The presentation includes:

• An overview of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS)
• 8 applied verbal behavior strategies for CAS
• Phonological processes
• Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol techniques
• Effective clinical skills for successful outcomes
• Video of a treatment session
• Evidence-informed practice
• Nancy's favorite materials and toys for treatment sessions

Please email Cyndi Davis with any questions or to schedule a course.

Nancy's fee for the full course is $4,000 USD, to be paid in advance of the course. If participants are charged for the course, Nancy requires 25% of registration fees per participant for groups of 100.

Preparation: Setting up the virtual meeting, inviting all participants, and sending Nancy the link where she can join the meeting and share her screen. There is to be absolutely no recording of the presentation without Nancy Kaufman’s prior and explicit permission.

Tech support: Facilitating any additional meeting-related tech support that may arise before and during the presentation. A meeting to test technology is required prior to the course.

Continuing education: Arraigning for and managing any CEUs credits for participants.

The Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol (K-SLP) evaluation and treatment approach will be demonstrated. Elements of shaping word approximations to simplify the difficult motor plan of words, the use of natural phonological processes in therapy, and cueing and scripting systems will be highlighted via video. The K-SLP is rooted in the teaching strategies of applied behavior analysis (ABA) and motor learning principles regarding practice schedules, feedback, and retention of skills. This effective method for children with apraxia of speech will be shared in a functional manner, with many tips and suggestions clinicians and parents can use immediately.

Children who may have an adequate repertoire of consonants and vowels in isolation may not be able to coordinate the oral motor movements necessary to produce and combine these phonemes to form syllables, words, phrases, and sentences on volitional control. These children may be unable to speak or may be unintelligible speakers. They may even have difficulty executing the oral motor movements necessary to produce isolated phonemes. These are the children who can benefit from the techniques taught in this course.

This clinical presentation will focus on evaluation and treatment strategies for CAS with the K-SLP methods. It will include defining CAS, establishing motivation, using reinforcement, implementing and fading cues, and scripting functional expressive language. It will also include implementing the principles of motor learning for practice schedules, and how to move from the acquisition stage to the retention stage of learning to be an effective vocal communicator.

The methods, strategies, and techniques presented in this program follow the most current research in CAS and will provide clinicians with the information they need to help children with CAS progress from a simple core vocabulary to phrases and eventually to sentences and conversational speech. In addition, treatment videos will be used to enhance the learning experience. The main focus will be children ages 2-6 years.

By the end of the course, participants should be able to:

• Understand and analyze a norm-referenced, standardized test which relates directly to the K-SLP approach, to identify this unique population of children.
• Use evaluation information to establish goals for single words and phrases.
• Implement a specific treatment approach using phonological processes to simplify the motor plans for CAS.
• Provide five lists of single words to target in therapy.
• List principles of motor learning for the acquisition vs the retention stages of learning.
• Explain the importance of mixing and varying tasks/blocked vs random practice.

Please email Cyndi Davis with any questions or to schedule a course.

SPEAK visits are available year-round and are generally 2-3 days in length. They include:

• Full speech and language evaluation
• 3-5 therapy sessions (30 minutes each)
• A parent conference to review goals and techniques and address questions and concerns

Traveling to Michigan with kids is not an easy operation and Nancy takes that very seriously. She will only recommend an intensive visit if she feels that it will be beneficial for the child and if the child’s team is open to the K-SLP methods and her collaboration. If Nancy does not feel that the child is ready for the intensive program, she will make other helpful recommendations.

To qualify for an intensive visit, children must:

• Have the ability to imitate consonants, vowels, and syllables
• Be able to sit and attend for 30-minute sessions, motivated by highly preferred toys and activities

Children with autism spectrum disorder who are minimally vocal are generally not appropriate for the SPEAK program. We have found that these children require much more of a time commitment than half-hour sessions over four days and do best when both speech-language pathologists and behavior analysts work together for their benefit.

Our team approach is implemented through our applied behavior analysis (ABA) program, where we have the opportunity to work with the children for full or half days, four days a week, over many weeks. Click HERE for more information on those programs.

Parents of children with ASD are still encouraged to submit a video for consultation. Nancy can can provide some suggestions and recommendations for techniques and webinars/e-courses that may be helpful.

