Achieving Goals Through SymbolStory in Real-Time Therapy

In this article, I explore the utility of the SymbolStory application as a therapeutic tool for speech-language pathologists (SLPs). This platform serves as a valuable resource for promoting interaction and communication skills among children. By collaboratively creating stories with the child, clinicians can establish a new and shared dialogue space, fostering opportunities for working on various communicative aspects.

As SLPs, we are constantly seeking innovative ways to enhance language pragmatics and facilitate participation in social interactions for children across different settings, whether it be school, home, or community environments. The SymbolStory app offers a creative avenue for achieving these goals.

Let's consider a clinical example to illustrate its effectiveness. Suppose we have a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who struggles with social communication skills, particularly understanding the perspectives of others. In therapy sessions, the SLP can use SymbolStory to co-create narratives that revolve around social scenarios relevant to the child's experiences.

For instance, the SLP and the child might develop a story about sharing toys with a friend at school. Through this collaborative process, the child learns to identify and express their feelings, understand social cues, and practice appropriate responses in similar real-life situations. The visual supports provided by SymbolStory enhance comprehension and engagement, making the learning experience more accessible and enjoyable for the child.

Moreover, the clinician can tailor the stories to address specific communication goals, such as turn-taking, initiating conversations, or expressing empathy. Each story becomes a therapeutic tool for targeting key language and social skills while promoting meaningful interaction between the child and the therapist.

Overall, the SymbolStory application empowers SLPs to create personalized and interactive therapy experiences that cater to the unique needs of each child. By leveraging this innovative tool, clinicians can effectively support children in developing essential communication skills and navigating social interactions with confidence.