When teaching topic maintenance in speech/language therapy, we can break the skill down into the following phases.  These phases allow us to work on the skill gradually and build up the student’s success over time.  Here are the phases:

1. Defining On-Topic and Off-Topic: Client will demonstrate an understanding of the terms “on-topic” and “off-topic” by defining them in their own words or identifying when a statement is on or off topic.

2. Staying on Topic for 5 Turns: Client will remain on-topic by taking 5 conversational turns with an adult that are all related to a preferred topic (such as a favorite activity or food).

3. Responding with Relevant Information: During a structured activity in the therapy room, Client will provide relevant, on-topic information in response to questions at least 80% of the time.

4. Staying on Topic 5 Minutes: During conversation with the therapist, Client will reduce the number of off-topic statements/questions to no more than 1 in five minutes on 3 consecutive data collection days, using visual reminders as needed.

5. Conversational Repair when Off Topic: When a conversational breakdown occurs due to off-topic comments, Client will respond to a prompt (such as, “I’m confused what you’re talking about”) by stating the change in topic or going back to the previous topic on 4 of 5 observed opportunities (in this case, an “observed opportunity” would occur when someone prompts Client to clarify).

Topic Maintenance Speech Therapy Activity Idea:

The Topic Maintenance Railroad

Decide on a topic of conversation with your child.  At first, choose topics he enjoys.  As he becomes better at staying on topic, you can begin to choose topics that interest him less.  Show the child the train pictured below and explain to him that each of the train cars represents what we say about that topic.  If you say something that isn’t about the topic, then the train car falls off the track.  Try to keep all of the train cars on the track.  If your child is struggling, print off the train and write what he says during a conversation above each train car and then discuss whether they are about the topic or not.

After you’ve been practicing this for a while, try setting some goals with your child such as how many turns your child will stay on topic.  You can tell your child “There are six cars on this train.  Let’s see if you can think of 6 things to say about our topic.”  Then, celebrate with your child once he fills up the train but only write down the things your child says that are on topic.

Once your child begins to understand this analogy, you can begin to use it in other settings as well.  For example, when your child changes the subject unexpectedly, you can say something like “Wait a minute!  We were talking about pizza.  You changed the topic.  Did your train fall off the track?”