In celebration of 30 years of successful therapy, we asked for success stories at the last ASHA Convention. The response was amazing! Here is how Diane Felton achieved TalkTools SLP practice transformation with inspiring results.
TalkTools SLP Practice Transformation: Nonverbal TBI Teen
"I'm Diane Felton. I'm a speech therapist in Durham, North Carolina.
Initially, I first met Sara through a patient referral. The local therapist didn't believe in oral motor therapy. Consequently, I took him on and researched TalkTools. The program made sense to me.
Furthermore, I agreed to take him on. Sara served as co-therapist throughout the process. The patient was 17 years old. He suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident. As a result, he was nonverbal.
Additionally, he could type using a communication device he called 'typer.' He had no speech except one word: 'ma.' He had been in therapy for 2.5 years. His mom sought better options. She was frustrated. He was frustrated.
They started the program with Sara. They worked at home for six months. The focus was on building his strength. He couldn't blow out a candle. He had severe verbal apraxia. Initial steps targeted speech strength. Later, he worked on apraxia. I joined with Sara's guidance. We helped him produce sounds.
It has been seven years since I started seeing this patient. Now, he is completely verbal. Two years ago, he gave up his communication device. Overall, he is doing great.
We are still working on prosody. That's the main issue keeping him from normal speech. He speaks slowly. But he is intelligible to me almost 100% of the time. Occasionally, I need clarification. Unfamiliar listeners understand him most of the time.
It was a great experience working with Sara. I learned a lot about the program."
TalkTools SLP Practice Transformation: Premature Child with Autism
"I have had other patients with great success.
I saw a three-year-old who was focused on communication devices because she had no speech. Everyone had decided she would not talk. However, she had autism. Additionally, she was a 24-week premie. She was one of triplets. Despite this, she had no speech.
I used the TalkTools program with her. Although she struggled with oral motor planning, TalkTools helped her. It took a month for her to say 'up.' Her mom worried about the pace. Within three months, she had a good vocabulary. A year later, she was mostly verbal. She worked on speeding up her speech. It is still slow. But she has done great.
I have had many patients who did well. Sara coming into my life was one of the greatest things that happened to me.
I love the TalkTools program. Moreover, I am thrilled to help people who come as last resorts. They are unsure if they should continue. Furthermore, the program works for them.
Thank you, Sara." ~ Diane Felton, MA, CCC-SLP
We are appreciative of those who shared their stories about TalkTools SLP practice transformation. Let us know if you have a story to tell.