TPR + CALL and special needs children

[caroline italy]

I have had several special needs children of various degrees of severity (blind, autistic, late speakers, etc.) in my classes over the last few years and, together with their regular class teachers have noticed how my using Total Physical Response combined with abundant use of CALL to teach the class English has had beneficial general effects on these kids. Apart from encouraging fuller integration with the other class members, it would seem to have stimulated speech production in their mother tongue. I have no idea if this is all just coincidental but I would love to compare notes with anyone in a similar position. Or perhaps someone out there might just know if any studies have been done in the field..

Kindest thanks for any help you can give me.