Who is the Bluebee Pal appropriate for? I think any child would enjoy this interactive learning tool. Children with special needs (e.g. Autism, ADHD, Social Communication Disorder, etc) could benefit from this interactive tool because of the various goals that I targeted below. What I found most effective with the Bluebee Pal was the ability to use it for role playing for a child with delayed or disordered pragmatic language.
Here are ten speech and language goals that can be targeted with the Bluebee Pal:
- Role Play. A child can talk to the Bluebee Pal and you can control the responses by speaking into the microphone on your device or using a communication app.
- Turn taking in conversation.
- Answering questions. Read a book to your child and have your Bluebee Pal ask questions! You can also have your Bluebee read the book and ask the questions.
- Encourage your child to comment when your Bluebee Pal is singing or answering the phone.
- Request the Bluebee Pal via speech or augmentative communication needs.
- Improving conversation. For many children with pragmatic delays or disabilities, using the Bluebee Pal to practice conversation can be motivating.
- Encourage dramatic play with the Bluebee Pal.
- Can be an excellent model for speech.
- Follow directives during specific tasks (e.g. following instructions in class)
- Help to initiate communication. Bluebee Pals are not threatening or intimidating. They are cuddly stuffed animals that can be great tools to practice a variety of concepts such as initiating communication (e.g. “excuse me”, “can you play with me?”).
