December 12, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Professionals who are involved in the selection of AAC and other AT are quite familiar with the concept of determining what features are needed and then selecting tools that have those features to sample. The feature matching process has been the gold standard for AAC device selection , though many practictioners report that its implementation may not be robust. Determining exactly which features an individual might need in their AAC or other AT is a critical part of this process, and one with which many teams struggle. In today’s post, we highlight an online resource designed to make this process easier for school-based teams. The Student Inventory for Technology Supports (SIFTS) is a free, web-based survey tool that helps teams match the needs and abilities of a student to specific AT features. It is not a comprehensive assessment tool but provides guidance to help teams in the process of AAC... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: assessment, AT, feature match, schools
December 8, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for ways to help AAC learners of any age develop meaningful writing skills? These helpful resources may be of interest. “There is No Can’t” by Jane Farrall and Sally Clendon Emerging Writers and AAC by Jane Odom Alternative Pencils: What Does the Research Say? Emergent Literacy Beginnings and Goals for Children with Angelman Syndrome by David Koppenhaver and Susan Norwell (information applicable to a broader range of people who use AAC) Can Low-incidence Students Become First-time Writers? By Janet Sturm Happy exploring!
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: literacy, writing
December 5, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
At the ASHA Convention last month, I chatted with an SLP about her secret longing: To take a sabbatical and travel the world to see AAC in action. Wouldn’t that be exciting?! In the meantime, we’ll have to live vicariously and peek into AAC practices through the words and pictures of dedicated professionals. Angi Pearce, a teacher at Kowhai Special School in Hastings, New Zealand, was kind enough to help us out and share her experiences in increasing AAC use in her classroom. Angi is the team leader for the Junior School classes (ages 5-11) and graciously prepared this post with support from SLP Michelle Roberts. As you’ll see, Angi is a highly experienced educator but new to the world of AAC and not afraid to take risks and embrace change. Let’s take a look at how a veteran teacher stretched herself to incorporate more AAC into her classroom. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: AAC IN THE CLASSROOM My... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: classroom, core vocabulary, school, signing
December 4, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Hope you are coping well with the busy holiday season! Here a couple of posts from our prAACtical week. Monday: PrAACtically December: Resources for A Year of Core Vocabulary Wednesday: Video of the Week: Teaching Self Regulation Skills
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: summary post
November 28, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
A few years ago, we suggested that one way to help strengthen learners’ abilities with core words is to take a different set of 12-20 core words each month and focus on them for a few weeks. How? By modeling those words, making resource materials (like word cards with the symbols), creating activities in which those words figure prominently, posting them in the classroom/therapy room, reading books that have heavy use of these words, sharing them with families, write stories using them, etc. Core words are a great addition to the highly motivating, learner-specific words that many AAC users start with. If you are looking to expand to more robust language, this approach may be of interest. Here are the specific words we are focusing on in December. Set 1 (2013): ask, favorite, goodbye, hear, of, please, silly, surprise, these, use, way, work Set 2 (2014): already, clear, doctor, fix,... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Another Year of Core Words, Year of Core Words
November 27, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Monday – AAC Learning at ASHA 2016: Day 1 Wednesday – Video of the Week: Improving Literacy Outcomes for Individuals with ASD and Limited Speech Thursday – A Day for Giving Thanks Friday – PrAACtical Resources: AAC Partner Training Strategies
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: summary post
November 25, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Helping families build their AAC support skills is an important part of what we do. In today’s post, we have a return visit from Alicia Garcia, a lead SLP at the AAC Clinic at One Kids Place, a children’s treatment centre in northern Ontario. Alicia has more than two decades of clinical experience in a variety of settings and locales. You can see a guest post Alicia did on avoiding pitfalls in aided language input here. Today, she shares a booklet of handouts on AAC facilitation skills that can be used when working with families and other stakeholders. Many thanks to the AAC Team at One Kids Place for allowing us to share this helpful resource.
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: family, parent training, partner skills
November 24, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: gratitude
November 21, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
As usual, the ASHA Annual Convention was so chock full of AAC learning opportunities that there was no way to get to everything of interest. Here are some handouts on AAC topics from the first day of the conference. Aided Language Stimulation for All Communication Partners of Children Who Use AAC by Eric Sailers of Expressive Solutions and Jhoselle Padilla at Chula Vista Elementary School District AAC Multidisciplinary Treatment for Communication & Functional Participation by Amy Sonntag of Ohio State University and Lindsay Ripple of Akron Children’s Hospital “A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words.” An AAC Intervention for Children With Complex Communication Needs by Jamie Boster and John McCarthy of Ohio State University Expanding & Customizing Spanish Core Vocabulary for Augmentative & Alternative Communication by Amy Munekata, Bridget Carlile, and Lisa Domby of the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill An Analysis of Conversational Interaction of an Individual With... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: ASHA, Conference, handout
November 20, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
It’s been a week full of AAC at ASHA 2016 in Philadelphia. I hope to post some handouts from top conference presentations soon, but in the meantime, here are some posts you may have missed. Tuesday – PrAACtical Resources: Using Visual Systems to Promote Communication Wednesday – Video of the Week: Preserving Self with Message Banking When Losing Ability to Speak Thursday – Connecting with Caregivers to Support AAC Learning: 3 Things to Try
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: summary post