Absolutely R-Tic (2005). By Rae Cuda, Sarah Willard; Thinking Publications http://www.ThinkingPublications.com, 1-800-225-4769. Includes Mac/Win CD-ROM and 37-page manual; $79. Reviewed by Becky S. Baas, Rochester, MN.

Absolutely R-Tic is a software program from Thinking Publications authored by Rae Cuda and Sarah Willard. The CD-Rom, designed for both Macintosh and Windows, and accompanying user manual contains 500 photos for computer-created activities for /R/ articulation practice. Also, templates and directions for creating games are included. The /R/ pictures and activities are applicable to any child who is receiving articulation therapy for /R/ production in any school, clinic, hospital, or home environment where the clinician, teacher, or parent would have access to a computer and printer. Although written words are provided, reading is not required by the child to participate in the activities.

The purpose of the item is to create games or flashcards that enhance direct instruction of the /R/ phoneme in all word contexts. The authors highlight their product as one that contains /R/ photos representing all pre- and post-vocalic /R/ sounds as well as consonant clusters across a variety of categories.

Templates for six game boards and three different sizes of flashcards are included on the CD.

All speech-language pathologists are looking for fun, easy activities to create and supplement their individual treatment sessions. This CD-Rom provides colorful pictures and activities. It is easy to install and easy to navigate with even basic computer knowledge. Activities are fast to create and print (less than 15 minutes). It is important to read the game directions to print additional game pieces. The user manual reads easily and explains activities. The categories of words by sound position are helpful to individualize activities for the child.

I was disappointed by the small print of the words and pictures on the games. The kids in treatment would ask what the words or pictures were because they were so small. The pictures were definitely easier to read/see when printing the larger flashcards. The games were engaging to the children, although they didn't take long to play and there are so few spaces to move, only a couple of turns and the games are over!

I had high hopes that this CD would provide colorful pictures, easy, fun, and unique computer-created activities to use during treatment for the remediation of /R/. This CD provides multiple pictures that make useful flashcards and the CD is very quick and easy to use. Unfortunately, the games were not as appealing as I had hoped. They are hard to see and read and are only briefly engaging. Compared to other computer-created activities, I would grade this product a B-.