Children, particularly those on the autism spectrum, are able to acquire communication skills much more easily when their learning incorporates movement. Even very simple actions such as tapping and hand clapping can have a noticeable impact on their speech and language development. Speech in Action is an innovative approach to learning that combines simple techniques from speech and language pathology with physical exercises that have been carefully designed to meet the individual child's particular needs and abilities. This practical workbook describes the approach, and how it works, and contains 90 fully-photocopiable lesson plans packed with fun and creative ideas for getting both mouth and body moving. Suitable for use either at school or at home, the activities can be dipped into in any order, and are organised by level of ability, with something for everyone. The final chapter contains the success stories of children the authors have used the activities with, demonstrating how the approach can be used in practice. This will be a useful resource for teachers, occupational therapists, and other professionals who work with children with delayed communication skills, as well as parents and carers who would like to support their child's speech and language development at home.

About the Illustrator. Introduction. How to Use This Book. How to Praise Your Student and Encourage Healthy Self-Esteem. 1. Warm Ups, Cool Downs, and Breathing. Deep Breath Stretch. The Cobra. Snow Angel Stretch. Compliment Circle. The Warrior. Oral Motor Stretches. Facial Stretches. Know Your Body Parts. Right to Left. Reach for.... Listen. 2. Getting Started. Body Instrument. Co-op Band Cooperation. Rhyming Runner. Walk Aerobics. Chair Exercises. Biology Analogy. Preposition Rally. Raining with a Chance of Bubbles. Balloon Burst. Ma, Ma, Moo. Shape-Ups. Chair Soccer. Simon Says. Ball to Target. Sign Language Exercise. Hula-Hoop Activities.Tennis Ball Teasers. Balance Time on the Floor. Balancing Act. "Hokey Pokey". Socks, Shoes, and Manners. 3. Moving On. Category Catch. Look at Me! Follow that Cat-egory. Hopscotch. Musical Paper Plates. Clean Your Room. Tongue Twister. Catching Scoops. Dancing Ribbons. Dance, Dance, Dance. Mr Wolf, What Time Is It? Mystery Moves. Role-Playing Holiday Manners. Chalk Course. Rope Exercises. Arctic Artic. Scavenger Hunt in the Park. Milk Carton Activities. Sponge Target. Memory Run. Foot Croquet. Balance Time. Water Play. What's Your Favorite Recipe? 4. Feelings and Figurative Language. Action Food. Slang Dunk. Emotional Movement. I'm a Mime. Communication Link. Rhyming to the Beat. Idiom Act-Out. Morphing Emotions. Multi-Throw. Back to Back. Trust Walk. The Midas Touch. Sports Collage. Fling Sock Golf. Idiom Wall. Face to Find the Place. Mining for Gold. Blind as a Bat. Let Me In. Place Your Guess. Line 'Em Up. 5. The Field Trip. Trip to the Park. Smell the Flowers. Aquarium. Backyard Campout. Survey the Mall. Grand Central Station. Trip to the Store. Walking: Corner Talk. Jump. Trip to an Orchard. I Spy Safety Signs. 6. Success Stories. Earl. Gaston. Fiona. Danielle. Appendix. Table of body parts. Table of emotions and feelings. Table of occupations. American Sign Language alphabet. Antonyms list for elementary students. Antonyms list for middle school and high school. Synonyms list. Idioms list. Slang terms. Table of descriptors. "Hokey Pokey" lyrics. "Dem Bones" lyrics. Body parts and corresponding bones ("Hokey Pokey" and "Dem Bones"). List of materials. Glossary. References and Further Reading.