Adapting Popular Sound Producing Books
By Cormier, Carolann, MS, CCC-SLP, ATP; ConnSENSE Bulletin, Vol. 4, No. 5Publication Date: January 2003
Article discusses the author’s practice of adapting sound-producing books, which are meant to increase children’s active involvement when reading. The author taught a student who loved books, including those in which she could push the buttons to make noises. The student also loved the sound of the books’ pages when ripping, which led the author to cover the pages with contact paper, which were easily cleaned, and allowed the books to last longer. The author also added textures to the books to assist students in looking at and interacting with the pages, while increasing their attention to two-dimensional stimuli. Many different materials can be included, including textured paint, toothpicks, and sandpaper, to augment the pictures in the books. During evaluations, an adapted book is the first material the author uses with her students, as it is both enjoyable and non-threatening. The author concludes by suggesting high-tech methods to introduce books to students. Stories can be programmed onto the computer using software such as HyperStudio, Speaking Dynamically, IntelliPics, or PowerPoint, so students can have the stories read repeatedly. Software such as Picture It or Writing with Symbols 2000 can be used to add icons to the text to assist students in reading the text.
Assistive Products Discussed: PICTURE IT
INTELLIPICS
WRITING WITH SYMBOLS 2000
WRITING WITH SYMBOLS - SPANISH
Published by: ConnSENSE (Connecticut's Special Education Network for Software Evaluation) (Website:http://www.connsensebulletin.com)
NEAT (New England Assistive Technology) Marketplace (Web Site: http://www.neatmarketplace.org )
A.J. Pappanikou Center for Developmental Disabilities (Web Site: http://www.uconnucedd.org )
Connecticut Tech Act Project (Web Site: http://www.cttechact.com )
Link to text: http://www.connsensebulletin.com/cormierv4n5.html
