Description
Book SynopsisECHO: A Vocal Language Program for Easing Anxiety in Conversation is for clinicians supporting individuals who may experience social anxiety related to speaking in specific situations, or with certain individuals. Anxiety has a negative impact on working memory, which can make it difficult for individuals to communicate with ease. With reduced experiences talking to a variety of people in various situations, speaking often becomes more challenging. The ECHO program was developed to build ease and comfort with social pragmatic communication, focusing on improving conversational skills for children from later elementary through teenage years. The program can be implemented by speech-language pathologists, psychologists, educators, and other facilitators (including parents), who support the needs of children and teens with selective mutism, stuttering, and those in need of social communication support. This unique intervention program combines methods of vocalization and verbalization to enhance conversational skills with role-play simulations for real-life application. There are three modules in the ECHO program that build upon each other: Module 1 uses interactive games to focus on vocal control, helping the child or teen learn how to initiate voice, modulate intonation and volume with greater ease, and produce classes of speech sounds in words and sentences. Module 2 provides targeted skills for the child or teen to use language for different purposes, change language for the listeners or situation, and follow rules for conversation and storytelling; all with online interactive games to become a more spontaneous communicator. Module 3 builds on the previous two modules by providing conversational role-plays which simulate real-life situations in school, at home, and in social and public settings. A cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) framework is applied to help reduce cognitive distortions. Key Features Three modules bridging the gap from vocalization to conversation The ECHO Checklist to identify communication needs Social Communication Skills Pragmatics Checklist The ARC model for understanding anxiety tolerance, rescue reduction, and communication confidence Thirty-five interactive games and activities with over 150 photos (online and printed) to help children and teens gain skills necessary to vocalize and engage in conversation A PluralPlus companion website with interactive activities for in-person and telepractice use
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Reviewers Introduction The ECHO Program Whom the ECHO Program Serves The Modules How to Initiate the ECHO Program Setup for Face-to-Face and Virtual Online Sessions Gathering Information Connections Between Social Anxiety and Communication The ARC Model - Generalizing Skills Anxiety Tolerance Rescue Reduction Communication Confidence Documentation and Progress References Module 1. Vocal Control: Gaining Control of Your Voice for Speech Initiation Background Introduction and Theoretical Framework Proposed Hierarchy for Face-to-Face and Online Sessions: How to Begin Process of Vocal Control Activity Game 1: Sound Off Activity Game 2: Pitch Pipe Activity Game 3: Ramp it Up! Activity Game 4: Vocal Marathon Activity Game 5: Tag Along Words Activity Game 6: What's Up? Activity Game 7: Let's Face It References Module 2. Building Social Pragmatic Communication for Children and Teens Who Experience Anxiety in Speaking Situations Background Introduction and Theoretical Framework Overarching Goals for Module 2 Activity Game 1: Word Think -The First Word That Comes to Mind Activity Game 2: Pinpoint - Words to Sentences Activity Game 3: Actors' Corner - Interactive Scripts Activity Game 4: Barriers - Following Directions Activity Game 5: Question Match - Answering Questions Activity Game 6: More Information Please - Changing Questions Activity Game 7: See-Saw - Keep the Conversation Going Activity Game 8: Road Runner - Stay on Topic Track Activity Game 9: Conversation Wheelhouse Activity Game 10: Conversational Role-Plays: Pragmatic Language Activity Game 11: Chat Spin - Informal Conversations Module 2: Outreach Activities References Appendix 2-A. Suggestions for Facilitating Activities for Children and Teen with Selective Mutism Appendix 2-B. Suggestions for Facilitating Activities for Children and Teen who Stutter Module 3. Role-Play Simulations for Conversation Background Information Theoretical Framework Using the SMQ as a Guide for Activity Selection and Tracking Progress Role-Play Structure Facilitator Player Scenario Personal Stories In Preparation for the Role-Play Role-Play / Activity Roles Situations Reflections Cognitive Distortions Scenario 1: Talking to General Peers at School Scenario 2: Talking to Selected Peers at School Scenario 3: Being Asked a Question by the Teacher Scenario 4: Asking the Teacher a Question Scenario 5: Speaking to Teachers or Staff at School Scenario 6: Speaking in Groups or in Front of the Class Scenario 7: Talking to Family Members at Home When Others are Present Scenario 8: Talking to Family Members While in Unfamiliar Places Scenario 9. Talking to Family Members Who Don't Live With Me (e.g., grandparent, cousin) Scenario 10: Talking on the Phone to Parents and/or Siblings Scenario 11: Speaking with Familiar Family Friends Scenario 12: Speaking to at Least One Babysitter or Caregiver (not family member) Scenario 13: Speaking with Other Kids Who I Don't Know Scenario 14: Speaking with Family Friends Whom I Do Not Know Scenario 15: Speaking with my Doctor or Dentist Scenario 16: Speaking to Store Clerks or Waiters Scenario 17: Talking When in Clubs, Teams, or Organized Activities Outside of School Photo Cards References Appendix A. DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria for Selective Mutism, Childhood-Onset Fluency Disorder (Stuttering), and Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder Appendix B. The ECHO Checklist Appendix C. ECHO Program - Information About Me Appendix D. Social Communication Skills - The Pragmatics Checklist Appendix E. EXPRESS Selective Mutism (SM) Communication Questionnaire Index
