A Review of Technology for Communication and Cognitive Treatment: The Clinician’s Guide By John M. Williams
Joan L. Green, M.A. CCC-SLP, has given the speech and cognitive clinicians, individuals seeking either speech or cognitive treatment and manufacturers of assistive technology an amazing resource in her book Technology for Communication and Cognitive Treatment: The Clinician’s Guide.
This is a vital resource that provides first hand knowledge of how to integrate assistive technology products to enhance treatment for people with speech, language, and cognitive disabilities.
Green’s book is a must reading for clinicians who want to learn to use technology to improve the treatment of their clients. Her expertise developed over two decades centers on integrating assistive technology into treatment to help clinicians and clients develop their abilities to their maximum. The author leads by offering suggestions on using the guide to meet immediate objectives. Green suggests that with the help of this guide, “you can expand the use of technology to help others.” Having read the book several times, I see merit to this statement.
I enjoyed her section on ‘Benefits of Computer Use.” She mentions that computers are interesting, practical and fun, offer the ability to control tasks; provide independent, nonjudgmental and immediate feedback; promote effective, independent practice and provide solutions to improve the quality of life quickly. I concur with these judgments.
In her chapter on ‘Getting Started,” Green emphasizes, “that this guide is structured to maximize of the time people devote to incorporating technology into treatment.” She presents from I don’t have enough time to this resource saves time, from I’m not good with computers to using this computer is easier than I thought, and from there is too much to learn to my clients are learning new skills to so must I.
Chapter after chapter, the read discovers a multiple of programs that can help clinicians and clients achieve their goals. Green has certainly done her homework as she lists the services these programs offer. I am convinced that the amount of time she spent learning what these different programs offer, strongly illustrates her goal of educating her readers about the benefits of this multitude of programs.
Green’s book provides information on treatment and technology to improve the following: verbal expression, auditory comprehension, reading comprehension, written expression, cognitive and memory functions.
As they read the book, readers will become familiar with these names of companies who develop products benefiting individuals with communication and cognitive disabilities: Don Johnston, Freedom Scientific, Dynavox, Mayer-Johnson, Crick Software, The Learning Company, Apple Computers, Edmark, Wizcom Technologies and Crick Software. The web addresses of every company mentioned are provided. This is a real treasure.
I have a fondness for her chapter on “Games and Free, On-line, Interactive Activities.” She points out up front in the chapter, “Traditional and computer-based games are often treatment goldmines. Games can be used effectively during almost every treatment session and incorporated into independent practice programs.” You have to read the chapter to realize its value.
Since I stutter, I was pleased to discover the many resources Green has in the book regarding stuttering. In fact, she provides numerous resources for all the disabilities she writes about.
The Guide contains a good and concise glossary of technology, education and rehabilitation terms.
This is a must resource for me and for everyone working with people with disabilities in all areas of their lives.
Technology for Communication and Cognitive Treatment: The Clinician’s Guide is published and distributed by Innovative Speech Technology. To contact the publisher send an e-mail to: Joan@innovativespeech.com.