Resources for Recovery
Right now, we’re all trying to stay home as much as we can to help stop the spread of COVID-19 (or coronavirus) so our medical teams (including speech pathologists) on the front lines can help those with the most immediate needs. That means speech therapy may be canceled or moved online.
But that doesn’t mean that recovery needs to stop. Our evidence-based apps & resources are here for you, and we’re here to support you.
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Tactus Therapy Apps for Home Practice
It’s easy to get started using Tactus Therapy apps:
- Use our App Finder wizard to find out which apps are right for you.
- Download and try the FREE Lite versions of your recommended apps.
- Buy the apps you need and get started using them right away.
All of our apps are a one-time purchase, meaning there no subscriptions or ongoing fees. You can use them without Wi-Fi once you download them, and they’re available for both iOS & Android mobile devices.
To all the healthcare professionals putting themselves in harm’s way to help others – thank you!
To all the education professionals learning to teach or provide therapy online – we salute you!
To all the families separated from each other and your rehab by social distancing and quarantines – we’re here for you!
Understanding COVID-19 with Communication Impairments
Everyone needs to understand what’s happening in this pandemic and what they can do to protect themselves and others. Many people with communication impairments like aphasia, dementia, or Autism need visual supports and clear, simple language to understand.
Download our FREE PDF handout that explains the COVID-19 situation in an aphasia-friendly way
We’ve had speech pathologists around the world translating this handout for their clients. Here it is in French, Italian, Finnish, and Greek. There’s even a YouTube video version of the handout from Dr. Richardson at UNM! If you have a translation to share, please send us a link to share it with others.
There are also some other wonderful resources out there. Check out these links:
- A curated list for people with developmental disabilities who need communication supports: https://www.smore.com/udqm2-covid-19-preparedness
- The Centre for Research Excellence in Aphasia Recovery and Rehabilitation has created a spreadsheet listing all aphasia-COVID resources.
- The Aphasia Institute has a free PDF using their ParticiPics to explain COVID-19 in an aphasia-friendly format.
- Patient Provider Education offers free communication tools (AAC) for patients with COVID-19.
Resources for Families during COVID-19
Apps are a fantastic way to keep up your speech therapy while working from home. You can work on one app or a variety of apps each day. The important thing is to practice each day on the skills you want to improve.
In speech therapy now?
Ask your therapist to help you find which apps are right for you. Our App Finder quiz can help you both decide. Once you’ve tried the app and downloaded the full version, you can carry on doing your speech therapy exercises at home.
Did you know? You can send the results of your practice sessions using the Tactus Therapy apps straight to your therapist with just 2 taps! Enter the email address of the therapist in the Settings of the app. You only need to do this once per app. Then, at the end of each practice session:
- Touch the green “Email Results” button
- Press “Send” when the email appears
Now the speech therapist can see what you’ve been working on and how you’re doing. They can email you back with recommendations of which settings to change or levels to work on if needed.
Working on your own?
Use our App Finder to learn which apps might be right for you. Try the free Lite versions. Then get unlimited practice with the full version of the app. All of our apps are a one-time purchase, so there won’t be any ongoing cost.
Our Language Therapy 4-in-1 app is our most popular. It includes recommendations on what to do next after each practice session. You can also download our user guide and tips for step-by-step guidance to use the app independently and get the most out of each activity.
If you’re ready for something new, revisit the App Finder or reach out to us for guidance.
Links to other Tactus Therapy resources:
- We’ve created a special handout just for you: 50 Things You Can Do Right Now to Help Your Loved One with Aphasia. It’s totally free, and has lots of helpful tips.
- You may be receiving therapy now via telepractice, or therapy done remotely via video conferencing. If this is new to you, check out this article about how telepractice for aphasia can work.
- Doing speech therapy exercises at home can be difficult. Having a schedule can help. Check out these 9 tips for making homework easier and more successful.
Links to external resources:
- Aphasia Recovery Connection is hosting many online programs. To join the Facebook group, be sure to answer the memberships questions.
- Voices of Aphasia has virtual choir sessions online.
Resources for Speech Professionals during COVID-19
Now more than ever, we need to take advantage of technology to provide services, offer home exercises, and stay connected while being physically apart. As always, we’re here to help you help your clients to get more speech therapy practice at home using the Tactus Therapy apps. Their recovery shouldn’t stop just because they have to stay home.
Introduce Your Clients to Apps
Use our App Finder to learn which apps might be right for your clients. There are free Lite versions for them to try, and the full versions offer unlimited practice for a one-time purchase; no costly subscriptions.
Your clients can learn to use the apps independently with your help or using the resources on our website. We offer videos, user guides, and tips, as well as unparalleled customer support for anyone who contacts us.
Monitor Their Progress Remotely
Anyone can email you their results with 2 taps. Enter your email address in the Settings of their app or provide it to a care partner to enter. You only need to do this once per app. Then, at the end of each practice session, the user needs to:
- Touch the green “Email Results” button
- Press “Send” when the email appears
Now you’ll get a detailed report in your inbox to see what they’ve been working on and how they’re doing. You can email them back with recommendations of which settings to change or levels to work on if needed, or just send messages of encouragement to people who may be even more socially isolated than usual.
Use Apps for Telepractice
There are many ways to mirror your apps for use in telepractice. We’ve put together a free 4-page handout taking you step-by-step through 3 of the most popular ways to mirror apps, as well as a short instructional video demonstration.
Learn how to mirror apps for screen sharing in telepractice with a free handout and video
Links to other Tactus Therapy resources:
- We’ve created step-by-step user guides for each Language Therapy and Advanced Language Therapy app to help your clients use the apps independently, and to help you get the most out of them.
Links to external resources:
- The Informed SLP brings you all the evidence around telepractice
- ASHA’s up-to-date website with issues affecting SLPs during COVID-19
- Honeycomb Therapy offers a free pandemic home program for those without access to technology
- Dr. Tom Sather of U of Wisconsin offers free advice for running online aphasia groups
- Lisa Young of Eat, Speak & Think offers helpful information on creating an intensive aphasia home practice program
- The Australian Aphasia Association has created a L.E.A.V.I.N.G. checklist as a clinical planning tool for when patients with aphasia are discharged home early due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Questions? We can help!
We understand how overwhelming everything can be right now and so if you have any questions at all, please do contact us. You will receive a personal reply from Megan or Ben and hopefully together, we can begin to sort through anything you are facing.