Jill Rivers
Speech/Language and Assistive Technology Specialist

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Question

We have a 7th grade boy who has returned home following traumatic brain injury last year. His rehabilitation is coming along. He is repeating more and more words and phrases but has no spontaneous speech, yet. It has been my experience that this is often the situation.

We are looking for ideas of interesting software for boys his age. He will have a joystick and the Biggy Cursor software from R.J. Cooper. I ordered CONCENTRATE! On Words and Concepts from Laureate. It is instructional, certainly, but not a highly motivating piece of software. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks, Betty

 

Answer

First, for those who aren't familiar with the CONCENTRATE! On Words and Concepts series from Laureate, click here to read all about it! http://www.laureatelearning.com/professionals602/products/descriptions/condesc.html . Biggy software enlarges the cursor and provides several options for the appearance of the cursor. Click http://www.rjcooper.com/biggy/index.html to see Biggy's "ultra visible cursors for all programs".

Betty, have you seen Switch Wars from Simtech? It might be just what you are looking for…


It's an arcade-style, "Alien spacecraft have invaded our galaxy", blow stuff up game with four activities designed to teach cause and effect, linear scanning, cross scanning and reaction time. Switch Wars is a single-switch program that is attractive to older students; you can play by yourself or with another person. It should work fine with the joystick your student uses. Switch Wars is a WIN/MAC CD-R and cost $25.00 ($22.50 if you purchase on line at http://www.hsj.com/products.html#wars.)

When I worked with students with acquired brain injuries for the California Community College's High Tech Centers, Training Unit, we used a software program called Captain's Log for cognitive skill retraining. The software consists of 33 multi-level cognitive exercises designed to help develop and remediate attention, concentration, memory, eye-hand coordination, basic numeric concepts, problem solving-reasoning skills, self-esteem and self-control.

There are five modules: Attention Skills-Developmental; Visual Motor Skills; Conceptual Skills; Numeric Concepts with Memory Skills; and Attention Skills-The Next Generation. The modules may be purchased individually or as a complete set. The game-like exercises range from very low level to quite difficult and are appropriate for ages 6 through adult. I'm not saying it's exciting but you can read all about it at: http://www.braintrain.com/captains_log/captains_log_home.html and order a Captain's Log® Trial Packet for only $10. Captain's Log is available for PC- Windows OS only.

The Trial Packet includes a fully functional disk containing a time and usage limited version of 12 of the 33 Captain's Log® programs, research, reviews from experts and other pertinent information, plus a $10 credit back towards your purchase. To order the Captain's Log® Trial Packet, send $10 with your request to BrainTrain, 727 Twin Ridge Lane, Richmond, VA 23235, or you can call 1-800-822-0538 or 804-320-0105.

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