Good morning! I am a little bit confused, could you please help me in something? I would like to buy the Bite Blocks from TalkTools. I just want you to tell me the difference between them and the Apraxia Speech Blocks. Is it the same if I buy the second (Apraxia Speech Blocks) and not the Red Bite Blocks? Are they doing the same job?
~Erika
Hi Erika,
The Apraxia Speech Blocks are one set that are used for jaw placement when practicing sounds. Although they are technically the same material and size, the Jaw Grading Bite Block Program requires 2 sets to complete. You could technically buy 2 sets of Apraxia Speech Blocks and do the program, but it won’t come with instructions, so you would need to have been trained on the program and not need them. I would caution using the Apraxia Speech Blocks for jaw work IF you are going to need them for a child with apraxia and significant motor planning deficits who may have difficulty shifting between the two activities.
Hope this helps!
Renee
Renee Roy Hill, MS, CCC-SLP has provided therapeutic assessments and program planning for adults and children with oral placement, feeding and motor speech deficits for over 17 years. She is the owner of Crossroads Therapy Clinic in New Braunfels, TX and a member of the TalkTools® speakers bureau. Renee has been an invited speaker for ASHA state conventions and has received specialized training in speech/oral-motor/feeding therapy, Apraxia, sensory processing disorders, Hanen Courses, NDT training, TAMO therapy and PROMPT. She is the creator of the TalkTools® Schedule Board Kit, co-author of Ice Sticks, and author of the TalkTools® Apraxia Program.
Hi! I see that Renee has a course coming up in November on achieving volitional control over phonation. I plan to register, but would love some ideas or resources to get me started with a patient until then. I am working with a 2 year old who has a capped trach (hoping for decannulation next month). She is vocalizing spontaneously at times, but not volitionally. We have been working on oral airflow with straws, horns, bubbles, and pom poms, but she is not yet understanding how to blow or voice volitionally. Any tips you can share? Thank you!