Once Nancy has evaluated the child in person, she may schedule additional half-hour SPEAK sessions, if appropriate and if her schedule allows. Extra sessions with Nancy are charged at a rate of $100 per half hour.

While at the KCC, many families choose for their children to receive occupational therapy services. Kids with apraxia of speech or other speech-sound disorders often benefit from oral-motor, fine-motor, and even sensory integration therapy. We will arrange an individualized schedule for each child during the time that you are here. OT sessions are an extra fee, charged at a rate of $80 per half hour.

Family members who travel to the KCC with the child are able to watch all sessions through an observation window, and will have the opportunity to participate in parent coaching within some of the sessions.

Each SPEAK therapy session is recorded so families can review and share techniques with the child’s home speech-language pathologist.

If you are interested in having your child participate in a SPEAK visit, your first step is to submit a video to determine if she or he is appropriate for the program. Click HERE for information on how to record and submit a video. Once Nancy reviews the video, she will contact you to get the ball rolling.

• Obtain written permission from the parent to share videos with Nancy (see below)
• Record video of the child in treatment sessions
• Upload your clips to YouTube or Dropbox
• Visit our consultation submission form to provide information about the child
• Upload written permission from the parent
• Enter the YouTube/Dropbox links and pay the fee
• Nancy will review your videos and call you with her recommendations

This consultation is not a live virtual/online meeting with Nancy. She will review video clips of the child then call you with her recommendations. Video clips are required; Nancy cannot give recommendations without first viewing the child's current skills. This is not a formal evaluation; no written documentation is included in the video consultation.

Permission from the child's parent is required for Nancy to consult with you about their treatment. Please download the permission form HERE, complete it including parent signature, and upload it where indicated in the online video consultation form.

VIDEO LENGTH:

You may submit up to five links, but the total viewing time cannot exceed 30 minutes.

CONTENT:

• Send video of a therapy session.
• Show actual treatment techniques and not just a speech and/or language sample so Nancy is able to make some useful suggestions.
• Focus on the child and be sure that their mouth is visible.
• If available, administer parts of the Kaufman Speech Praxis Test (KSPT).
• Have the child imitate a series of isolated vowels, consonant-vowel combinations, words, and phrases.
• Have the child name common objects.
• Please say the name of each object after the child does, so that there is a reference for the true word.
• Try to include some type of spontaneous speech.

Important note: For security purposes, we are not able to download any clips and are only able to accept videos that Nancy can view online. Please send direct links to individual videos (not folders) posted to Dropbox or YouTube. Your consultation will not be processed if you send links to other sites or by email attachment.

Here are some tips for using Dropbox and YouTube. Please contact those sites directly with questions.

DROPBOX:

• Upload your videos following the directions provided by Dropbox.
• Click "all files" for a list of all videos uploaded to your Dropbox account.
• Right-click on a video's title and choose "copy link address"
• Paste the link where indicated in the form below. Repeat for up to five links.
• Very important – If you are sharing several video clips, be sure to send the individual link to each video. DO NOT send links to full folders. Sending that way requires us to download the videos instead of viewing them online and takes up too much space in our Dropbox account.

YOUTUBE:

• Upload your videos following the directions provided by YouTube.
• Be sure to set each of your video’s privacy settings to unlisted. This means that only those with the direct link will be able to view your video. We will not be able to view your videos if they are set to private.
• Click on your video, then select SHARE at the bottom right of the video. Copy the link provided in the pop-up window.
• Paste the link where indicated in the form below. Repeat for up to five links.
• Please note: YouTube is an online sharing service. If you are concerned about confidentiality, please use the Dropbox option.

1. Record video of the child in treatment sessions, or ask their SLP for clips

2. Upload your clips to YouTube or Dropbox (see info below)

3. Visit our consultation submission form to provide information about your child

4. At the end of the form, enter the YouTube/Dropbox links and pay the fee

5. Nancy will review your videos and call you with her recommendations

This consultation is not a live virtual/online meeting with Nancy. She will review video clips of the child then call you with her recommendations. Video clips are required; Nancy cannot give recommendations without first viewing the child's current skills. This is not a formal evaluation; no written documentation is included in the video consultation.

