From Screen to Real Life: Integrating Video Games and Role-Play into Therapy

Educator

SLP

SLP: caseload management

SLP: language disorders

OT: school based

This interactive workshop explores the integration of video games and video game-inspired experiences into speech-language therapy for school-aged children and adolescents. Participants will learn evidence-based strategies for using video games to enhance receptive and expressive language development, foster social communication, and build problem-solving skills. Beyond gameplay, the workshop demonstrates how role-play and video editing can engage clients in creating and refining narratives, organizing thoughts, and collaborating with peers. Attendees will leave with practical, client-centered approaches for structuring therapy sessions around digital and real-world activities, inspiring creativity and fostering meaningful communication outcomes.

Presenters

Erik X. Raj
Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Dr. Erik X. Raj holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is a practicing speech-language pathologist who works with children and adults. He's an associate professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey, where he also directs the Meaningful Digital Experiences Research Lab.

Learning Objectives

Identify video games and video game-inspired activities that are appropriate for use in speech and language therapy with school-aged children and adolescents.
Summarize strategies for using video games to enhance receptive and expressive language development, social communication, and problem-solving skills in therapy.
Demonstrate how to incorporate role-play and video editing inspired by video games to foster narrative skills, collaboration, and meaningful dialogue in therapy activities.

Agenda

5 minutes	Introduction: Overview of workshop goals and relevance of video games in speech-language therapy.
10 minutes	Identifying Appropriate Video Games: Criteria for selecting games and examples of their therapeutic potential (Objective 1).
15 minutes	Strategies for Language Development: Using video games to enhance language, social communication, and problem-solving skills (Objective 2).
15 minutes	Role-Play and Video Editing: Demonstrating role-play activities and simple video editing for therapy (Objective 3).
5 minutes	Q&A: Participant questions and discussion.
10 minutes	Wrap-Up: Key takeaways and resources for implementation.

Disclosures

Financial Disclosures:	Dr. Erik X. Raj is an Associate Professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at Monmouth University. He is also the Founder of SLPVideoGames.com.
Non-financial Disclosures:	Dr. Erik X. Raj is the director of the Meaningful Digital Experiences Research Lab
Content Disclosures:	Dr. Erik X. Raj has no additional content information to disclose.

ASHA

This course is offered for .1 ASHA CEUs, Intermediate Level, Professional Area

SLP Summit

SLP Summit Registration: FREE!
Your event registration includes access to (6) live courses, their replays, and a certificate of completion. Submittal of your participation to the ASHA registry is NOT included. Courses run live 1/13/25-1/15/25 and replays will be available through 1/31/25.

Add-ons

Summit ASHA Opt In

$29.99

This add on includes submittal of your participation to the ASHA registry for the 6 Summit courses. *You must opt-in and add your ASHA credentials after completing all course steps for EACH course. The deadline for ASHA opt in is 2/15/25.

Foundations of Communication Series - Summit Discount!

$58.50

Summit Registration Deal! Save 10% on this series with Perry Flynn and colleagues when you register for it with your Summit registration (Originally $65, now just $58.50)! Your event registration includes access to (2) live courses (2/3/25 + 2/10/25) and their replays plus submittal of your participation to the ASHA registry. You must opt-in and add your ASHA credentials after completing all course steps by the 15th of the month after you view each video.

Please, Just Tell Me What Therapy Approach I Should Choose! - Summit Deal!

$18.00

Prepare for Rebecca Reinking's Summit presentation by bundling it with one of her other courses! Enjoy a 10% discount—normally $20, now just $18—when you purchase it along with your Summit registration. Your purchase includes access to (1) recorded course and submittal of your participation to the ASHA registry. *You must opt-in and add your ASHA credentials after completing all course steps by the 15th of the next month.

From Screen to Real Life: Integrating Video Games and Role-Play into Therapy