The Talkies® program aligns with a theory of cognition, Dual Coding Theory, and through sequential steps brings the nonverbal code of imagery to consciousness. The goal is to engage the individual to consciously create and access mental representations and stimulate his or her awareness of the imagery-language connection. Talkies® is not intended to diagnose or be an exclusive treatment for speech-language pathology and audiology disorders.

Talkies® is the primer to the Visualizing and Verbalizing® (V/V ®) program for students who need simpler, smaller steps of instruction to establish the imagery-language connection. The goal of Talkies® instruction is to develop mental imagery as a base for language comprehension and expression. Talkies® instruction may benefit students with prior third-party diagnoses of expressive language delays or autism spectrum disorders.

This manual provides the theory and specific steps to implement the Talkies® program. It includes sample lessons, step summaries, illustrations, and helpful tips, and it describes the important questioning techniques that stimulate mental imagery.

The goals of Talkies® are to…

• Bring nonverbal imagery to consciousness
• Establish the imagery-language connection
• Increase oral vocabulary
• Improve language comprehension and expression