Speech Therapy on the Go: How to Stay on Track with your Home Exercise Program (HEP) While Traveling
Traveling can be a fantastic way to recharge, explore new places, and break the routine. But when you’re in the middle of speech therapy, whether it's for articulation, fluency, language, or voice therapy, sticking to your home exercise program can feel challenging when you're away from your usual environment. The good news is: you don’t have to let travel derail your progress. With a little preparation and creativity, you can stay consistent with your speech therapy exercises, wherever you are. Let’s explore strategies for maintaining your speech therapy routine while traveling, so you can keep making progress, even on the go.
1. Pack Smart and Plan Ahead
The key to staying consistent with your speech therapy exercises while traveling is preparation. Before you leave, talk to your SLP and take some time to:
Pack necessary materials: This could include any worksheets, flashcards, or apps you normally use. If your therapist has provided exercises in paper form, make sure to pack them in a folder or binder. If you use a speech therapy app, download all the content you might need offline in case you encounter limited Wi-Fi.
Create a portable exercise kit: This might include a notebook, a pen, your phone or tablet, and any relevant documents or printed handouts from your therapist. Having everything in one place will make it easy to grab and go.
Set realistic goals for your trip: Traveling can be hectic, so it's important to adjust your expectations. Aim for small, manageable goals—perhaps you can focus on one key aspect of your speech therapy (like articulation or vocabulary exercises) rather than trying to tackle everything at once.
2. Incorporate Therapy into Daily Activities
You don’t need to carve out hours in your day to complete your exercises. Instead, find ways to incorporate them into activities you’re already doing.
Practice while sightseeing: If you're walking around a new city or exploring nature, you can make it a game to practice your speech exercises aloud while you’re on the move. If you're working on articulation, repeat your target sounds or words as you walk. If you're working on fluency, practice speaking in full sentences with clear speech while narrating the things you're seeing.
Practice in your hotel room or Airbnb: Even if you're staying in a hotel or temporary accommodations, try to carve out some quiet time in the mornings or evenings. A quick five to ten-minute session can be enough to keep up the momentum.
Record your exercises: If you’re working on voice exercises, use your phone or a voice recorder to check your progress and track your improvements. It’s an easy way to keep tabs on how you're doing.
3. Use Speech Therapy Apps and Online Resources
Technology can be your best friend when it comes to speech therapy on the go.
Speech therapy apps: Apps like Speech Blubs, Articulation Station, or Tactus Therapy can help you practice articulation, language, and fluency exercises right from your phone or tablet. Some apps also offer progress tracking, so you can stay motivated and see your improvements over time.
Online video sessions: If you normally see a speech therapist in person, consider setting up a teletherapy session during your trip. Many therapists offer virtual appointments, which can be a great way to check in and get feedback, even if you’re on the road.
YouTube videos: There are countless free resources on YouTube where speech therapists and educators offer exercises, drills, and tips for speech therapy. Create a playlist that aligns with your needs, so you can watch videos for inspiration or practice while traveling.
4. Use Downtime for Passive Practice
Travel often means waiting—whether it’s in an airport, on a bus, or in a hotel lobby. Instead of letting these moments slip by, use them as opportunities for passive practice.
Listen to podcasts: If you’re working on listening comprehension or language skills, try finding podcasts related to speech therapy or other topics of interest that require active listening. If you're working on fluency, you can also listen to your own recordings and analyze your speech patterns.
Mental practice: You don’t always need physical materials to practice your speech. When you're waiting for a flight, sitting on a bus, or relaxing in your room, you can practice your target sounds or phrases in your head. Think through the exercises your therapist has given you and visualize yourself completing them successfully.
5. Stay Accountable
It can be easy to forget about your speech therapy exercises when you're caught up in the excitement of travel, but keeping yourself accountable can make a big difference.
Track your progress: Keep a simple journal or use an app to track how often you complete your exercises. Check off the days you stick to your routine and make note of any improvements or challenges you encounter. This helps you stay on top of your goals and feel a sense of accomplishment.
Tell a travel companion: If you're traveling with others, let them know about your speech therapy goals. Having someone else to check in with can be a great motivator. They might even help you practice your exercises, or simply remind you to stay on track.
6. Be Flexible and Forgiving
While consistency is important, it’s also important to be flexible with your routine while traveling. Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes you might miss a session or two. Don’t stress—traveling is about enjoying new experiences, and it’s okay if your routine shifts a little. The key is to stay committed in the long term, even if it means adjusting your approach temporarily.
Wrap-up
Travel doesn’t have to mean putting your speech therapy exercises on hold. By preparing in advance, staying organized, and finding creative ways to incorporate your exercises into your daily routine, you can stay on track and continue making progress, no matter where you are. So, pack your speech therapy tools, keep a positive mindset, and enjoy your travels while maintaining the commitment to your speech therapy goals!
