September 5, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Unemployment and underemployment are chronic problems faced by people who use AAC. As we celebrate Labor Day, we’re thinking of those of you who are working to help people who use AAC find, get, and keep jobs that they enjoy. If you are advocating for people with AAC needs in the realm of employment, this video by SLP Megan Case may help the agencies and job coaches you’re connecting with to better understand the role of speech-generating devices and other AAC. Direct link to video – https://ohioemploymentfirst.org/view.php?nav_id=123 You can check out other employment-related resources in this past post.
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
September 3, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Each month we feature a Spanish version of our AAC Link Up, CAA con Links. If you have AAC-related announcements, materials, or videos in Spanish that you would like others to know about, we’d love to have you add that information below. Also, please share this with anyone who might be interested in contributing to or using the materials that get added to these posts. You’ll find the place to add that information at the very bottom of this post. Organized by Claudia Marimón, these monthly posts also feature AAC work being done in Spanish-speaking countries and offer translations of material that can help families and service providers. Today’s post focused on literacy and AAC and includes a recording of a presentation from the 2022 AAC in the Cloud Conference, hosted by CoughDrop. Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom to add your link and see what others are sharing.... [Read More...]
Filed under: AAC Link Up, Featured Posts
September 1, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Sensory stories, sometimes called multisensory stories, are short narratives that add sensory components to the story reading experience. After each sentence or two, there is an accompanying sensory experience – something to do, touch, smell, hold, or listen to – that relates to that part of the story. There are bespoke sensory stories, but also many that are summarized versions of popular books and movies. The props, movement, and singing/sound-making combine to make this an engaging way to promote active engagement in story reading. Sensory stories are fairly easy to develop and can be used in many ways. If you are new to sensory stories, this brief video provides some helpful information and a quick demonstration. Direct link to video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esqxROLqv-g&ab_channel=KidsIncludedTogether The engaging nature and opportunity for multimodal interaction make sensory stories an appealing activity for AAC learners. Here are some sensory story resources to explore. Inclusive Teach Sensory Stories... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
August 30, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Tuesday, AAC friends! Once a week we invite you to share your own AAC-related content, product news, or anything else that you’d like others in the AAC community to know about. It may be a recent post you’ve written, a slide deck from your AAC presentation, a handout, video, or meme that you’ve posted online, an AAC product you’ve created, an announcement for an AAC course or conference, or any other prAACtical content you developed and want to share with the AAC community. To post your own link, scroll all the way down to the bottom of this post and complete the form. Enter the URL and the name/title in the boxes provided below. If you are on a mobile device, click over to the full website version to do this. The AAC Link Up is moderated to keep us from being spammed so it may take a little... [Read More...]
Filed under: AAC Link Up, Featured Posts
August 23, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Tuesday, AAC friends! Once a week we invite you to share your own AAC-related content, product news, or anything else that you’d like others in the AAC community to know about. It may be a recent post you’ve written, a slide deck from your AAC presentation, a handout, video, or meme that you’ve posted online, an AAC product you’ve created, an announcement for an AAC course or conference, or any other prAACtical content you developed and want to share with the AAC community. To post your own link, scroll all the way down to the bottom of this post and complete the form. Enter the URL and the name/title in the boxes provided below. If you are on a mobile device, click over to the full website version to do this. The AAC Link Up is moderated to keep us from being spammed so it may take a little... [Read More...]
Filed under: AAC Link Up, Featured Posts
August 22, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for materials that you can use to get your AAC team off to a good start this school year? Here are a few things that might come in handy. AAC 101 Flipbook This all-in-one resource contains information on how to implement key AAC support strategies: AAC 101 Handout. AAC Options Ensure that every student who needs AAC has access to at least a starter set of words and phrases. There are plenty of core communication boards and flipbooks to choose from, and this post has links to a variety of them: Core Boards. Hands-on AAC Interactive experiences where communication partners get to try out and use AAC to learn and express themselves can be very powerful. If you need ideas or materials to use, check out the options we share in an earlier post: Hands-On Activities.
Filed under: Featured Posts
August 21, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Sunday, AAC friends. We have some AAC posts that you might enjoy. Monday – Back to School with AAC: Bulletin Board Printables Tuesday – AAC Link Up Wednesday – Video of the Week: Life with SMA & AAC Thursday – Throwback Thursday: Advocacy, Self-advocacy & AAC :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: And if you are still in the mood for some AAC reading, here are some suggestions. 5+ Ways to Make Page Fluffers and Spacers AAC Vocabulary Lists PrAACtically Reading: Books Featuring Children & Youth with Disabilities Make It Monday: Manual Communication Boards with Core Vocabulary Communication Boards: Colorful Considerations
Filed under: Featured Posts
August 18, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Advocacy and AAC go hand-in-hand. In today’s edition of Throwback Thursday, we’re revisiting some past posts and videos on advocacy, self-advocacy, and support for people with AAC needs. Self-Advocacy & AAC: 5 Skills to Consider Targeting Growing AAC Professionals: Resources for Self-Advocacy, Reducing Abandonment, Medical Encounters, & More Celebrating Independence Day with a Touch of AAC 5 Ways to Support Self-Advocacy in AAC Learners AACtual Advocacy 5 Kinds of Pre-stored Messages That Put the AAC Learner in Control AAC in Secondary School: Centering AAC Users in the IEP Process
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
August 16, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Happy Tuesday, AAC friends! Once a week we invite you to share your own AAC-related content, product news, or anything else that you’d like others in the AAC community to know about. It may be a recent post you’ve written, a slide deck from your AAC presentation, a handout, video, or meme that you’ve posted online, an AAC product you’ve created, an announcement for an AAC course or conference, or any other prAACtical content you developed and want to share with the AAC community. To post your own link, scroll all the way down to the bottom of this post and complete the form. Enter the URL and the name/title in the boxes provided below. If you are on a mobile device, click over to the full website version to do this. The AAC Link Up is moderated to keep us from being spammed so it may take a little... [Read More...]
Filed under: AAC Link Up, Featured Posts
August 15, 2022
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for some ways to share your enthusiasm for AAC in your classroom or therapy space? Here is a set of bulletin board materials for you to download. Watch for companion materials later in the school year. Enjoy!
Filed under: Featured Posts