SLP's have done a great job  of showing what's in their bags so I will try to show you some different items!  If I am about to see a child with oral-motor and/or sensory needs, I pack up the following two items from Beyond Play.

                                        1. Jigglers!
These vibrating oral motor animals are engaging and enticing for my students with oral-motor needs:

I like the pictured set because my students love chewing on the elephant's ears and I love that I can place some soft food on  these ears!  They are durable and the top portions can be removed  to wash and disinfect.  You can turn the vibrating option off for students who find it aversive.

2.  Chewy Tubes (also from Beyond Play).

I love the shape of  these chewy tubes!

My students can grasp them in their hands and chew on the tough top portion between their back molars to get some good oral input.  You can also try dipping the top in some soft food  to encourage tasting of foods.  The one disadvantage?  They easily get lost!!

3.  Small Lighted Fan:  Disney Pixar

I purchased this from Target for $3.00 and it's a big hit with many of my preschool-aged and cognitively-delayed students.

 If you touch the button on  the right, the fan activates (spins) and lights up.  The fan blades are soft plastic and safe for little hands although the fan can potentially break into small parts so please supervise you students with it.   It's a great tool to use to see if the child can make a signed, verbal or simple switch request.

Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to check out  what's in the other SLP's therapy bags by clicking on the link at the top of the page.
                                                                    Donna