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Writer's pictureAlisyn Kandybowicz

Speech Therapy in the Mud Kitchen

A girl and a toddler cook play food in a mud kitchen.
Speech Therapy in the mud kitchen

How does a mud kitchen enrich language you ask??

Here's just a few ways:

  • identifying and labeling basic concepts (spatial, qualitative, quantitative, sequential, temporal, emotional, etc).

  • Tactile sensory input. Engages all of the senses.

  • Intrinsic motivation to learn and explore.

  • Novel communication opportunities for building vocabulary.

  • Elicits pretend play and imaginative creativity.

  • Functional communication opportunities.

  • Social communication opportunities.

  • Exploring foods and textures related to feeding therapy


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For SLP/As: Mud Kitchen as Evidence Based Practice

How to do speech therapy in the mud kitchen:

Let's pretend we are targeting a goal for requesting using total communication.

  1. Use preference assessment to gauge individual's natural motivators (play food, tools, mud, water (for play), leaves, rocks, etc).

  2. Decide on reinforcement interval (1:1, 3:1, 5:1, etc). For example, if you are reinforcing the desired behavior every time, you are using a 1:1 interval.

  3. Withhold objects in a clear container or bucket.

  4. Model requesting "more" using total communication (verbal/sign/AAC), reinforce imitation with motivator.

  5. Fade cues. Maybe reinforce desired behavior with three objects if they request without cues vs if they need modeling.

How is this Evidence Based Practice?


PIVOTAL RESPONSE TREATMENT (PRT)

PRT is a play-based, behavioral treatment for children with autism to improve communication, learning, social skills, and behavior using natural motivation and reinforcement. Families are encouraged to use PRT as a "lifestyle adopted by the whole family" (Autism Speaks).


For the SLP/A: PRT is an evidence based practice and effective strategy while treating children with autism using their natural motivators.


Pivotal areas include:

  • Motivation

  • Response to multiple cues

  • Self-management

  • Initiation of social interactions

Click here to read a brief overview by Autism Speaks.


To see the steps for PRT implementation, see: Vismara, L.A., & Bogin, J. (2009). Steps for implementation: Pivotal response training. Sacramento, CA: The National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders, The M.I.N.D. Institute, The University of California at Davis School of Medicine.


I LOVE this mud kitchen. But if you are crafty, you can make your own! Pinterest is full of ideas!



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