App Review: Articulation Screener by Pocket SLP

You know I'm always trying to find great information for you guys, right?  Whenever I find a great resource, giveaway opportunity, or freebie, I like to post it to my Facebook Page (If you haven't already, make sure you go and give it a "like"!).  So, not too long ago, I found out that Pocket SLP was hosting a giveaway to advertise their newest app:  Articulation Screener Pro ($7.99 in the App Store).  Of course, I wanted to share this information with you, so I "shared" their status.  Little did I know, but by sharing, I was entering myself in the giveaway...and I won!  To give back, I told the kind folks at Pocket SLP that I would provide a review of the app to share with all of you (The opinions expressed are mine alone).  So, here goes...

When you open up the app, you are shown the screen above.  There are red arrows that tell you how to use the app and how to score the screener.  You can skip the instruction by tapping "Skip" in the upper right hand corner.  If you do, it will be shown the next time you launch the app.  You can also tap "Don't Show Again" in the upper left hand corner to avoid seeing the prompts again.

Once you touch "Screen," you will be prompted to add a Client Name.  The app does not allow you to move along without adding a last name so, for the purposes of this review, I screened Khloe Kardashian :)

Once your clients are entered, you will select one, then choose if you want to complete a "Full Screen" or a "Basic Screen."

Full Screen

With this option, you can screen sounds in both initial and final word positions.  You will see an image with a printed word:

The target phonemes are printed in green (correct).  If a child does not produce the sound correctly, you can tap the letter(s) to record as incorrect (red) or approximate (yellow):

Notice the blue Menu bar across the top?  If you tap the Pocket SLP logo, you will return to the home screen.  Tapping the X will exit the screen.  Tapping the star will allow you to enter a phonological process:

Tapping the speaker icon will provide the student with a spoken model of the target word.  Tapping the conversation bubble will allow you to add notes:

Basic Screen

This option allows for screening in the initial position only. 

In the Basic Screen, the target sound is highlighted in red.  You tap the green check to mark as accurate, the red X to mark as incorrect, and the yellow approximation sign for "close/sometimes."

At the end of the basic screen, there are a few questions about phonological processes.  Here's an example:

I found that  had to think a little extra on these.  This is because, in the previous items, "good" productions are marked with the green "Yes," and inaccurate productions are marked with the red "No."  For these questions, absence of the phonological process (or "good" productions) are marked by tapping the red "No."

When you are finished with either screening option, you are provided with a Phonetic Inventory report.  I love that the phonemes are broken down by age.  This is a great way to show parents what sounds a child should have and what sounds are/are not age appropriate to be targeting.

Summary report, screen 1

Summary report, screen 2

I love this app for a few reasons.  Mostly, it's a quick and easy way to screen for articulation.  I don't only use articulation screeners for screening purposes.  I also use various screeners to monitor progress/probe for targets with my current artic kiddos.  This one is highly motivating for the students.  Let's face it, what student doesn't prefer to do activities on the iPad?!?  I also love that the report is grouped by age expectations.  This make the results clearer for parents and teachers.

I would like to note that I did find myself making notes on a sticky pad rather than in-app.  This is partly because I found it awkward to take the iPad back from the student so I could type my notes...and they didn't want to wait for me to do this either!  I was thinking that I would like to see a way to add notes to the comments section after the screener is finished.  However, you can email the report to yourself by tapping the gray arrow in the upper right corner of the report.  You can then add your notes to your email.

Have you tried Articulation Screener?  What do you think?  Have you tried any other apps by Pocket SLP? What's your favorite?

Hearing Screenings!

In my district, all kindergarteners need to have their hearing screened.  The SLPs are responsible for this task.  I asked on Facebook if you as SLPs conduct hearing screenings in your district.  It seemed to be about 50/50 - with many districts having hearing screens conducted by nursing staff.  If you do conduct
hearing screenings, here are a couple of tips:

• Little guys and girls can be intimidated by the process.  Many equate it to visiting the doctor.  So, I typically tell them that they're going to wear headphones - like the kind you use to listen to music. Except,  my headphones don't play music, they play TRUCKS!  (You know what sound a truck makes when backing up, right? Beep-beep-beep).  I tell them that sometimes the trucks will be big (e.g., low pitch and/or high volume) and sometimes they will be little (high pitch and/or low volume) and that they need to raise their hands whenever they hear a truck, even if it's TINY!  This makes the task more like a game.
• Some kids are intimidated by the headphones.  In the past I have used a mirror so they can see what they look like with them on.   

  

• Taking the kids in pairs can alleviate some of the anxiety.
• Many kids need LOTS of teaching of the expectation.  I typically instruct the whole class before beginning and have them practice raising their hands when I say "beep."  Then, when I bring the children to the room, I do more of the same.  If they still seem to need practice, I'll turn the audiometer up to full volume and hold the headphones open (you can generally hear the beeps at full volume without wearing the headphones).  We will practice together until the children seem to understand.
• After all that practice, some kids will still have difficulty understanding the expectation "When you hear the beep, raise your hand."  Some alternate methods of response include:  dropping a block in a bucket in response to the sound, giving a thumbs-up, using picture icons (below - keep your finger on the SHH until you hear the truck, then slide your finger over), or using an app like Choice Board Creator (see below). 

(click picture to download)

Choice Board Creator

I created this form last year that you may find helpful for documentation purposes:

(click image to download)

I love using these Familiar Sounds Audiograms for parent information purposes.  This one is from Nadine Miller, Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (click the image to be directed to her site):

If you do conduct hearing screenings, I hope you found something helpful!  Do you have other tips/suggestions for conducting hearing screens?