react2.com - information for carers
react2.com gives your loved one, partner or friend a focus to learn and gain confidence,
self-esteem and independence - and enables you to provide valuable, ongoing support
without needing to be a speech and language expert yourself!
Many patients and speech and language therapists (SLTs) have used Propeller’s ‘react’
rehabilitation software since 1998. react2.com is specially designed in collaboration with
experienced SLTs to allow patients to work independently, at their own pace, for as long
as they like…
There is no substitute for professional advice, but pressures on health resources often
means that therapy with a SLT may only be available for a short period, and can often stop
just at a time when the person feels that he/she is making progress. This is where
react2.com can be of real benefit, as it provides extra therapy practice to assist recovery of
reading, writing and cognitive skills.
The next section will help you to understand how react2.com might help people with a
range of difficulties, including
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Stroke
Brain injury
Dementia
Delayed language development
Learning disabilities
Autism
Down’s syndrome
The symbols used throughout represent the 5 different modules within react2.com which
provide exercises that may be suitable for each type of difficult:
auditory processing
visual processing
semantics
memory / sequencing
life skills
© Propeller Multimedia Ltd 2012 | Unit 4 | Cavalry Park Business Centre | Peebles | EH45 9BU | E: [email protected]
Stroke
“My husband has had a stroke – how can react2.com help him?”
After a stroke people may have difficulty finding the words they want to say. They
understand what it is they want to say, but not be able to think of the right words.
They may not be able to understand sounds, single words, short phrases, or complex
sentences
There may be problems with understanding what they read either at the single-word level
or at the sentence or paragraph level. People who have had a stroke, and have aphasia,
often have difficulty matching single words, such as "apple" or "milk" to pictures.
People with aphasia following a stroke may also find it hard to understand the meaning of
words, phrases, objects, signs and/or grammar.
Thinking skills, such as memory, sequencing and problem solving, may also be affected in
individuals after a stroke.
react2.com provides a vast range of exercises to cover all of these areas and they can be
carried out with a Speech and Language Therapist, alone, or with a volunteer, carer,
family member or friend.
© Propeller Multimedia Ltd 2012 | Unit 4 | Cavalry Park Business Centre | Peebles | EH45 9BU | E: [email protected]
Brain Injury
“My friend has had a brain injury – how can react2.com help his/her recovery?”
When people have an acquired brain injury, either a traumatic brain injury (e.g. from a car
crash) or a closed brain injury (e.g. from meningitis) then they may have difficulty
communicating (aphasia and/or a cognitive communication impairment).
They may have difficulty expressing themselves because they cannot find the right words
they want to say.
They may not be able to understand sounds, single words, short phrases, or complex
sentences.
There may be problems with understanding what they read either at the single-word level
(e.g. matching single words, such as "apple" or "milk" to pictures) or at the sentence or
paragraph level.
After a brain injury some people may also find it hard to understand the meaning of words,
phrases, objects, signs and/or grammar. They may be able to say words but the words
may be incorrect or inappropriate.
They may have difficulty understanding more subtle parts of language, for example they
may find it hard to understand what others mean when they say things in a certain way, or
show a particular facial expression. They may also not know when is appropriate to say a
specific thing or how to express a particular emotion.
Thinking skills, such as maths skills, problem solving, telling the time, memory and
sequencing may also be affected.
React2.com provides a range of exercises to cover all of these areas.
© Propeller Multimedia Ltd 2012 | Unit 4 | Cavalry Park Business Centre | Peebles | EH45 9BU | E: [email protected]
Dementia
“My granny has dementia – how can react2.com help slow down her loss of words and
everyday skills?”
People with dementia often have difficulty finding the words they want to say.
They may not be able to understand sounds, single words, short phrases, or complex
sentences.
There may be problems with understanding what they read either at the single-word level
or at the sentence or paragraph level. People with dementia often have difficulty matching
single words, such as "apple" or "milk" to pictures.
Someone with dementia may also find it hard to understand the meaning of words,
phrases, objects, signs and/or grammar.
Thinking skills, such as memory, sequencing and problem solving, may also be affected in
individuals with dementia.
react2.com provides a wide range of exercises to cover all of these areas and they can be
carried out with a Speech and Language Therapist, alone, or with a volunteer, carer,
family member or friend.
© Propeller Multimedia Ltd 2012 | Unit 4 | Cavalry Park Business Centre | Peebles | EH45 9BU | E: [email protected]
Delayed language development
“My child has delayed language development – how can react2.com provide extra help at
home and school?”
Children who have delayed or disordered language may have difficulty understanding
words, sentences, paragraphs and conversations that they hear.
They may have difficulty understanding words or sentences that are written down.
They may find it hard to grasp the meaning of words and have difficulty with concepts such
as opposites, prepositions and sorting words into categories.
There may be problems remembering lists of words heard or working out time, money,
calendars, etc.
react2.com has a range of exercises to help with these areas and, if it is being used at
school or clinic, it may be helpful to do extra practice at home.
© Propeller Multimedia Ltd 2012 | Unit 4 | Cavalry Park Business Centre | Peebles | EH45 9BU | E: [email protected]
Autism
“My child has autism – how can react2.com help him with language and other skills he
finds difficult?”
Children on the autistic spectrum may have a range of problems involving speech,
understanding what is said to them and what they see written down.
In addition, they may find it hard to grasp the meaning of words or expressions and often
struggle to appreciate other people’s facial expressions or intonation of voice.
Sometimes they have difficulty remembering a list of things they have heard.
They find it difficult to tell people what they need, and how they feel. They may also find it
difficult to understand what other people think, and how they feel.
react2.com has a range of exercises to work on these areas of difficulty and, as many
children with autism enjoy using computers, this program could be an excellent resource
for children to use both at home and school.
© Propeller Multimedia Ltd 2012 | Unit 4 | Cavalry Park Business Centre | Peebles | EH45 9BU | E: [email protected]
Learning disabilities
“My son has learning disabilities – how can react2.com help him learn words and
everyday skills?”
When children are born with learning disabilities and later become adults, they often have
many problems with understanding what they hear or see written down.
They may find it difficult to remember things or understand the meaning of words or
concepts such as colours, size, numbers, etc.
New skills may have to be learnt to cope with everyday life, such as handling money,
understanding the clock and calendar, and dealing with shopping, etc.
It is important to learn about recognizing facial expressions, tone of voice, etc., and how to
make decisions about what to do in a specific situation.
react2.com provides a vast range of exercises to cover all of these areas and they can be
carried out at home or in a day cent
© Propeller Multimedia Ltd 2012 | Unit 4 | Cavalry Park Business Centre | Peebles | EH45 9BU | E: [email protected]
Down’s syndrome
“My child has Down’s syndrome – how can react2.com help with language and other skills
she finds difficult?”
All children with Down’s syndrome will have learning difficulties, which can range from mild
to moderate.
In particular, children with Down’s syndrome may have memory problems – both shortterm and long-term memory.
They may also have concentration problems – many children with Down’s syndrome have
low attention spans, difficulty problem solving and difficulty understanding the
consequences of their actions.
They may be delayed in the ability to understand what is said to them and find it difficult to
follow complex conversations.
Similarly, they may find it harder to understand written words, sentences and paragraphs.
react2.com has a range of exercises in all of the above modules to help children with
Down’s syndrome.
© Propeller Multimedia Ltd 2012 | Unit 4 | Cavalry Park Business Centre | Peebles | EH45 9BU | E: [email protected]