Books to Live By
Useful books for rehabilitation,
motivation, and to regain fulfillment

Aphasia And Speech Disability Tools

 Electronic Dictionary

Franklin Speaking Language Master - LM- 6000B

PAUL: I have a Franklin Language Master Electronic Dictionary and Thesaurus that is more than 15 years old.  I use this sturdy, compact dictionary to understand words in the newspaper, book, or work instructions.  I type in the word and search on definitions, synonyms, and the thesaurus, by punching one button.  If I don't understand the words in the definition, I can look up each one until I understand the full meaning.  Also, when I'm writing, and trying to remember a word, I type in the letters I know, and the word-finder will give me a list of choices. If I'm not sure which is right, I can check each word's meaning by punching the definition or synonym key. I use the memory function to recall words I recently reviewed. This is my number one tool for help me overcome my aphasia.  (My number two tool is a pocket notebook and pen.) I also have a Speaking Language Master, and a pocket-size speller. The model listed below is similar to my favorite.

Speaking Language Master(tm), Publisher Merriam-Webster(r) and Franklin Electronic Publishers.  Provides instant access to: * 130,000 words * 300,000 definitions * Over 500,000 synonyms * 10,000 antonyms * Phonetic Spell Correction * ClariSpeech (used for both words and definitions) * Grammar Guide * 12 word games: Anagrams, Jumble, Word Builder, Flashcards, Spelling Bee, Memory Challenge, Hangman, Word Blaster, Word Train, Deduction, Word Deduction, Letris, User List Features Franklin's exclusive: * 11,000 Classmates * Confusables * Context-sensitive Help Text * Crossword Solver * Dynamic Phonics Guide * Learning Exercises * MatchMaker * Reverse Search Includes: * 8-line display * AC adapter jack * Contrast control * Adjustable font size * Automatic shutoff * Headphone jack * Volume control * Battery low indicator Model: LM6000B Order online

40,000 Selected Words by Valeda Blockcolsky, Joan M. Frazer, Douglas
H. Frazer

PAUL: I used this book almost three times a week with my speech tutor, for many years. My speech pathologist would select a sound for me to practice, then my tutor and I would pick out the words from this book. It has one, two, three, and four syllable words, so we could pick easier or harder words to practice, with the sounds in different parts of the word.

40,000 Selected Words is a sourcebook of words sorted by consonant sounds in the English language. It has been prepared for Communication Disorder Specialists, Speech-Language Pathologists, teachers in Special Education and ESL, regular classroom teachers, students, parents, and professionals dedicated to the task of improving communication skills. The lists are comprehensive and varied enough to be used with children or adults. Order online

The Dictionary of American Slang by Robert L. Chapman, Barbara Ann Kipfer, Harold Wentworth, Robert L., Ph.D. Chapman

STEPHANIE: This book helps the person with aphasia and their family members. I've learned that aphasia seems to make Paul take everything literally, so some jokes and slang are hard for him to understand. I didn't realize how much slang we use everyday, until Paul started asking questions. This dictionary helps me explain slang to Paul.

Originally published in 1960, The Dictionary of American Slang is widely regarded as the standard in its field. Expanded and completely updated, this third edition contains more than 19,000 terms of representing the variety and vigor of American slang, from the most widely acceptable to the taboo, and covering all periods of American history Order online

Visual Dictionary

The Macmillan Visual Dictionary
by Ariane Archambault, Jean Claude Corbeil (Editor)

PAUL:  Pictures with words are always easier for me to understand with my aphasia.  One of my favorites is The Macmillan Visual Dictionary. This is a book for adults, in an aphasia-friendly format.  Items ranging from simple household products to details of airplane engines are pictured, allowing people with aphasia to express their professional knowledge, as well as to find everyday items.

 With thousands of intricate and colorful illustrations presented in a browser-friendly paperback format, the new compact edition of The Macmillan Visual Dictionary is an easily portable follow-up to the popular hardback version. The dictionary connects each phrasing, key word, or key words to a grouping of finely detailed and descriptive pictures, all formatted into a series of sections assembled in an easy-to-follow index at the beginning of the book.. Order online

The Facts on File Visual Dictionary (Facts on File)
by Jean-Claude Corbeil.

PAUL: Another good picture dictionary that I use, almost twice the size of the Macmillan dictionary.  Also, open it to any page to start a conversation with friends.

Contains more than 25,000 terms that match up with 3,000 black-and-white illustrations. The Facts on File Visual Dictionary not only provides a wealth of pictures, graphics, and illustrations--listed by theme in an easy-to-follow table of contents--but also lets readers start from just one word, providing a series of indexes broken into thematic and specialized sections to help them find what they're after. These sections cross-reference each other nicely, making it simple for the dedicated linguistics student to track down pictures of everything from an accordion pleat to an accordion bag by just flipping a few pages.
Order online

Science Dictionary

Ultimate Visual Dictionary of Science (Ultimate Visual Dictionary)
by Dorling Kindersley Publishing.

PAUL:  I am very interested in space exploration and sciences of all kinds. I found an aphasia-friendly picture dictionary of scientific terms and concepts that ranges from physics and astronomy, to medicine, to electronics and computers, to interesting facts about our world. While I use the Internet a lot to follow my many interests, this picture dictionary book is helpful when I remember only part of a concept. I can page through the book to find what I mean. The book is fun to page through, too, with excellent illustrations, charts, and photographs. For example, the section on electric circuits made me remember my high school science class, while the section on medical imaging helped me understand some of the medical tests used in stroke.

This dictionary uses more than 1,600 color photographs and illustrations, each one annotated in detail. It analyzes the main scientific disciplines, in pictures and words. Cross sections and diagrams provide a unique perspective on everything from the structure of a flower to the Big Bang. It covers more than 15,000 terms, with over 170 major entries and 10 different sections to answer thousands of questions for the whole family..Order online

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