What is TalkTools?

TalkTools is an oral placement therapy programme. It incorporates the proprioceptive and kinaesthetic feedback needed to address the sensory aspects of feeding and speech (the “feel of speech”). For some children auditory and visual models of feedback do not provide enough feedback for the child to be able to produce the sound in isolation or in connected speech. They need to start from oral motor movements that they can produce and build on those.

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The tools used in the TalkTools hierarchies provide tactile cueing to facilitate more accurate movement patterns for standard production and clarity, as well as appropriate feeding skills. Once the child can achieve the motor placement for a specific sound and can produce the sound using auditory and visual input then more traditional speech therapy activities take over.

TalkTools is part of a comprehensive treatment package and is not an isolated approach.

How does it work?

Each activity within the TalkTools therapy is designed to address the sensory and motor aspects impacting on speech clarity and feeding. It is done in a structured hierarchical approach ensuring that each child has the motor skills necessary to accomplish age appropriate speech and/or feeding goals and to maintain a high level of success for the child.

The “tools” used include bubble, whistles and straw drinking. They are designed to be fun alongside addressing specific oral placement goals.

TalkTools therapy is not a therapy approach to be used in isolation but one that is combined with other speech, language and feeding interventions. Once your child can effectively and consistently achieve the correct placement for a sound it will be immediately transitioned into more traditional speech therapy activities.

Who is it appropriate for?

TalkTools therapy is appropriate for anyone displaying reduced mobility, precision and endurance of the oral structures and musculature that adversely affect speech production and feeding. These include; motor speech disorders, articulation problems, dyspraxia, pervasive development disorders, cerebral palsy, acquired brain injuries, autism spectrum disorders and children who are non verbal.

TalkTools will help if your child has difficulty with the following actions:

• Blowing out candles.
• Drinking from a straw.
• Keeping their mouth closed during speech and play.
• Drooling.
• Limited repertoire of vowels and consonants (speech sounds).
• Difficulty understanding your child (clarity).
• Limited food repertoire (textures, taste, smells).
• Fixed jaw position (wide-stretched smile).

What next?

Please call to discuss if a TalkTools Evaluation would be appropriate for your child and to arrange for an assessment.