How to Join a Google Hangout and Create a New Hangout Event

• I have created instructions on how to join a Google Hangout, and how to create a new Google Hangout event.

• Links to the instructions are below. 

• I have found that it is very confusing to use Google Hangout on an iPad or tablet device, and would recommend using a laptop or desktop computer.  

• The instructions below will only work on a laptop or desktop computer using the Google Chrome browser.

For step-by-step instructions on how to join a Google Hangout, click here.

For step-by-step instructions on how to create a New Google Hangout event, click here.

Video on Neuroplasticity

"You can help develop new neural pathways.

Effort. Work. Repeated trials.

When David was in ICU and not speaking, I asked the neurologist this question,

"If this was your loved one- What would you do?"

He replied, "Stimulate, stimulate, stimulate -but not to the point of exhaustion."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Play a game. Find simple ways he can be successful - and keep challenging him to do a little more."

Up until that time, I thought David's best recovery would come from just resting.

I was wrong. Recovery takes ACTIVE participation.

Work every day on recovery. Little by little - your brain can create new pathways.

It is often painfully slow to see progress - but you can't give up!

NEVER GIVE UP."  
by Carol Dow-Richards, Stroke Advocate/Writer/Volunteer ARC


Tactus Therapy blog's "10 Things Stroke Survivors Need To Understand About Neuroplasticity":  here

Traditional Game & Computer/iPhone/iPad Games: here

Speech Therapy: iPad app & websites

Apps for iPad

• Apraxia Speech - ($4.99 - here)
• Speech sounds on cue (lite) - (free - here)
• Visual Attention TherAppy Lite (free - here)
• Language TherApply Lite (free - here)

Websites

• Randell's ESL Cyber Listening Lab:   http://esl-lab.com/
• Activities for ESL Students:  http://a4esl.org/
• English Worksheets: http://www.englishforeveryone.org/

Traditional Game & Computer/iPhone/iPad Games

Your brain is continually finding new pathways.  A great way to encourage your brain to find new paths is to play games.  You can play traditional board games or electronic games on you computer, iPad, etc.

Here are some games I would recommend based on my own experience as well as that of my speech therapist and input from members of one of my stroke support groups:

Traditional Game:

• Gobblet:  here
• Mandala:  here
• Chess & Checker
• Poker & Blackblack & Hearts
• Mexican Train Domino:  here
• ThinkFun Rush:  here

Computer Games & Apple Apps

• Luminosity.com ( 5 free to training - pay to month) - Cognitive retraining computer program:  

• Temple Run  (free - $0.99):  here
• Simon Classic (free - here) or iMimic ($0.99 - here) 
• Mancala (free) - here
• Hearts (free) - here
• FlingFree (free - here) or Fling ($0.99 - here)

How to write numbers in words

I have trouble writing numbers out in words, for instance in writing a check.

I have found an iPhone app and a website to help me with this problem. You enter the number and it converts it into words for you.  

To go to the CheckMate app - here

To go to the Really Big Numbers website click here

Can you say really big numbers? math cats explore (1) Enter a big number. (It can even be bigger than this box!) (This number can be rounded to: ) (2) Say the number out loud. (3) See how to write it. (4) Read it out loud and check: did you say it correctly?? Attention please! The Math Cats name large numbers the American way. Many countries in Europe use another system. The MegaPenny Project shows you lots and lots of pennies, up to one quintillion! And there's a chart showing how to name numbers up to 1 followed by 120 zeros. (After your visit, close the MegaPenny Project window to return to Math Cats.) copyright 2003 - 2012 by Wendy Petti of Math Cats and Maurici Carbó Jordi of Nummolt. All Rights Reserved.

Apple Mac Text to Speech Function

I use this function on my computer to understand the text. It speaks the text on the screen aloud.

This function is on every Apple product. Access it by going to Apple Icon ---> System Preferences ---> Speech ---> Text to Speech. You can set the voice and speed you prefer, as well as the keyboard key combination that will enable it.

For the iPhone and iPad, find it under Settings ---> General ---> Accessibility ---> Speak Auto-text