Introducing Imagine Speech: Giving Kids the Power of Speech- Language with the Click of a Computer

May 11, 2010 - PRLog -- Contact: Anne Coady M.S., CCC-SLP
                  [443-470-9244]
INTRODUCING IMAGINE SPEECH: GIVING KIDS THE POWER OF SPEECH- LANGUAGE WITH THE CLICK OF A COMPUTER

Before children even say their first word, they have an understanding of language. However, almost 1 in 12 children have a language impairment. Introducing an innovative program that helps bridge the communication gap: Imagine Speech is the brainchild of speech-language pathologist and mother, Anne Coady. Years of research and hands on experience with children of all ages inspired her to create Imagine Speech. Her concept transforms traditional speech-language therapy into technological concepts that kids can relate with in everyday settings. Anne Coady explains, “After working in a variety of classroom and medical settings, it became apparent that children love the computer and benefit from visual and interactive learning strategies.”  
      Imagine Speech’s mascot, Imagine the dog, helps children navigate through a series of engaging video games. The characters in these games along with the mascot were developed so children could relate and learn from someone friendly and familiar to them.  Each game includes models, direct instruction, targeted trials, support, multi-modality learning, positive reinforcement, and review instruction. All these parts make Imagine Speech a comprehensive learning tool that children want to use.
Anne Coady, the developer of Imagine Speech, holds a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Vanderbilt University's School of Medicine and has a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Her interest in helping children came from her own personal experiences dealing with stuttering and language based learning disabilities. She hopes Imagine Speech will help give children the power to voice their future. Anne Coady's goal is that, “Imagine Speech will support children and give them the tools they need to be successful by providing engaging video-game software that teaches speech-language skills based on researched and evidence proven practices.”
   For more information on Imagine Speech or to reach Anne Coady, please visit the website: www.imaginespeech.com.

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The goal of Imagine Speech is to produce engaging and interactive video-games that teach speech-language skills to children. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other language impairments may benefit from Imagine Speech.