As a disclaimer, I've really NOT worked with clients with
disorders such as Dementia and/or memory loss, but a recent article in the ASHA Leader (Toss the Workbooks! Choose treatment strategies for clients with
dementia that address their specific life-participation goals by Becky
Khayum & Emily Rogalski) made me wonder whether Animated Step-by-Steps® might be used to support therapeutic
training with this population. According to the authors, "Instead of
'testing the person to identify impairments, then using drills to improve the
impairment – person centered care is client-directed: Collaboratively written
goals address the client's and family members' concerns, and aim to increase
the person's participation in meaningful life activities".
In the Khayum & Rogalski article I was particularly
interested in Case 2: Mrs Brown, a
woman with mild cognitive impairment manifested as memory loss. Mrs. Brown's
personal goal was to be able to cook her favorite recipes when she returns home
after recuperating from a hip fracture.
Recommended treatment
included:
-using visual and graphic cuing
-breaking the recipe into simple steps
-adding pictures
-using a large font
Wow! …. Check ✔,
check ✔, check✔, check ✔…. these are all strategies that an Animated
Step-by-Step recipe already offers. Although assistance may be needed in
reading the text up to the star, a simple swipe or tap produces an animation
with sound effects that can support comprehension. In some versions of the
resource, symbols appear to nurture improved comprehension and expression(through the use of Aided
Language Stimulation techniques).
Examples of Meaningful Life Activities
Making an egg salad sandwich for lunch …
Making no-cook playdoh for when the grandkids' visit …
Using an Animated Step-by-Step format to pace through the tasks of getting ready for bed.
Initially the client might perform each small animated step as they 'read-animate' through
the page, but eventually they might be required to progress through several animations
before performing the sub-steps. That is, you are systematically increasing the memory task requirements.
Several months ago I assisted Invictus Enterprises (a work program for
young adults on the spectrum) in creating an Animated Step-by-Step Recipe to
help pace their interns through the steps required for making gourmet dog
biscuits. The verdict is in! … The Animated Step-by-Step PowerPoint recipe (displayed on a Surface 2
tablet) has proven to be an extremely helpful training tool. http://bit.ly/InvictusEnterprises
An Animated Step-by-Step Recipe, Brownies is available as a free resource on the Teachers Pay Teachers site (3 versions: Regular - no Symbols, Picture Communication Symbols, SymbolStix) so download
the free resource and give this therapeutic approach a 'test drive' with your clients!
I would love to hear how Animated Step-by-Steps® work as a therapeutic tool with
clients diagnosed with dementia and memory constraints.
…’til the
next post …
Follow me on
twitter www.twitter.com/@AnimStepbySteps
Email
me canadiangoosse@gmail.com
©2018 Carol
Goossens’, Ph.D.
Augmentative
Communication Consultant
Speech-Language
Pathologist
Special
Educator