Nancy Kaufman's video consultations are for:

• Children who live out of state or in Michigan but an hour or more away from our clinic in West Bloomfield. If you live closer than an hour away, please register for an in-person evaluation here.
• Children whose parents would like to bring them to KCC for an intensive visit. It is important to Nancy that her methods will be a good fit for your child before you make the trip. Children will not be scheduled without completing a video consultation.

This video consultation is not suitable for children local to the suburban Detroit area who wish to receive ongoing, regular therapy at the KCC. They will require full, in-person evaluations before beginning sessions.

Children with autism spectrum disorder who are minimally vocal are generally not appropriate for intensive programs (more info available here). Nancy is happy to provide advice, but the video consult will not result in an in-person visit.

You may submit up to five links, but the total viewing time cannot exceed 30 minutes.

Child working with SLP (BEST):

If at all possible, send video of a therapy session between your child and their speech pathologist. Please have the SLP show actual treatment techniques and not just a speech and/or language sample, so Nancy is able to make some useful suggestions.

Please note: It is best if the SLP is interested in working collaboratively with Nancy and is familiar with the K-SLP methods and materials rather than this consultation being imposed on the SLP, who may not be interested or invested in the K-SLP techniques. This should be a positive and desired collaboration with the purpose of working together on behalf of the children!

Child working with a parent:

If it is not possible to film your child in a speech and language session, parents should make sure to film the child demonstrating the skills listed below under content. Video clips should give the best idea of what the child sounds like when they attempt to speak.

Content:

• Focus on the child and be sure that their mouth is visible.
• If available, administer parts of the Kaufman Speech Praxis Test (KSPT).
• Have the child imitate a series of isolated vowels, consonant-vowel combinations, words, and phrases.
• Have the child name common objects.
• Please say the name of each object after the child does, so that there is a reference for the true word.
• Try to provide some type of spontaneous speech.

Important note: For security purposes, we are not able to download any clips and are only able to accept videos that Nancy can view online. Please send direct links to individual videos (not folders) posted to Dropbox or YouTube. Your consultation will not be processed if you send links to other sites or by email attachment.

Here are some tips for using Dropbox and YouTube. Please contact those sites directly with questions.

DROPBOX:

• Upload your videos following the directions provided by Dropbox.
• Click "all files" for a list of all videos uploaded to your Dropbox account.
• Right-click on a video's title and choose "copy link address"
• Paste the link where indicated in the form below. Repeat for up to five links.
• Very important – If you are sharing several video clips, be sure to send the individual link to each video. DO NOT send links to full folders. Sending that way requires us to download the videos instead of viewing them online and takes up too much space in our Dropbox account.

YOUTUBE:

• Upload your videos following the directions provided by YouTube.
• Be sure to set each of your video’s privacy settings to unlisted. This means that only those with the direct link will be able to view your video. We will not be able to view your videos if they are set to private.
• Click on your video, then select SHARE at the bottom right of the video. Copy the link provided in the pop-up window.
• Paste the link where indicated in the form below. Repeat for up to five links.
• Please note: YouTube is an online sharing service. If you are concerned about confidentiality, please use the Dropbox option.

Your first step is to schedule an autism diagnostic evaluation at an approved autism evaluation center (AAEC). Contact your insurance provider to locate an AAEC that is in your network. A recommendation for ABA is typically made at this time.

Please note: although we provide treatment for autism at KCC, we do not diagnose autism.

Kaufman Children’s Center provides ABA treatment through Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Care Network, and Health Alliance Plan (HAP). However, it is important that you contact your provider to determine if ABA is a covered benefit in your individual plan. An authorization for treatment will need to be obtained.  You are responsible for any deductibles, copays, or coinsurance fees.

Please give us some basic information about your child via our ABA intake form HERE. Once you submit the form, our clinic coordinator will give you a call. They will discuss your child’s needs with you and provide information on the status of our wait list.

An effective ABA program starts with a thorough assessment. We review your child’s areas of strengths and needs and obtain input from you as the parent/caregiver. Every ABA program is individualized for the child and is as unique as they are. We use the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Planning Program (VB-MAPP) as our assessment and tool for selecting goals.

Because we have speech-language pathologists on staff, we can identify the most appropriate communication modality for your child and set goals for improving speech intelligibility and language processing.