Word Finding Difficulties

 Differential Diagnosis & Word Finding Intervention

 

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Word Finding IEP Objectives


This section of the web site presents sample IEP objectives in child Word Finding (German, 2005). These objectives are organized according to the three components of the Word Finding intervention model below (also presented in the intervention section of the web site). Although all of these objectives are not appropriate for any one student, subsets of the objectives may be appropriate for many students with Word Finding difficulties. Professionals have permission for nonprofit application of these objectives. Thus, viewers are welcome to use the IEP objectives to plan intervention for students with Word Finding difficulties.

 
Three Components of Word Finding Intervention
  • Retrieval Strategy Instruction
  • Self Advocacy Instruction
  • WF Accommodations in the Classroom
 
girl pondering
"Ya, it gets stuck on the thing in the back of my throat when the teacher calls on me."

Retrieval Strategy Instruction

Annual Goal:
The student will improve his or her Word Finding skills.

Short-term Objectives (Choose those appropriate for the learner):

  1. The student will apply the Same Sounds Cue retrieval strategy to improve word retrieval of known, but evasive, vocabulary in science, history, social studies, literature, and language arts.
  2. The student will apply the Familiar Word Cue retrieval strategy to improve word retrieval of known, but evasive, vocabulary in science, history, social studies, literature, and language arts.
  3. The student will apply Synonym and Category Substituting to circumvent Word Finding blocks to improve communication in science, history, social studies, literature and language arts.
  4. The student will use Syllable Dividing (visual and rhythm) to improve word retrieval of multisyllabic vocabulary in science, history, social studies, literature, and language arts.
  5. The student will apply reflective pausing to reduce Fast Inaccurate Responses when answering questions in class.

boy thinking
"My words are like fish and I can't catch the one I want."

Self-Advocacy Instruction

Annual Goal:
The student will learn to be a self advocate with regard to his or her Word Finding skills.

Short-term Objectives (Choose those appropriate for the learner):

  1. The student will demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the intervention objectives for the retrieval strategy instruction lessons taught.
  2. The student will learn to self apply retrieval strategies as he or she learns how to use them.
  3. The student will learn to identify those speaking settings, times of day, and the subject content where he or she has the most and least difficulty with Word Finding.
  4. The student will learn to identify the syntax and phonological complexity of the target words that he or she has the most and least difficulty retrieving.
  5. The student will demonstrate self-monitoring skills to recognize when Word Finding difficulties are occurring.
  6. The student will learn to apply a self-instruction sequence to reduce the occurrence of specific Word Finding behaviors that he or she typically produces
choices
"Wish I could have choices instead of having to come up with words on my own. I know them, but I just can't think of them."

Word Finding Accommodations in the Classroom

Annual Goal: The student will learn how to obtain and provide accommodations for his or her Word Finding difficulties.

Short-term Objectives (Choose those appropriate for the learner):  

  1. The student will learn to identify classroom activities that put a high demand on his or her Word Finding skills.
  2. The student will identify WF accommodations needed in those classroom activities that put a high demand on his or her Word Finding skills.
  3. The student will learn to consult with classroom teachers to modify classroom activities that put a high demand on his or her Word Finding skills.
  4. The student will learn to develop classroom or homework methods to aid his or her Word Finding skills with known information.
  5. The student will learn to consult with parents to modify home activities that put a high demand on his or her Word Finding skills.