Are Spelling Interventions Necessary? Absolutely!
Children with language-based learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, struggle to spell even simple words. For many, the expectation has been that they cannot learn to spell. However, when spelling strategies are developed and implemented with a language-based profile (phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics), these children can markedly improve their spelling abilities.
At the Lapsa Speech Language Center, speech language pathologists have been utilizing a systematic and intensive iPad centered approach for the implementation of language-based spelling strategies. Applying Sarah Ward's Executive Function model of Forward Thinking, we have organized a spelling strategy method using a combination of four apps: Dropbox, Notability , Pic Collage, and iBooks.
The following is a quick overview of the implementation procedure:
Family : Purchase the Dropbox, Notability, Pic Collage and iBooks apps for the iPad from iTunes.
Family: Establish a dropbox account
Clinician: Send all documents (as PDF) to the client or parent's dropbox account
Family: Open documents from Dropbox into Notability or ibooks (depending on the intended use).
Documents:
Spelling 1: This document is used by clients working from a school generated Spelling List. Note that the first strategy is to "chunk" the spelling words according to a pattern. For this strategy, our clients use the Pic Collage app. Click here for an example.
Spelling 2: This document is used by clients for general spelling tasks (i.e., writing a story or paper, learning a new vocabulary word).
Spelling 3: This document is used by clients during a spelling test at school. It provides a visual cue for the utilizaiton of strategies during a testing situation. We have had the best experience by placing this document on a "shelf" in the iBooks app. The document contains only the list of strategies; no information specific to the spelling word list is on the sheet.
Incorporating the strategies into the apps has significantly motivated this cohort of clients to consistently and effectively use these tools. This is extremely important, as their continued success with spelling is crucial for progression of their language development.
Feel free to contact us should you have any questions or comments regarding the method~
