An example of a rehearsal strategy is to practice gardening.

-> An SLP and a patient can begin a garden and write step-by-step what they need to do to maintain this garden.

-> Step one could be obtaining pots, step two could be filling the pots with soil, and so on and so forth.

-> The SLP could explain one or two steps, then slowly add another step for each session. The SLP and the patient could then go through the steps together, and the SLP would ask the patient which step they are doing. They would continue based on progress.

-> The SLP could then implement this exercise into other things, such as cooking, cleaning, etc.

An example for using mnemonics in memory therapy is to implement the peg method. The peg method requires that you memorize the following list:

• One = Bun

• Two = Shoe

• Three = Tree

• Four = Door

• Five = Hive

• Six = Sticks

• Seven = Heaven

• Eight = Gate

• Nine = Vine

• Ten = Hen

The SLP could implement the memorization of this list in sections. Once the patient knows at least three parts of the list, start associating steps in the patient's daily life with the mnemonic above. This could be as follows:

- Steps for baking cookies:

• One -> Bun in the oven (preheat oven)

• Two -> Shoes in the bowl (eggs, flour, etc. in the mixing bowl)

• Three -> Mixing trees (stir all the ingredients)

• Four -> Fix the door (roll cookies into balls)

• Five -> Assemble the hive (place all cookie balls onto baking sheet)

• Six -> Sticks in a row (place baking sheet into the oven)

• Seven -> Baking is heaven! (wait for timer to go off)

• Eight -> Open the gate (check on the cookies)

• Nine -> Cut down the vines (Take the cookies out of the oven)

• Ten -> Say goodnight to the hen (turn the oven off)

After using examples of the peg method in therapy, the patient could then use the peg method for anything in their daily lives (of course with help from a caregiver.)

An example of using this strategy is to have a patient verbalize simple pictures. This can be done by following these steps:

-> Present a picture of something very simple to the patient.

-> Ask the patient to describe what they see in the picture. (this will most likely be of very little detail)

-> Present identification cards that have meaning so that the patient identifies more information about the image they are describing. (size, shape, object, number, color, location, time/"when", background, movement, mood, etc.)

-> When the patient successfully identifies these items, reinforce the patient by explaining that their great detail helped you to picture the image in your head.

-> Then, describe the image you have in your head to the patient, and have them confirm whether you are right or wrong.

-> You can switch these roles and have the patient be the "visualizer" as they progressively improve this skill!

An example of verbal chaining is to play a "shopping" game with the patient. The game goes as follows:

-> Place 5 everyday objects (pillow, bowl, toothbrush, trash can, eyeglasses) around the therapy room that are easily accessible and in the line of sight of the patient.

-> Give the patient a bag to collect the items around the room, and a list of all 5 items so that they can look for them.

-> Ask the patient to "buy" you 1 item, then 2 items, then 3 items, and so forth.

-> Be sure to place the items back in their spots when you are done "purchasing" them.

-> Turn it into a game - ask the patient to try asking you to "shop" for them. Ask them to try to list, in order, the items that they are asking for. Start small, and progressively increase the number of items as the patient increases their skill.

This strategy can be implemented into everyday activities that require a sense of step-following, such as grocery shopping, hygienic acts, going to bed, etc.

An example of an association memory strategy is to play the word association circle game. To do this, follow these steps:

-> Pick a topic that has many items that fall under that category. This can be hot drinks, animals with fur, eating utensils, clothing articles, etc.

(This activity can be performed in a group setting. For this example, we will use group therapy as a setting.)

-> In your group, have the first person name an item that is associated with the chosen topic, and write down their response on a board that is visible to the participants.

-> Keep going down the line of participants until there are no remaining ideas or items.

-> Name things that the group may have missed, and add them all to the written list.

-> Shouting out the topic, go through the group and have one person name the first item that was mentioned, and erase the item from the list. Continue until there are no more items.

-> Repeat the game!

By using association as an internal memory strategy, you can improve the ability of the patient(s) to use association in their brain when thinking of sentences or in contexts.