51 Search Results for faces of AAC
November 7, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
Hearing the AAC stories of people with complex communication needs is always enlightening, but even more so when the narratives are told directly by those individuals. In today’s featured video, we hear from South African teenager Zainab Omar. Enjoy! Many thanks to Zainab for sharing her story and to ISAAC for making this available to all of us. Please consider supporting this wonderful international organization (here’s how). Communication is everyone’s birthright. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrAe7oc-Rjo
October 21, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
Each October, we like to share stories of people who use AAC throughout the day. to gain insight from those who have found a way to prioritize AAC despite their hectic and complicated lives. Today, Erin Compton shares some of the keys to making AAC a priority in her busy family. You can learn more about Erin and her family on their blog, Lotsacomptons and Room for More. In this post, Erin give us some tips on getting started in AAC and keeping up the momentum. Enjoy! Our journey into the world of AAC began last year with the adoption of our two sons from China. Philip and Arthur both have cerebral palsy and developmental delays from years in an orphanage. Just recently they began using communication devices so we have jumped in feet first to all things AAC. We are already having great success so I’m here to share some of the... [Read More...]
October 31, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
As we bring AAC Awareness Month to close, we add add another Face of AAC. Dianna Finlay, an SLP from CLASS in Tacoma Washington and Clinic Director Paula Herrington, introduce us to Brian. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Brian Long. He’s a user. He’s been using all his life. He likes the high. I can’t say I blame him. One of Brian’s buddies was a user for a while. He stopped using and is still going though bad withdrawal. If I was dealt the same hand as Brian, I’d like to think I’d be a user too. Of course, we’re talking about a user of augmentative and alternative communication. Brian Long is a 43-‐year-‐old male diagnosed with cerebral palsy. He has no functional oral speech and depends on a speech-‐generating device to communicate. Brian has been receiving speech therapy through CLASS, Inc. for a few years now. He communicates via a Dynavox Vmax, however, the device sat in... [Read More...]
October 16, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
From Bielsko, Poland, to Denver, USA, we are continuing to share the Faces of AAC. Today, we meet SLP Gretchen Storm, who works in the public school system and has a private practice. Gretchen enjoys collaborating with parents, children, teachers, other healthcare providers, siblings and peers in strategies and facilitating communication through speech generating devices. In this post, Gretchen introduces us to Zach. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Zach is an 11 year old who uses a Tobii I-12 eye gaze communication device to communicate. He previously used a switch scanning method on a VMax from Dynavox. Zach recently switched to an eye gaze device. Though he loves to use his arms and hands whenever possible, his motor control of them is not ideal for the consistent switch access needed for switch scanning. He was switched to an eye gaze system which could also serve as a switch scanning device if in the future he demonstrates improved... [Read More...]
October 2, 2014
by Carole Zangari -
What better way to promote AAC awareness than to share the faces of people who use AAC and the SLPs who serve them? Today, we go to Poland to visit with Justyna Puchalka, who has a private practice in Bielsko, and her young client, Wiktoria. Justyna has been working as a speech therapist for almost 10 years, mostly with young children who have a range of conditions including Down Syndrome, Prader Willi, cerebral palsy, autism and multiple disabilities. Justyna shared that she is very passionate about her work. “Because ‘my children’ make my work a challenge and, thus, my work gives me much satisfaction, not to mention that I simply like to help these children and their parents.” Justyna made a video to share some thoughts about Wiktoria’s AAC journey. Many thanks to Justyna, Wiktoria, and her family for helping us celebrate AAC Awareness Month! Direct link tovideo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eLE2nlA6R8
March 31, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends, and a joyous Easter to those who celebrate. We have a free online conference opportunity to share with you and, of course, some AAC posts you might enjoy. The UM-NSU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities offers its annual online conference on Saturday, April 6th. The featured speakers are Erin Sheldon (“Nothing about me without me:” Build your supported decision-making toolbox!) and Tabi Jones Wohleber (Ready, Set, Communicate: AACtion steps to AAC Implementation). For more information and a registration link, you can visit this page. There is no cost for this event. And now, let’s look at some of the past posts from our prAACtical week. Monday – April Year of Core Vocabulary & School Year of Core Vocabulary Words Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: On Transitioning from Paper-based to High-Tech AAC Thursday – School Year of Core Vocabulary Words... [Read More...]
February 8, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
Whether by birth or by choice, families play such an important role in our lives. They’re the focus of this edition of Throwback Thursday so if it’s a topic of interest, here are some posts to browse. Videos Growing Up with AAC in the Family Parent’s Guide to AAC Assessment From Presence to Contribution – A Family’s Journey Towards an Inclusive Life Family Collaboration by Dr. Barry Prizant Empowered Families in the World of AAC Parent-Implemented AAC Intervention for Young Children AAC Explainers for Parent & Staff Training Parent Collaboration in AAC Therapies AAC en Español: 3 Introductory Videos for Parents Helping Parents Model AAC at Home Articles AAC Intervention For Multicultural Families – Similarities and Differences Across Cultures Faces of AAC: Making It Work in A Busy Family Parent Coaching & Tele-AAC PrAACtically Reading with Karen Natoci: The Family Book PrAACtical Research: Effects of Parent Instruction on SGD Use... [Read More...]
January 21, 2024
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. Here are some posts for you to browse. Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Getting Ready for February’s School Year of Core Vocabulary Words Older Student Lessons Thursday – Throwback Thursday: Visual Supports & AAC ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Before you go, here are a couple of other suggestions for posts to explore. Transitioning to the Workplace: Resources for AAC Learners with Significant Disabilities Working with Multiple Symbol Sets Faces of AAC: Making It Work in A Busy Family Supporting AAC Learners in Working with Words Vocabulary Instruction: When Definitions Don’t Work
October 15, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. We have some posts you might have missed. Monday – Hosting AAC Awareness Month Activities Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: AAC Awareness Month 2023 Thursday – Throwback Thursday: AAC & Employment :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: If you have a little bit more time, these posts from the archives may be of interest. The Faces of AAC: Gretchen and Zach The Faces of AAC: Justyna & Wictoria The Faces of AAC: Dianna & Brian The Faces of AAC: Zainab Omar Enjoy your week, AAC friends!
August 10, 2023
by Carole Zangari -
Adolescents are a fun and exciting group to work with. In today’s post, we reach into the archives for some past posts that address some of the issues that arise in serving this age group. Starting AAC in the Teen Years: 3 Considerations for Families & Practitioners How I Do It Starting AAC with Teens & Young Adults by Angela Adams Pocket Flipbooks for Adults & Teens Pocket Flipbooks for Adults & Teens, Part 2 Pocket Flipbooks for Teens, Part 3 Conversation Practice with Teens and Young Adults by Angela Adams Faces of AAC – Zainab Omar Let’s Hit the Town, AAC Style Bridging Literacy and AAC for Adolescents Communication Strategies for Adolescents as They Transition through Adulthood AAC in Secondary School: Defining Age Respectful Video of the Week: AAC Intervention for Teens